I came across the above article on Yahoo yesterday.

I will confirm this by relating a personal story.  In late January I went to Australia for 3 months to help my daughter in a new business.  I worked 5 days a week for free in a foreign country, in a city office building with freezing air-conditioning, made an hour commute each way on the bus, irritated my mountain lungs with air-pollution and humidity, and for the first month I was sick.  I never get sick.  I was stressed-out.  I was stressed-out that I was sick and I was living a stress filled lifestyle I wasn’t used too.  When I was finally feeling well enough to give some massage sessions on the weekends my physical and emotional state improved immensely.  I was back in my zone.  The comfort zone of being on my own schedule, in a quiet relaxing room, nice music playing, the perfect temperature, and the satisfaction of making someone else feel comfortable, less stressed, and cared for. 

I had never noticed or appreciated my work environment as much as I did then.  Those weekend massage sessions improved the quality of the rest of my time abroad.

It is an amazing profession.  Not only are you helping someone else, you are helping yourself.

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

Burr!  We have had quite a dose of cold weather lately and winter has just begun in Colorado.  Here are a few of my personal favorite suggestions for keeping warm this winter:

1.  Get regular massage!   As most of us know, #1 benefit of massage therapy is “improved circulation”.  The reason most of us have cold feet, hands, noses, and achy muscles during these fridgid months is “poor circulation”.  There isn’t a better way to keep the blood, oxygen and energy flowing.

2.  Step it up a notch and book a “Hot Stone” massage.  Depending on the price, therapist, etc.  hot stone massages come in different varieties.  Sometimes stones are placed on the body for healing or chakra balancing or integrated into a full body massage session.  In my own hot stone sessions I incorporate stones and hand manipulation.  The stones provide warmth to the tissue incouraging relaxation as well as a feeling of true groundedness.  You literally melt into the table.  For you massage therapists out there, we offer a great continuing ed class in hot/cold stone massage Feb. 19-21.

3.  Now for the adventurous, one of my favorite treats is a session at the Izba Spa in Denver.  This is not a 5 star resort but a simple, slightly unusual spa experience.  Izba spa provides Russian body therapy that incorporates hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and massage.  A popular session includes a hot tub soak, a full body massage, and 2 Russian Banya treatments.  The Banya is equivalent to a sauna.  After a hot soak and 1/2 of your massage you go into the Banya to heat up again.  Here, “the whisks of oak/birch leaves are taken out of the water, shaken above the stove to warm the branches, and used to gently stroke, brush and tap the body from neck to toes, followed by a honey rub to draw out toxins to soften and condition the skin. This therapy has both antiseptic and detoxifying qualities.”  Then back to finish your massage, another Banya treatment and a final shower.  The prices are reasonable and most therapists are of Russian decent.  The massage is very deep tissue so be prepared!  I love the experience because it is something out of the ordinary.

So, don’t forget to take care of yourself this winter and get regular massage.  Plus, massage gift certificates make the perfect holiday gift..buy them from your favorite massage therapist for the best value.  Happy Holidays and Stay Warm!

Yesterday, I had a complimentary ticket to go to an all day ”Get Motivated” seminar at the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver.  Now to be honest, it took me until noon to get the motivation to go (perhaps because I am not a fan of crowds, traffic, or motivational speakers) but a 1/2 day’s worth of some useful information and recounted experiences from famous, noteworthy guests actually got me pleasantly motivated.  I like to think of myself as a pretty motivated person.  I enjoy my life, I am physically active, I enjoy my job, I enjoy my clients, I enjoy helping others, but sometimes I do get a little lazy.  I am enjoying everything so much….sometimes I get a little lax in the financial department and before I know it, I realize I could really benefit from a few more clients, have better time management, be a bit more organized, and have better knowledge of where my money is actually going and positive ways to invest in my future.   If I had arrived at 8 am when things got started, I may have been overly motivated for one day but my “pleasant” dose of motivation came in these 4 key points that I took to heart and home with me:

1.  Understand, Be Aware, and Educate yourself on your financial situation and options.  Knowledge is Power.

2.  Give…..what goes around comes around.

3.  Be grateful.   Acknowledge with gratitude those who have helped you along your journey in life.

4.  Be a nice person to everyone.

This is a pretty simple recipe for success.  There is nothing wrong with keeping things simple and for many of us in the field of massage therapy and care giving steps 2-4 come quite naturally.  However, don’t neglect the importance of number 1.  Being in positive control of your finances is very important to being a stable, happy, care giver.  Sometimes a “pleasant” does of motivation goes a long way!

