I've been trying to look for a certain word to describe my experience but the only word that I truly felt would justify it is "short." It was short because I feel like I learned so much, but I'm no wear near where I want to be. I've been working on my physical project ever since January, but hilot has been in my life even before I've arrived in America back in 1999. It was already embedded in my culture. My father often spoke of it when I was young and I remember massaging him back in elementary school. Before the Capstone, I was massaging my friends and family without any training because I was already engaged to the art. The "Gaea" massages grew and improved into actual hilot. And that's all thanks to my mentor, Adriano Mata.
As for the Capstone Project as a whole, it has been stressful. Dating back to October 24, 2012, the day all seniors were assigned the Capstone and coincidentally my birthday, I knew that I wanted to work with eastern medicine. Moreover, I wanted to learn how to help people feel better with the culture I was born in.
The Capstone got me to get to know myself a little better. I learned to keep calm under pressure, even when I'm a nervous wreck. I gained a lot of experience with hilot and with people. I got to know how to comfort people through touch, I learned comparisons and contrasts between eastern and western medicine, and pushed me to reconnect with my culture.
The most challenging part of the Capstone for me was the paper. I have always been able to write, but I had a really hard time figuring out what I was going to talk about and how I was going to write an effective argumentative paper. I knew that I was going to do hilot before I thought about my paper but I had a lot of trouble figuring out how I was going to incorporate that in my paper topic. After a dead end outline, a confusing peer draft, and a mediocre teacher draft, I finally got it right. I rewrote the entire structure and content of my paper and earned a 92%. Although Mr. Migdail spelled my name wrong on the grading rubric, I did not care one bit. The frustration and stress was worth it when I took that gasp of surprise when Ms. Wenzell handed me that rubric. Although the heaviest percentage of the project was over, I still had to follow through with the physical portion of the project.
In the beginning, I was really uncomfortable and awkward with my mentor because we could not even communicate. When it came down to business, however, all he needed to do was show me how to do it and I needed to follow. As the months past, I got more comfortable visiting Mang Adring, whether it was for a massage after one of my tournaments or him evaluating me, I really felt myself grow. I did a lot of practice by myself and when I felt ready, I started massaging my friends more. It became a habit. When I noticed someone uncomfortable, I massaged their shoulders. From quick shoulder massages to full on body massages with oil and the table, I improved a lot. As my blogs reflect, my hands did get stronger and I got more familiar with the techniques and the body. At the end, Mang Adring told me that I'm the only one he was and is willing to teach. Since he won't be here for ever, I will do my best to perfect my technique to become a manghihilot.
Now I plan to continue my apprenticeship with Mang Adring. I know that I won't be able to become a professional manghihilot here, but I will certainly take these unique skills to medical offices as well as my daily life. I still plan to pursue a career in the medical industry, but maybe take a different turn and do business managing or computer managing in hospitals and things in that direction.
My Capstone experience has been short, but it was not at all empty. This past school year has been filled with papers, typing, massaging, and experiencing all that I can. Capstone has taught me a lot about myself, where I'm lacking, and what and how I can improve. I have a lot to learn, and I feel like the Capstone was the intro class to something a lot bigger than a senior exit project. It introduced me to the human body, my culture, my mentor, myself, and a simple way to make people feel better on a daily basis. I just want to say a maraming salamat (thank you very much) to those who I massaged, to April Dela Fuente, to Mang Adring, to Mr. Migdail, and to Ms. Wenzell. Maraming Salamat, Po!!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Hour 26
The final hour of my Capstone project was spent at Mang Adring's home office. We talked about my experience and we went over the mentor evaluation sheet with my father as our translator. That took a long time because it took some time to ask the questions and translate it and also receiving his response and translating that as well.
We talked about his experiences with hilot. The conversation went similarly with the first hour ever back in January and I thought that that was a good book ending way to complete my hours.
He went on and said that I am his first and last apprentice. I felt truly honored and privileged because I seriously thought that I was not going to be the only one. I am definitely going to continue learning under his instruction well beyond the Capstone. The Capstone is what started my apprenticeship, but the simple sake of keeping hilot alive in my life is what's going to finish it.
Mang Adring signing the mentor evaluation sheet.
We talked about his experiences with hilot. The conversation went similarly with the first hour ever back in January and I thought that that was a good book ending way to complete my hours.
He went on and said that I am his first and last apprentice. I felt truly honored and privileged because I seriously thought that I was not going to be the only one. I am definitely going to continue learning under his instruction well beyond the Capstone. The Capstone is what started my apprenticeship, but the simple sake of keeping hilot alive in my life is what's going to finish it.
Mang Adring signing the mentor evaluation sheet.
Hour 25
After my massage, I massaged my father, Eric, under Mang Adring's supervision. My father has been going to Mang Adring since 1999 so I thought that his experience would be the best for comparing my skill to Mang Adring's.
I did what I've been doing for the past several months. I was a bit nervous, but I just did what I knew and followed through with it. Mang Adring did not say anything throughout the massage. Just watched, and that made me ridiculously nervous. Even though I felt a lot of pressure, I think I performed well. After I was done, I was relieved that it was over but I was really nervous about Mang Adring's evaluation.
After the massage, we talked about it and I will further elaborate in the next hour/blog.
I did what I've been doing for the past several months. I was a bit nervous, but I just did what I knew and followed through with it. Mang Adring did not say anything throughout the massage. Just watched, and that made me ridiculously nervous. Even though I felt a lot of pressure, I think I performed well. After I was done, I was relieved that it was over but I was really nervous about Mang Adring's evaluation.
After the massage, we talked about it and I will further elaborate in the next hour/blog.
Hour 24
The second hour at Mang Adring's home office consisted of Mang Adring massaging me. I finally got the massage after these past few months. After months of stress, playing, and massaging other people, I really felt a lot better after the hilot. There was a lot of build up of knots in my shoulder and all over my upper back. Mang Adring was concerned and asked about it but I told him that it was because of the usual. My condition was nothing new to Mang Adring so he followed through with routine and massaged my full body.
Below is a short clip of him massaging me. Like usual, I asked questions that popped up in my head throughout the massage.
Below is a short clip of him massaging me. Like usual, I asked questions that popped up in my head throughout the massage.
Hour 23
May 13, 2013
I went to Mang Adring's home office for a couple hours. The first hour consisted of me going through my experiences and asking him questions I came across while massaging people. My father assisted me in translating and communicating with Mang Adring.
It was really good seeing my mentor again, especially since he was away in the Philippines for the past couple months. I'm really thankful for the Capstone project because it pushed me to ask him to become my mentor and get out of my comfort zone. The conversation we had made me realize how much I appreciate my culture and how precious it is to me. Without the Capstone, I would not have built this kind of relationship with Mang Adring. Even though he is my mentor, and I his apprentice, I look up to him more as a great uncle or somewhat of a grandfather figure. Sadly, I don't remember by grandparents and they all have passed away, but I feel like I have a connection with that wise people through Mang Adring.
I went to Mang Adring's home office for a couple hours. The first hour consisted of me going through my experiences and asking him questions I came across while massaging people. My father assisted me in translating and communicating with Mang Adring.
