In choosing a massage therapist their can be many factors to consider. Experience, training and personality are a few factors that come to mind. However, the factor I consider to be the most important is mindfulness. Mindfulness is about presence. It's about being in the moment. It incorporates not only your attention to the moment, but your intention in the moment.
    In my opinion the two most important details in giving a great massage are attention (having your full attention on the client) and intention (intending healing and/or giving a great massage). A massage therapist who practices the mindfulness of attention and intention are much more likely to give a great healing massage than a massage therapist who doesn't practice mindfulness; regardless of the amount of training or experience.
    Twenty years ago, when in massage school, I learned this lesson experientially. In class they taught us that massage moves lymph, and therefore can speed up healing when ill. Well I got a cold, so I thought a massage would be a good idea. I also thought I needed someone with a lot of experience. I found "Terry" in the phone book, a massage therapist with 15 years experience. The massage felt good, but it was far from great. Why? Because, though "Terry" was proficient, I could feel that he was just going through the motions. He didn't really have his attention on me, and his only intention was to complete the massage and collect his money. Fast forward to a week later. I received a practice massage from a fellow student. Though "Chloe" had nowhere near the training or experience that "Terry" had, she gave me one of the best massages I have ever received to this day. Why? Because from the get go she had her full attention on me with the intention of giving me a great healing massage. It was mindfulness plus, and it was a lesson I'll never forget.
    Fast forward to the present. Now I have a lot of training and a ton of experience. Both important factors, but I truly believe my success has more to do with mindfulness. I attempt to bring this into every session - my full attention on my client with the intention of healing and improved health. Experience and training are important, but without mindfulness they could be rendered useless. They say "experience is the greatest teacher", but that is only true if you are mindful of the experience.
    Consequently I can honestly say that I learn from every massage I give, as well as from every massage I receive. I practice mindfulness, and your massage therapist should as well. Experientially I learn more from giving and receiving massages than I do from classes, books or videos. In my opinion in choosing a massage therapist I recommend interviewing them first. Ask them about their training, experience and philosophy. In the course of a 5 minute conversation you can get a pretty good idea if a person practices mindfulness.
    And a final word of advice, when receiving a massage. If your massage therapist spends the session talking about themselves, answers the phone, leaves the room inexplicably, or you can tell that thery are just not there - then find another massage therapist. Many Blessings and Be Well.
-Joe

www.salinamassagetherapy.com

And Finally, More on Massage and the Relaxation Response

Just in case you haven't gotten the message I've been relating, here it is in big bold type:
MASSAGE GETS YOU HEALTHIER. MASSAGE MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER.

Listed below are some of the health benefits of activating the relaxation response versus the effect of chronic stress:
(Provided by The Center in Joliet, Illinois. www.centerjoliet.com/relax.php)

Hmmm, this seems like a no brainer. In my opinion the list on the left, the effects of the relaxation response, should be actively pursued by everyone. And one of the most effective ways to activate the relaxation response is through massage therapy. Massage therapy IS relaxation therapy, and relaxation therapy IS stress reduction. Stress reduction leads to improved health and decreases the risk of chronic illness and discomfort. So what are you waiting for, try massage therapy - AND GET HEALTHIER! Peace

www.salinamassagetherapy.com

    Stress leads to disease. Relaxation leads to health. A person who feels "stressed out" all the time increases his risk of general illness, as well as increases the risk of developing a chronic, potentially debilitating health condition. A person who actively seeks relaxation is much less likely to get sick, and is much more likely to experience improved health. It's simple - activating your body's "relaxation response" on a regular basis will lead to better health. And one of the best ways to activate your relaxation response is by receiving a therapeutic massage.
    Here is a definition of the relaxation response: "The Relaxation Response is a physiological reaction of deep rest that changes, more effectively than rest alone, the physical and emotional response to stress." (Provided by The Center in Joliet, Illinois)
    In relation to massage, I once again quote The Center: "Once viewed as a luxury of indulgence, research has now proven that massage therapy and bodywork provides physical, mental and emotional benefits at all stages of life." Experientially I could add spiritual benefits as well.
    The implications are that a one hour massage has the potential to be more restful than sleep. This is not to say that massage can replace sleep. However, I am saying that a one hour massage often activates the relaxation response to a greater, more health benefiting level, than sleep alone can. Many people go to bed "stressed out", sleep poorly, then awaken still feeling "stressed out". Many of my clients come to their massage session saying "I am so stressed out". They don't leave that way. After a session clients are much more likely to say, "I am so blissed out". Why? Because "The Relaxation Response" has been activated. And these same clients are more likely to sleep better, feel better and be more vibrant.
    In summation, massage therapy counteracts the stress response by activating the relaxation response. Regular massage therapy counteracts the snowballing effects of a stressful lifestyle. In time, regular massage may lead to a different snowballing effect, one that leads to a state of bliss. Stressed out or blissed out - you choose.