Give Me the Happy Ending

[jpskewedthrone]

So today I went for my first ever in my life massage. I've never been all that interested in this kind of thing--no real reason why, it just doesn't cross my mind as something to do in order to relax--so the only reason I ended up doing it THIS time was because I won a free one-hour massage around Christmas time. I decided to cash in and see what all of the fuss was about.

My initial fear was that I wouldn't relax at all. I'm not a huge fan of people touching me, even people I know, let alone strangers. I've gotten over this to some extent by going to bars and trying to fight through the crowds, and having a ton of friends who like to hug and such has helped a lot. (Don't stop the hugging, friends who read this.) So the thought of someone I didn't know touching me pretty much ALL OVER was a little daunting.

The "not relaxing thing" was one part that worried me, the other was what my . . . reaction might be. Think Seinfeld episode with the phrase, "IT MOVED!" (Or something like that.) That episode was what that "movement" might mean; that wouldn't be the issue with me.

But, surprisingly, I did relax and didn't mind the masseur touching me. I didn't get the complete relaxation that some get, with the complete release, the slip into sleep, or nodding off. I just can't keep my mind that still, even if my body is cooperating. And of course this was a new experience, so I was thinking about everything that was done, each twist, turn, motion, stone, cloth, oil, music, scent, etc. *sigh* The life of a writer. *grin*

In any case, it was a great experience and I'm now thinking that perhaps I should schedule a massage after the end of every semester. I probably ruined the whole massage by going to the gym and cycling for an hour a few hours after that, but . . . *shrug*

And no, I did not ask for the Happy Ending. I can totally see why massages can get out of hand though. And the masseuse WAS hot. *wicked grin*

Comments

[madkestrel.livejournal.com]

I have a massage once a month, and I relax like whoa, but I never sleep. I'm impressed that you could cycle afterward, though - it's usually all I can do to drive home. I'm glad you enjoyed your first massage!

[barbarienne.livejournal.com]

I adore getting massages.

My first one, I babbled through, because I was nervous. Fortunately, it was in Ireland, and we're a chatty lot. I've had massages from a few different people since, and I pretty much approach it like going to the doctor: they've seen a million naked people; I'm nothing new.

Now I mostly go to malkatsheva who is not just an excellent masseuse, but also one of my closest friends (she was my friend long before she became a masseuse). Certainly it's easiest to be poked and prodded by a dear friend, but she also helped me with understanding it from theprofessional masseuse's POV, which makes it easy even when I go to a new person.

[slweippert.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you finally got a massage. I happen to be a Massage Therapist here in Washington state and one of my favorite things is to introduce a newbie to how great a massage can make them feel. :)

I do want to ask you to please think about how joking about "happy endings" makes professionals like me feel. I'm glad you didn't ask for one, but the 'hotness' of your therapist is irrelevent to the massage. Something all female therapists have to deal with are males who schedule a session with someone based on their looks.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I apologize if I offended you regarding the "happy ending" remark. I only made the comment about the masseuse being hot because it turns out we knew each other from the gym, in the casual "saying hi as we passed" kind of way.

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

My initial fear was that I wouldn't relax at all. I'm not a huge fan of people touching me, even people I know, let alone strangers.

My wife is the same way. Oh, she doesn't mind me, but random hugs? Hoo boy.

[swimtech.livejournal.com]

Now i want a massage. Haven't had one in a long time. You need to try different kinds of massages, too--I definitely recommend getting a hot rock/lava stones massage. A good massage makes me feel a bit floaty, disconnected, almost drunk. The first time I got a hot rock massage, I walked home from Elizabeth Arden and it's amazing that I didn't get hit by a car....

[jennifer-dunne.livejournal.com]

Oooooh, massage. Even better, oooooh, hot stone massage. Recipe for turning a person into a puddle of happy goodness.

It does depend a lot on the type of massage. I had one of those deep-tissue massages on one of our cruises, to deal with muscle aches from carrying too much luggage (travel backpacks should not weigh 40 lbs, and if they do, should not be worn over one shoulder). And was so busy trying not to scream and/or convulse from the pain, there was no way I'd relax. But it did what it was supposed to do, which is release the deep muscle cramps so my spine would stop getting pulled out of alignment.