It was really good seeing my mentor again, especially since he was away in the Philippines for the past couple months. I'm really thankful for the Capstone project because it pushed me to ask him to become my mentor and get out of my comfort zone. The conversation we had made me realize how much I appreciate my culture and how precious it is to me. Without the Capstone, I would not have built this kind of relationship with Mang Adring. Even though he is my mentor, and I his apprentice, I look up to him more as a great uncle or somewhat of a grandfather figure. Sadly, I don't remember by grandparents and they all have passed away, but I feel like I have a connection with that wise people through Mang Adring.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Hour 22
May 12, 2013
In my second to last game today, I got major cramps in both of my calves and above the left knee on my left thigh. I tried playing through it, but I couldn't even take a step without my muscles twisting up.
In my second to last game today, I got major cramps in both of my calves and above the left knee on my left thigh. I tried playing through it, but I couldn't even take a step without my muscles twisting up.
I was subbed out and I did what I was used to, stretching it out and drank a lot of gatorade. My sister, Sarina, came around and stretched and massaged me out.
She stretched me out normally and then she started doing hilot on both my calves. Since I've massaged her before, she was a bit familiar with the spots and techniques, but I still had to coach her through it.
I was in a lot of pain, but she did a really good job massaging my calves out.
In my last game, the cramp above my left knee was acting up so I kept massaging and pounding on it on the court. It was my last game so I did not want to sit out. I wanted to fight.
When I went to the physical trainer after my day was done, he said just to keep massaging and stretching it out. He said that a foam roller would help, but it does the same thing as massaging and stretching it out yourself.
This made me think about the comparison between Western and Eastern medicine. This little exchange with the PT made me think that hilot is legitimate in the eyes of the west because it shares similar techniques. Even if the teachings and philosophies are different, they aim to help and heal people and I'm really leaning towards doing that as a profession. I'm not 100% sure if I want to pursue it as a career, but I want it to definitely be one of my options.
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This made me think about the comparison between Western and Eastern medicine. This little exchange with the PT made me think that hilot is legitimate in the eyes of the west because it shares similar techniques. Even if the teachings and philosophies are different, they aim to help and heal people and I'm really leaning towards doing that as a profession. I'm not 100% sure if I want to pursue it as a career, but I want it to definitely be one of my options.
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Hour 21
May 11, 2013
My Teamates
This weekend was my last club tournament ever and it was awesome! Saturday was exhausting, though.
I arrived in Reno late the previous night around midnight. I wanted to rest up because I knew I had a long day the following day.
We started playing at 3PM and our last game didn't end until 11:15PM. Even though my shoulder was hurting and my patella tendinitis was acting up, I was feeling the pain and exhaustion my team was going through. So being the aspiring manghihilot that I am, I gave everyone a quick shoulder massage during our break to relieve some strain from the mind and bodies.
We were exhausted because we were missing two of our players, one of which was a starting libero (defensive player) and the other a main offensive hitter. Everyone was hurting, but we all powered through.
My girls couldn't stop thanking me. The only one that had experienced it before was Tyler and she already knew I was good at it. She even said I improved. Everyone else were impressed with how strong my hands were. It was weird to me because it's really easy for me to find knots, but most of them have never felt them before. It was fun explaining where they were and why they were there. It distracted us from how tired we really were.
Twenty more, five more to go.
My Teamates
This weekend was my last club tournament ever and it was awesome! Saturday was exhausting, though.
I arrived in Reno late the previous night around midnight. I wanted to rest up because I knew I had a long day the following day.
We started playing at 3PM and our last game didn't end until 11:15PM. Even though my shoulder was hurting and my patella tendinitis was acting up, I was feeling the pain and exhaustion my team was going through. So being the aspiring manghihilot that I am, I gave everyone a quick shoulder massage during our break to relieve some strain from the mind and bodies.
We were exhausted because we were missing two of our players, one of which was a starting libero (defensive player) and the other a main offensive hitter. Everyone was hurting, but we all powered through.
My girls couldn't stop thanking me. The only one that had experienced it before was Tyler and she already knew I was good at it. She even said I improved. Everyone else were impressed with how strong my hands were. It was weird to me because it's really easy for me to find knots, but most of them have never felt them before. It was fun explaining where they were and why they were there. It distracted us from how tired we really were.
Twenty more, five more to go.
Hour 19.5 - 20
May 9th
Arianna Tanimura
To complete my 19th hour, I massaged Ari, senior class president and head of senior ball.
It was a couple of days before senior ball and I stopped by B-8 just to spend time with my friends there. I noticed that she was working and stressing out about the ball tables and layout so I took the importunity to massage her. I gave her a standard shoulder and arm massage.
After the massage, she said she felt a lot more relaxed and refreshed. I paused in the middle of the massage because something caught my attention but once I started again, she expressed great relief and gratitude.
Ari and I aren't very close on a personal level, but we do help each other in the classes we share. Even though we aren't really close, I felt comfortable massaging her because her situation is all too familiar to me. She was stressed, tense, and under pressure, but a massage can make time go by a little slower.
I find myself under a lot of stress more often than not but I know from experience that massages can really help me calm down. I just hope to continue helping people out as the year dwindles down to the final days of our high school career. And I do want to continue doing this after the Capstone.
Arianna Tanimura
To complete my 19th hour, I massaged Ari, senior class president and head of senior ball.
It was a couple of days before senior ball and I stopped by B-8 just to spend time with my friends there. I noticed that she was working and stressing out about the ball tables and layout so I took the importunity to massage her. I gave her a standard shoulder and arm massage.
After the massage, she said she felt a lot more relaxed and refreshed. I paused in the middle of the massage because something caught my attention but once I started again, she expressed great relief and gratitude.
Ari and I aren't very close on a personal level, but we do help each other in the classes we share. Even though we aren't really close, I felt comfortable massaging her because her situation is all too familiar to me. She was stressed, tense, and under pressure, but a massage can make time go by a little slower.
I find myself under a lot of stress more often than not but I know from experience that massages can really help me calm down. I just hope to continue helping people out as the year dwindles down to the final days of our high school career. And I do want to continue doing this after the Capstone.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Hour 19.5
May 6th 2013
Tim Husher
5'11
After being at poly fest all day and massaging my teammates, the stress really built up in my back. Some personal issues happened with me on Sunday and I also played in a 3 day tournament the previous weekend and I didin't get a massage so I was really aching for one. I asked one of my best friends, Timothy Husher, to massage me.
Since he didn't have any real experience with it, I coached him throughout the massage. Things like, rather than putting a lot of pressure on your fingers, focus more on the pads of your thumbs; vary the pressure according to what your massaging, like, concentrate more pressure at the tips of your fingers here, the pads of your thumbs here, the inside knuckle of your thumbs here; avoid pressing on the bone to prevent pain and potential injury; find the grooves of muscle between the bones and be sensitive of the ligaments and tendons; make sure each hand is mirroring the other because if your hands are in different places, the patient will notice and it won't reach the desired relief; and things like that.
I realized, that even though Mang Adring never told me any of these things, I learned these from experience. Just from people trying to give me a massage, me massaging other people, and the comments and feedback people give me. It really boosted my confidence because 1: it confirmed that I knew what I was doing and 2: I know it well enough to teach other people and to teach it to them right. Since Tim was doing it right, I realized that I know hilot well enough to teach even the most inexperienced person the positions and techniques hilot uses. I wasn't thinking about it at the time, but now I realize that I've learned so much just from practice and experience.
After my massage, I massaged him and went through the regular routine.
I think being an athlete definitely helped me in instructing Tim. I have been under a lot of volleyball coaches, been coached by paddling coaches and the more experienced paddlers, and just from Mang Adring. This helped me in getting familiar with people and improving my speech skills. The better I know something, I more confident I am about it and the better I am at it.
