By Kathryn Green
Massage therapist Kim Novotny got students out of their seats at the Thursday, Nov. 29 class on 'Awakening the Senses Through Touch.'
Novotny, an instructor of Swedish massage at the Utah College of Massage Therapy, gave students hands-on instruction about how to give a five-minute massage.
'It''s amazing, the effect that touch has,' Novotny said. 'Two people who didn''t know each other or care about each other prior to this massage come to forge a bond between each other without verbal communication.'
Novotny stressed the importance of devoting complete attention to a partner in giving a massage, including trying to breathe in sync with the partner.
She also taught basic massage techniques such as a shoulder squeeze, palm rotation and neck rubbing.
The room was silent as everyone listened to Novotny''s instruction and massaged each other''s backs.
'People have a physical need for touch,' Novotny said. 'It''s a proven reducer of stress, it builds self-esteem and it promotes an overall sense of wellness.'
After the exercises, a selection of students and teachers at the Utah College of Massage Therapy shared their personal experiences with positive touch.
Debbie Johnson, one student with the school, said massage helped her to heal from deep muscle damage she received in a car accident. She said massage and physical therapy restored her to health where doctors and medical means fell short.
'My masseuse gave me so much more than just a massage,' Johnson said. 'He validated my feelings and cared about me on a weekly basis.'
Veronica Sempertegui, another student, said she agreed. She said the simple experience of hugging a rude, overweight girl in her high school led to results she did not expect.
Sempertegui said she saw the girl one day in the hall looking very upset. Sempertegui said she went up and gave the girl a hug.
'She was as stiff as a board, and I wondered if I''d crossed the line,' Sempertegui said.
Several years later, Sempertegui ran into the girl, and the girl had lost a lot of weight and had an entirely different demeanor. Sempertegui said the girl whispered 'Thank you for changing my life.'
Arianna Herterich, 19, a junior from Hemet, Calif., majoring in marriage, family and human development said she thinks the lecture''s focus on touch is important for connecting with other people.
'Society is so anti-touch and anti-physical affection,' Herterich said. 'I think it''s important to recognize that touch can actually strengthen relationships.'