Newsletter: February 2008

Alumni Profile - Maria August
Maria August graduated from BCMT in October of 1995, and has maintained a private practice in Boulder, Colorado ever since. Her focus has always been on Integrative massage, Shiatsu and Acupressure. Since graduating from BCMT, Maria has also studied Bach Flower acupressure and has received a master's degree in Somatic Psychology. Maria feels very fortunate and says, “Massage has been really good to me. I always feel lucky to have clients and it never feels like work.”

In August 2006, Maria went to India as a massage volunteer with Cross Cultural Solutions. For five weeks, she worked in a Red Cross PT clinic and learned about Indian culture and customs. After her time with CCS, Maria moved into the Tibetan enclave and in-exile home of the Dalai Lama called McLeod Ganj. She began to gather stories about the situation in Tibet and the plight of Tibetan refugees. As a Buddhist, it struck her that these were her spiritual brothers and sisters. Maria vowed to do something to help in whatever way she could.

In October 2007, Maria returned to McLeod to start Tibet Action Group (TAG). The group’s website www.tibetactiongroup.com was donated by a wonderful woman, Sue Guelke. As part of TAG, Maria wanted to teach a few Tibetan refugees massage and help them start a business. Massage therapy is such a great skill and many refugees have trouble finding employment. Just as it had for Maria, she hoped massage would give these individuals a chance to make a living while being of benefit to others. In her quest to make this a reality, Maria contacted the Director of Lha Organization and asked if she could use the organization’s massage room for a class, as Maria was aware that they had a “real” massage table and, the only one in town! This is an organization that provides social work and education for refugees. To fund the organization, they provide services to the thousands of tourists and travelers who flock to McLeod to study Buddhism and to see His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. In addition to massage, this organization offers cooking classes, Reiki, yoga, and Tibetan language. The Lha Organization’s website is www.lhaindia.org.

Maria was successful in obtaining use of the massage room and thought she was just renting their room and teaching a little class. BUT, as Maria says, as things often go in India, there was kismet in the air. The Lha Organization was looking for a consultant to start a massage training program and curriculum and help them open a massage center/day spa in a new building (due to open in the Fall, 2008). Maria immediately signed up for the position as part of TAG. Maria taught eight students how to give a basic full body massage in the manner western tourists and travelers are accustomed. Now these students have the opportunity to work at Lha or start their own business. Tibetans in general are intuitive and caring and quite natural at giving massage. Maria and the students had a great time learning together, laughing together and giving each other massages. It was a magical experience!

Maria is currently fundraising for the upcoming Massage Center. If you wish to donate to this worthy cause, or if you are interested in volunteering to teach or provide massages, you may contact Maria @ info@tibetactiongroup.com. 

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From the desk of Elaine Calenda, Academic Dean
Update on the Sunrise Application
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) denied our request for regulation. The Colorado Coalition is now working directly with State Representative Liane "Buffie" McFadyen and state lawmakers. A proposed state law that will soon be introduced at the capitol aims to clean up our communities by targeting human trafficking and prostitution. It's a direct result of our undercover investigative series that found the problems exist locally, but law enforcement says they can't shut the places down without any change in the law. Representative McFadyen watched our series and started researching the problems. She says she was shocked when she realized how widespread it is, and she's working with law enforcement and the massage industry to try to make changes.

News First Investigates of Colorado Springs undercover operation was offered sex for money at several massage parlors in the area. And Metro Vice and the El Paso County Sheriff confirmed that human trafficking is also a problem, and they can't shut down the parlors where it's all happening. "Having some type of regulation, some type of licensing would dramatically turn the tide to our favor and that's what we need if we're really going to have an impact on these operations.", Sheriff Terry Maketa told us in November 2007. But, as the Colorado Coalition discovered, state law prevents El Paso County from licensing the industry. As a result, the issue has now moved to the state capitol. Because there's no state regulation, massage parlors can pop up anywhere and what we're seeing is the same problem that El Paso County has had. The City of Colorado Springs instituted some very strong measures on licensing massage therapists that resulted in “businesses” leaving and going out into the unregulated counties.

The Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy in Colorado Springs trains therapists who have to pass the city's requirements, which are the toughest in the state and some of the toughest in the country. The institute’s director, Roger Patrizio, says without state regulation, businesses on the illegal side will continue to move into unregulated areas and disguise themselves as massage therapy.

Several cities in the state, including Pueblo and Woodland Park, regulate the industry. However, the door's still wide open in the counties in Southern Colorado. Representative McFadyen, law enforcement and massage industry leaders hope a state law will shut that door.

Thirty-eight states do regulate the massage industry. Unfortunately, Colorado is not one of them. According to a 2007 Sunrise review of massage therapy by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), licensing and regulation is not needed. Although the review found prostitution exists in massage parlors, licensing "will likely not lead to a reduction in or elimination of prostitution in the state." The report makes no mention of human trafficking.

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Take the Alumni Survey
In an attempt to learn more and better support our alumni, we ask that you take a moment to complete the following survey. The entire survey takes less than 5 minutes and we'd very much appreciate your input. Thank you in advance for your participation. [ take survey now ]

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COMING SOON! New and Improved 'Find A BCMT Therapist' and Alumni Profile Program
If you are a BCMT alumni association member then your benefits are about to get better. We are in the process of implementing a new and improved Find a BCMT Therapist/Alumni Profile program that will not only be more aesthetically pleasing but easier to use. We are working hard to launch this program within the next few weeks. If you are currently a member you will receive an email when the program is launched with more details. If you're membership has expired your information will not be transferred to the new program. For more information about membership please contact Penny at alumni@bcmt.org.

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Continuing Education Courses: March - June 2008
100-Hour Spa Elements Certificate Program
Aromatherapy and Herbal Applications: March 14-16
Body Masques: April 18-20

100-Hour The Art of Zen Certificate Program
Masunaga's Meridian Extensions in the Arm: March 1-2
Hara Assessment, The Expression From Within: April 12-13
Exploring the Body in Side Position: May 17-18

125-Hour Prenatal, Labor, Postpartum Certificate Program
Massage for Healthy Pregnancies: April 5-6
Creative Support for Laboring Women: April 11–13
Massage for New Mothers: April 19-20
Advanced Techniques: May 2–4
Testing, Review and Research: June 6–8

150-Hour Orthopedic and Sports Massage Certificate Program
Neurovascular Compression Syndromes of the Upper and Lower Extremities: March 7-9
Sports Injuries and Dysfunctions of the Cervical Spine and Upper Extremity: April 4–6
Sports Injuries and Dysfunction of the Lower Extremity and Lumbar Spine: May 2–4
Review, Testing and Certification: May 30-31

100-Hour Canine Massage Certificate Program
Fundamentals of Canine Anatomy and Physiology: June 19–21
Pathologies and Clinical Application of Canine Massage: June 23–25
Expanding Canine Massage Through Acupressure and Sports Massage: June 27-29

Additional Continuing Education Courses
Chi Kung Healing: March 8-9
Beginning Canine Massage: March 29
Hand Reflexology: April 20
Comfort Touch, Massage for the Elderly and the Ill: April 5-6
Canine Massage: A Preparatory Course for the Non-Professional: April 23-27
The Psychology and Ethics of Touch:  May 10
Therapeutic Movement in Bodywork: May 17-18
Constitutional Facial Renewal™ Acupuncture Facial Renewal: June 23-25
Constitutional Facial Renewal™ Non-Needle Modalities & Herbal Therapies: June 27-29

For further information or to receive a continuing education course catalog, please contact:
Judy Stattine @ 303.530.2100 or 1.800.442.5131 or visit our website @ www.bcmt.org

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