My coaching and massaging lasted 18.5 hours towards my 25 required hours.
Hour 18
May 4th, 2013
Chad Teruya
5'5'' toned
Chad is also one of my paddling teammates that I massaged last year. I gave him a back, shoulder, arm, and head massage.
He said that he was already looking forward to it based on the first massage I gave him, but he said that it was different this time. I was worried when he said that because different doesn't always mean good, but he assured me that it was a "good different." He said that my hands found the right spots faster than last time, and that it was the right amount of pressure: hard where it requires and soft at the sensitive areas. He was the first to really discuss it in full detail and I felt myself really engaged in the conversation.
When I asked him to describe how it was better, it took him a while to formulate the words because he expressed himself as speechless. I was flattered and embarrassed at the same time but it just confirms that I've been improving and that I just need to keep working forward.
Chad Teruya
5'5'' toned
Chad is also one of my paddling teammates that I massaged last year. I gave him a back, shoulder, arm, and head massage.
He said that he was already looking forward to it based on the first massage I gave him, but he said that it was different this time. I was worried when he said that because different doesn't always mean good, but he assured me that it was a "good different." He said that my hands found the right spots faster than last time, and that it was the right amount of pressure: hard where it requires and soft at the sensitive areas. He was the first to really discuss it in full detail and I felt myself really engaged in the conversation.
When I asked him to describe how it was better, it took him a while to formulate the words because he expressed himself as speechless. I was flattered and embarrassed at the same time but it just confirms that I've been improving and that I just need to keep working forward.
Hour 17
May 4th
Malia Muin
5'10'' athletic, muscular, toned
Malia is one of my closest friends/teammates. She was there at poly fest as a paddler and she's been my volleyball teammate for five to six years. She's gone through a lot of injuries over the years so I was particularly careful with her.
After poly fest, her and Maddie Chong came over and I gave Malia a massage.
When I gave her a massage last year, she said that it was "heavenly." But, now, after my training and practice, she said it was "out of this world." She said that I improved a lot. Even though this sort of comment would normally embarrass me, I was really happy and proud that she felt that way. I really trust her input too because she's doing chiropractoring for her project. I feel like that's the Western counterpart to hilot and she said that we do some of the same techniques and we talk about how others differ.
I'm normally really skeptical about things, but since I've been around hilot for most of my life, I really do trust it. There's not a lot of techinical or hard evidence as to why hilot works, but the thing is, it does. My massages for the past months aand Mang Adring's years of experience confirms that. We're getting to the final stretch and all I can do is power through.
Malia Muin
5'10'' athletic, muscular, toned
Malia is one of my closest friends/teammates. She was there at poly fest as a paddler and she's been my volleyball teammate for five to six years. She's gone through a lot of injuries over the years so I was particularly careful with her.
After poly fest, her and Maddie Chong came over and I gave Malia a massage.
When I gave her a massage last year, she said that it was "heavenly." But, now, after my training and practice, she said it was "out of this world." She said that I improved a lot. Even though this sort of comment would normally embarrass me, I was really happy and proud that she felt that way. I really trust her input too because she's doing chiropractoring for her project. I feel like that's the Western counterpart to hilot and she said that we do some of the same techniques and we talk about how others differ.
I'm normally really skeptical about things, but since I've been around hilot for most of my life, I really do trust it. There's not a lot of techinical or hard evidence as to why hilot works, but the thing is, it does. My massages for the past months aand Mang Adring's years of experience confirms that. We're getting to the final stretch and all I can do is power through.
Hour 16
May 4th
Mia Balandino
5'1'' small, skinny, toned
Another paddler, Mia, is really awesome and chill. She's also one of my closer friends on the club and she's a really carefree person. Shes a steersman, so she puts a lot of stress in her right shoulder and that was evident in the knots I found there.
I just did the regular back, shoulder, arm, and head massage, and she said it was "awesome."
It's getting really easy for me to massage people now. I know what to do when I find knots, or when they're tense, and I follow what I know accordingly.
Everyone so far has given me positive feedback and now I'm looking forward at how Mang Adring will evaluate me. I'm really excited but also a bit scared but I'll just keep it one massage at a time
Mia Balandino
5'1'' small, skinny, toned
Another paddler, Mia, is really awesome and chill. She's also one of my closer friends on the club and she's a really carefree person. Shes a steersman, so she puts a lot of stress in her right shoulder and that was evident in the knots I found there.
I just did the regular back, shoulder, arm, and head massage, and she said it was "awesome."
It's getting really easy for me to massage people now. I know what to do when I find knots, or when they're tense, and I follow what I know accordingly.
Everyone so far has given me positive feedback and now I'm looking forward at how Mang Adring will evaluate me. I'm really excited but also a bit scared but I'll just keep it one massage at a time
Hour 15
Date: May 4th
Patient: Nicholas Reyes
Nick is one of my closest friends on the club and ever since I massaged him for the first time last year, he always asks for a massage.
I massaged him after Auntie Nan so I did feel a bit tired, but I really didn't feel it while I was massaging him. He has a broad back so it took some time for me to go through the regular massage, but I got through it. He paddled that day too so I can feel how tense his back was. By the end of it, he said he felt really good and relaxed.
I don't normally massage boys but I found that a lot of my patients are similar. Since they're all under some sort of stress or they all are active in sports or excessive, everyone so far has knots in their back and fine great relief when I massage their upper arms and shoulders.
Its getting to the end of the year and everyone's stressing out so I just try to calm them down. I know that I'm in a desperate need for a massage because I haven't seen Mng Adring in weeks, but I'll be okay. I'm happy with massaging people and making them feel good for my hours. I do feel the soreness in my hands after but it just reminds me that I've been working and that I just need to keep going.
Patient: Nicholas Reyes
Nick is one of my closest friends on the club and ever since I massaged him for the first time last year, he always asks for a massage.
I massaged him after Auntie Nan so I did feel a bit tired, but I really didn't feel it while I was massaging him. He has a broad back so it took some time for me to go through the regular massage, but I got through it. He paddled that day too so I can feel how tense his back was. By the end of it, he said he felt really good and relaxed.
I don't normally massage boys but I found that a lot of my patients are similar. Since they're all under some sort of stress or they all are active in sports or excessive, everyone so far has knots in their back and fine great relief when I massage their upper arms and shoulders.
Its getting to the end of the year and everyone's stressing out so I just try to calm them down. I know that I'm in a desperate need for a massage because I haven't seen Mng Adring in weeks, but I'll be okay. I'm happy with massaging people and making them feel good for my hours. I do feel the soreness in my hands after but it just reminds me that I've been working and that I just need to keep going.
Hour 14
Date: May 4th, 2013
Patient: Nanene Kainoa Ching Garcia
Body Type: 5'8'' fit
It's been a long time since I've seen our paddling club and it was really great seeing everyone again. When everything was dwindling down, I gave my coach, Auntie Nan, a shoulder and back massage.
I've been massaging people who are close to my age, but this is my first time massaging an older adult. She's been paddling since she was in high school and she's in her forties now (she won't tell me exactly how old she is). She coaches my age group, 19 and under, as well as the adults. She looks over the entire club.
