Why I Became A Massage Therapist
I grew up doing and receiving massage from my mother and my extended family. Thanksgiving dinner would always end with a circle of cousins and myself all massaging one another. So, this provided me a solid base for a touch oriented life.
Because of this, combined with my love of dance, music, singing and helping people, it only made sense to enter into the world of professional massage.
I wanted to connect with humanity in a way that was sacred, meaningful and healing. I couldn't picture myself in a cubicle, in a public institution, or living out of a travel bag every day...so I gravitated to this!
My Life As A Massage Therapist
I own my own practice AND work in a spa. I love the combination of the two for a few reasons. First off, I love that I can make my own hours at my place and have to be committed to only 2 days at the spa.
Also, I enjoy my private clientele and have formed long lasting relationships with most of them. Yet, it is also refreshing to just "go to work" and not have to do sheets, book apppointments, etc., so the spa is a nice change of pace.
The best part of my work is that I feel better leaving work than I do going in most of the time.
The worst part is that I am not a bionic woman and can't do more than 4 hours straight without tiring! I almost forgot -- the typical massage music can be monotonous sometimes!
Lessons Learned
- For other massage therapists...Let go of the thought that you will "heal" anyone. Offer yourself as a channel for healing energy and get out of your own way. Find ways to ground your own energy before and after sessions so that you don't burn yourself out. Always...take care of YOU too.
- For people considering massage therapy...make sure you LOVE people and really care about them before you step into this field.
How Long I've Been A Massage Therapist
8 years
Where I Went To School & What I Thought Of It
Finger Lakes School of Massage in Ithaca, NY. I Loved it SOOOO much. It was the perfect blend of Spirit and Science.
