Ever since I was very young I enjoyed being caressed by my mother’s hand. She had this way of running her fingers over the side of my head through my hair while I was laying down that just relaxed and comforted me. It truly is one of my fondest memories of bonding time between us. Little did I know this would be part of the transformation that would draw me towards becoming a massage therapist.

There are so many reasons why I became a massage therapist that I can’t even count them. But that is my personal journey and another story. So my question is, what is your personal journey? Have you thought about it? Do you keep checking into massage schools and colleges just to take the catalog they send you, and cram it into a drawer after you looked at every page? What prevents you from pursuing your dreams? Me personally, I was scared of going back to school it had been many years since I had sat in a desk. Thank-goodness BCMT doesn’t have typical desks!
So here are my current top-10 reasons (they change daily) to become a massage therapist, and make your dreams come true!
 

10) Never out of lotion- you buy the stuff by the gallon, so you always have some on-hand. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ran to my massage closet wrapped in a towel fresh out of the shower to refill my bottle.

9) I get to go to Water World on its least busy day- I have a flexible schedule and when my best friend called and said let’s plan a Water World trip I said “absolutely, what day are the lines the shortest?” (Tuesday by the way) Now that is solved, my swimsuit is another issue.

 8 ) My chunky dog is getting slimming down; oh and me too!- I schedule my day with a big lunch break 1.5 to 2 hours, this gives me a chance to eat, rest and drag my out-of-shape lab down the walking trails by my house.

7) Trade-You can trade massage for all sorts of wonderful things, face it everyone wants massage and massage therapists need stuff too.

6) Smarty Pants- People say lots of stuff and they have no idea what they are talking about. Don’t be one of them! Through your training here you can understand medical terms, and know how the body works. Do you know what to ask when your doctor tells you “you tore your rotator cuff” can you be more specific? It’s a good feeling to be informed.

5) Talented massage therapists as friends- you laugh, but let me tell you when you fall off your bike and give yourself whip-lash, we are the best friends to have.

4) Know what not to do- when I sprain my ankle, shoulder, neck or what not, I don’t get into a hot tub for relief. Duh!

3) Spectacular Arms- Can you say tank top season?

2) Relaxing Music- Three days a week I get to listen to my favorite relaxing music all day long, old, new, instrumentals, soft vocals, ethereal, ethnic, you name it the sounds are endless.

1) Cool People- Each and everyday I meet and get to spend time with unique and interesting people. Older or younger they are all different, athletic, smart, accomplished, creative, talented people. I value all my acquaintances in my practice and here at BCMT. I learn from these people life lessons, that I will take with me always. Thank-You.

If you,  like  many other employees have had either the “pink slip” given to you, been escorted to your desk to “clean it out”, or the ever famous “can I see you in my office?” mumbled to you by a superior, you are not alone.  So after your visit to the local pub with your other “laid offers”, and the shock of your situation subsides a bit, it may be time to rethink your strategy.

If you love the current field your in (or were in) , you can stop reading now, but if you long for a change and have been “given the opportunity” to try something different, have you thought about massage?  The fascinating thing about this field is that it draws all different types of people into it. Some choose this as a first career, some as a 5th career. Some if they are like me, want to eat, breathe, and sleep massage and massage related stuff every day and do nothing else. Others, do it for a supplementary income, they only work events,  evenings,  or week-ends. Still some do it to help put themselves through  school, really 10.00 an hour waiting tables versus 60.00 an hour doing massage? So whatever your situation is, this may be your next step to a better financial situation, or just a happier more fulfilling career.

What it does for you:

Massage college, unlike most other types of programs helps you discover so much about yourself, the term trans-formative is used repeatedly here. You are a different person when you graduate from this institution. Who am I? What do I like? What don’t I like? Why do I let people take advantage of me? Why can’t I say no? How do I feel about my body, do we connect? What my posture says about me? Any of these sound familiar? Well if not, you are one of fortunate few, but if these questions intrigue you to look deeper this is the place for you. Financially you CAN make a living, or just have some extra cash to do things you want to do. And really, how often do you get to connect with another person on a one on one basis, for an hour or more, in a peaceful setting. How often do you get to be the best part of someone’s week? Do you really think that feeling has a monetary price?

What it does for others?

Granted, you do help people to feel better, but did you know in how many different ways? Physically, mentally, emotionally we facilitate healing, we help people come into connection with their bodies. We take care of the mothers who never get taken care of, and we lift the pressure off of fathers who have the weight of the world on their shoulders. We help children to see that the the body is an amazing machine that works when well oiled and exercised properly. You have to admit, how cool is that? How many jobs do that?

How can I make it work?

Where there is a will there is a way. Everyday I talk to people in every situation imaginable, and those who really want to make the switch, find a way to do it. If you are fortunate enough to have some severance pay this may be even easier. So here are a few things to get you started:

• If your local, or within driving distance come to Career Night on this Friday night the 24th from 5:30-7:00 here. There is no pressure just a fact finding mission to see whats available through our program and different scheduling options.
• Call me, we can chat for a few minutes just to see if this is what you want to do. We want to make sure that this is the is program to get your where you want to be. There are many options for school, and this is an academically challenging program.303-530-2100 ask for the admissions office, myself, Jack or Becky will spend a few minutes going over the details with you.
• Come take a tour of our campus, we can sit in on a few classes, see the dynamics of the classroom and the instructors rapport with our students.

Then if this is the program for you:

1. Fill out your FAFSA , since everyone else is getting “bailed out” see how much the government will help you with to get a quality education. (PELL Grant just upped their contribution) Use our Quick Guide.
2. Once you know how much $ you can get, figure out which program makes more sense: with the 18-month option you can still work part-time and get 2 extra disbursements of funding from the government; with the 12-month you can get done faster and back out there to start making money.
3. Turn in your application, then we can continue to advise you and keep track of your progress while we help you to sort out the details. housing etc.
4. Start searching for Scholarships, there are many different places out there trying to help people find new careers and help them with their funding. This money can be used for housing, books, tuition and many other financial needs. Scholarships are FREE money no need to pay them back.
5. Get your stuff in order, sort out baby sitters, bus schedules, we will help with carpooling , or other needs at new student orientation.
6. If your accepted, just start in July! New Student Orientation is July 6th.

This economy can be tough, and quite honestly disheartening. Rather than letting it drag you down, if it’s possible find your silver lining, use this time to reflect on what career path you really want to take. Research it, tour the schools of your choice (this is important) see where it is you’ll be spending your time and money at, then take the plunge, dive into something new and different. Ask any massage therapist, or student wandering our halls – it’s a decision you’ll not regret.