Mindful massage to me is like entering a meditation. I center and ground myself and become aware of my breath. I then am more receptive of what is happening in my clients body. I begin with a quick scan to see where the massage will begin. This is done without any oils on my hands. I may at times place some essential oil on my hands first according to what my clients tell me they need in the terms of their stress or pain. When I start with no oil I am more aware of what is going on in the muscles and tissues. Oil can block this awareness. As I glide tissue against bone I can feel where to start because my hands don't move as easily in that area. I then may use some oil. I said oil, not massage cream. The oil I use feeds the tissues, not blocks the pores. I use my whole body to lean in. I also employ the clients breath when encountering a tight muscle. Muscles have a memory and I purposefully trigger that memory when putting pressure on it. The breath of the client retrains that memory path of pain to the brain. Holding your breath keeps the pain in the past, breathing brings it to present time. I ask the client to inhale while telling the painful muscle to let go, melting on the exhale. Acupressure along the spine assists many releases in the body/mind/spirit.
At times a client re-experiences an emotion that was held in that point or muscle. The release of that held emotion or memory increases relaxation. You are not distracted during the massage because I ask you to place your awareness beneath my hands, listen to the beautiful music in the room, while placing your vision, with your eyes closed, at your forehead. At times you may even see colors like a flowing lava lamp behind your eyes.Your busy mind quiets down and you go more deeply inside yourself. This helps you and me to get more in touch with what you need to heal yourself. 
