Summer is sanctuary. The kids are out of school, time slows down, and winter daydreams of beaches finally become reality. We often equate this time of year with rest and reprieve. And, if you’re lucky enough to get away from running your practice for a bit—whether it’s a getaway or a staycation—use this time away from your hands-on work to hit the reset button. 

So often we think about reflection only at the conclusion of one calendar year and the beginning of another. But things are quite hectic during the holidays between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. In my opinion, summer and its pace better yield themselves to recalibration.   

I recently returned from my own summer retreat. Hawaii is my sanctuary, and I was blessed to go to the Big Island for an extended period. With the goal of reframing my professional and personal life, I set out to do . . . nothing. 

See, my normal, Type-A disposition defaults to scheduling and heavy overscheduling, followed by some light rescheduling. This usually involves booking activities, planning out days, and lots of prepping. When you think about it, this behavior is diametrically opposed to what vacations are for—rest. 

So, fighting every instinct in my reptilian brain, I rented a modest condo in the heart of town, and . . . did very little. I lived more like a local than a tourist. I walked most everywhere. I refused to turn on the television. And I read several books. 

The result was transformational. Instead of rushing from spot to spot, I fell into the ebb and flow of the community around me and let the experience of being somewhere else wash over me. In the end, I was rewarded for it. I found calm. My pace slowed. And the days unfolded like meditative excursions. 

Now, lest you think I didn’t indulge in some hands-on therapeutic touch that the island chain has to offer, you’d be sadly mistaken. I got to experience two modalities we have written about over the years: Sarga and lomilomi. And I was blessed to receive both from a practitioner who first learned about Sarga in these very pages! (Thanks, Jennifer Stabrylla! FYI: Jennifer was trained in the Hawaiian tradition of lomilomi by the one and only Aunty Margaret.)

The takeaway here is that stepping away from work brings fresh perspectives. Whether it is Hawaii or home, time away from work brings new insight. Most importantly, for me, I brought back that Aloha vibe into my professional life. Stepping away helped me refocus and realign my priorities. How might you embark on a similar journey of renewal? 

Thank You, and Farewell

Leslie Young, who served as the editor of Massage & Bodywork magazine from 2002 to 2017, is retiring. ABMP and the magazine’s staff extend their heartfelt gratitude to Leslie for her 22 years of dedication to the organization. Leslie joined ABMP in 2002 following a career at the Rocky Mountain News. For 15 years, we collaborated closely, shaping the articles within these pages and fostering connections and friendships within the profession. Throughout her tenure, Leslie held various roles at ABMP, infusing her work with wisdom, insight, humor, and compassion. We wish her well in her next chapter!