So there I am. Naked. From head to toe. Now, we all know that is not at all unusual for me, and in this particular circumstance, especially since it is a Friday morning, it is probably not at all remarkable.
Except that I am not just naked because it is a Friday. No, I’m naked because I am surrendering myself to the magical hands of Shannon Lynn Brown, CMT. And oh just how magical those hands really and truly are, let me tell you.
On this particular Friday morning, I meet Shannon at her warm, inviting, relaxing sanctuary that is located just a few blocks from my front door in downtown Santa Cruz. She recently opened this space and I can only share that stepping inside is your first step to a more relaxed and happier you.
The room envelops you with its Asian and Buddhist touches and somehow the outside hustle and bustle of Santa Cruz completely disappears and you just feel a sense of peace and calm. Instant calm. Better already!
With hardly a word spoken, there I am on the table. Naked. But wrapped oh so carefully in soft, clean, white sheets. My head is supported, my arms are supported, and my knees are supported. Everything is done to make sure that I am as absolutely comfortable as I can possibly be.
For over ninety minutes, I just disappear. Shannon works slowly, methodically, deeply (oh so deeply) and intuitively and finds and releases knots and tension and more knots and more tension that I am unaware I am even holding. It is almost as if I am an onion, and she is expertly peeling back the layers, gently, carefully, so as to keep each one complete and whole, but to ultimately reveal a rejuvenated me that exists somewhere deep inside.
I am blissful. My body feels completely alive!
And now? Now there is warm oil that smells of jasmine and lavender being dripped carefully and slowly onto my forehead. Wow. My head is resting in Shannon’s hands and she is massaging this warm oil into my head and neck. Gently, oh so gently, this ritual is repeated and repeated. Oil drips onto my forehead and then is expertly massaged into my head, my neck and my shoulders. My head, which craves this kind of attention, is now in a state of euphoria and it is only a matter of moments before my entire body is joining it there.
Euphoria, people. Absolute euphoria. Massage simply does not get any better than this.
The hot oil treatment continues for at least thirty minutes. I want it to last forever. All euphoric experiences I suppose do come to an end. Eventually.
It takes great effort to put my clothes back on. I am now what can best be described as blissed out pliant Nakedjen. It is a good thing I have nothing else really scheduled for the day, as I can’t imagine ruining this good feeling by doing much of anything at all.
I know that if we allowed ourselves to be nurtured, to receive the gentle and giving touch of another, to release the pent up tensions that we all inherently carry, this world would be a much happier place.
So get naked and go see Shannon. Receive the bliss. You’ll be so very glad that you did. I can’t wait to go back and do it again! I honestly think I'm going to have to do this every Friday. Naked Fridays can now be Bliss Fridays. Nakedly blissful, all the same.
P.S. In addition to your massage, you may also want to invest in some Dreamsweet Humanitea. The special blend of organic herbs in Humanitea help to keep your heart open, your head grounded and your soul peaceful. It's the benefits of a great massage in every cup!
