I am a restless soul, I suppose, and part of the reason I pursued the field of massage therapy.  You are always moving, whether it is in a massage room working on a client or literally going half way across the world with your table.  I have practiced massage on 4 different continents this year.  A bit extreme, but what a joy.  That is just one perk of a field where all you really need are your hands.

Most recently, I was in Australia working on a project with my daughter for 3 months and was able to see some massage clients as well.  From there, I did a little side excursion to Bali where I stayed at an Ayurvedic Health retreat www.amrtasiddhi.com and was able to learn more about the practice of Ayurveda and its amazing health benefits.  I was also enrolled in a traditional Balinese massage course through a local massage school www.jamuspaschool.com  where I  picked-up some new massage techniques and enjoyed working with the Indonesian therapists.  Once you get to some of these exotic destinations you will find the actual training, treatments and living expenses are very reasonable.   

I returned to BCMT and inquired of a friend/graduate of BCMT, Jessica Shada, who had been working as a massage therapist  in Vail for the winter season.  She had packed her table and was off to the Carribean to work for the same resort for an undetermined length of time before heading off to the next destination.  I was elated!  I had recruited Jessica a few years earlier and one of her main goals after graduation was to travel and she obviously had made it happen. 

monkey massage ubud, bali

The beautiful thing is, massage is universal.  It is everywhere you go.  Other cultures have believed in its healing power for thousands of years.  Even monkies!  I am so glad our population is finally catching on. 

Springtime in the Rockies….it’s great to be home…..for awhile (:

Rebecca

Start preparing now for career opportunities created by the historic bill. The Health Care Reform Act is expected to greatly increase the number of people who are covered by health insurance over the next decade. According to a report released by the Congressional Budget Office, as a result of the bill, some 32 million more non-elderly people will have health insurance by 2019. With so many newly insured people, the need for health services should grow significantly. And more demand for health services means more demand for trained health professionals. Well paying healthcare jobs that are expected to increase in number include massage therapy.  Read full article here.

Electives – Spring Quarter

There is still space in the following electives:  reflexology, postpartum, Tail of the Tiger (shiatsu) and Thai massage. Contact Judy Stattine (jstattine@bcmt.org) to register.

Service Learning Opportunity: Avista Adventist Hospital

Work with patients in the therapy center and/or in the main hospital on the medical/surgery, ICU, cardiac and OB floors.  Students may also provide chair massage in the lobby to families, or work on hospital staff.
Where:  80 Health Park Drive Ste 50, Louisville, CO, 80027
Supervisor:    Carrie Mirfield: 303-673-1240 (hospital)

Peer Tutoring

A list of BCMT students ready and able to help you is posted on various bulletin boards around the school. Be sure to take advantage of this great BCMT benefit.

Weekly Update – Aspen’s Column

Hospital Internship Still Available
Avista Hospital IS still an internship site. There is a new contact. See below for the information.

Avista Adventist Hospital/Therapy Center
Work with patients in Therapy Center and/or in the main hospital on the Medical/Surgery, ICU, Cardiac and OB floors. May also provide chair massage in the lobby to families, or work on hospital staff.

Where: 80 Health Park Drive Ste. 50, Louisville, CO 80027
Supervisor: Carrie Mirfield, CMT 303-673-1240 (hospital)
Scheduling: Leave a message for Carrie at the hospital. Mon.-Thurs. 9:30-12:30

Other Items
1) Due date reminders: At least one copy of an internship agreement form must be turned in to Aspen and one internship set up by Wednesday, April 28th.

2) For students enrolled to take Service Learning II orientation this quarter, it will be held on Monday, May 17th from 4:15-5:15 in room 101.

Map of Bali

For most of us, the word “Bali”  conjures up visions of paradise.  The last paradise, the dawning of the world, and the center of the universe are yet more names for this beautiful tropical island inhabited by artistic people who have created a dynamic society with unique arts and ceremonies. BCMT’s very own Becky Little has just returned from Bali (via Brisbane), and we look forward to hearing her stories.

Becky made her way to Bali via a 3-month sojourn in Brisbane, Australia. While the focus of her stay was to help her daughter set up a bookkeeping system for her interior design company, she took time out to expand her massage training. She made the wise choice to take advantage of cheap, direct flights from Brisbane to explore Bali’s ancient tradition of massage. Over a thousand years ago, merchant ships regularly travelled through modern day Indonesia. Hindus from India brought healing massage techniques and oil massage as well as herbal treatments. Buddhists from China brought acupressure techniques.

During her stay in Bali, Becky visited two of Bali’s most famous villages:  Sanur and Ubud.  Ubud is located inland, and is known for its fine arts, dance and music; while Sanur is a coastal village famous for its black sand beaches. Keep a look out for future blogs from Becky about what she studied, and how she’s incorporating it into her private massage therapy practice in Boulder. Oh, and I almost forgot: Happy Birthday Becky.–Carol Brunelli

by Bonnie Draina

Singers are unique among musicians in that our instrument is our self. On the plus side, we don’t have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to acquire an instrument; on the other hand, we must consider the health of our instrument in daily life. How would you sing when you are angry, as opposed to elated? Now imagine singing an hour after eating several candy bars and a soda versus after a healthy lunch. How well would you perform after a long walk on a sunny day compared to an hour in front of the computer? Our emotional and physical states have a direct impact on our singing, and are therefore worthy of our attention on a daily basis.

