I have a sore throat/ear infection and I've had a bad day. Kermit always cheers me up. Hope he adds a little joy to your day.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
The Magic Three: What it Means for Massage Therapists
Brian over at copyblogger has a neat little article on using the "Rule of Three" to create great online content. He explains that the human mind is geared to discern patterns and "three is the smallest number of elements required to create a pattern." The Rule of Three shows up in children's stories, comedy routines, and famous quotes. Readers' comments on the post also point out that Three is an important number in other areas as well: Three primary colors, Three sides of a triangle, Three branches of power.
This got me thinking: In massage school, we were told over and over (and over) again to start and finish each body part with Three long effleurage (gliding) strokes. Throughout the massage we were also told to perform various strokes, stretches and movements in Threes. One instructor explained that Three was a magical number (if she told us what made it magical, I don't remember).
I was skeptical but the pattern stuck. Now I understand why. Grouping the movements into Threes made it easier for me as a beginning therapist to establish a flow or routine. Even if I deviated from the routine to concentrate on a specific problem area, I could pick it back up and continue on with the massage, making sure I worked every part of the client's body.
The Rule of Three makes for a better massage. The person on the table unconsciously grasps and responds to the rhythms and patterns established by this Rule of Three. For them it is comfortingly familiar, maybe even a bit hypnotic, allowing them to relax into the flow of the massage. The client doesn't realize you've used the Magic of Three on them, she just knows that you gave her a truly magical massage.
How to Use the “Rule of Three” to Create Engaging Content | Copyblogger
This got me thinking: In massage school, we were told over and over (and over) again to start and finish each body part with Three long effleurage (gliding) strokes. Throughout the massage we were also told to perform various strokes, stretches and movements in Threes. One instructor explained that Three was a magical number (if she told us what made it magical, I don't remember).
I was skeptical but the pattern stuck. Now I understand why. Grouping the movements into Threes made it easier for me as a beginning therapist to establish a flow or routine. Even if I deviated from the routine to concentrate on a specific problem area, I could pick it back up and continue on with the massage, making sure I worked every part of the client's body.
The Rule of Three makes for a better massage. The person on the table unconsciously grasps and responds to the rhythms and patterns established by this Rule of Three. For them it is comfortingly familiar, maybe even a bit hypnotic, allowing them to relax into the flow of the massage. The client doesn't realize you've used the Magic of Three on them, she just knows that you gave her a truly magical massage.
How to Use the “Rule of Three” to Create Engaging Content | Copyblogger
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
