PRESENCE (STATE OF MINDFULNESS) IS THE MOST POWERFUL TOOL PRACTITIONERS AND CLIENTS CAN EXPERIENCE IN THEIR SESSIONS.
No matter what forms of bodywork are used, a growing facility with presence will take practitioners and clients further than any technique. Presencing creates mutual involvement by both clients and practitioners in the sessions. This helps the practitioner open up deeper intuitive and assessment skills, and work with much less effort. Clients become aware of transformative changes happening inside of them and in their lives. Both are opening the door to the power of presence as a healing force in life. Presencing occurs when both persons realize that they can choose to be present through body centered (somatic) awareness.
Jack Blackburn is massage therapist, Trager® Practitioner, Reiki Master, spiritual counselor and continuing education workshop leader. All of his work is grounded in the notion of “Presencing.” He divides his time between his Trillium Institute Japan (Tokyo & Yokohama) and his Trillium Institute USA (Seattle WA).
More classes by Jack:
Palliative Care: Opening the Edges of our Profession and Trager®
Jack Blackburn is massage therapist, Trager® Practitioner, Reiki Master, spiritual counselor and continuing education workshop leader. All of his work is grounded in the notion of “Presenting.” He divides his time between his Trillium Institute Japan (Tokyo & Yokohama) and his Trillium Institute USA (Seattle WA).
I became a Trager Practitioner in 1985 and an LMT in 1986. Prior to learning and practicing bodywork I practiced as an Emergency Medical Technician on Orcas Island, revamped the Emergency Medical Services and organized classes for new recruits. I also was manager of Orcas Island Medical Center, was a hospice volunteer and participated in a weekly Therapeutic Touch healing group for seriously ill patients including ny wife who was suffering with leukemia. I managed Indralaya a Theosophical Retreat center and a vipassana meditation training center on San Juan Island. I loved becoming a bodyworker and still feel that I have found right livelihood!
There are many gentle principles in Trager that fit very well with end-of-life situations. I added other modalities along the way including: craniosacral, Reiki, somatics, positional release, Focusing, and various applications of what I call body-centered presencing. The key ingredients that Milton Trager passed on are particularly suitable for end-of-life situations as they involve deep listening, gentle applications, and give life-affirming effects. One principle that applies to all of end of life sessions is "less is more." Most of us learned modalities for "fixing" what's wrong.
The challenge with palliative care is that it takes us beyond "fixing”. You will be connecting holistically with your client, Being to Being. You are sharing a part of their journey which most of us find intimidating; fearful we may be doing something wrong. We need to remember that this is a journey out-of-fear and deeply into love.
No matter what your age and life experiences you will find these journeys very unique, and informative. Every journey is different and every client more learning. And remember hands-on is probably the deepest way to connect with someone who is leaving the body... Blessings from Jack
Presence (state of mindfulness) is the most powerful tool practitioners and clients can experience in their sessions.
No matter what forms of bodywork are used, a growing facility with presence will take practitioners and clients further than any technique. Presencing creates mutual involvement by both clients and practitioners in the sessions. This helps the practitioner open up deeper intuitive and assessment skills, and work with much less effort. Clients become aware of transformative changes happening inside of them and in their lives. Both are opening the door to the power of presence as a healing force in life. Presencing occurs when persons realizes that they can choose to be present through body centered (somatic) awareness.