Christian Indian Head Massage

My thoughts are that there are some strange Christians out there. (Just as there are strange members of every other religion under the sun.) Religion has a lot to answer for, IMO. Religion seems to limit so many people. What a shame; I'm so glad I don't have to live with that kind of fear.

Hi R1859

Well that's just life. Eventhough I personally think it's a silly attitude to have, if that is she believes let her get on with it. At least there isn't a shortage of IHM therapists, so the world hasn't been deprived 😉 lol.

Seriously though a true story. A colleague was teaching an IHM NVQ course, but one of the girls refused to do chakra balancing as she felt it was against her Christian principles, so she couldn't pass the course, as this technique was on the tick box list.

Best Wishes

RP

I was having a similar coversation with a Christian friend who told me that she had stopped going to a massage therapist who she had been visiting for some time because on one occasion she started talking about chakras and energy.

We then got on to reflexology, acupuncture and all kinds of other complimentary therapies and she said she wouldn't go near them either because she wasn't sure that they were from God. Apparently it says quite clearly in the Bible that we are to avoid this kind of thing.

I don't know my Bible as well as I perhaps should and would be interested in knowing which parts she is referring to (she couldn't remember). I'd like to be able to see how they are being interpreted. Yoga is also apparently a big No No too. I am not trying to be flippant here. I would genuinely like to understand why these things are felt to be wrong.

I know the part of the bible she was referring to. Wasn't it this bit?

"32. And an Israelite did set up a complementary therapy studio, and Lo! God said: 'Thou hast offered Indian head massage? That is an abomination to me'.

33. And he smote the Israelite, even unto smashing up his seated massage chair. Yea, and his box of essential oils too.

34. And the Israelites saw this, and said: "Wow, we'd better not try reflexology either." And so it came to pass (though they did make an exception for nail-art, as that was kind of cool)."

haha v funny Supersub 😀 Myself a practising Christian do reiki and chatted to friend who has strong Christian faith about yoga once and she said didn't agree with it ! I asked her why she said when you empty your mind the devil gets in !!

Amethsytfairy:)

Oh Nick - you politically incorrect person you...thanks for such a good laugh - not at what the specific Christians believe or don't believe (as am with Dave Allen on this - "May your God go with you") but I just loved what you wrote and thank you for making me laugh out loud which is just what I needed at the moment!

Have you heard about an organisation called the Christian Medical Fellowship, which has 4500 medical practitioner members, and 1000 student members?

This is what the thinks about reflexology:

"Christians need to consider both professional integrity and biblical guidelines when assessing any treatment, orthodox or alternative. Unproven effectiveness or mode of action cause reflexology to fall far short of the evidence-based principles supposedly required of all modern medical treatments.
From a Christian perspective there is much to cause concern. Reflexologists highlight the spiritual significance of healing through the feet. Inge Dougans comments: 'Feet play a significant part in spiritual well being. The feet connect us to the ground and they are therefore a connection between earthly and spiritual life. They are our base and foundation and our contact with the energies that flow through it'.[17] Referring to the biblical account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet, she adds: 'The Christ washed the disciples' feet in order to awake the crown chakra above the head to awake spiritual energies'.[18] Similarly, many other reflexologists find an association with chakras and elements of the Hindu practice of yoga. Its basic philosophy is related to the Taoist Chinese view of the life force ch'i (ying and yang) or its equivalent in other cultures and religions (eg Universal Cosmic Energy). Reflexology, therefore, may provide an introduction to New Age spirituality and eastern religious philosophy. The Christian worldview is of a personal Father God upon whom we depend in all aspects of our life.[19] The idea of an impersonal life force governing all living beings is contrary to this and must surely lead to the conclusion that reflexology is not a right choice for Christians.
Choose you this day whom you will serve…God forbid that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods. (Joshua 24:15-16, King James Version)"

Unfortunately no articles on there about IHM. Plenty about the dangers of chakras and impersonal life-force energy.

RP

This is my favourite quote on :

"As General Secretary of CMF, I spoke once on the phone to a lay Christian, an ordinary person without any training or expertise in health matters. He told me how he had visited an acupuncturist in his village, and after half a dozen treatments he had indeed achieved relief of the chronic painful condition he'd first gone with. He put this down to the therapy (though I must say I wondered if the condition had got better anyway over the two month period in question!). But what he went on to say was concerning. He told me that while the acupuncturist was twiddling the needles he was always muttering something inaudible under his breath, in what sounded like an incantation. He noticed too that progressively over that two month period his own spiritual life had begun to dry up. He found it hard to pray, he lost interest in going to church, he lost some of his love for the Lord. Eventually he came to realise that perhaps he'd come under some harmful spiritual influence from the acupuncturist. Simple repentance and prayer was immediately completely effective in restoring his spiritual life."

