Learning Through Touch

Jet Rupar, LMT

When I was growing up, I didn’t really learn much about how my body worked together to let me do the things I loved. That changed when I began training as a massage therapist—I got more and more curious about the incredible ways the body functions.

And honestly? I’m still learning every day.

When I work, I keep in mind that most people, like me, may not know much about how their bodies are continually working for their well-being. That’s why I love those little “aha!” conversations during sessions:
“Hey, this muscle does this,” or “This is how this and this are connected!” Because everything really is interconnected.

Muscles and bones work hand in hand—muscles create movement, while bones provide structure. Our nervous system ties the brain to the body, telling muscles when to move or when to rest. The vagus nerve helps regulate so many vital functions we rarely even think about.

And then there’s touch. A single touch can help the body relax—or, depending on the context, put us into fight-or-flight mode. That’s how powerful touch really is.

This is why, as your massage therapist, I focus not only on how the body works, but also on how you experience touch. For me, massage is a conversation—your body speaks, I listen, and together we discover new things you might not have noticed before. Naming what’s happening can help your mind understand, which in turn allows the body to release even more deeply.

Because the more we know our bodies, the more we can truly care for them.