“Break down, break through”.

I was recently reminded how therapeutic a good, solid breakdown can be and I am thankful.  Just about 4 weeks ago, my husband BJ and I decided to move from Colorado to Rhode Island – effective sooner than later.

It’s an exciting change, one that brings us home to family, friends and my Pisces soul to the ocean, a great place for breakdowns by the way. It is also a change that moves fast; warp speed.  There is a tremendous amount to accomplish and many times I just feel behind. But at 38, I understand that with all life change comes a new load we must carry and sometimes during the transition that load gets a little too heavy.  I believe that’s when you have to let the emotions flow and have a good breakdown to reset the scale.

A few days ago, my load felt a little too heavy and I needed to let the good times roll.  I had a breakdown.  For me, this was nothing less than a therapeutic exercise, followed by a long nap.  The greatest thing about a good solid breakdown is that you not only get to feel the emotions, you can also get to hear them coming out.  To me, this is a cleansing experience, a rebirth of sorts.  Certainly not to be overdone though, for a good breakdown is exhausting and is never recommended on a regular basis.

Since my fervent outpouring earlier this week I’ve been back to my optimistic self, ‘hi old friend‘ and feel ready to handle the challenges ahead.  This experience has reminded me of when I was in massage school at BCMT. It was 2004 – 2006, I went in the evening and worked at least one job throughout that time, sometimes two.  My schedule leaned towards the hectic side of the things and I found myself on a quarterly break through schedule.  These episodes were dramatic, honest and never accusatory, they were simply healthy releases of emotion.  Releases that allowed me to connect with the awesome undertaking of learning to become a massage therapist and going into a career where I would be helping people live better lives.   It was a huge deal, it was a life change.

My friend Carol, (a.k.a. BCMT blogger ‘admin’) recently told me that you can’t make the big things happen, they happen all on their own.  I wholeheartedly agree with that statement and just like this move east, massage school was part of my journey in life.  I feel that we must trust our paths and know that if we are meant to be somewhere or do something it will happen, all on its own.  In the meantime, enjoy the ride, trust in the process and treat yourself to a break through once in a while.

BOULDER COLLEGE OF MASSAGE THERAPY’S NEW DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION EXEMPLIFIES SCHOOL’S SPIRIT OF SERVICE
Joni Masse brings passion for veteran recovery and over 26 years of holistic healthcare and education experience to lead educator position

BOULDER, Co. (August 4, 2010) — The Boulder College of Massage Therapy (BCMT) today announced Joni Masse as the school’s new Director of Education. Masse brings over 26 years of holistic healthcare and education experience to BCMT, along with a passion for treating veterans and other trauma victims.

Masse began her healthcare career in 1984 as a registered nurse. After receiving a psychology degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1985, Masse extended her passion for healing by adding certified massage therapist to her resume with a certificate from the Sarasota School of Massage Therapy (SSMT) in 1990. In 2009, Masse received a master’s degree in somatic counseling psychotherapy from Naropa University, where she simultaneously completed training from the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute specializing in trauma recovery work for body therapists. Throughout the last two decades, Masse has served both as a faculty member and administrator at SSMT where she taught Swedish massage, ethics, pathology, communication courses, and served as SSMT’s Education Director for 13 years.

A veteran herself, Masse has always been committed to serving the health needs of the veteran community. During her massage therapy training, she served as an intern at the Boulder Vet Center and her massage specialization is trauma recovery. Masse regularly offers a continuing education course, Touch for Trauma, in Florida, and recently established a new service learning internship with the Boulder Veterans Counseling Center to work with Iraq veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“I am proud to be a member of the BCMT staff and community. I was encouraged by the mission statement and values of BCMT and the school’s commitment to community service, as it is in alignment with my core principles,” said Masse.
In addition to an internship with Boulder Veterans Counseling Center, BCMT offers students a variety of other community service internship opportunities through its Service Learning program. Designed to enhance student education through the integration of academic learning in courses and related service experiences in the community, the program also allows student to explore a variety of specializations, environments and clientele. Through the program students have the opportunity to work with local preschools, hospitals, universities, rehabilitation centers and animal rescue organizations.

