Death is natural
Death is natural and it can feed my life How can I better come to terms with the fact that death, in particular, my death is natural? I can reluctantly shake my head and say yes of course dying is natural. It’s been happening for all living things from the beginning. I have spent time around dying people. I have buried many pets, watched dead trees be removed and lately have been intently studying more about dying, particularly in America. So, my head is pretty squarely in agreement. Yes you will die and that’s ok. It’s a fact that by now you can start to truly live with and possibly...
Read MoreBirth….a mirror for life
I first heard my daughter Nova’s voice seconds after her arrival at 5:28 am on Wednesday November 19th, 2014. I heard her strong, raspy yelps right after they cut and wedged her out of my body, my arms secured and cushioned on the operating table, me drugged and numb from the chest down. I began to dry heave and cry myself the second her presence filled the cold, brightly lit room as finally she had come to greet us after a tedious 4 days of anticipatory labor.I use the term anticipatory (all labor is, of course) because my water broke around 7 am on Saturday the 15th and when I finally...
Read MoreSampling Self-Care Southern California Style
From Massage Magazine March 2014 By Mia Miller, LMT I am often in awe of how both built and natural environments stretch our sense of what’s enjoyable, desirable and possible. Whether you’re suiting up for a winter run in below freezing temperatures, packing up swim gear to hit the gym after a long day of work or perhaps you’re disciplined enough to do some restorative yoga at home alone in the wee hours of morning before the day kicks off, we are incredibly adaptable creatures when we allow the places around us to suggest and shape our routines of self-care. I have...
Read MoreHelp Wanted: A Call for More Oncology Massage Specialists
From Massage Magazine January 2014 By Mia Miller, LMT I am eager to see a dramatic rise in the number of massage therapists specializing in oncology massage. Consider this a call to action. Reviewing Gayle MacDonald’s opening to her bookMedicine Hands, “As patients travel the road of the cancer experience, they will have pain that the best medications cannot totally alleviate, their self image will be shattered, they will suffer from lost relationships, anxiety about the future and possibly a sore back from lying too long on a gurney.” Here, she describes the deep and...
Read MoreMassage, cancer and my view today
I am thrilled to be a massage therapist serving patients at City of Hope as well as in my private practice. First I get to meet some incredible individuals who are navigating life with such a distinct and humbling sense of courage and honesty in the midst of their cancer treatment, recovery and survivorship. That leaves quite an impression on me, every time and informs how I approach my work with all my clients, regardless of the stage of life or state of health they are in. I recognize how critical it is that we cherish who we are each day, in every way (the good and the bad) as we each have...
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