TBA Life Contribution

TBA Legacy

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Jay was a psycho-physiotherapist. So all the bodywork he did was associated with the relief and the release of psychological experiences that have not yet been integrated by an individual.

The body is the memory bank of experiences (thoughts, ideas, emotions and all the other 'pretences') that make up our presenting issues or our presenting persona. Basically, our attitude toward life. Our Pretence as to who we want everyone to think we are...as opposed to the real and wonderful person we really are and can no longer express.

Since most of us are greatly in need of a radical "attitude adjustment", his work was to break through the facade and help each person release an older pattern of behavior and allow for more spontaneous expression.

The Body Work usually began with a brief muscular manipulation that moved into deep tissue work, including acupressure and deep breathing exercises for the purpose of releasing toxic emotions, old out-of-date beliefs, and false ideas and ideals that cripple us in our daily lives. He also employ a breathing technique referred to as "Rebirthing", a process he experienced and taught for twenty years.

Almost everyone experienced a release of tension and reduction of weight or heaviness off their minds and bodies. If anyone felt "stuck" for some time, they moved. If anyone wanted to make changes in their lives and get some real relief from old patterns, this was a way to start. It was radical, exciting and stimulating. And, while it could be painful to some degree, it was only damaging to the ego-defenses. Pain did not equal damage here. Quite the opposite, pain here is the release from damaging tension and long held patterns of reaction. He would put his finger on the place where you are already hurting and say "let go there". You let go...the pain vanished no matter how hard he pressed.

While hurts are held in the body, so too are laughs and fun times that must also be released to be available for integration and to make room for even more fun to be had. If you want more in your life, you must empty out your pockets, and let go of all you are holding now. Most of us lose in life because we do not 'gain-profit-own' our experiences. We 'hold' out against the things that happen to us in our life, resenting and denying any value they may have given us, thereby creating pain and loss. Body work brings us to the point where acceptance is preferable and resistance is futile. The "held event" is released and integrated into our system as a learning experience where it becomes useful and valuable information. The pain is gone forever.

Transformational Bodywork

Total Body Awakening was a sophisticated system of Neuromuscular Re-habilitation and Re-education that is complimentary with existing medical and rehabilitative procedures. Developed by Jay Shumsky, L.M.T., after more than twenty-five years of experience, Total Body Awakening has received wide recognition for its remarkable successes in addressing a wide range of muscular and trauma (injury) related problems.

Total Body Awakening was utilized by doctors, religious leaders, students, teachers, authorities on alternative medicine, world class athletes, coaches, parents, children and business executives to correct and re-educate the body to function effectively.

Nerve impingement in cross-linked connective tissue is a major cause of chronic pain. Connective tissue is the matrix of the body and the substance that gives our body its shape. The architecture of connective tissue consists of three tube chains of amino acids twisted together in a spiral (triple helix) creating a unit of collagen. Long threads of collagen are stacked side by side to form a strand of connective tissue. Ideally, these strands can freely slide past each other and are quite elastic. Cross-linking of connective tissue is formed through genetic patterning, psycho-emotional-physical trauma, compression, and tension. These threads of connective tissue adhere to adjacent strands thereby decreasing range of motion, reducing joint space, impinging nerves, and generally shortening the body. Insurance actuaries state that the average person will shrink four to six inches in a lifetime.

Total Body Awakening releases collagen cross-linking by unwinding these locked and hardened strands. The purpose is to restore the body's length, flexibility, and function and allow regeneration and revitalization of the whole system. The greater the elasticity of the body, the less chance of injury or pain as humans living in high movements. In other words - stretch! All animals do this by instinct. An easy, whole body routine should be followed daily as a positive compensation for each day’s accumulated compressions. These simple strategies for physical fitness will promote years of fun, enjoyment, and success.

ABOUT THE REV. JAY SHUMSKY, LMT

Jay Shumsky’s Total Body Awakening is a holistic health practice, specializing in bodywork for chronic pain and crippling conditions, breathwork, yoga, nutritional counseling, Jin Shin Jyutsu and water therapies which he began in 1981.

Jay was ordained and founded the Church of Human Awakening. As a minister, Jay integrates his therapeutic practice with emotional and spiritual counseling to treat the whole person. Over the years, Jay has sought out schools and teachers who could direct and enhance his natural abilities as a healer. He has acquired 60 certification credits from St. Louis University School of Medicine, Department. of Anatomy and Neurobiology – as of March of 2002. Classically trained in Myropractic (muscle and joint) from Doctor Robert Halls, D.O, as well as in various bodywork techniques by Max Van Orman, Director of Sequoia Health Services and approved for licensing as a Massage Therapist. Studied Jin Shin Jyutsu for eight years with Mary Burmeister who was trained in Japan by Jiro Murai, the modern master of acupressure, energy meridians and the Eastern philosophy if pulse reading. Studied herbology with Peter Bushniak, founder of the Reevis Mountain School of Herbology and a leading herbalist of the entire Southwest. On-going training in rebirthing techniques (connected breathing to relieve dis-stress in the body) with private mentor and teacher Jerry Burkes of Tucson.

