My Massage Journey: Part 1

​This year marks 25 years since I became certified in massage therapy, and I’m low-key celebrating this personal milestone. Looking back at the winding path of my career, I realize it all began with the very first massage I ever received, sometime in 1996 or 1997.

At the time, I was already taking stock of “My Life Until Now” much like I’m doing at this current life juncture. I had reached a turning point - I was in my late twenties, working as a barista in San Francisco. I often struggled with a crippling depression, sadness, and social anxiety. I felt out of place on this planet and knew that if I didn’t do something about these thoughts and emotions, they would consume me. One day, after an especially bad episode, I realized something had to change — and that only I could do it. I made a life pact: to heal, to find a way forward, no matter how winding, no matter what it took. 

Not too long after was when a co-worker at the coffee shop graduated from massage school and announced that she was giving away free sessions. Up to that point, the only thing I knew about massage was from seeing James Bond films, where Bond would be lying on the table as a beautiful woman stood over him pouring oil on his back. I thought maybe the oil was just for effect, to make the scene more alluring — until a gang of villains would inevitably burst in with guns. This was how I imagined a massage was supposed to be. But, my co-worker, Lisa, seemed like a nice lady and when I told her about James Bond and my hesitation, she laughed and said, “l’ll be sure to wear my go-go boots!” So I signed up for a massage with her. 

At that first session, I remember the anticipation of trying something completely new to me as I laid down on the warm table. I recall the calm feeling that came over me, the quiet music in the background, and Lisa working on different parts of my body. I had a sensation that I understand now as returning to my disconnected body. As I melted into the table, I believe this was the first time in a years that my nervous system felt true tranquility, peace, and rest.

From that moment, for the next few years, I didn’t stop seeking out  massage sessions, from Lisa - until she eventually moved away, then in other places. I spent long hours in local San Francisco bathhouses - soaking sore muscles, resting and waiting for the next sign on my path. When a friend decided to enroll in massage school and shared her experiences, the thought struck me one day: maybe I should sign up too. Not long after, walking through my Outer Richmond neighborhood, I turned a corner and saw a sign, for the World School of Massage. I walked in to get some information, ended up enrolling in their certification program and a whole new chapter of my life opened. 

Thanks for reading, the story continues in Part 2.