We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Erickson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.
Hi Sarah, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
Communication has become a true source of curiosity for me. As a massage therapist and Structural Integration practitioner, I think of touch as an avenue of communication. In bodywork sessions, I listen through my hands for information about the tone of the tissue, circulation, and resonance with the breath. I try to maintain this listening touch, and I try to impart or “say” things to the tissue. It’s like a conversation, where I encourage the client’s body through my touch, to find awareness, relaxation, and a connection with the motion of the breath. Looking and listening for what’s there, moment to moment, makes things interesting for both the practitioner and client.
In the Structural Integration work I do, I practice being deliberate when choosing the right words. Let’s say that you believe you have a “bad back.” Getting more specific about what a “bad back” means can be helpful. This presents you with exciting possibilities for the transformation of the unhelpful and outdated messages you’re telling yourself!
I also listen to podcasts, read books, and take classes on communication in my spare time. I love to practice the subtle art of listening and speaking from a deeper place in myself. I find this to be a worthwhile challenge! As i have grown through life experience, it has become clear to me that my chosen words don’t always get interpreted the way I intend. My words can be just completely wrapped in my own experience. In an anxious moment, I may not be very present to what I’m saying. Having no control over others’ interpretations, it’s no surprise to be misunderstood, I don’t even know what I’m saying sometimes! That is an over exaggeration, but sometimes there is a real disconnect from what I want to convey and what I might actually say. I can be present to understand more about others’ perspectives as I speak. Tuning into what another person is communicating without losing a strong sense of my own experience feels like an important journey, and I am up for it!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Massage training is how I started in bodywork. As I see it, massage works on the physical level, but it can affect the mental, emotional, and spiritual self as well, because these are not separate from the whole.
I also study Structural Integration, which some know as “Rolfing”. The “10 Series” of Structural Integration is a progression of bodywork sessions that are intended to help clients transform their physical relationship both within and around themselves. It can be such profound work, aimed at evolving into your potential. The work is hands on like massage, but the intention is different. In Structural Integration, I look for the relationship of limbs to spine within a spatial environment. Its so Interesting to study peoples’ movement and how each individual expresses energy in such a unique way.
Both of these offerings are local to Peoria Illinois at my new office located inside Soulside Healing Arts. I am currently celebrating the start of my 4th year in business, which just happens to coincide with moving into Soulside. I’m so ready for this next chapter! Soulside is this amazing community focused yoga studio whose teachers bring yoga to schools, businesses, and other organizations throughout the week. And Soulside also offers a pay as you can doula program. It’s an amazing organization, and I am so happy to be renting an office in their downtown Peoria yoga studio.
Bodywork is actually a second career for me. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University in Art Education, I worked as an Art Teacher for seven years in Junior High and High School settings. I am open to more opportunities to serve children in my future.
I’ve also always enjoyed making things. Of course, making things also involves the use of my hands! I do a little of this and a little of that. It’s another representation of what I love to do in the world. I’ve always got projects going, on a quest to bring my visions into reality. I can work in many mediums, from paper to wood, and I also love purpose-driven collaborative art projects.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I have leaned heavily on mindful awareness. Every time I practice having an awareness of my self-talk and pay mindful attention to the environment within and around me, I know I’m increasing my chances of being the professional I want to be. I encourage others to practice present moment awareness.
Deliberate communication is essential to my work. Marketing is one way I use deliberate communication. I discover what’s intrinsically important about my offerings, and I ask my clients questions about what’s most important to them in their sessions, and then I communicate that through words. I recommend taking plenty of time to craft the messages you use in marketing.
I love getting informal advice from professionals I admire. Offer to buy someone a coffee. In return you may get invaluable advice. I recommend this “buy a professional a coffee” model to anyone looking to deepen the work they love to do!
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My office is in Central Illinois, and my ideal client is looking for focused care and attention. I offer massage for relaxation and general wellness. Structural Integration can provide immediate relief and the possibility of changing patterns for more optimal energy use. If you are interested in understanding yourself better, and getting to know the depth and vastness of your being, please seek out my services!
Contact Info:
- Website: saraherickson.com
Image Credits
All my own camera and artwork
