Esoteric Breast Massage
Esoteric Breast Massage (referred to as the EBM) is a modality practised only by women, for women. The EBM is there to support women to reconnect to their body, to be more aware of their body and to feel the depth of gentleness that they are capable of. An EBM is a very gentle and delicate massage that specifically centres around the lymphatic part of the breast, which is on the sides from the armpits down.
Today many women lack true care and connection with their bodies, and as a result, with their breasts. Many women are not as aware as they could be with their own bodies. Some are too scared to check for signs like lumps or breast tissue changes that may indicate that they should get a check-up or a breast examination. Many women who have received an EBM will say that it supports them to become more aware of their body, thus more aware of what they are actually feeling in their body and their breasts, whether that is swelling, lumps or pain, etc.
The EBM also highlights to women the need to care for and nurture themselves, as many women are used to putting others first, which can leave them exhausted and their bodies depleted. As a result of having an EBM many, many women have been inspired to truly nurture and honour themselves. In addition, women are encouraged and inspired to take more responsibility for their own overall health, wellbeing and breast care and have more regular breast examinations, rather than wait until there is something significantly wrong before they see a GP.
What does an EBM session actually involve?
The first session is an explanation or consultation session. This means that no massage takes place. During such discussions an EBM is explained in detail along with how it relates to the overall Esoteric Women’s Health program. This program makes available to the woman additional specialised women’s health treatments and support. There are women’s presentations and developmental discussion groups, all of which are voluntary and never a mandatory part of her healing program. Consent is obtained for treatments and a history is taken including the woman’s menstrual, gynaecological and reproductive details along with major life events, other conditions and her current state of wellbeing.
Warmth is central to the treatment, in providing a healing environment in which the woman is able to more easily feel she can surrender to herself away from the ‘doing and busy-ness’ of life. The treatment room is heated, the client is given a warmed, disposable towel to place over her breasts once she has removed her top and bra and makes her way to the treatment table where a larger warmed towel is placed over her. She remains covered at all times except when a specific part of her upper body is being massaged.
We start with preliminary hands-on healing work to parts of the body specific to the need of each individual woman. Then, warmed cream and oil are tenderly applied to one breast at a time and the gentle massage proceeds with focus predominantly to the side of the breasts in the lymphatic area and under the armpits, the heart area and then to the breast itself.
What does an EBM session cost?
Currently EBM sessions cost $70 in Australia, £60 in the UK and 75 Euros in Europe.
EBM Practitioner's: Training and Qualifications
The training to become an EBM Practitioner is extremely thorough, and it takes a minimum of 4 years training to become qualified. The integrity, responsibility and commitment first to one’s own development and then to the support of other women are of utmost importance. All practitioners need to abide by the comprehensive and uncompromising ‘Code of Ethics’ established by the Esoteric Practitioners Association*, Universal Medicine's in-house practitioner support and development body instigated by Universal Medicine to monitor the level of practise and intergrity of the Universal Medicine modalities taught by Universal Medicine. EBM practitioners must also be fully insured. Thus, at present, there are only 9 EBM Practitioners worldwide. Many women have expressed interest in becoming EBM Practitioners, but only those with the requisite level of integrity, responsibility and commitment may begin the training and then seek assessment and EPA* recognition.
Can a man train to be an Esoteric Breast Massage Practitioner?
No, the Esoteric Breast Massage is not a healing therapy that is available for men to train and practise. And while the modality was founded by a man (Serge Benhayon) neither he nor any other man has ever performed an Esoteric Breast Massage. In order to initially train the practitioners Benhayon demonstrated the techniques well above the clothed body of his wife; the prospective practitioners then practised the technique amongst themselves without Benhayon in the rooms.
There are many massage schools that teach breast massage to both their male and female students, in contrast Universal Medicine has always maintained that the EBM be a modality that is only ever practised by women for women. This is with the understanding that it is only through the woman knowing her own body and developing that deep care and nurturing with herself that she can inspire the possibility of the same in another. The nurturing qualities must be lived by the woman practitioner (never to perfection but with a deep care and dedication), in all aspects of her life and her way with herself, in order for the female client to receive the reflection that can provide the inspiration for her to re-connect to the same in herself. A man cannot provide this reflection for the simple reason that he is not in a woman's body.
Ongoing Professional Development and Training
All EBM Practitioners have monthly ongoing training sessions with an EPA Recognised* trainer and monthly support meetings with trainers and a female doctor. They have twice yearly assessments and are recognised by the EPA* to be able to practise the EBM each year for a 12-month period. If they do not pass the yearly assessment they are asked to stand down.
Mary-Louise Myers
EBM co-ordinator for the Northern Rivers NSW
Australian Trainer of the Esoteric Breast Massage (EBM)
About Mary-Louise Myers
Mary-Louise has worked as a Health Practitioner and Massage Therapist for the past 25 years. During this time she also worked extensively in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, with elderly people who care for partners/family members with a debilitating disease, and with support workers and counsellors in the health arena.
Mary-Louise has been working at the Universal Medicine clinic since 2007 specialising in Women’s Health. Her passion is working with women and supporting them to re-connect to their naturally nurturing ways. Mary-Louise is the EBM Trainer for Australia and EBM co-ordinator for the Northern Rivers NSW.
About Universal Medicine
Universal Medicine is in the business of delivering teachings that are about everyday self-loving choices. Participants have shared that making these choices gives them the opportunity to consistently feel lighter, clearer and more naturally vital in their day-to-day lives. The teachings are delivered in the form of lectures, talks, audios and treatment sessions at UniMed clinics. UniMed founder, Serge Benhayon also regularly holds courses, workshops and retreats in Australia and internationally.
* The Esoteric Practitioners Association (EPA) is a branch of Universal Medicine. It was instigated by Universal Medicine to support the development of the practitioners who practise the modalities that were founded by Universal Medicine. The EPA is based on religious principles, esoteric practices and The Ageless Wisdom, as taught by Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine.