Ah, freeforming. My method...

So now that we've seen how freeforming has truly helped me to regain strength in hair follicles that were losing gusto (see pics from last post, and my lamenting in previous posts) I can testify to what I've found is the biggest benefit of freeforming, and how for those with thinning hair, manicuring becomes an addition of insult to injury.

Now, when I had my locs manicured, I loved how they looked, except I could easily see my thinning hair, and just, iono, felt, that my hair was getting thinner due to the twisting. when you've developed traction alcopecia, why add more traction by having them manicured all the time?

Also, I knew from the outset that when my locs were developed, I would have a problem. See, because I had thinning hair up top, my loctician thought it would be best to make fewer locks. I admit fault for not telling her to make more on the top of my head, but that's what a lack of foresight gets you. Sometimes its good to put your foot in your mouth, and just say what is coming up. Believe that.

So yes, I went through the arduous process of creating new locs while at the same time treating my older locs accordingly (feeding them water and shampoo). Which of course really slowed the locking process for the noobs. Many a day spent with my bandana on when I would have preferred to rock my locs...

The clinch for me was the amount of... of versatility in influencing how these locs would start and develop (newbies) now I have a total of six locs where before I had two. had I continued to have them manicured, even if less often to combat the traction, I would have developed a very few, slowly thinning locs on top of my head.

So my message to those who have thinning hair and are considering locs... First, determine what your goals are.
If you want to cultivate locs in order to try and strengthen hair growth, then have a loctician start them, but only after you've discussed that you believe your hair can grow back, and you want the begining locs to reflect that belief. Have them wash and twist them, but don't pin them down to the root when going under the dryer. allow some breathing room (and growing room) for the hair that can't take that stress.

If on the other hand, you want locs and are unconcerned about continued alcopecia, then so be it. but if I know the human condition as far as aesthetics, then we all want a full head of hair (read: locs) so do what thou wilt.

Love, Lux, locs.

Freeform for real pt 2

Now Luv.

Massage therapy school.

Massage school has been a blast. So many decent people! I won't go into details here, but I've been blessed to be in the company of so many wonderful folks from all over the country, and all different backgrounds. I call Gwinnett College the school of the Jedi.

And it's more than that. When I'm in clinic, or at a community event, or even trading with a peer, the energy exchange is something to be very grateful for. The look in people's eyes when they lift their head from the face cradle is something I cherish everyday. Something that fosters an ever-present gratitude in my reality.

Aside from that, the knowledge that I'm entering into a burgeoning field, where healing is paramount, is immensely gratifying. And the knowledge that I know, that I know, that I know what I'm doing. when someone says they have an ache, and I work on them, and take it away, because I know, makes me feel a greatly increased sense of self worth. I wish that on all people, friends and few enemies alike. I hope everyone can experience that. Everyone.

Imagine having the experience of feeling that you've been asleep your entire existence, and now...Abre los ojos. I'm opening my eyes. :)

Love, lux, and bux

another day of locing and travesty

So today was pleasant. Had a community event at united way downtown (ATL) and really enjoyed the opportunity to massage so many bodies. my skills are blooming. I listened to the christ consciousness isochronic last night, so I was very zen and flowing today. Went to a book store in the west end mall and heard about a woman who has done 20 years of research into dreadlocks's spiritual aspect, and discovered that locs have code written into them, individual to every person. Makes sense to me since everyone's hair is different. I love being around afrocentric brethren, building mathematics, and so on...I'll be sure to be back on the 19th with an update on how that turned out. I CAN'T WAIT!

Oh, and a question for those of you...Since I'm freeforming, and my hair is more or less used to the pattern of locing, can't I just sleep on it now? Do I have to wrap it all careful? It makes sense that I should If I don't want lint and stuff in it, but other than that, is it really necessary? it almost seems counterintuitive. Like my hair could be accomplishing something while I'm asleep. LOL.

I was feeling a little down today. I'm not sure what my locs are gonna teach me, but as the days go by, and my unkempt lovely universe grates on people's idea of decorum, tempers are flaring. Funnily enough, I have a lone loc that stands straight up on my head. I'll post some pictures of it soon, since it doesn't appear to be going anywhere. SOOOO many people at school are saying things like: " u should twist that one" or, "its getting on my nerves" or "whats up with the antennea?"...ok, I like the antennea thing, but the other ones are.... well, they're not discouraging, cause I love my process. But they're...well it hurts to have people who were sooo down with locs while they're manicured totally turn and flip the script and start behaving like it...scares them almost. This one lady came up and just started flicking it, telling it to go down. My lovely loc, it bounced back ertime, and she just gave up...My locs lend me resiliency....

But then there's Dion, the lovely who first opened my eyes to what my hair wanted to do. She asked me today if I loved the journey, and I gave her a very sincere yes. I LOVE IT.


My locs are teaching me something everyday. People who understand give u ups for the bravery, people who don't understand just...stare. but its a different look. At united way with the massage, I had a bandana covering the new growth. Everyone I touched LOVED me. said I had magic hands. I wonder how dif things wouldve spun if I'd had my stubborn lovely loc flipping the luv to all in attendance, daring someone to comment....

IONO, INI...

LUV, LUX, and BUX