Massage is beneficial in many ways, whether through someone else's touch, self massage, massage through movement, or massage through stillness (relaxation). It helps release old physical and emotional tensions, which distort our posture and movement. Awareness of tissue creates circulation. The body helps you become more aware of the areas you are focusing on. We are a portal of the Tao; our present awareness is the portal! Moving our present awareness through tissue generates a field of energy; this is the juice our tissue needs and wants, which is why it responds to our awareness. Our bodies respond to lack of awareness by experiencing pain.
With bodywork, movement awareness, and stillness, your posture can improve, leading to a feeling of greater energy and balance. By practicing standing and sitting with good posture, you learn where your center is and feel how your center is rooted beneath you. You also experience the freedom of not holding yourself up against the forces of gravity (leaning).
The practice of conscious movement is a meditation (being with one's self) allowing you to feel more of your whole self. This lets you make minute adjustments to your posture, which will reprogram the spine (reflex center). The body loves your attention. Qigong is a perfect example of conscious movement.
