TOUCH vol. 3 | Page 22

Thai Mama By Katie Chisholm H.B.K., B.Ed. So it’s been 7 months since I left my practice to raise my little bundle but it is incredible how much touch and massage doesn’t end with the start of motherhood. From his ritual post-bath coconut oil massage to the “if-I-breathecalmly-while-I-trick-you-back-tosleep-massage”, touch is crucial to not only the growth and development of a growing baby but also the connection of parent to child. With my background in Kinesiology and Education with a more recent interest in Thai Massage I find myself mindlessly in search of tension and muscle knots while he breastfeeds. Mindful cuddling with Metta is another perk of motherhood that doesn’t get to happen in the clinical setting. Recently another health care practitioner commented on his instant love for body work and noticed how he instantly settled while being touched by healing hands. I am so fortunate to be able to spend the upcoming year getting to know the little being I had a hand in creating. Who knows … maybe this early body work will have him learning to massage his mama before I know it!