Belonging Matters

Once a year, KCHA closes its doors for an extended break. This quiet time affords students, staff, and clients the opportunity to relish in December’s delights, reflect on the past year, and renew our intentions for the year ahead. 

For me, it meant a time to deliberately pause, be still, and tune into myself. I spent time relaxing with family, embracing moments of quiet solitude, and appreciating all that the past year gifted me. Finally, I consciously focused on my vision for the new year. Sigh, it’s good to pause!

When I think of this special pause, I’m reminded of how important it is to slowly and consciously stretch our bodies, minds, and spirits. Like my favorite canine companion after a warm Winter’s nap, January invites me to move slowly and consciously into what’s next…to take my time, breathe deeply, and feel my body’s responses to moving with intention. 

As we begin the new year and new term, we celebrate another group of students’ graduation while welcoming both our returning students and our new students who are beginning their journey at KCHA. The new year is filled with promise that I hope you are experiencing too!

My name is Tenee Gildea, and I am a 34-year-old mother of one. My daughter, LaRiya J, saved my life.

I spent over a decade of my life in and out of facilities, institutions, and the streets. During that time, I made little effort in the areas of self-respect, self-care, and self-maintenance. In the final four years of this grueling time, I found myself incarcerated. This is where I was when I gave birth to my daughter.

The only thing I EVER wanted to be was a mom. And a good mom at that. Once LaRiya J came into my life, I decided to focus my energy on ensuring I was at my best for her. So, while I was incarcerated, I took the time to earn two college degrees, and I’m now nine credits from my third. I also learned of my dad being diagnosed with cancer before coming home.

At the end of my time away, I came out into the world, determined to be a better human. I immediately entered into esthetics schooling, and during an atrocious experience with schooling there, I lost my dad to cancer. One of the things that he highlighted to me before he passed was that no one had ever hugged him or comforted him during his illness. Sadly, when I would try to give him comfort, he would deny it, or it would hurt him. I wholeheartedly believe that if I had the knowledge of human touch that I have now, or if he had let someone else in to help him,  it could have made his transition to death a little easier. SO, even though I was terribly afraid of having another awful schooling experience, I decided I was going to come to KCHA and white-knuckle it through the program.

To my very, very pleasant surprise, what I gained from coming to KCHA was not just the knowledge of the mechanics of massage but also the gift of connecting with my clients. I have learned to grow my ability to stay grounded and keep my energy and the client’s energy from surging in harmful ways. My growth as a human who honors the need for healthy self-care, boundaries, and professional uprising was gifted to me here at KCHA.

While there was so much given to me in this space, the process of obtaining it was as stressful or as stress-free as I wanted to make it. If I had any issues or felt overwhelmed, all I had to do was say so. And within the same breath that I voiced my concerns, the issue was handled. Like my father, many people go their entire lives without ever feeling the serenity that I feel here with my classmates.

I have made lifelong friends and gained a lifelong support system through KCHA. As I move forward into my advocacy work with Nation Outside as a voice of the formerly incarcerated, I seek to provide the kind of safe spaces for my clients that were offered to me here. Everybody deserves to be cared for in this special way, and I am on a mission to share that with the parts of the world that have no idea it even exists.

As massage therapists, we are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our clients through therapeutic touch. To enhance our care, we can use complementary techniques like foam rolling, a popular self-myofascial release method.

Understanding Foam Rolling:

Foam rolling is simple – it involves using a dense foam cylinder to apply pressure to specific points on the body. The aim is to release tension in the fascia, the connective tissue around muscles, which promotes flexibility and aids recovery.

Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion: Foam rolling helps break up adhesions and knots in the fascia, enhancing the flexibility of muscles and joints. Clients often experience increased range of motion after incorporating foam rolling into their routine.

Pain Reduction: Regular foam rolling can alleviate muscle soreness and reduce pain associated with tightness or overuse. It complements massage therapy by providing clients with a feasible tool for self-care between sessions.

Enhanced Circulation: Pressure from foam rolling stimulates blood flow to the targeted areas, promoting nutrient delivery and efficient removal of metabolic waste. Improved circulation contributes to quicker recovery and overall well-being.

Empowerment through Self-Care: Teaching clients how to use a foam roller empowers them to actively care for themselves, fostering independence and providing a practical self-maintenance tool.

Improved Treatment Efficacy: Incorporating foam rolling before massages relaxes muscles and prepares the body for more effective manual therapy. It allows therapists to address deeper layers of tissue with less resistance.

Time-Efficient: Foam rolling can be used as a time-efficient warm-up or cool-down technique, helping therapists optimize sessions without sacrificing quality, especially in settings where time constraints may be a factor.

Educational Opportunities: Educating clients about the benefits of foam rolling provides an additional layer of expertise and builds trust. Offering guidance on proper techniques enhances the overall client experience and encourages a holistic approach to health and wellness.

Enhanced Recovery: Massage therapy can be physically demanding, causing tension and soreness. Foam rolling aids recovery by promoting blood circulation, reducing inflammation, and speeding up the removal of waste products.

Amplified Prevention: Due to the repetitive nature of our work, foam rolling is a preventive measure for potential overuse injuries and muscular imbalances while reducing tightness and mitigating the risk of injuries such as strains and sprains.

Relaxation and Connection: Beyond its physical benefits, foam rolling relaxes the nervous system. The rhythmic movements and pressure applied during foam rolling stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a sense of calm and reducing overall stress. Using a foam roller ourselves also allows us to relate to our clients’ experiences during self-myofascial release.

Foam rolling is an accessible and valuable method of self-care for clients and therapists alike. Requiring only a foam roller, a few minutes, and a small space, foam rolling empowers everyone to proactively care for their well-being without relying solely on external resources.

Ready to try foam rolling? Check out this 3:40 video first:

With December’s hustle in the rearview mirror and a fresh year in front of us, take time to quietly reflect on the past while renewing our intentions for the future. 

Take a break from your busy life and receive a massage at Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts Student Massage Clinic. Students are nearing the end of their training and are ready to provide sessions for the public. The sessions are relaxing, and the price can’t be beat!

Gift certificates are available, as are monthly specials. Check the booking site for more details.