This great re-cap of the free Tea Fire victim massage clinic at SBYC this past Sunday comes to us from our good friend Katie Elliott!
Sunday December 7th, I was fortunate enough to participate in the Santa Barbara Yoga Center’s free Massage Clinic for Tea Fire victims and firefighters.
When I arrived I was impressed to see the turnout of participants and volunteer therapists. There were energy workers helping with emotional trauma and stress, there were all types of bodyworkers helping to physically release tension and just to provide some much needed TLC.
I was even surprised to see that this event was a bit of therapy for me as well as the fire victims. My home was not destroyed in the fire but I was at the old reservoir watching as it started to consume the first houses. Standing there watching people’s homes burn as the fire trucks roared by brought up very uncomfortable feelings of helplessness in me. I wanted so badly to do something, anything to help but there was nothing I could do but go home and wait.
The SB yoga center massage clinic provided me my place to do something. As it turns out, my first massage participant had one of the first houses to go and I couldn’t help but wonder if I had been there watching with my heart in my stomach.
I’d say the event was a wonderful success. There were tears, laughter and a lot of smiling faces. It’s amazing to see the vulnerability and strength in these people who’ve lost so much but remain so grateful. I am very thankful to have been a part of this and also, a big thanks to the Santa Barbara Yoga Center for all they’ve done for the relief of the fire victims.
