MY neck needs to rest. Do you ever get that sort of sluggishness when your neck feels as if it's been bearing the weight of your body the entire time ? It's like going about the day on your neck instead of the feet. I can perfectly feel the taut neck muscles that refuse to sink in together with my head into my gentle duck feather pillow when I go to bed. It's crazy. Well, I've been experiencing that for the past week.
Perhaps it's time for a nice traditional Thai massage at Thai Odyssey. I love the mention of it, and when I am there physically, I find solace in the balmy scent of the place and to some extend, I even find the massage therapists' coy manners somewhat comforting. They speak very little English and probably know basic work-related words like Pain, Ouch, Hard, Relax, No, OK and Sorry. For everything you say, they smile. Sometimes that is annoying but I suppose it's a good thing for me because I tend to talk during massages to therapists who can converse well. Don't ask me why. Once I was at a spa in the Capella Hotel, Singapore and spent an entire hour talking to the well-spoken masseuse while she kneaded my lower back (and other areas) with her oil-drenched fingers. And really, I'm not a talkative person by nature.
I'm probably not a big fan of massages. They hurt and I can't relax. I really don't get it when I hear customers snore blissfully in the next room while I grit my teeth, counting each crawling, minute in tender pain. Ten minutes into a session, I usually ask myself Did I Just Pay For This Pain or comfort myself with the mental note, This Is The Last Time I'm Doing It. And then some time later, I'm back into the process. I keep returning because the body does feel lighter and stress-free after a good, balmy knead- and-stretch. I suppose that's my happy ending.
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| I love this stretch |
Eventually, I'd think stretching is what my body needs right now. It is like the boring broccoli in your meal - uninteresting but you need your greens for optimal body function. With all the Zumba I've been doing lately, I've also been casually ignoring the opening and closing acts (stretching exercises). There is something about slow, almost meditative type of exercises that put me off. It's like my feet have these tiny, invisible springs at the bottom that they get so uneasy when I'm forced in a slow-motion Tai Chi mode.
Despite that, I need to somehow stretch away the tightness and give my neck (and other areas) the rest it deserves.
Yeah I had a pinched nerve in my neck recently, it is not fun at all. Hate friggin neck pain.
ReplyDeletethat sucks Pat. it's a real pain in the neck. hope you have recovered :p
DeleteWow, I miss all the Thai massages.. I remember shoppin the whole day n endin the day with a soothing leg massage.. felt like heaven :)
ReplyDeleteMe thinks me too a talker with the masseuse .. somehow never could understand how people cud sleep whn somebody's literally pulling them apart :)
Hope ur neck gets better soon, Jaya :)
i know rite?? how do you sleep and snore on top of that, when there is someone literally walking on your back.
Deletethanks, Raj :) i probably just need a few shots of something nice and sleep it off to recover.
or go for a holiday where all i do is lay in a hammock and relax.
Haha, great massage stories Jaya, sounds like you really could do with a massage right now and I hope that you enjoy it.
ReplyDeletei do like the Thai massage place here, Matthew. come over, i'll take you there :)
DeleteHa ha... I was very uncomfortable during the very first massage I had, so I don't think it's for me.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, neck pains are just plain annoying.
hello :) i know what you mean. i must have gone for a hundred foot massages, and i didn't like until probably the 95th time ? haha.
DeleteBut don't you enjoy being stretched a little, Jaya? It sometimes makes me groan, but never in a bad way!
ReplyDeletei do like a little stretch, GB. but they tend to stretch me as if im made of rubber, so they make me groan in pain, not pleasure :)
DeleteI've never had a massage. The young woman who cuts my hair told me yesterday that she would give me a free facial and perhaps I'd like to try a massage. I'm curious about whether I'd be comfortable or freaked out. I'm not big on being touched unless it's by my lover.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
you should try it, Janie. some people fall in love with massages just like that :p
DeleteStretching is very very relaxing.
ReplyDeletei suppose it is :p
DeleteDear Jaya J. In addition to being a pain in the neck, I've had this annoying pain in my neck since, what, September, and it's making it a bit difficult for me to get some sleep. Strangely enough, it would seem said pain in the neck has somehow blocked my IJ (intelligence juices) for it has never ever occurred to me I could get a massage. I guess it's because I don't relish the idea of some stranger putting some serious oil on me. But I'll give it some thought. That's a lot of some's. Unlike you, my mouth rarely stops, so I'm not sure if a massage parlour is exactly my thing. By the way, did you know that a lot of bloggers have a nagging pain in the neck caused by this sedetary hobby SLASH addiction of theirs? (Don't look at me. I'm not addicted....)
ReplyDeleteoh wow, RC. since Sept? that must be really annoying for you. why don't you try some sports massage or some kind of traditional massage place for the neck?
Deletealternately, you can come here and i'll take you to some place where they can fix your neck real good :p
i know what you mean about strangers stripping and slathering up scented oil all over you. it's weird. i still find it weird. that's why i prefer traditional thai massages. they let you wear a PJ while they massage you with balm and oils.
yeap, i'd blame the hours of peeking into the screen too :p
hope you get better soon, RC.
PJ's? Really? Well, that changes... absolutely nothing hahaha. Have a nice week, Jaya J!
DeleteI love Zumba too. And a nice massage (or two) never hurts! Incidentally, I give good massages, but I can never meet anyone who can do the same for me. And it's not like I can massage myself *sigh*
ReplyDeletewelcome here, Azra!
Deletei know what you mean there :) my mom child-laboured me into giving her massages when i was a kid because she liked tiny hands pinching on her. but no one massaged my legs when i had child rheumatism. haha.
you could stick to massage places that you like :p
Oh I love a good Thai massage, especially with the hot stones
ReplyDeletethat's nice :) very therapautic, Nursie.
DeleteI get a stiff, taut neck from working at the computer - I always make a point to occasionally stop & do neck exercises. Makes such a difference...
ReplyDeleteA massage would be even better! ;)
me too, Beth. i should google up on neck exercises then ;) thanks.
DeleteI know what you mean, I think I've been sleeping funny when I am able to sleep and my neck feels sore.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'll get my girlfriend to massage my neck for me.
sounds good :)
Deletehope your neck feels better.
I just bought two half-price coupons for massage and need to schedule one. My neck/back are sore from bending over in the garden.
ReplyDeletethat's a good treat. buying them on coupons are always a great deal :p
DeleteI'm the worst sleeper and massage phobic. :(
ReplyDeleteyou should find some ways to sleep better 8>
DeleteOh I could so do with a massage with some quiet and polite, non conversationalist. I feel the need for TLC. Jaya - never forget to stretch - this is key (apparently.)
ReplyDeletehey Juliette ! yes, stretching is key. i should be more disciplined :p
Deletea good massage therapist is hard to come by methinks.
:)
My neck will refuse to hold the weight of my body. It is bad enough that it holds the weight of my head. Believe me I am not big headed in any manner or meaning of the term.
ReplyDeletewelcome here, Munir :)
ReplyDeletehahaha. good one.
i stretch my neck whenever i feel exhausted(even in office)...its such a relaxing feeling...but am yet to start enjoying massaging...will try it soon...
ReplyDelete