Maybe the acupuncturist balanced their client to the point that the client didn't need this mumbo jumbo anymore! 🙂 😉 :-] lots of lol.

RP

Blimey, that's extraordinary! I've heard stories before of therapists being thrown off church premises, but I'd never heard of anyone "losing some of his love for the Lord" just because someone muttered inaudibly!

No offence to anyone here with genuinely-held convictions but this sort of thing is bonkers. And as for that comment earlier about emptying your mind and letting the devil in! You might as well say don't open the church doors in case the devil gets in.

I practise "Indian head massage", though I doubt it's very authentic. I know nothing of chakras - I just do a nice head, neck and shoulders massage. Though I have been known to mutter inaudibly.

Just imagine if we were doing these therapies 5 hundred years ago we would have been burned at the stake for heresy!!!

I would like to know how opening the Chakras can let the Devil in.

Though I have been known to mutter inaudibly.

Nick, maybe should take more water with your tipple:D

Of course the really scary thing is that these are quotes from the medical profession.

RP

Mind-boggling in their narrowmindedness :(!!!! You will of course heard about the vicar of Totley near Sheffield (I believe) who banned a group of elderly ladies from doing Tai Chi in the village hall because it contravened Christian Principles :rolleyes:.

If that's 'Christianity' you can keep it!! - and yes we should all be careful not to end up, like a few hundred years ago - at the stake 😮

Loved your first post here Nick - laughed out loud too!!:D

🙂

This is an interesting thread! I was raised by born again Christians, my Dad is a vicar and very against some of the things I'm into.

For example, meditation. When i first learnt Transcendental Meditation a few years ago, their belief was that it was against Christianity because you're given a mantra and that it was the name of a hindu God and therefore you are praying to someone other than Jesus.

When I learnt Vipassana, where there is no mantra..and you focus on your breath and body sensations, I was told that this was "bad" because it leaves your mind so open that it allows for "evil" spirits to enter.

I can see why, as a Christian, they would be against some of the moves in Indian head massage. Its not my belief personally, but I know what theirs are..having grown up with it and to them, it is very much the "occult" in a lot of cases. Healing, energy, chakras, meditation, its something most Christians, especially born again ones, will stay away from.

I said to my Dad that if anyone can o harm with their body using their body then the fault must surely lie with the manufacturer, not the person! Of course it seems insane that you are doing "wrong" by meditating when you are essentially experiencing your Self in its truest form!

There are some blummin weird people in this world and it is scary
to say the least!

I'm hesitating to participate in this thread and I am not sure why. I suppose I don't want to offend anyone or appear to be flippant - because I am truly not. I just want to understand why Christians believe some of the things they do.

For example

I can see why, as a Christian, they would be against some of the moves in Indian head massage.

What moves? Why would they be considered "un- Christian"?

I do struggle with this whole Christians against the occult thing. I thought that occult simply meant "hidden" or obscure. Well I can tell you that I find a lot of the Bible pretty obscure - full of hidden and ambiguous meanings and a lot of strange stuff goes on in it. I know - sorry. That is what I mean about sounding flippant. I really don't mean to be, but seriously there is isn't there? Doesn't mean I don't believe it, but it can be far more unbelievable than what happens in todays new age circles.

And wandering a bit away from IHM for a moment. I found the bit in Deuteronomy 18:1-11 which says " Do not let your people practice fortunte-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witch-craft, or cast spells or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead." I think that might be a modern translation of the Bible but you get the drift. Well, I thought that the Magi of the New Testament were supposed to be astrologers and that the greatest event in the history of mankind was foretold by a prophecy - and that they knew Christ was born and where he was by following a star from the East. If that isn't interpreting omens then I don't know what is!

I also have a feeling that a lot of Christians steer way from what they would term the occult or new age because they don't understand it or have not looked at what it really means. For example I recently read in a book for new Christians that the reason why astrology was wrong was because "it worships the heavens instead of the God who created the heavens, and worshipping anything or anyone other than God is idolatry." Okaaay. I am sure that serious astrologers would say that they are operating within a scientific framework - not worshipping stars - or am I wrong here?

Sorry I have wandered a bit :offtopic:
I am seriously not anti-Christian. I have recently started attending Church regularly and find the Christian message very uplifting, but there are some things I find difficult to understand - this whole anti-New Age thing being one of them.