Completed a one year program in bilateral training (left brain/right brain thinking) with S. Bruno Affiliates. Received diploma in the Kapsos System of Muscle Therapy for Crippling Muscle Conditions from the Kapsos Clinic for Chronic Pain – 1986 Conducted self-awareness workshops as a staff member of Omega vector with training from George Addair, Omega’s founder. Trained and certified as an instructor in Iyengar Yoga by Mary Beth Marcus of A Desert Song Yoga Center. Completed 300-hour program in Gestalt Therapy Methods for Health Professionals and Practitioners at the Gestalt Institute of Phoenix.

Ordained as a minister by the new Age Community Church after completing a year-long ministerial training program for the purpose of establishing a non-profit organization that will provide health care services and education in a natural, holistic manner especially for children from single-parent households with limited income. Private practice for 30 consecutive years.

The story of Total Body Awakening and how it came to be is one man's very personal story that we are grateful to be able to share with you today -- because Total Body Awakening is about service to our fellow man as much as it is about healing -- and Jay Shumsky has made service to others his life's work.

While Jay was growing up in the steel mill towns of Western Pennsylvania, his grandfather was a worker in the mills; like so many others of that generation, a hard worker in a hard job. The work was not only physical but alongside a furnace as well, making the heat another factor in everyday work life. One evening after work, Jay's grandfather's back hurt him so much that he was not sure he could report to work the next day. Taking a day off from work was not an option for him during that time. Jay then proceeded to rub his grandfather's back with some success -- as his grandfather told it, Jay seemed to be able to actually pull the pain right out of his back. It was the first time he would hear that he had the "gift of healing hands”.

Jay himself endured chronic pain from a series of painful accidents while growing up: Falling out of a crib at the age of 18 months A schoolyard accident when his head slammed hard onto a sidewalk Landing on his tailbone after a jump at a sand pit as a young man. And to top it all off, Jay ripped all of his groin muscles and dislocated the femur head in his leg while unloading cargo from a plane in the Air Force The Air Force Doctors were all in agreement: surgery or a life of chronic pain that would limit what he could do day by day and year by year until he became dependent on a wheelchair. Jay, at this time was experiencing chronic, almost crippling pain in his hips and lower back. He spent three months in the base hospital.

Jay Had Come To a Crossroad

Jay wanted to believe that there was another way rather than surgery. He faced a lot of fear, about both the surgery and going under the knife, but more about the unknown and how he would take care for himself if he did not have the surgery. He decided that he would heal himself. Andrews Air Force hospital medically discharged him after telling the various doctors that he would not have the surgery.

His own road to health and healing odyssey began. He began to have therapeutic treatments from several people who would eventually become mentors in healing work after moving to Phoenix Arizona to escape the harsh winters in the East. He found he had a real interest in the various techniques used in his treatments and he re-discovered something else. The "gift" that he first heard about so many years before -- his healing hands. Jay has spent time learning different body working skills and techniques from several different mentors. Three of these mentors spent seven years each with Jay. He had the time; he had the youth; and he had a tenacious ability to learn and grow as an apprentice -- a lost art these days. His understanding of chronic pain and what compression can do to the body pushed him to learn more until he developed his own method of bodywork.

What Makes Jays Work So Unique?

Jay has perfected techniques for compression in the body from accidents, muscle work, chronic pain, and crippling illness. His understanding of the atlas and axis of the spine as well as the femur heads enhances his manipulation movements. He uses food medicinally, as well as carrying a carefully selected array of natural products to assist the body with its own healing process. In addition, if you are one of the many aging baby boomers, that stiffness you are feeling everyday can definitely benefit from Jay's hot and cold water therapies.

Jay's oasis in the middle of this busy, fast-growing city of Phoenix will amaze you. He has created a very beautiful setting for his clients, knowing that a peaceful harmonious environment is so important to healing work. Jay will begin by a reading of your pulses, an ancient Chinese science that will guide him in choosing the bodywork sessions he will design specifically for you. Jay also believes in spending quite a bit of time with each client, working closely with him/her to achieve results each time. Jay also spends his time teaching and educating others on the body's healing processes with the hope that each of you will take more responsibility in your own health.

In closing, Jay hopes you will "Awaken" to the fact that once pain starts to leave your body, there will be a void -- but he hopes you will fill it with love for your fellow man and the happiness and joy in living pain-free once again!

www.steelers.com Jay embodied the excellence of this team. They are Champions for a reason and so was Jay!

www.santana.com Jay's last concert was Santana who was a large influence in his life. The love Carlos shares with all is what Jay loved about him.

Jay M. Shumsky went to be with his beloved dogs and respected teachers who were waiting for him in energy and light. He left on February 12, 2009. Be Good To You because You Are The Most Important Person In Your Life!