Here at Queercents we talk a lot about sticking to budgets, getting out of debt, and making the most of your money. A nice chunk of money from my monthly cash flow goes toward bodywork (massage, energy work, yoga) as a regular, ongoing expense. If I add Invest in Bodyworkit up for the month, it seems high compared to my overall expenses (usually somewhere between $100-$250) and almost ranks up there with the magnitude of a car payment. So, is it a frivolous expense and something I should trim or a worthwhile investment in my health and well being? After all if we don’t have our health – body, mind, and spirit, what’s the point of anything else anyway?

With all money expenditures it comes down to the question – what is your priority? For me, my health is a BIG priority and I’ve spent enough time with injuries and nagging un-wellness to know how important feeling good and being able to do what I want is. I also know firsthand the powerful benefits of regular bodywork and wouldn’t be caught without it in my schedule. In fact, I plan about two appointments ahead so I don’t get in a bind since I rotate between several practitioners I love, each for different reasons based on their training.

Don’t just take my word for it, though, consider some of the benefits as documented by the American Massage Therapy Association:

  • Relieve Back Pain
  • Treat Migraines
  • Ease Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel
  • Reduce Anxiety
  • Alleviate Side Effects of Cancer
  • Lower Blood Pressure

Personally I have found staying as injury free as possible is a HUGE benefit for someone who thrives on an active lifestyle of walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, and working out.

A little left of center than massage is energy work. There are numerous modalities and I have my favorites. Lucky for me I have a goddess of a practitioner who can integrate a whole pile of things and transform me in 90 minutes time from a raving stressed person to a blissful, chilled out spirit. Alternative healing, however is not just limited to chilling out. It can and does improve and heal real physical and emotional problems. I have personally had injuries or physical symptoms that no doctors could do anything about (other than throw a million drug related ideas at to no avail – sorry, no thanks). By working with a trained energy practitioner and modifying some of my behaviors, poof, the problems got solved. Worth every penny and then some if you ask me.

Yoga is like the buzzword of the day and there are teachers and styles that capture the essence of what it is all about, and there are instances where it has been reduced to a glorified gym class. I am referring to a true practice of yoga that incorporates body, mind, spirit, and yogic philosophies when I talk about yoga. Again, I am blessed to have one of the best teachers I could ever ask for, someone committed to lifelong learning and teaching the art of yoga to other aspiring teachers. What kind of benefits can you realize with yoga? According to the site Health and Yoga,

  • Excellent toning of the muscles
  • Increasing Flexibility
  • Increasing lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons
  • Massaging of ALL Organs of the Body
  • Complete Detoxification

Pretty powerful stuff. Like anything else, the benefits you get out of bodywork, yoga, and any personal care for that matter are directly related to how you show up and your willingness to commit to a routine. But, we’re talking about your well-being, and isn’t that reason alone worth the commitment? If you’re not well, all the money in the world isn’t going to matter so much.

Want to know more about how you can find a qualified practitioner in your area? Check out these sites for more information:

Over the years I have simply solidified my conviction that bodywork is an investment in me and not an expense. How about you? What has been your experience?