The body knows if the hands know the passwords. I have said this for many years and it remains a truth for all of us in the field of massage and bodywork. There is an almost magical moment when the person on the table realizes it. When the body acknowledges the passwords are correct.

Physically they may relax more, sink into the table or even sign. Verbally they may exclaim surprise that I actually know what I am doing or found the exact spot very quickly. More importantly it defines a level of trust and communication that promises the rest of the session we will be working together to achieve a common goal.

I truly believe this would never happen if I hadn’t learned first to listen, touch and palpate the body. I may know and employ many advanced techniques and modalities but, I always begin with touch. I am grateful that I had an opportunity to thoroughly learn the basic strokes. I always include some basics, at the very least effleurage and compression.

I fear that if a client came to me and I started out immediately with Myofascial Release, Trigger Point or Deep Tissue it would take much longer. They might even freak out. It might be too much at once. We have to begin with the basics, we have to begin with the correct passwords.