Having returned from India with the other faculty and staff from BCMT all I will say in this post is it was an experience of a lifetime.  It was an honor to be in the midst of the beautiful Tibetan and Indian people and I have a new heartfelt love for both cultures.

But no rest for the weary, Carol, Jack and I were off to spend the weekend with the beautiful people of Aspen, Colorado.  Quite a contrast to where we had been earlier in the week.  The Fall colors in the Colorado Rockies were spectacular and the “Western Slope College Fair” was a huge success.  I would personally like to thank the organizers of the event for putting on such a first-class event that benefited all of Western Colorado.  The event consisted of recruiters from colleges around the country and students were invited from 21 different high schools across the western slope of Colorado. We chatted with high school seniors from Grand Junction, Delta, Rifle, Aspen, Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, Buena Vista……just to name a few.

We had the opportunity to chat one on one with high school juniors and seniors and some parents about BCMT and the field of massage therapy. This is a bit of what we discussed:

For recent high school graduates, entering a massage therapist training program such as ours, provides several things.  Some young adults who choose our program do so because they have felt the desire to care for others and become a massage therapist since they were youngsters.  There are some who have been active in high school athletics and know the benefits of massage and would like to pursue a program that will provide them with a better understanding of the human body and the possibility of working with athletes.  Many younger students become certified massage therapists at our college as a stepping stone to other health-care related fields:  physical therapists, chiropractors, medical doctors, nurses, acupunturists, mid-wives.  The core curriculum offered in our 1000 hour program is a solid base of knowledge of the human body and mind to give the student the foundation, confidence, and experience to practice as a massage therapist and to continue their education if they wish.  Not to mention, you can be working as a massage therapist and making a good income while you are going to school.   Sometimes students choose to enter our program because they don’t really know what they want to do with their life yet.  Let’s face it, college is a huge financial commitment and a one year program that offers you a new career in the end, isn’t a bad option.  Your “freshman” year at BCMT may not be full of late night partying and binge drinking or huge 300+ lecture classes,  but what it will offer you is a great education in small classes with other wonderful people  and a chance to really get to know yourself and others.  This personal growth and transformation not only helps you mature and become a better person but you have aquired skills and knowlege you will use for the rest of your life, whether you ever practice massage professionally.   Your social skills as a young adult are also refined.  Since our classes consist of men and women of all ages everyone is considered equal. You interact on a very close level to your fellow classmates and become good friends.  Age becomes irrelevant.

All of that said, we had a great weekend in Aspen…got caught-up on some much needed rest, ate some tasty food and always enjoy sharing our love for the field of massage, our school, and meeting new friends!

Rebecca

Whether you are a prospective student, a current student, a past student, a massage therapist, or just live in the neighborhood, I encourage you to attend one of BCMT’sCareer Night’s.   Scheduled several times a year on Friday evenings from 5:30-7pm, we offer a casual, open-house type presentation to provide visitors with a better perspective of what we do here at BCMT.  Based on information you will hear from a current student, a faculty member, and an alumni working in the massage field, you will leave the evening with a better understanding of what it is like to be a BCMT student and a massage therapist.  The admissions team is always in attendance and ready to answer any questions or supply you with the information needed to apply to the school.  In addition to the speakers, we always have a massage demonstration provided by a 4th quarter student, a raffle of fun massage related gifts, an optional tour of the school, and tasty little finger-food to start off your Friday night!  I have been to so many Career Night’s you’d think I’d tire of them…but honestly, each time I learn something new about someone I did not know ( and there are some interesting stories), I get re-charged and motivated about my own career as a massage therapist, but best of all I am reminded of what a wonderful profession I have the chosen to be a part of and the positive affect massage therapy has on the world.

sarah studies abroad in tulum, mx

Appearing this Friday evening will be 4th Quarter Student Sarah Tomko, Faculty member Nate C.G., and Alumna Deb McGown.   Call our front desk to RSVP 303 530 6906  or rlittle@bcmt.org. Hope to see you this Friday!

Infant Massage Demo – BCMT

To many of us who are mothers, infant massage is a natural, intuitive, practice.  You would never know from meeting my grown-up beautiful, talented, well balanced daughter that her first four months of life were miserable, gassy, and seemingly unpleasant.  At that time, I wasn’t a certified massage therapist yet, but our happiest moments were spent gazing at each other as I gently rubbed her tension filled tummy, bent her little knees to chest, stroked her temples, patted her back, rubbed her little bum.  It seemed for brief moments, that the nurturing felt from gentle, loving touch gave her relief and a sense of security.

