Is A Massage A Spiritual Experience?

by Darren Gurr

Spirituality could be the most important dimension of our health. Everyone knows how important the four pillars of health and wellness are, the dimensions of mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. I like to use the metaphor of the spokes on a wheel. The reason is that it displays how, when one of the spokes is bent, broken, or missing, it affects the entire function of the wheel making it wobbly and unstable resulting in a bumpy ride.

 

 

The relationship between these different facets of our health is always reciprocal. One spoke or dimension grows stronger and it supports the strength of the other pillars. When one is weak it negatively affects the strength of the other spoke on the wheel. 

Everyone’s goal in life is to feel good and so we are taking our mental, physical and emotional health more seriously than ever. But the topic of how our spirituality affects our wellbeing is not as openly discussed as the other more tangible dimensions of our health. Yet spirituality is still a hot topic and its popularity continues to grow. We have a thirst to know, explore, and experience what it means to us as an individual. The reality is that it is a uniquely personal path for each one of us. 

So how is a massage a spiritual experience? Stick with me. 

Whatever a spiritual path looks like for you, consider the power that a healthy spiritual condition has over the rest of your life and how these relationships are reciprocal. You will see how it may be the most important pillar of our wellbeing. 

Spirituality is how we find meaning, purpose, hope and harmony in our life. All pretty powerful and positive stuff, right? Well when we are experiencing this state it is highly likely that we have a more positive and enthusiastic mental attitude towards life. Which means there is a much better chance we are going to go for that run or yoga class. When we finish that practice we are then going to experience not only the physical benefits of being healthy but we will be more mindful or present, which is the perfect state to connect to our own inner spiritual being. Spirituality also provides us with the clarity and consciousness we need to support our mental health leaving us ready to continue on with life from a much better place. 

When we fully engage our own spiritual journey it enables us to detach and increase our emotional intelligence. This heightened awareness of our emotions and their effects on us puts us in a place where we can better manage our lives, which then leads to positive outcomes rather than being a  victim to decisions and actions that come from an unhealthy emotional state. 

I would argue that without a healthy spiritual condition we are detached from our own lives and without the necessary mindful state to be present to this one and only life we have, our mental, emotional and physical health suffers. This is when mental, physical and emotional atrophy starts to happen and we wonder what the heck is going wrong. 

When we make our spiritual health a top priority we are then in a much better place to turn our life into a real work of art. Creating this masterpiece is the ultimate act of self nurturing and compassion. Which leaves us feeling really, really good and at the end, isn’t that what we all are seeking?

So how does a visit to the spa nurture our spiritual well being? To start with it is an escape from our busy and noisy outside world into a space of quiet and tranquility. The perfect setting for shutting off your mind and relaxing your body. In addition when you enjoy a massage, body treatment or facial you are getting the ‘hands on’ nurturing of another human. Which in itself forms part of our social and emotional connection to each other. Even my family medical doctor prescribes this as an important part of anyone’s health and wellness plan. Whatever treatment it is that you are experiencing at the spa you are connecting to your body and mind. Which all supports our internal and external spiritual wellbeing. Self nurturing and compassion is a spiritual experience. We don’t need to meditate, pray or climb to the top of a mountain for a spiritual experience. 

We call our membership program the Feel-Good Club for a reason. If you were to meet one of our members you would see right away the benefits they experience by regularly unplugging and enjoying the tranquility of the spa and the hands-on nurturing from one of our professional practitioners. 

Whether we realize it or not, a massage and a visit to the spa really is a spiritual experience.