For more information about the Boulder College of Massage Therapy, visit BCMT’s:
•    Website
•    Green Chi Blog
•    Facebook
•    LinkedIn
•    Twitter

About Boulder College of Massage Therapy
Founded in 1975, the Boulder College of Massage Therapy (BCMT) is an independent, not-for-profit massage therapy college offering an internationally recognized Massage Therapy Certificate Program, an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) Degree in Massage Therapy, advanced certificates and continuing education courses. More than 4000 graduates in fifty states and 31 different countries turned to BCMT to help them achieve their career goals. As a not-for-profit organization, BCMT believes in educating people on the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy and giving back to the community. As part of their training, BCMT students participate in service learning, providing thousands of hours of massage therapy services a year to individuals and organizations including the elderly, hospice and AIDS patients, breast cancer survivors, healthcare workers, rehabilitating animals, teachers, firefighters, and low-income individuals. In addition, BCMT’s student clinic offers more than 7,000 discounted massages every year. The Boulder College of Massage Therapy is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), and approved and regulated by the State of Colorado Department of Higher Education. Additional information on the college and its offerings can be viewed online at www.bcmt.org.

Full article (by teesblog on July 7, 2010) here.

The Massage for Peace program by the Boulder College of Massage Therapy literally touches hundreds of people each year.

The non-profit massage school helps student share their healing hands with those living with illness, in poverty, and through war and conflict. Each year they offer 10,000 hours of massage free of charge to those who need it most.

As one alumna for the College, Becky Little explains Massage for Peace is “the simple act of reaching out and touching someone. Extending the love, care, and respect that comes from nurturing touch to another human being is a gift that enriches life. The gentle touch of a hand or a reassuring hug reduces fear, anxiety, and loneliness often felt in times of unrest and despair.”

I make it very clear from the get-go, I do not accept gratuities in my practice.

You see, before becoming a massage therapist I always hated the tipping game.  ‘He’s the owner, do you tip the owner?’ ‘How much did I tip last time?’  ‘What if I tip less by mistake, will she think I didn’t like my service?’

For me, there was always an air of confusion around tipping.  Many times I found myself thinking about it during the session which undoubtedly diminished my experience.

When I decided to become a massage therapist, I knew two things: 1) I would go into private practice 2) I would not accept gratuities.

As my education ensued, I learned more about the ancient skill of massage and felt, many times over,  it’s profound benefits.  I learned that massage is not a luxury, it is a necessity.  Everyone in my class recognized that massage therapy is health care.  We talked casually in class a few times about tipping and I think it was summed up best by one of my classmates who compared it to tipping a doctor.  Of course, it made so much sense, decision not to accept tips confirmed.

Now, I understand that this policy would be difficult to uphold in a spa, clinic type setting when the therapist is receiving a percentage of the actual cost. But for me, it made sense.  I was going into private practice.  I would have complete control over my business, my rates and my policies.  I would be collecting 100% of the fees (me and Uncle Sam that is) and I figured if I ever needed my clients to pay me more, I would simply raise my rates.

It’s been 4 years since I started my practice and I have only received positive feedback from clients about my non-tipping rule.  They respect it and they appreciate it.  I know this because they tell me all the time.

In 1972, Carrie Tarran sent away for a correspondence course on massage therapy not really knowing what she was getting herself into. Six years later an article in the Rocky Mountain News caught her attention. It said that there was a premiere massage therapy school in Boulder, Colorado. It was the message that Carrie was waiting for. Massage therapy was her destiny.
The very next year, Carrie moved her family from Paonia to Boulder, Colorado to pursue her dream. What made her choose BCMT? “BCMT was accredited, so I was able to get a special grant for women and children, which paid for full tuition and expenses.” In retrospect, she says it was the teachers who really made a difference. “The teachers were so dedicated.”

Carrie graduated in 1980 and continues to learn more about the profession she practices. She studied Thai massage for two months in Thailand and is certified in La Stone massage. More than 20 years after graduating from BCMT, Carrie says, “I’m so grateful I’m doing what I love.”

