Laina, 3rd quarter student

Last week I decided to get a massage in our student clinic…one of the definite benefits of working at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy.  My student massage therapist was a 3rd quarter student named Laina.  I was totally impressed with with her calm, caring manner and the confidence she exhibited.  I knew right away that I was in good hands.  Everything from the relaxed atmosphere and ability to assess my needs  to the perfect music made for an outstanding massage.

Laina came to Boulder, Colorado from Westchester County, New York in the spring of 2008 after researching massage programs accross the country.  It is interesting that about 45% of our students come from out of state or out of the country, especially when most of them have massage schools in their hometowns.  Laina looked at several other massage schools which she would describe as good schools but throughout her search, she kept coming back to BCMT.  Laina is a graduate of Oberlin College, a small Liberal Arts college  in Ohio.  She has a dance background.  Throughout her life she has become facinated with the human body.  She loves human sciences and is intrigued by the energetic connections of the body.  She says, “It is the diversity of offerings at BCMT that drew me in.  It is where I need to be.” 

Now that Laina has been at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy for three quarters, she can see that the innovative curriculum is organized in a way that makes so much sense.  For her, classes seem to be structured so that they really fit well together.  She expressed that her first quarter experience was built around introduction, the student mind, and nurturing.  She learned what it meant for each person to be here at BCMT.  Classes in the second and third quarters have been more academically challenging for her but again structured in a way to support each other. 

Perhaps Laina’s experience is best summed up in her own words;  “Everyday I’m excited to come to school.  It challenges and stimulates me.  I love what I’m learning and everything I’m learning feeds me.  The Boulder College of Massage Therapy is a nurturing, fullfilling, and exciting place for me to be.”