Three times a year we get to enjoy the excitement and anticipation of a new group of students begining the 1000-hour certified massage therapy program.  The enthusiasm is completely contagious.  Nothing like an enfusion of energy to start the new quarter off right.  Our newest members of the BCMT family are all quite diverse.  We have a scattering of  Colorado residents mixed in with other states and countries.  We have New York, Oregon, Maine, New Mexico, Nebraska and Florida. Then don’t forget the 49th and 50th states of Alaska and Hawaii.  Lastly we add in some international flavor with  Maldives, and Mexico.  We love it when our family grows!

New Student Orientation is always a mix of eager anticipation  and nervous energy.   As our students file in that first morning they pick up stacks of paper and begin filling out student enrollment agreements.  Meeting their future classmates and keeping track of the faculty and staff keeps everyone’s brains stirring as we plow through policies.  This quarter the admissions team tried something new for lunchtime activities.  We carpooled over to Gurka’s for some yummy Indian food,  here in Gunbarrel.  The fresh and tasty buffet was a real treat and something out of the ordinary for a few students.  Getting to just hang out and munch on the flat bread,  gave us all a chance to get to know one another and  enjoy our new friends.  Questions came out,  fears and  expectations were openly addressed.  I was the last one chomping down my dessert of sweet rice and these “doughnut ball things” that I love, (I’m a slow eater and a quick talker) then we  got together our things and headed back to school.  

Zen Shiatsu Sarah's class

Zen Shiatsu Lynn's Class

Zen Shiatsu Christa's Class

The afternoon activities were a mix of meeting the councillors,  getting student I.D. pictures taken, checking out class schedules,  finishing financial aid paperwork and sorting out details.  The day drew to a close with the school store distributing books and Anatomikens for students starting on Thursday and Friday.  In all the hussle and bustle I am always excited to have students back in the hallways and stirring up the energy after our summer break.  So, to all our new students have a great quarter, and returning students, make sure to say “Hi” to your new found classmates as we begin yet another journey here at BCMT.

I have been receiving massages for about 15 years. I have no idea how many I have gotten over those years before I came to school here. But I can tell you the ones that stood out as the best and worst massages I have recieved. The best 2 were a couple of  therapists that practiced out of  small offices in Lyons. With both of these therapists I felt comfortable, I felt they were able to give me the depth I wanted and needed. I’m one of those people that needs alot of pressure I have some old injuries that love to haunt me,  and they need to be beaten into submission. Well at least that was my thinking at the time. I’ve since communicated with my body, and now we love several different kinds of massage.   However, the worst massage I ever endured was from a spa on a little island off the California coast. At the time I was working as a telecommuter, so needless to say I was on the computer constantly.  It was my last day I forwarded all my information to my supervisor, found someone to doggy sit,  and drove to California on a whim.  I felt at the very least I deserve a great massage and some beach time. So, I made an appointment with the spa and walked over from my hotel. I paid extra for a deep tissue massage and happily climbed onto the warm massage table. AHHHHH Yes, it was time for the relaxation to begin.  My therapist came in and didn’t say much, so I just let it be known that the day before my 96 pound lab had decided to dart after a squirrel with his rope wrapped around my leg so I had the worst rope burn around my ankle.  I thought it was also noteworthy to bring up my computer neck  and that I just sat in a car for 14 hours. (That should give them enough to work on.) It began on my back with a rapid shaking and pushing. My shoulders were pushed, pulled ,and stretched and in quick abrupt manner. It actually made me feel more stressed.  So I thought to myself maybe I need to be more clear, I told them I just quit my job and needed to wind down after an insane week. The shaking continued.

Me After My "Massage"

The therapist still had said no more than 10 words to me,  so I decided to be open to this new technique and ride it out. Until they grabbed my leg very abruptly to move the sheet, yep, my rope burned scabbed ankle.  I hollered, “please” I begged ” be careful my ankle is so sore and tender”. My comment was met with a mumbled ” oh sorry” and on the the procedure went on.  I was indeed a martini, shaken and not stirred to any relaxation. After a gruling hour and having my ankle grabbed 3 times. I was done in more ways then one! 

I survived my “massage” and went on 5 months later to go to massage school. This expierence did not turn me sour on massage;  just short  programs that don’t teach communications classes on how to work with your client and their injuries (the therapist had attended a short massage program).  I have to add too, that the 2 really good massages I had, both the therapists graduated from BCMT. I didn’t know any of this until I started researching massage schools a few months later.

Interesting information on why to choose a 1000-hour program:

• With a 1000 hours you can practice anywhere in the U.S. no state requires more then 1000 hours of education.
• If you choose to do a shorter program and then move to New York or Nebraska or other various locations that requires 1000 hours; they most likely will not honor your previous hours and you will have to start over to fulfill the 1000-hours. ( Can you hear the flush as the money goes down the toilet.)
• You only go to massage school once, do it right the first time.
• Be prepared, if you want a job who do you think they are going to hire first, 250-hours, 500-hours or a 1000?
• A well rounded education is worth the time and money to help you be the best: Kinesiology, Communications, Anatomy, Ethics, Career classes, in addition to the hands-on modalities only make you a better more prepared therapist.
• Most 500-hour courses take about 7-9 months, in 12 months you can have 1000.  Don’t sell yourself short.

Do you want to be the best therapist you can be ? Then, really weigh your choices before deciding where to go. Visit the school get a good picture of the education you are getting.  If they don’t have communications classes, and chances to use it in the real world like an Internship program, think twice, because you may fall into the snare of not listening to your client and really hurt someone.