One of the most overlooked—but deeply important—elements of a bodywork session is simple: comfort. Not just in the skilled hands of the practitioner or the awareness of breath, but in the warmth of the table, the weight of a blanket, and the thoughtful support placed under the ankles, knees, or head. These details may seem small, but they can be the difference between a good session and a truly transformative one.
Why Heat Matters
During bodywork, the body often shifts into a state of deep relaxation—sometimes even sleep. As the nervous system downregulates and blood flow changes, it’s common for people to feel chilled. Muscles that were previously engaged in subtle tension begin to let go, and core body temperature can drop slightly. Being cold on the table is not just uncomfortable—it can interfere with your ability to fully relax.
In my practice, I often say: It's easier to cool someone down than it is to warm someone up. That’s why I err on the side of offering a warm table, blankets, and hot towels and a heating pad. When your body feels safe, supported, and warm, your system can truly settle. And when you’re able to relax more deeply, the benefits of the bodywork reach further.
The Role of Support
Alongside warmth, physical support is essential. Bolsters, pillows, and cushions help your body feel held. A lumbar cushion under the knees, for example, can take pressure off the lower back. A bolster under the ankles or pillow under the shoulders can relieve strain that you didn’t even realize was there. These subtle adjustments allow your muscles to rest fully, without needing to brace or hold.
This kind of comfort isn’t indulgent—it’s foundational. When your body feels physically supported and warm, it stops scanning for threat. The nervous system gets the message: You’re safe here. This is the doorway to true restoration.
Comfort and the Stress Response
Stress lives in the body. Even when we think we’re managing well, our muscles may still be gripping, our breath held just below the collarbones. One of the goals of bodywork is to help interrupt that cycle—to show the body how it feels to relax, breathe, and to let go. But this can only happen if the environment is right.
Being warm and supported isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. A chilled body or awkward positioning can keep you just on the edge of release, never quite letting the nervous system drop into parasympathetic mode, where healing and repair happen.
A Thoughtful Invitation to Rest
At Breathing Space Bodywork, every session is designed with your comfort in mind. I take the time to ensure you’re warm enough, that you feel supported, and that small adjustments are made when needed. Whether it’s a changing the face-rest cushion, repositioning a pillow or bolster, placing a heating pad on your stomach or, wrapping your feet a warm towel, these are invitations to let your body trust the space it’s in.
Relaxation isn’t just about pressure or technique—it’s about creating a sensory environment that signals you can rest now. And when you do, the real work begins.