In this episode of the Greenfork Food for Thought podcast, host Stephen Zabala welcomes Melissa Rose, a massage therapist, mother, and musician, who shares her serendipitous path into massage therapy. Tune in as they explore topics like storing trauma in the body, the power of human touch, ecstatic dance, somatic practices, music as meditation, and tips for holistic wellness.
To connect with Melissa Rose, find her on social media, at centered-massage.com/melissa-rose/, or contact her at (518) 912-1567.
00:00 Welcome and introduction to Melissa Rose
03:00 Melissa's journey into massage therapy from restaurant work
06:00 Evolution of her massage career and becoming an independent contractor
09:00 How the body stores emotions and big releases during sessions
12:00 Introduction to ecstatic dance and its benefits
15:00 Story of dancing through grief after a friend's passing
18:00 Energy transference and profound client exchanges
21:00 The sacredness of human touch and infant studies
24:00 Differences between Swedish and medical/deep tissue massage
27:00 Tips for pre- and post-massage preparation
30:00 Hydration, running goals, and personal health reflections
33:00 Future goals including herbology and Miss Rose Wellness
36:00 Herbs, oils, and potions used in practice
39:00 Interest in somatic therapy and EMDR
42:00 Psychedelic therapy and ideas for a wellness center
45:00 Music as therapy and kirtan jam band experiences
48:00 Frequencies in music and emotional discernment
51:00 Life stages, trauma responses, and video game analogies
54:00 Death row meal: steak, sweet potato pie, and Hook-inspired feast
57:00 Comfort food, nutrition's impact on mental health, and dairy issues
59:00 How to find Melissa and closing thoughts