For over 15 years, Carried worked in chiropractic offices, gaining invaluable experience and earning enough to support her three children. “It’s a wonderful occupation for a single mother because of the flexibility.” At the same time, she built up a private practice through referrals. One of those referrals led Jorge Cisneros to her door. Jorge had been suffering from chronic back pain due to a long-time spinal problem.

Carrie will never forget the day she met Jorge. She was thrilled to have a client from Mexico and hoped that she had made him feel comfortable. After his appointment Jorge surprised her by saying, “I’d like to schedule another appointment.”

Little did Carrie know that Jorge was worried about the impression he’d make. “After arriving to my appointment I remember that I was not sure on ‘how much’ I should undress being my first massage ever. I was clueless and I didn’t want to cause a bad impression,” says Jorge. “Anyway the session went really well and I felt quite comfortable with Carrie. As she finished I knew I had to continue receiving massage. It didn’t take long to realize the benefits of massage.”

Jorge’s been a regular client of Carrie’s ever since and the intense back pain he once suffered from hasn’t returned. He’s also a recent graduate of BCMT’s 1000-Hour Certificate in Massage Therapy Program. How did this come about?

“A long time before I considered studying massage, Carrie gave me some basic massage lessons. I truly believe that Carrie was one of those people who played an important role (in my decision to apply). One of the things that I always admired from Carrie was that she seems really happy working in the massage therapy field. I also did some research on what other options I had and decided that BCMT was the best place for me based on the curriculum.”

So how does Carrie and Jorge’s story end? It doesn’t. For Carrie, Jorge and his family are like family to her and she’ll continue to do what she loves. As for Jorge, he says, “Carrie has been a mentor and an extraordinary friend by sharing her experience with me. I know for sure that I’ll keep getting massages from her for as long as I can.”

Carrie Tarran graduated from BCMT in 1980. She has a full-time practice, dividing her time between Boulder and Paonia, Colorado.

Jorge Cisneros graduated from BCMT in 2002 and has more than 1000 hours of experience working with a wide variety of people. He is currently employed by Massage Envy and has a private practice in Boulder, Colorado.

Here’s an excerpt from a futureLMT.com article that’s definitely worth a reprint.

Have you ever had the feeling you’re forgetting something when you leave for work? You know, that nagging sensation that there’s something you missed that you were supposed to take with you? It’s happened to everyone.

I polled 15 massage therapists about what they always carry with them, even when they don’t have clients scheduled. Each massage therapist had different opinions, and each had different jobs—a few have their own business, many work at day spas or clinics, and a couple people work directly with chiropractors or doctors. Some suggestions were pretty obvious, but a few surprised me. The items on this list may seem like a lot to carry, but most are small and fit nicely into a pouch you can slip into a purse, day pack or briefcase.

Full article by Nancy Elizabeth Green here.

During an official work visit to the college last week I had the pleasure of spending time with my colleague and fellow BCMT blogger, Rebecca.  Our casual conversation led to my discovery of what I am calling, a massage therapist’s best friend.  You see, Rebecca introduced me to Itunes Genius playlists and mixes.  I know I may be preaching to an already formed choir but I have to think there are a few of you that have not yet discovered this career easing application.

If you read my previously posted, Hidden Talents of a Massage Therapist article then you know that doubling as a DJ is required by our profession.   Switching up songs to keep the musical vibes fresh are a common pastime for any massage therapist but with Itunes Genius disc jockey duties are now officially delegated.  At this point, you’re either shaking your head and wondering how I’m surviving in such a sheltered life or like me, excited to learn more.

I found this quick tutorial online, click on the image below to view the video.  The great thing about Genius – it’s easy!  I do recommend a quick screening of the songs to make sure they are right for your clients.  I’ve been switching up my music each day for a week now and Genius has yet to steer me in the wrong direction.  Happy mixing!

Last summer, the college held a beautiful event at Rembrandt Yard to benefit our Massage for Peace service efforts.  Vibrant Brazilian rhythms, savory ethnic cuisine and a breathtaking sunset complemented the evening’s celebration.  But the abundant and exquisite gift baskets that made up the silent auction were nothing less than the main attraction.