I was just relaxing with my teammates and I pretty much just start massaging people randomly. It's become a habit. At the end of the year party last year, all the girls slept over Auntie Nan's house and I just gave everyone massages. Again, this is before Capstone and before Mang Adring mentoring me. I just did it because I just wanted to help. I ended up massaging about 20 people. So everyone calls is "The Gaea Massage." So now the club knows me as the back rubber and massager.
Anyway, a couple of my teammates were surprised that Auntie Nan never received a "Gaea Massage" before so I gave her one right then and there. She was still wearing her jacket, so I wasn't accustomed to massage people through clothes, but I did my best.
Right when I started she was already impressed. She was impressed at how strong my hands were and she assumed it was because I played volleyball. I clarified and told her that I've been training and practicing hilot for my senior project. Then throughout the massage I explained what hilot was and why I chose to do it.
I found a knot above her right shoulder blade and she tensed up at first, but when I massaged it out, she relaxed. She was really happy that she finally got a "Gaea Massage." Pretty soon, I had a line forming behind her.
She was one of the only people that didn't have any previous experience to compare it to, but she said that it was great and she's looking forward to a full body one.
Even though she's an older adult, again, everyone has the same muscles and the same bones so I just stuck with what I knew and tried to help her out. I can feel my hands getting stronger and I'm getting more comfortable with the body and how to better relieve it.
Patient: Nanene Kainoa Ching Garcia
Body Type: 5'8'' fit
It's been a long time since I've seen our paddling club and it was really great seeing everyone again. When everything was dwindling down, I gave my coach, Auntie Nan, a shoulder and back massage.
I've been massaging people who are close to my age, but this is my first time massaging an older adult. She's been paddling since she was in high school and she's in her forties now (she won't tell me exactly how old she is). She coaches my age group, 19 and under, as well as the adults. She looks over the entire club.
I was just relaxing with my teammates and I pretty much just start massaging people randomly. It's become a habit. At the end of the year party last year, all the girls slept over Auntie Nan's house and I just gave everyone massages. Again, this is before Capstone and before Mang Adring mentoring me. I just did it because I just wanted to help. I ended up massaging about 20 people. So everyone calls is "The Gaea Massage." So now the club knows me as the back rubber and massager.
Anyway, a couple of my teammates were surprised that Auntie Nan never received a "Gaea Massage" before so I gave her one right then and there. She was still wearing her jacket, so I wasn't accustomed to massage people through clothes, but I did my best.
Right when I started she was already impressed. She was impressed at how strong my hands were and she assumed it was because I played volleyball. I clarified and told her that I've been training and practicing hilot for my senior project. Then throughout the massage I explained what hilot was and why I chose to do it.
I found a knot above her right shoulder blade and she tensed up at first, but when I massaged it out, she relaxed. She was really happy that she finally got a "Gaea Massage." Pretty soon, I had a line forming behind her.
She was one of the only people that didn't have any previous experience to compare it to, but she said that it was great and she's looking forward to a full body one.
Even though she's an older adult, again, everyone has the same muscles and the same bones so I just stuck with what I knew and tried to help her out. I can feel my hands getting stronger and I'm getting more comfortable with the body and how to better relieve it.
Hour 13
Date: May 3th, 2013
Patient: Madeline Chong
Body Type: broad, thick
On Friday, I helped my outrigger paddling team prep for our malasada booth at poly fest the next day. My teammate, Maddie Chong slept over and I took that oppurtunity to massage her.
She is a paddler so she has a lot of stress built up around her back and shoulders, and not to mention that she's been stressing on IB and AP exams so I just wanted to relieve some of the stress.
I gave her a shoulder, back, arm, and head massage because her legs are ticklish.
It was interesting to massage her because I haven't massaged her body type before, but everyone has the same muscles and the same body parts so I just focused on what I knew.
By the end of it, he said she felt "sooooooooooooooooooo much better." I've massaged her before, as in before Capstone and before my training, but she said that this time was "on point." I laughed at the comment, but now that I think about it, I am proud of myself and I just want to keep getting better.
Patient: Madeline Chong
Body Type: broad, thick
On Friday, I helped my outrigger paddling team prep for our malasada booth at poly fest the next day. My teammate, Maddie Chong slept over and I took that oppurtunity to massage her.
She is a paddler so she has a lot of stress built up around her back and shoulders, and not to mention that she's been stressing on IB and AP exams so I just wanted to relieve some of the stress.
I gave her a shoulder, back, arm, and head massage because her legs are ticklish.
It was interesting to massage her because I haven't massaged her body type before, but everyone has the same muscles and the same body parts so I just focused on what I knew.
By the end of it, he said she felt "sooooooooooooooooooo much better." I've massaged her before, as in before Capstone and before my training, but she said that this time was "on point." I laughed at the comment, but now that I think about it, I am proud of myself and I just want to keep getting better.
Hour 12
Date: May 3, 2013
Patient: Sarina
When I asked her how she was feeling the next morning, she said she felt a lot looser, a lot more relaxed. That made me relieved and proud because I can really feel myself improving. I gave her another massage and after, I noticed that she was coughing a bit more. Her body was just flushing out all that mucus and phlegm. I remember doing that after getting a massage from Mang Adring when I was sick.
Just that my sister is getting better from my massaging (combined with over the counter medicine) confimed what I was trying to prove in my paper. I'm just really proud that I'm actually succeeding in helping people get better and that I'm improving as well.
Patient: Sarina
When I asked her how she was feeling the next morning, she said she felt a lot looser, a lot more relaxed. That made me relieved and proud because I can really feel myself improving. I gave her another massage and after, I noticed that she was coughing a bit more. Her body was just flushing out all that mucus and phlegm. I remember doing that after getting a massage from Mang Adring when I was sick.
Just that my sister is getting better from my massaging (combined with over the counter medicine) confimed what I was trying to prove in my paper. I'm just really proud that I'm actually succeeding in helping people get better and that I'm improving as well.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Hour 11
Date/Time: May 2, 2013, 10-11PM
Patient: Sarina Salazar
Sarina has gotten really sick. She caught something and now is coughing and sneezing ever half second. I massaged her for my ninth hour.
I gave her the usual standard hilot massage. I used the wintergreen oil Mang Adring gave me.
I focused a lot on her upper back. She didn't have a lot of noteworthy knots, but she a a very big one under her right shoulder blade. My sister is one of my more sensitive patients, even more so because she's sick. She tensed up a lot so I adjusted the massage a little so I didn't press as hard and went slower. It seemed to do the trick because she after I finished, she said her thanks then fell asleep right away. I plan to check how she is feeling in the morning.
This is her second day being sick so hopefully she'll feel better tomorrow. I massaged her after my volleyball practice. Even though I felt pain in my knees and back while I was massaging her, I pushed through it because I'm working hard to even come close to being a manghanghilot and I want to make Mang Adring proud.
Patient: Sarina Salazar
Sarina has gotten really sick. She caught something and now is coughing and sneezing ever half second. I massaged her for my ninth hour.
I gave her the usual standard hilot massage. I used the wintergreen oil Mang Adring gave me.
I focused a lot on her upper back. She didn't have a lot of noteworthy knots, but she a a very big one under her right shoulder blade. My sister is one of my more sensitive patients, even more so because she's sick. She tensed up a lot so I adjusted the massage a little so I didn't press as hard and went slower. It seemed to do the trick because she after I finished, she said her thanks then fell asleep right away. I plan to check how she is feeling in the morning.