Hi Celtia

I think that in an uncertain world, people will often cling to promises of certainly. So if a vicar, pastor etc says that something like IHM is not compatible with their faith, then of course those who subscribe to that faith are not going to book a IHM treatment. This is just life and they have a right to their opinions, even though it's narrow-minded. As Sunanda said in a previous post: Religion has a lot to answer for, IMO. Religion seems to limit so many people. What a shame; I'm so glad I don't have to live with that kind of fear.

Best Wishes

RP

I'm hesitating to participate in this thread and I am not sure why. I suppose I don't want to offend anyone or appear to be flippant - because I am truly not. I just want to understand why Christians believe some of the things they do.

For example

What moves? Why would they be considered "un- Christian"?

I do struggle with this whole Christians against the occult thing. I thought that occult simply meant "hidden" or obscure. Well I can tell you that I find a lot of the Bible pretty obscure - full of hidden and ambiguous meanings and a lot of strange stuff goes on in it. I know - sorry. That is what I mean about sounding flippant. I really don't mean to be, but seriously there is isn't there? Doesn't mean I don't believe it, but it can be far more unbelievable than what happens in todays new age circles.

And wandering a bit away from IHM for a moment. I found the bit in Deuteronomy 18:1-11 which says " Do not let your people practice fortunte-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witch-craft, or cast spells or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead." I think that might be a modern translation of the Bible but you get the drift. Well, I thought that the Magi of the New Testament were supposed to be astrologers and that the greatest event in the history of mankind was foretold by a prophecy - and that they knew Christ was born and where he was by following a star from the East. If that isn't interpreting omens then I don't know what is!

I also have a feeling that a lot of Christians steer way from what they would term the occult or new age because they don't understand it or have not looked at what it really means. For example I recently read in a book for new Christians that the reason why astrology was wrong was because "it worships the heavens instead of the God who created the heavens, and worshipping anything or anyone other than God is idolatry." Okaaay. I am sure that serious astrologers would say that they are operating within a scientific framework - not worshipping stars - or am I wrong here?

Sorry I have wandered a bit :offtopic:
I am seriously not anti-Christian. I have recently started attending Church regularly and find the Christian message very uplifting, but there are some things I find difficult to understand - this whole anti-New Age thing being one of them.

Yep I think the part you quoted from the Bible is one of the modern interpretations of it. Actually I just asked my Dad about peoples specific problems with indian head massage - I think, the references to Charkras (i havent studied this therapy I dont know 100% whats involved) he said a lot of Christians see it as a reference to a force which is unknown 🙂

I put a smiley face because it does make me smile..because there's so much fear in this religion.

I also wonder about the "i am a sinner" mentality and the effect it can have on someones well being at a deep level.

I was a Christian for about 6 months at university, but then I discovered psychedellics, nietchez and philosophy all around the same time .. so yes, that was it for me.

But the ideas about the "occult" and good/bad etc are absurd, agreed.

And Rachel you raise an interesting point about the concept of the word "occult". Words are ambiguous at the best of times, and can mean different things to different people but they're just symbols at the end of the day and respresent a whole variety of things.

Yep I think the part you quoted from the Bible is one of the modern interpretations of it. Actually I just asked my Dad about peoples specific problems with indian head massage - I think, the references to Charkras (i havent studied this therapy I dont know 100% whats involved) he said a lot of Christians see it as a reference to a force which is unknown 🙂

Well I understand fear of the unknown, and the case of chakras as far as I can establish there is no real scientific proof for them, so I guess that makes them an unknown quantity. But I have often heard Christians use the expression that something (and chakras, yoga, mantra meditation etc would be good examples) are "not from God."

Since there is no real proof for chakras, they either exist or they don't. If they do and God created all things then he must have created chakras - so....? If they don't exist then - well I guess we all just look a bit like idiots and alot of people will have parted with cash for nothing.

I think I can see where they are coming from...... Not sure I quite see so much danger in it though. I'd like to keep myself open to the possibility that they do exist. After all there are more things in heaven and earth.....

Hi

Actually it doesn't matter whether chakras exist or not. It's a holistic model to understand psycho-physiological patterns within our mind-body complex. The problem with science is that it can't prove it, label it or categorise it and so they "chuck out the baby with the bathwater". The problem with religion (ie christianity) is that they label and categorise, so when something appears that can't be labelled and categorised within their own system they "chuck out the baby with the bathwater".

When I work on a client's neck (as an example), often I work the upper chest to provide an "anterior neck release". I could also say that I'm working the throat chakra, and may be the neck problem is a energetic imbalance in this chakra. Doesn't matter to me what paradigm or model I'm using, what is important is the results, and communication with the client in a language they can understand.

May be as therapists, we should be more open-minded to our clients opinions.