Natural remedies such as massage have been practiced for centuries on infants to promote better digestion, gas relief, reduce colic, lessen stress, improve sleep and aid in growth and development.  The unspoken communication that takes place through touch with parent/caregiver and child enhances the bonding experience.

Infant massage is just one of the many electives available in our 1000 hour massage therapist certification program.  Students practice on dolls and have an actual clinic where new parents bring in their infants and students demonstrate and teach the parents these delightful, effective, useful strokes.  What a wonderful skill to have whether you have children or not.  For some people, it is an intuitive response.  For others, it is a simple, effective skill to learn which will enhance the lives of infants in the home or in a care-giving situation.  Massage for peace… fewer crying babies!

One of my favorite things about massage therapy is the diversity it provides in my life.  It really keeps life interesting.  To have the opportunity to work on clients from all walks of life, different ages, backgrounds, professions, races, cultures, body-types, and personalities is facinating to me and very enriching.  I learn so much from my clients and their differences, yet I am providing for them a service they all seek in common:  massage and touch.  In the last several days I have worked on a client with cancer going through months of chemotherapy, a young woman going through invitro-fetilization treatments in hopes of having a child,  a frustrated musician, a pro-cyclist, an airline pilot, an exhausted new mother, an 80 year old man, a womens basketball player, and another massage therapist. 

I personally lost a very dear friend to a tragic death this weekand cannot express how much better massage and touch makes me feel.    

To seek love, comfort, de-stress, relieve tension, feel better about ourselves, relieve pain, relax, or simply reconnect with our bodies and who we are….are common needs that massage therapy provides for all of us…no matter what our story. 

Experience the peace.  Spread the word on massage…and if you haven’t had one in awhile, I encourage you to make the time for yourself.  Feel your presence in the world right now and delight in it.

Jessica Silly Strung

Spring is definitely in the air around BCMT.  The whacky weather this time of year can make you crazy.  Monday we awoke to fresh snow and overcast which inspired a true inside day without recess, hot soup for lunch, and a hot mocha break in the late afternoon.  The lack of recess must have been the inspiration for Admissions Jack to “silly string” Admissions Jess right in her office! 

Tuesday was still a little overcast but warming-up, and today, Wednesday is beautiful, blue sky and 70 degrees!  A perfect day for the 4th quarter “sound demonstration, celebration”! 

4th quarter students celebrate Spring

The 4th quarter Integrative Massage class started today with a discussion and some experimentation with sound therapy and how sometimes sound can be used as an effective tool for some clients in a massage session.  They experiment with how different sounds, tones, vibrations, music, etc. can affect the body both physically and psychologically.  When break-time arrives, the students  grab whatever sound-maker they can find and run through the building and outside making more noise that a herd of elephants, whooping and hollering, celebrating just 5 short weeks until graduation! 

We take life seriously here at BCMT.  We are serious in saying for good health, “take time each day to find fun and humor in something”.

I have a thing for “Massage for Peace”. It is so multi-     dimensional. On an individual level massage creates a  place of peace in the body essential to good health and well being.  As Dee Dee Roberts, a teacher at BCMT so eloquently puts it “stress melts away as you receive massage. Your body smiles inside as you let go. Flexibility replaces tightness and inspires you to fully express yourself. Creative resolutions emerge, opening new pathways of interacting with the world.” Passing this feeling on to someone through your touch is an amazing feeling and such a wonderful benefit of this profession. To contribute to someone’s personal peace is very gratifying.

On a global level we can contribute to peace by passing these skills onto others so they too may administer this peace….or giving massage to less fortunate people who have never felt such beautiful, calming, feel good touch….creating yet a greater space for better health and well-being in the world.  The results are exponential! 

With so much fear, apprehension and unrest in the world today it is essential for people to relieve their stress and reach a place of peace as much as possible.  To open the body through massage,  in hopes of restoring health and promoting positive expression of creative energy and ideas, the world can’t help but flourish and become a better place for all.

We have a special student and professional clinic scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3rd at BCMT.  One hour massage sessions will be offered at $35 and $50.  Proceeds from the clinic will help to fund Massage for Peace efforts.   Book your appointment today to show your support!