Aspen, an integral member of the BCMT community, was subtle but fervent and committed to holding the top bid on her basket of choice.   At the close of the night, much to her delight she walked away with her culinary arts themed basket.  Recently, Aspen checked back in with us after using one of her prize winnings, a gift certificate to the Culinary School of the Rockies.

Thank you Aspen, for being a part of this special celebration and for sharing your experience with us.

I wanted to let you know Dave and I used our gift certificate at the Rocky Mountain Culinary school in Boulder that we won at the silent auction for the school last July.  I also wanted to let you know how much fun we had.

I remember debating about going to the fundraiser because it was held so shortly after my mom passed away and I was just not feeling up for being social.  I went and now I couldn’t be happier that I did.  Dave has a passion for cooking and it brought me so much joy to see him in a professional kitchen with a Chef.  He was able to ask her so many questions.  I, of course, will benefit in the years to come from that one little gift certificate we won the bid on.  Thank you again for the efforts put forth to make the fundraiser come together.

Take care-
Aspen

When I graduated BCMT I thought I had all the tools needed to run a successful business and maintain loyal clientele.  I was wrong.  In my almost half a decade in the biz I have developed talents to fulfill job requirements that simply cannot be taught in a classroom.

Keep in mind that although some of these talents have been growing inside since my first day in business there are others that I have mastered within a moment’s notice.  There are many more but I can’t share them all or else they wouldn’t be hidden talents.  Here are a few of my favorites.

DJ Master Mix
Hey Mr. DJ put a record on….. Oh Madonna, you sing it so harmonically that it seems the job of a DJ, is a job easily done.  Well let me tell you something Evita, it’s not as easy as it looks.  There is only so much ‘check out’ music that I can handle in a given workweek.   So as I discern which playlist is most appropriate for each client, I must also take stock in how many more Oms I can handle without losing my mind.  Variety is everything and therefore perfecting this skill will be a career long endeavor.

Silent Yawner
Massage therapists are human, I am human.  I get fatigued, sometimes I don’t sleep well the night before and yes, sometimes I need to get a big ole’yawn out in the middle of a session.  There was no time to learn this talent; I had to conquer the silent yawn on the first try.  If I didn’t, I would have risked my client thinking that I was unprofessional and bored with their well being.

My advice on this one; go big with the facial movements (see photo) to make up for the lack of noise.  Take it slow, don’t rush it and keep that voice box on the down low.

Super Athlete
I’ve heard it time and time again from my clients, they massage other people and their hands get sore after a few minutes.  So how can I continue for hours at a time?  It’s because I quickly moved from massage therapist to massage therapist super athlete.  Occupational hazard?  Maybe.   But I once read that the sustained muscular contraction a massage therapist withstands is comparable to that of an endurance athlete.  So, move over Lance, there is a new breed of athlete in town – the healer.

The Juggler
Life happens, I know this.  Many times when one person in a couple starts getting massage the other will follow.  Unfortunately sometimes the relationship with massage outlasts the couple.  In these cases, I want to avoid all possible run-ins and in order to do this I must find appointments where they don’t exist, bump my free loading husband to another time slot or just take a longer break in between for the sake of serenity.  I am an ambassador of peace and I will uphold my commitment at all cost.

The Sneeze Avoider
I know my clients care about me but I also know when they’re forking over $70/hour they don’t need to be sneezed on.  This special talent is my favorite and by far, the most difficult.  My trick is to exhale through the nose for what seems like hours, avoid looking at any light and conjure the peace within the send that sneeze away. (see image on the left for what not to do)

Chamber Maid Extraordinaire
Who can rip down the table and whip up an inviting cocoon of yummy smells, warmth and comfort like a massage therapist?  Folding fitted sheets?  Please, that’s child’s play.  Move over J’Lo, I make your Maid in Manhattan look like a ravaged campsite.

As I mentioned before, there are many more hidden talents and I’m sure more that I will master in the future.  For now, I will rest my laurels on being a Super Talented DJ Athlete, Silent Yawning, Juggling Sneeze Avoiding, Chamber Maid Extraordinaire.

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