This is her second day being sick so hopefully she'll feel better tomorrow. I massaged her after my volleyball practice. Even though I felt pain in my knees and back while I was massaging her, I pushed through it because I'm working hard to even come close to being a manghanghilot and I want to make Mang Adring proud.
Hour 9.5 to 10
Date/Time: April 29, 2013, 1230-1
Patient: Ryan Martin
Body Type: 5'3'', thin, athletic, toned
My friend, Ryan, was really stressed and irritated when he walked up to me during lunch for half an hour, making my hours even again. While he was talking/venting, I took the liberty of giving him a shoulder and back massage. He was getting really heated, but once I started massaging him, he stopped talking mid sentence. As I continued, he paused, then continued talking, but in a calmer voice. When the bell rang, he thanked me and said that hilot on top of talking it out made him feel better.
I know it may seem little, but I was really proud of myself that I was able to calm him down from his initial anger. It made me realize that physical touch can really help someone who's under any stress or discomfort. It's one thing to help someone feel better through a scheduled massage, but helping a friend out is really gratifying.
Patient: Ryan Martin
Body Type: 5'3'', thin, athletic, toned
My friend, Ryan, was really stressed and irritated when he walked up to me during lunch for half an hour, making my hours even again. While he was talking/venting, I took the liberty of giving him a shoulder and back massage. He was getting really heated, but once I started massaging him, he stopped talking mid sentence. As I continued, he paused, then continued talking, but in a calmer voice. When the bell rang, he thanked me and said that hilot on top of talking it out made him feel better.
I know it may seem little, but I was really proud of myself that I was able to calm him down from his initial anger. It made me realize that physical touch can really help someone who's under any stress or discomfort. It's one thing to help someone feel better through a scheduled massage, but helping a friend out is really gratifying.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Hour 9.5
Date/Time: April 26, 2013, 6PM to 7PM
Patient: Allen Abello
Body Type: 6'2'', built, toned
I massaged my cousin, Allen, for my eighth hour. It was the day before my tournament and I promised him I would massage him the last time I visited him in Las Vegas in March. We were in Reno for my tournament and I massaged him after he arrived from Las Vegas. Allen is 24 years old and works as an E.R. scribe as well as a UNLV T.A. He is moving to Florida in the fall to attend medical school.
I did the same massage I've been practicing but it took longer than usual. Instead of an hour it took an hour and a half because he was bigger than any of my hilot patients and he had a lot of knots. There were mostly around his upper back in his around his shoulders and shoulder blades.
Since I had no massage table, we managed with three blankets on top of the carpet floor. I didn't bring the oil either, so I used eucalyptus spearmint body lotion. Although it lacked the tingly feeling that the wintergreen oil has, it served its purpose. I just wanted to make sure that I didn't add any discomfort from friction of dry skin.
I was really excited about this hour because I love my older cousin a lot and I know he's really stressed. I was looking forward to relieving some tension from his daily life. I was already really happy that he came to watch me play but it was a privilege for me to make him feel better.
I was concentrated throughout the massage and I wasn't worried as I was before in previous massage sessions. Once I was done, I was physically exhausted but I was really satisfied. Allen expressed his appreciation and gratitude through a lot of thank yous and compliments. He even said he'd pay me (he never did). He said he felt a lot better and he didn't feel as tight. The next day he said he slept a lot better than he has in a while. That made me really happy.
I knew that massaging him would tire me out but not as much as it actually did. My hands were sore and so was my back. Since I had him on the floor I was crouching a lot more so I put a lot of stress on my shoulders and lower back. It's nothing that some good 'ole fashion stretching won't fix, but it added to my overall soreness after I played. I haven't received a massage myself in a long time and I'm really starting to miss it. Nevertheless, I just need to keep massaging and practicing even if it does tire me out. I'd rather work hard for someone else to feel better than just sit around and do nothing. The fatigue just reminds me that I made someone feel physically and mentally better that day.
Patient: Allen Abello
Body Type: 6'2'', built, toned
I massaged my cousin, Allen, for my eighth hour. It was the day before my tournament and I promised him I would massage him the last time I visited him in Las Vegas in March. We were in Reno for my tournament and I massaged him after he arrived from Las Vegas. Allen is 24 years old and works as an E.R. scribe as well as a UNLV T.A. He is moving to Florida in the fall to attend medical school.
I did the same massage I've been practicing but it took longer than usual. Instead of an hour it took an hour and a half because he was bigger than any of my hilot patients and he had a lot of knots. There were mostly around his upper back in his around his shoulders and shoulder blades.
Since I had no massage table, we managed with three blankets on top of the carpet floor. I didn't bring the oil either, so I used eucalyptus spearmint body lotion. Although it lacked the tingly feeling that the wintergreen oil has, it served its purpose. I just wanted to make sure that I didn't add any discomfort from friction of dry skin.
I was really excited about this hour because I love my older cousin a lot and I know he's really stressed. I was looking forward to relieving some tension from his daily life. I was already really happy that he came to watch me play but it was a privilege for me to make him feel better.
I was concentrated throughout the massage and I wasn't worried as I was before in previous massage sessions. Once I was done, I was physically exhausted but I was really satisfied. Allen expressed his appreciation and gratitude through a lot of thank yous and compliments. He even said he'd pay me (he never did). He said he felt a lot better and he didn't feel as tight. The next day he said he slept a lot better than he has in a while. That made me really happy.
I knew that massaging him would tire me out but not as much as it actually did. My hands were sore and so was my back. Since I had him on the floor I was crouching a lot more so I put a lot of stress on my shoulders and lower back. It's nothing that some good 'ole fashion stretching won't fix, but it added to my overall soreness after I played. I haven't received a massage myself in a long time and I'm really starting to miss it. Nevertheless, I just need to keep massaging and practicing even if it does tire me out. I'd rather work hard for someone else to feel better than just sit around and do nothing. The fatigue just reminds me that I made someone feel physically and mentally better that day.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Hour 8
Day/Time: April 15, 2013, 2PM to 3PM
Patient: Tyler Valen
Body Type: female, 5'3'', skinny, but toned
I massaged my teammate, Tyler Valen, for my seventh hour. She is the setter on my team so she has a lot of stress built up around her upper back and shoulders, and her arms and hands.
I did the same routine as described in the previous post, but it was different this time because Tyler has a total different body type than Sarina. That took some getting used to because at first, I felt like I needed to be more gentle with her massage. As I continued to do so, however, she had similar knots like my sister. I realized that no matter what body type a patient is, I just needed to do the same routine and make sure they were comfortable with it.
Although each body is essentially the same, how each person reacts to the massage is different. What Sarina found ticklish, Tyler found normal, and what Sarina found normal, Tyler found very sensitive. It was interesting to see the different ways they reacted to each part. Both of them reacted the same to the thigh and calf presses, though. I think everyone dreads it a bit.
I found a lot of knots around her shoulder blades and traps. This was due to repetitive exercise without proper stretching. By the end of her massage, I had kneaded out most of them, but a couple were still evident in her back. As I learned from MAng Adring, hot and cold compress patches called Salon Pass, should help. I applied some and then Tyler was on her way.
My hands were pretty tired after the second massage of the day, but all I could do was stretch and massage them out.
Patient: Tyler Valen
Body Type: female, 5'3'', skinny, but toned
I massaged my teammate, Tyler Valen, for my seventh hour. She is the setter on my team so she has a lot of stress built up around her upper back and shoulders, and her arms and hands.