Best Wishes

RP

I a crazy follower of Jesus and an IHM practitioner ooer!

I am a Christian Holistic Massage Therapist and use Indian Head Massage.

I used to carry out Reiki but that stopped when I became a Christian 4 years ago, along with my referring to chakras etc. This is not because of any set of 'rules' that Christianity has put on me, but due to my own relationship with Jesus that has led me to change my views. Reiki and chakras are not mentioned in the Bible at all.

I now know that I can pray and ask for healing directly from God, and have seen more healings and benefits of this is a few short years than in the previous 15 years of new age stuff.

However, I do still carry out indian head massage - there is nothing to be scared of with it - it is a massage plain and simple! I also practice acupressure massage techniques and have received acupuncture. These can be practised without the eastern spiritual belief system attached to it.

I did some training last year in indian head massage, and when it came to looking at the belief system both myself and a Muslim in the class said that we didn't believe in that. It did not hinder us as practitioners in any way.

I think it is a shame for people to miss out on a treatment because of fear - but a person must feel comfortable in order to get the best out of it.

As for yoga, the reason that as a Christian I would not practise it is that many of the positions are symbols of worship to other gods. I believe there is only one God and He tells me not to worship anything before Him.

Hope this helps!

🙂

As for yoga, the reason that as a Christian I would not practise it is that many of the positions are symbols of worship to other gods.

Sorry but I think you are quite wrong here. Hatha yoga consists of a series of asanas (positions) which are quite simply physical stretches for different parts of the body. There's no worship of other gods in it at all.

Reiki and chakras are not mentioned in the Bible at all.

There are a lot of things that Christians do that aren't in the bible, IMHO seems to be a bit of cherry picking.

Myarka

I used to carry out Reiki but that stopped when I became a Christian 4 years ago, along with my referring to chakras etc. This is not because of any set of 'rules' that Christianity has put on me, but due to my own relationship with Jesus that has led me to change my views. Reiki and chakras are not mentioned in the Bible at all.

Hi HLL

Reiki is a form of hands-on healing and hands-on healing is mentioned in the bible. Reiki may not be mentioned as it is a Japanese term. After all the bible comes from the middle east.

The only difference is what you prefer. A bit like preferring Kit Kat over Toblerone 😉

Are you sure that chakras are not mentioned in the bible???

So what's the story about Jacob's ladder? Isn't this a story about Jacob having a kundalini experience, as this "energy" surges through the chakras causing an enlightening experience?

Isn't there in the bible various other coded descriptions of chakras, ie the "seven seals", the "wedding suit/dress", and "144,000 written of the forehead". This is all esoteric terminology.

Best Wishes

RP

Reiki and chakras are not mentioned in the Bible at all.

Neither are a million other things I expect you partake of on a daily basis!

Hi, I am a christian and I am also a holistic therapist.
I do Indian head massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology and ear candles.
I find that some churches act different towards holistic therapies depending on the chruch.
But one thing I always check before I study a new therapy is how it works, I am more intrested in the anatomy side, I don't refer to chakras or anything like that.
I will not learn reiki or crystal healing or anything like that, as I don't feel its right, I used to do yoga but gave all that up when i became a christian.
I do have clients that are christian.And they feel more comfatable having a massage off me knowing that I am a christian....

I do find it strange that being a Christian means you can't do something like yoga....As a practising Hindu, I have no problem praying in a Christian church and would also be happy to worship God in a synagogue or mosque - or on a bus or in the park or anywhere really. What is it with all these religions that think their God is the only good God. Don't people realise that if there is one God - which is mostly what they say, apart from Hinduism which has millions and Buddhism that has none - then it's the same God that everyone worships under whatever name. I just don't get all this 'my God is better than your God' stuff. Sorry, off topic, smack my wrist!
xxx

Oh Dear. If they really believed everything in the bible then surely these people would only buy 5 loaves and 2 fishes every week from Asda!!!!!!!

I think this is so so sad as some people just do not want to look at anything else in life. The point is though they are the ones missing out on some amazing experiences.

I had no idea until I read this that this could happen.

My eyes have been opened more today

Love and blessings

Helen

I was once asked by a university chaplain if I would do some massage at the student's union during exam time, but he very quickly rescinded his request when he noticed that Indian Head Massage was on my list of therapies.

I asked him what the problem was, and he told me that he could not ask for my services as I was actively involved in the devil's work!

I had to laugh, and it was not a big deal anyway, as he wanted me to give a 50% discount which he thought I should be happy to do just for the honour of being involved in God's work at the university!!

I've always wondered what cleansing process he had to endure himself, as, when he found out about the 'dark side' of my work, he had already had a massage from me!!