In my life before bodywork, I was in the trenches of trauma. As an Emergency Department Technician, I would see the world through the eyes of the most desperate and the most wounded. Helping others in their most confused and dire time of need was steeped in effort. Not that any of these efforts were in vain, and in retrospect was a serious adventure in what is possible when you are open to seeing in the moment.
What is presence? Presence…
… is formulating an energy of being whole in this moment where all visions dance harmoniously without a catch, without hesitation.
… is all possibilities sharing space in a frictionless time.
… is acceptance of contraction with as much ease as expansion.
The weight of the world often seems like a way to exchange effort for value. To push, seemed a way to earn. Maybe even a way to be seen. To show effort in labor, gains the eyes of the weary in the long run. Falling in line with” the rest” that wished they “could have” is not the way for me.
Currently, my path is at the tail end of being a bodyworker. Helping people move a little freer through their world. This way has been the way of happiness; however, it has an element of effort to it that I am evolving out of.
What is presence? Presence…
…is like a compass that never fails to always point you towards your true North even when you feel compelled to detour.
…is a feeling without emotional control paving a path to be in your breath, realizing the instant moments of life in between each exhale and inhale.
…not waiting for anything to happen and just being here now.
I recently hosted my first men’s group at a local tea company. And, honestly, for no real reason, I had a difficult time not being nervous most of the day leading up to it. I got there early just to be sure everything was ready. One of the employees made us an airpot of tea, which was a nice touch. Everyone enjoyed it. It seemed to go really well. All the guys were receptive to one another as well as curious about each other’s stories. The age ranged from 25 to 63. All the men seemed to have a lot to bring to the table. All of them have amazing introductory stories. I am open to learning how to facilitate trust within this tribe. I am open to being a good steward to these men, bonding and helping one another. This new ground feels like the right direction into the fog of trust. Trusting the process. Turning the “I have tos” into “I get tos” has just gotten a little easier.
What is presence? Presence…
…is breathing in and out unencumbered by self-talk in the weight of “what ifs.”
…is arrival to this very moment that shows you that you are complete and unshakable.
…is this moment that is giving you back your ease and unfuckwithable confidence
Singing can bring so much joy into your life. Learning new songs is like learning a poem of emotion. Singing your life through lyrical resonation can immerse you into the moment. Placing you into the space of emotion experienced instead of emotion coveted. Singing songs is like a rollercoaster of contraction and expansion of pain and joy. Especially when it’s your favorite song on the radio that you haven’t heard in ages.
You know that moment when everything feels just right? That moment where everything feels as it should be? That fleeting “perfect moment?” The wind and air is crisp and warm at the same time. The sun is shining down upon you in perfect warmth and in the most golden of spectrums. That moment when everything is flowing like a perfect wave rolling onto the shore one after another in perfect harmony. No pressure, no past or future thinking. No stresses, no worries, no demands from others. Just perfect abundant thought unencumbered in the moment.
Perhaps you’ve had that moment?
It’s the perfect day. You’re driving wherever to pick up whoever to go to that place where that thing is happening. The sun is out, your windows are down. The breeze is warm like a blanket fresh out of the dryer. All the traffic lights are green and there is only one other car on the road, behind you. The repetitive commercial on the radio ends, and there is a small pause just before you hear the first two notes of the next song, and BOOM! IT’S YOUR JAM!!!
You know every word, every chorus, every nuance! You are free in this moment as your voice fills the car, fills the air, fills the very road you’re driving down! You are free! And you are singing your life in the moment about all the things you loathe and all the things you love. Life is perfect! Nothing can touch you! You feel unstoppable, inspired, magnetic! This song is about you, about connecting you to your very own spirit! Your very own freedom!
What is presence? Presence…
…is being here now.
Presence is a tangible texture in its own showiness, and I am being asked by the universe to be more present. More in this moment. Out of my head and in the breath. Out of the past and future to be into the now.
Presence is noticing how it feels in my body. I feel it deep in my chest, in my heart as it beats. Radiating into my back and shoulders. Instilling confidence in knowing and gnosis. Confidence in knowing all I need to know.
Presence is taking it all in like a bird’s eye view seeing the connections as I view the larger picture… watching what arises.
As I view the larger picture, a different clarity begins to take shape, a different picture comes into view, a sum total of all the parts examined begin to melt into one another formulating its very own organic scene of each of my intentions.
Turn everyday into your favorite song energy.
DUANE PASCAL
Duane began practicing massage and bodywork therapy after a lengthy career as an Emergency Medical Technician. From experiencing the benefits of massage therapy treatment for his own work-related injuries and stress, Duane was inspired. He attended Ashmead School of Massage graduating in 2006 and made a shift into rehabilitative bodywork therapy. Since then Duane has enjoyed the humble privilege of working with some amazing human beings and strong spirits, that are his clients and patients, to achieve more pain-free and mobile lives. Incorporating the importance of movement and stretching into his technique, Duane combines multiple rehabilitative bodywork and massage therapies to provide the most optimal treatment outcome to each of his clients and patients.
When Duane is not working in the office you may find him at a finish line of a local marathon, working on deserving athletes or traveling and supporting athletes at important events. Most importantly, when Duane is not working he is with his beautiful family either traveling, hiking, fishing, biking, or just hanging out enjoying bubble tea or pho or chicken adobo and always with their dogs, Koa and Cheveya.
