Mary Histing didn’t start out her career as a bodywork practitioner. She first served as a missionary nun for sixteen years before taking on her career in wellness. Now her passion is CranioSacral Therapy. She says she finds an emotional and spiritual connection to people through her work, which helps those with migraines, chronic pain, post-concussion syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorders, scoliosis, PTSD and neurological difficulties.
CranioSacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of releasing restrictions around the brain and spinal cord to enhance central nervous system performance, which allows the body to self-correct. When Histing works on her clients, she says she feels she is in a meditative state and is blessed to be a part of the spiritual experience that brings “a clear channel to help healing happen.”
Histing has studied communications, holds a certificate in massage therapy from the National Massage Therapy Institute, is licensed in massage therapy in Virginia and holds a certification in CranioSacral Therapy through Upledger University.
Recently, Histing conducted a one-day workshop entitled “Empowering Questions – Conversations That Will Change Your Life.” The event was held in an all-woman, small group setting at Medical Massage Specialties. Women were supported in asking the right questions and were encouraged to walk away with insights into their emotions, their health and where they truly want to be in life. Serious questions were posed, such as, “Who am I?” and “What are my deepest dreams and goals?” The attendees had opportunity to bounce ideas off the group and create a safe space for brainstorming and transformation.
Histing says conducting workshops like these isn’t so far removed from her CranioSacral work. Tension has an emotional and psychological source, and it’s all related to stress. Career women balance roles of wife and mother alongside career, and that can translate to tension in the shoulders and stomach. The work she does with the physical body has to do with “our concept of ourselves,” says Histing. When she does bodywork, issues arise, and that’s part of the healing process. Histing says there’s a core belief that our lives have been founded on, which will come up during bodywork and she, along with the client, can examine if those beliefs are true. “Addressing these deeper issues are a part of this healing,” says Histing.
This event is the first in a series, says Histing. There will be another specifically devoted to men. For women, the next in the series will be “Identity and Discovering the Beauty Within.”
Histing’s event was just one in Medical Massage Specialties’ Healthy Happy Hour lineup. Sign up through Meetup.com and get automatic notifications of all Healthy Happy Hour events.