I did the same routine as described in the previous post, but it was different this time because Tyler has a total different body type than Sarina. That took some getting used to because at first, I felt like I needed to be more gentle with her massage. As I continued to do so, however, she had similar knots like my sister. I realized that no matter what body type a patient is, I just needed to do the same routine and make sure they were comfortable with it.
Although each body is essentially the same, how each person reacts to the massage is different. What Sarina found ticklish, Tyler found normal, and what Sarina found normal, Tyler found very sensitive. It was interesting to see the different ways they reacted to each part. Both of them reacted the same to the thigh and calf presses, though. I think everyone dreads it a bit.
I found a lot of knots around her shoulder blades and traps. This was due to repetitive exercise without proper stretching. By the end of her massage, I had kneaded out most of them, but a couple were still evident in her back. As I learned from MAng Adring, hot and cold compress patches called Salon Pass, should help. I applied some and then Tyler was on her way.
My hands were pretty tired after the second massage of the day, but all I could do was stretch and massage them out.
Hour 7
April 15, 2013 9:00AM to 10:00AM
Patient: Sarina Salazar
Body Type: female, 5'7'', thick, muscular
On the first day of STAR Testing, I massaged my sister, Sarina, for my sixth hour.
It took me a while to start massaging people by appointments because it took a while for me and Mang Adring to coordinate a time to get the massage oil. Once I had that, I started scheduling appointments and completing my hours.
It was a little nerve racking because I didn't have my mentor next to me to tell me how to do things or correct me if I was wrong. I just needed to trust myself.
I remembered that the massage is much more effective when I concentrate pressure through the tips of my fingers rather than the pads. Even though I studied the video of Mang Adring's lesson, I was still a bit nervous. My fingers started to camp a bit but all I needed to do was power through it.
As usual, I started with her upper back, concentrating on the muscles around her shoulder blades. I massaged the muscle under her left shoulder blade, then the muscle on top of her left shoulder blade and repeated the motions with her right side. Then I massaged around the shoulder blade on both sides a the same time. Then, I reached below her traps and massaged the spot below the collar bone and above her armpit. I found this to be a very sensitive spot because she started tensing up. I did the same to the other side and did both sides at the same time. After, I applied more oil to her back and pressed on either sides at the top of her spine and followed through until the base of her spine. Then I continued pressing down with my thumbs on her lower back, working my way up, and repeated from the top of her spine. Following routine, I pressed on two pressure points located below her back. This is where Mang Adring advised me to keep applying pressure throughout the massage because that is where everything connects. The more you sooth these spots, the better it is for the body.
After her back, I started with her arms. I applied oil to her arms and held her wrist with my right hand and massaged the groove in her upper arm with my left. I secured her hand in between my side and my upper arm to massage her with both of my hands. I then applied pressure to her forearm and continued on to the pinpoints of her hands. One particular move that I was scared of doing was cracking her knuckles. Mang Adring did this to me and taught it to me during the lessons but I was scared to do it because I didn't want to hurt her. Again, this is when I needed to learn to trust myself to simply bring relief to any patient. I did so carefully but once I succesfully crack the first couple fingers, I wasn't so scared anymore. I continued the arm and hand massage on to her right side.
I then went back and concentrated my attention to her shoulders and upper back. This is similar to the first part of the massage, but instead massaging both sides at the same time from the front of the massage table, instead of the sides. I continued with her neck, only this time, I wasn't as scared of massaging the neck than I was during the lesson.
I went back to massage her full back once more and also pressed on the two pressure points below her lower back.
After that, I continued to her legs. I always found the legs a bit awkward, but I felt more comfortable as the massage continued I applied oil to her legs and started with lightly squeezing the backs of her thighs, going up and down. She started laughing, but it soon turned out to be less funny when I continued by pressing down the sides of her quads. Personally, this was always the part of the massage that I dreaded myself. I repeated the move two more times then repeated the squeezing motion. Instead of stopping at her knee, I continued the move down to her ankle. Then I massaged her calf then to her ankle, and continued to her feet.
I continued to massage her calves then back to her thighs, then massaged the two pressure points again, and then back to her back.
Then, I had her flip over and did basically the same things, except with her face up.
Then then had her go on her side. I bent her top leg and straightened out her bottom leg. I crossed her arms. I pulled on her top arm's wrist and pushed on her hip 3 to 4 times and cracked her back. I told her to lie on her other side and repeated the motions.
Dwindling down to the last minutes of the massage, I had her sit upright and massaged her shoulders and upper arms once more. The last part was one that I personally dread, and know that she isn't too fond of either. As she sits on the massage table, I sit down on a chair in front of her. I put one of her feet on the chair I'm sitting on between my knees and bend her knee. I then but my fingers at the middle of the back of her knee and I press hard all the way down to her ankle. I repeat it 3 times and do the same to her left calf. This releases all the stress from everyday things to walking, driving, and even exercising.
The very last stage is when I take both of her wrists and find her pulse. I just have to make sure that its regular. If it isn't, then I need to do it all over again.
For the first real, full-on, massage, I my sister said I did a good job. My hands still aren't as strong as Mang Adrings, but that come with practice and experience. It's really easy for me to find knots and knciks now and I'm starting to feel my hands slowly getting stronger.
Patient: Sarina Salazar
Body Type: female, 5'7'', thick, muscular
On the first day of STAR Testing, I massaged my sister, Sarina, for my sixth hour.
It took me a while to start massaging people by appointments because it took a while for me and Mang Adring to coordinate a time to get the massage oil. Once I had that, I started scheduling appointments and completing my hours.
It was a little nerve racking because I didn't have my mentor next to me to tell me how to do things or correct me if I was wrong. I just needed to trust myself.
I remembered that the massage is much more effective when I concentrate pressure through the tips of my fingers rather than the pads. Even though I studied the video of Mang Adring's lesson, I was still a bit nervous. My fingers started to camp a bit but all I needed to do was power through it.
As usual, I started with her upper back, concentrating on the muscles around her shoulder blades. I massaged the muscle under her left shoulder blade, then the muscle on top of her left shoulder blade and repeated the motions with her right side. Then I massaged around the shoulder blade on both sides a the same time. Then, I reached below her traps and massaged the spot below the collar bone and above her armpit. I found this to be a very sensitive spot because she started tensing up. I did the same to the other side and did both sides at the same time. After, I applied more oil to her back and pressed on either sides at the top of her spine and followed through until the base of her spine. Then I continued pressing down with my thumbs on her lower back, working my way up, and repeated from the top of her spine. Following routine, I pressed on two pressure points located below her back. This is where Mang Adring advised me to keep applying pressure throughout the massage because that is where everything connects. The more you sooth these spots, the better it is for the body.
After her back, I started with her arms. I applied oil to her arms and held her wrist with my right hand and massaged the groove in her upper arm with my left. I secured her hand in between my side and my upper arm to massage her with both of my hands. I then applied pressure to her forearm and continued on to the pinpoints of her hands. One particular move that I was scared of doing was cracking her knuckles. Mang Adring did this to me and taught it to me during the lessons but I was scared to do it because I didn't want to hurt her. Again, this is when I needed to learn to trust myself to simply bring relief to any patient. I did so carefully but once I succesfully crack the first couple fingers, I wasn't so scared anymore. I continued the arm and hand massage on to her right side.
I then went back and concentrated my attention to her shoulders and upper back. This is similar to the first part of the massage, but instead massaging both sides at the same time from the front of the massage table, instead of the sides. I continued with her neck, only this time, I wasn't as scared of massaging the neck than I was during the lesson.