A holistic approach to wellness, in which we acknowledge the connections between multiple facets of the self, can be particularly effective in optimizing vocal and musical development as well as overall well-being. Rather than repeatedly treating a symptom with quick fixes, we can look at the problem from a whole-person perspective.  For example, if you tend to get headaches in the afternoon, you might simply take a few acetaminophen capsules and go on with your day. Remember, though, that the root cause of the headaches has not been eliminated. Could something you are eating for lunch be causing a reaction? Do the headaches tend to occur on Thursday, just before you carpool to choir rehearsal? Maybe you carry a heavy bag to class, and  tension in your neck is causing the headaches. In any case, you would be better served to resolve the underlying problem, either by changing your diet, improving your schlepping method, or recognizing and dealing with whatever stress your Thursday evenings provide. This same approach can be utilized to address issues ranging from TMJ disorder to performance anxiety. (read full article)

I found this article on the blog of one of our current students, Danielle.  She was instrumental in starting BCMT’s newest service learning opportunity at Acorn Preschool.   Thank you Danielle for bringing this to BCMT and for making a difference in the lives of these children.

To learn more about Danielle’s journey in becoming a massage therapist – click here.

Peaceful Touch at Acorn Preschool

One of my closest friends, Liz, and I decided we wanted to include a very important but often overlooked population to our list of massage clients. After seeing a video on Peaceful Touch Massage with Children, we were so motivated by the reactions and influence it has on children that we started our own Service Learning Internship at the Acorn Preschool.

We already completed a quarter (10 weeks) of this Internship and are continuing again for our last quarter. So far it has been such a rewarding experience and really fun!

Objectives for Peaceful Touch Massage with Children:
~To promote awareness of the relationship between non-violence and healthy touch, socializing and learning.
~To educate young children about the ownership of their own body and voice through communication and the permission process.
~To provide a touch that is necessary for human growth and development.
~To introduce touch at nap time as well as during structured lessons.

Benefits
~Children may become calmer and have a greater ability to focus because of the calming hormone, oxytocin, being released through touch.
~Children may be more socially competent and have an increased sense of worth and esteem.
~Massage can help influence learning and school work, as well as improve group functioning.
~Massage can increase the contact and thus inhance the bond between parents and children.

I am so excited about this internship and working with others who are committed to the success of our future!

“The power of touch is miraculous in its simplicity. It is a necessary gift of nature, without which a human being cannot thrive.” ~ Peaceful Touch

Student Welcome Party

Meet and greet BCMT’s newest students at the Welcome Party, tomorrow (April 16) @ 1pm in room 101.

Body Worlds Field Trip

Take an eye-opening journey through the inner workings of the human body…” On Thursday, April 29th, at 6:00pm, students may join BCMT faculty for a group tour of the “Body Worlds” exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Ticket cost is $13  for BCMT students with ID and $15 for faculty. Pre-pay with the Front Desk by Monday, April 26th.

Request for Donation of Laptop Computer

BCMT is seeking the donation of a laptop computer to use in the classroom. Contact IT Manager, Michael Wang (mwang@bcmt.org) to donate.  The Boulder College of Massage Therapy is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organizations. Donations are tax deductible.

Student Tutors

A list of students who are willing and available to tutor is posted on various boards around the school. Be sure to take advantage of this great BCMT benefit – free of charge!

Director of Education
Reports to: College President
Supervises: Associate and adjunct faculty, teachers-in-training, and teacher assistants
Please contact Jan Combs for additional information, 3030-530-2100.
Application Deadline: May 7, 2010

Job Summary
This position provides management/supervision and oversight for all academic activities including curriculum changes and/or design, student/faculty relations, and the design and enforcement of all relevant college policies and procedures. This position assumes leadership in succession for the President and the Director of Enrollment.

Essential Functions
• Faculty Relations
• Student Relations
• Academic Management

Required Qualifications
• Minimum of Bachelor of Science in Education or related field
• Registered massage therapist with at least 3 years practical experience in massage/bodywork or healthcare professional
• Possess knowledge, skills and abilities in administration within a massage therapy or vocational training programs
• Proven experience in a progressively responsible capacity in an education or business environment
• Strong managerial, budget & relationship building skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, students, staff and Board
• Commitment to the highest standard of academic excellence in adult education
• Sincere dedication to the concept and practical application of the principles of transformative education
• Basic computer literacy (Microsoft Office)
• Sound written and oral communication skills

Desired Qualifications
• Diverse experience teaching massage therapy modalities and/or other courses in massage therapy education

Reiki Share Group @ BCMT

BCMT launched its monthly Reiki Share Group  on January 13, World Peace Meditation day. Since then,  it has grown to include  BCMT alumni, students, and Reiki practitioners in the community. Participants give and receive from each other in a supportive and tranquil setting at the College.

The next gathering is April 14th from 6 – 9  pm. Anyone with Reiki experience can come and join in giving and receiving Reiki in a spectacular environment of healing.  Participants should wear comfortable clothing, and bring water. For more information, contact Dona Hittinger: dhittinger@bcmt.org.