I went back to massage her full back once more and also pressed on the two pressure points below her lower back.
After that, I continued to her legs. I always found the legs a bit awkward, but I felt more comfortable as the massage continued I applied oil to her legs and started with lightly squeezing the backs of her thighs, going up and down. She started laughing, but it soon turned out to be less funny when I continued by pressing down the sides of her quads. Personally, this was always the part of the massage that I dreaded myself. I repeated the move two more times then repeated the squeezing motion. Instead of stopping at her knee, I continued the move down to her ankle. Then I massaged her calf then to her ankle, and continued to her feet.
I continued to massage her calves then back to her thighs, then massaged the two pressure points again, and then back to her back.
Then, I had her flip over and did basically the same things, except with her face up.
Then then had her go on her side. I bent her top leg and straightened out her bottom leg. I crossed her arms. I pulled on her top arm's wrist and pushed on her hip 3 to 4 times and cracked her back. I told her to lie on her other side and repeated the motions.
Dwindling down to the last minutes of the massage, I had her sit upright and massaged her shoulders and upper arms once more. The last part was one that I personally dread, and know that she isn't too fond of either. As she sits on the massage table, I sit down on a chair in front of her. I put one of her feet on the chair I'm sitting on between my knees and bend her knee. I then but my fingers at the middle of the back of her knee and I press hard all the way down to her ankle. I repeat it 3 times and do the same to her left calf. This releases all the stress from everyday things to walking, driving, and even exercising.
The very last stage is when I take both of her wrists and find her pulse. I just have to make sure that its regular. If it isn't, then I need to do it all over again.
For the first real, full-on, massage, I my sister said I did a good job. My hands still aren't as strong as Mang Adrings, but that come with practice and experience. It's really easy for me to find knots and knciks now and I'm starting to feel my hands slowly getting stronger.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Hour 6/Status
I went to Mang Adring for another massage after my tournament. I told him that I've been practicing on my friends and he wanted to make sure that I was fully equipped with everything that I needed. He gave me a bottle of his homemade oil. He's leaving for the Philippines for a couple weeks and he won't be back until mid May. Mang Adring explained that my physical project hours will consist of me practicing with the video as reference. He advised me to trust my hands as well as myself in order to get stronger and more effective at hilot.
The solutions he uses to make the homemade hilot oil.
I have been practicing massaging my friends and teammates sporadically, such as shoulder massages at school, back massages in the middle of tournaments or massages by the water at paddling practice. I have not, however, counted any of those instances towards my hours because I didn't feel like the time spent was legitimate. It felt more like practicing practice.
I am borrowing class of 2010's April Dela Fuente's massage table, as she did a similar physical project for her senior project.
Now I am inviting my friends and fellow classmates to help me with my hours.
P.S. It's a free massage!
The solutions he uses to make the homemade hilot oil.
I have been practicing massaging my friends and teammates sporadically, such as shoulder massages at school, back massages in the middle of tournaments or massages by the water at paddling practice. I have not, however, counted any of those instances towards my hours because I didn't feel like the time spent was legitimate. It felt more like practicing practice.
I am borrowing class of 2010's April Dela Fuente's massage table, as she did a similar physical project for her senior project.
Now I am inviting my friends and fellow classmates to help me with my hours.
P.S. It's a free massage!
Hour 5
The fifth hour of my physical project consists of my personal interview with Mang Adring and my sister, Sarina, and my mother, Abby, as the translators.
Below is a translated summary and actual transcript of my conversation with Ma Adring.
Below is a translated summary and actual transcript of my conversation with Ma Adring.
Mang Adring commented that the middle of the neck has
small delicate veins that you do not want to touch. Delicate veins in the
middle of the neck can cause serious effect if massaged incorrectly.
Mang Adring started to learn massage through one
of the masseuses that ran a business in Manila. Athletes such as boxers and jockeys
came to the clinic to get a rundown of physical massage which softens the
hardened muscles and eventually take out the knots from the muscles. The pinched nerves are then released thus
allowing the blood to fully circulate in the body. Mang Adring was taught the
right way of massage and eventually he took over in running the massage parlor.
According to him, our body is composed of nerves
and muscles that are inter connected to each other. These nerves and muscles
react when the body is at work or when the body is engaged into strenuous repeated
movements such as in exercise and sports. Body aches, muscle strain and fatigue
are the common result of such activities.
Some people will resort to getting a massage to
relieve their tension and true enough, after having a session, they feel
restored and ready for action again.
He then recalled one patient who got into car
accident and can barely walk with his crutches. He administered a series of
massage and after a few days, this person was able to fully recover.
Massage is done by using the hand and fingers to
run through the part of the body where the nerves connecting each other need to
be realigned or where the knots need to be crushed out of the muscles to
restore full circulation.
Mang Adring’s know how and experience helped a lot
of people to fully recover from their aches, pains and muscle strains.
NAGSIMULA AKONG MAGTRABAHO SA ISANG MASSAGE PARLOR SA MANILA.
DITO NAGPUPUNTA ANG MGA BOKSINGERO, HINETE AT IBA PANG MANLALAO UPANG MAGPAMASAHE NG KANILANG MASASAKIT AT PAGOD NA KATAWAN.
NAPAG ARALAN KO NA ANG KATAWAN AY SUMASAKIT DAHIL SA PAGLALARO, PAG EXERCISE O KAYA SA PAGTATRABAHO NA PHYSICAL. ITO ANG TINATAWAG NATING SPRAIN, KNOTS, PUNCHED NERVE, MUSCLE FATIGUE O SIMPLEND - SAKIT NG KATAWN.
TINATANGAL NG HILOT ANG LAMIG, BUKOL AT IPIT NA UGAT NG KATAWAN, NA PASAMANT ALANG NABUBUO SA MGA MUSCLES O IBANG PARTE ND KATAWAN NA NAGIGING DAHILAN NG PAGSAKIT NITO.
ALAM NG MANGHIHILOT ANG MGA UGAT O NERVES NA KUNG SAAN KONEKTADO ANG MUSCLE AT SA MAINGAT NA HIMAS AT PRESSURE, NAALIS ANG BARA AT NABUBUKSAN ANG MGA UGAT SA PATULOY NA CIRCULATION AT RIGHT DISTRIBUTION NG OXYGEN IN THE BODY.
DAHIL DITO, I WAS HIRED BY AN INSURANCE COMPANY TO WORK WITH THEM IN THEIR PHYSICAL THERAPU DEPARTMENT AND WAS ABLE TO RESTORE AND HEAL A LOT OF PATIENTS.
SINCE I AM RETIRED AND GETTING OLD, I WANT TO HAND OVER MY EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE TO SOMEBODY LIKE GAEA, WHOME I BELIEVE SHE COULD DO GREAT IN THIS FIELD OF SERVICE.
DITO NAGPUPUNTA ANG MGA BOKSINGERO, HINETE AT IBA PANG MANLALAO UPANG MAGPAMASAHE NG KANILANG MASASAKIT AT PAGOD NA KATAWAN.
NAPAG ARALAN KO NA ANG KATAWAN AY SUMASAKIT DAHIL SA PAGLALARO, PAG EXERCISE O KAYA SA PAGTATRABAHO NA PHYSICAL. ITO ANG TINATAWAG NATING SPRAIN, KNOTS, PUNCHED NERVE, MUSCLE FATIGUE O SIMPLEND - SAKIT NG KATAWN.
TINATANGAL NG HILOT ANG LAMIG, BUKOL AT IPIT NA UGAT NG KATAWAN, NA PASAMANT ALANG NABUBUO SA MGA MUSCLES O IBANG PARTE ND KATAWAN NA NAGIGING DAHILAN NG PAGSAKIT NITO.
ALAM NG MANGHIHILOT ANG MGA UGAT O NERVES NA KUNG SAAN KONEKTADO ANG MUSCLE AT SA MAINGAT NA HIMAS AT PRESSURE, NAALIS ANG BARA AT NABUBUKSAN ANG MGA UGAT SA PATULOY NA CIRCULATION AT RIGHT DISTRIBUTION NG OXYGEN IN THE BODY.
DAHIL DITO, I WAS HIRED BY AN INSURANCE COMPANY TO WORK WITH THEM IN THEIR PHYSICAL THERAPU DEPARTMENT AND WAS ABLE TO RESTORE AND HEAL A LOT OF PATIENTS.
SINCE I AM RETIRED AND GETTING OLD, I WANT TO HAND OVER MY EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE TO SOMEBODY LIKE GAEA, WHOME I BELIEVE SHE COULD DO GREAT IN THIS FIELD OF SERVICE.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Hours 2-4
I thought I posted this on February 6th, but it was only saved as a draft.
Today was the first day I started hands on massaging. My sister, Sarina, volunteered to be my first subject. We arrived at Mang Adring's home office at 4 P.M. and proceeded the session until 6 P.M.
I was preparing myself to learn the different techniques, but once my sister got on the massage table, Mang Adring handed my the oil and simply said, "Start." I was really surprised and nervous, but he was serious. Mang Adring has massaged me countless times, but I got lost once he said to start.
First, Mang Adring would do the techniques on my sister first. "Like this," he said. So after he demonstrated, I followed suit and tried to copy him as best as I could. My sister was a great help because she told me how to adjust after trying each technique. I was really surprised because I really didn’t have any sort of practice except trying to copy him based off the massages he gave me. With Mang Adring’s permission, I video recorded the massage lesson as a reference for when I start practicing on my own, but I won’t post it for the sake of my sister’s privacy.
Today was the first day I started hands on massaging. My sister, Sarina, volunteered to be my first subject. We arrived at Mang Adring's home office at 4 P.M. and proceeded the session until 6 P.M.
I was preparing myself to learn the different techniques, but once my sister got on the massage table, Mang Adring handed my the oil and simply said, "Start." I was really surprised and nervous, but he was serious. Mang Adring has massaged me countless times, but I got lost once he said to start.
First, Mang Adring would do the techniques on my sister first. "Like this," he said. So after he demonstrated, I followed suit and tried to copy him as best as I could. My sister was a great help because she told me how to adjust after trying each technique. I was really surprised because I really didn’t have any sort of practice except trying to copy him based off the massages he gave me. With Mang Adring’s permission, I video recorded the massage lesson as a reference for when I start practicing on my own, but I won’t post it for the sake of my sister’s privacy.
Mang Adring started off by showing me how and what to do first
and then I would follow suit. I kept mental notes of each technique and tried
to copy him as best as I could. I constantly asked “Like this? Like that?” just
to make sure I was doing right.
We started my sister’s back, neck, head, and continued on to her lower body.
According to my sister, I massaged the same areas and points
that Mang Adring did, but my hands were a lot weaker. Mang Adring said that I need
to practice in order to perfect my technique and strengthen my hands. There
were certain areas that I did well in, such as down the spine and the legs and
calves, but I need a lot of practice.
A big lesson I learned was where to apply pressure on my
fingers. At first I used the flat part of my fingers, but I learned that using
the tips of my fingers was more effective. Looking at the video now, I see the
difference between Mang Adring’s firm hands versus my inexperienced, light hands.
Mang Adring explained that my hands will only get stronger with practice. Once he believes I'm ready, he said that he'll teach me how to mix the oils.
A regular usually lasts an 45 minutes to an hour, but since this was a massage combined with a lesson, this session stretched to two hours. Once it ended, I took the opportunity to interview Mang Adring. This interview will be posted in a separate post.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Direction
So I've been struggling to find any sort of direction with my paper for the past week. I panicked through the Wenzell deadlines and I felt lost and scared. A three minute conversation with my teacher, however, made me feel a lot better.
Ms. Wenzell and I discussed what I was trying to accomplish with my paper. We straightened out my thesis and went over my paper's structure. Now, it's just the matter of executing the said plan in 6 pages. Let's goo!!!
I am currently redoing my outline so I have a better and more secure paper for the first draft due in 5 days. Uwaaa!! Daphne's over doing her paper :D
Ms. Wenzell and I discussed what I was trying to accomplish with my paper. We straightened out my thesis and went over my paper's structure. Now, it's just the matter of executing the said plan in 6 pages. Let's goo!!!
I am currently redoing my outline so I have a better and more secure paper for the first draft due in 5 days. Uwaaa!! Daphne's over doing her paper :D
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Day 1: Hour 1
As a full time student athlete, my body goes through many aches and pains. After each tournament, I go to my manghihilot, "Hilot" master, for a recovery massage. On top of that, I go to him for various reasons such as cough and colds, fevers, and soreness--particularly in the back and knee area. Adriano Mata has been my father's healer since 1998, and I started going to him when I first started playing club volleyball in 2008.
The first hour counting towards my 25 hours was on January 7, 2013 from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M.
There is a bit of a language barrier because I don't completely understand Tagalog, and he speaks little English, but this is all a part of reconnecting with my culture. The first thing Mang (a respect term like "sir" in English) Adring told me was to cut my nails. This seemed a bit odd at first, considering that I had just cut my nails two days before. Mang Adring said that the smallest disturbance such as a scratch of a healer's finger can greatly disturb the body and mind, so I needed to cut my nails as short as possible.
Mang Adring proceeded with the regular body massage and followed routine by starting with my upper back. When he pressed down on the several knots in the area, he explained that the noise from pressing the knots indicates a lot of stress and this "noise" and build up causes my headaches, which actually explains a lot (I get a lot of headaches).
Throughout any massage, Mang Adring uses a homemade oil solution. He explained that the solution opens the skins pores, allowing the heat from his hands to help massage and heal the muscles while taking the cold from the muscles out. He said he'll teach me how to make it later on in our lessons.
After the massage, we talked about what our schedule looks like and his teaching methods. Mang Adring said that the best way is to bring a subject in and start by learning the hand motions and the reasons behind each motion and to just keep practicing.
I'm actually really excited about the Capstone Project! My mentor is really awesome and he is beyond experienced. When I first started going to him, my parents explained that he was a very famous healer in the Philippines, and he helped a lot of important people back in the day. I intend to interview him and learn all that I can.
The current challenges I face now is figuring out my essay topic and figuring out my position on that topic. I'm also in the middle of finding people to massage during Mang Adring's lessons.
Hilot
I know "hilot" as traditional Filipino healing through massage and touch. Through my experience, it has helped heal things from fevers to sore muscles. For my Capstone Project, I am under the instruction of Adriano Mata and I intend to learn the art of "hilot." With this knowledge, I hope to familiarize myself with the workings of the human body in preparation for an educational career as well as a working profession in the medical field. Learning this will familiarize me with the human body as well as keep in touch with my cultural roots.
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