M A SSA GE A ND YOGA m agazin e
A P r ac t ic al G uid e To M ov em ent Th er ap y
YO G A IN ( e) M O TIO N
M assage & R eik i L IV IN G YO G A TH E 5 YA M A S
L ym p h at ic D r ainage Th er ap y
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C o n te n ts Contributors, Editor Message
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The Healing Practice Of Lymphatic Drainage Therapy
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Going To The Mat To Prevent ACL Injuries For Women
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Living Yoga: The 5 Yamas
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A Practical Guide To Movement Therapy And why Your Clients Needs It Right Now
34
Massage and Reiki: A Perfect Coupling
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Yoga In (e)Motion: A Yogini's Perspective
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Exploring Sacro Illiac Joint Dysfunction
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Delicious & Oh, So Healthy: Plant Based Recipes
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The Four Components Of Success For Massage Therapists In Private Practice
Contributors: Robin Devine, RMT, CLTT, The Healing Practice Of Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Lisa Dowling, PearlsOf Wisdom, Qi Kristine Traucht,
Fr om th e Editor
A Practical Guide To Movement Therapy And Why Your Client NeedsIt Right Now Jennifer Briggs-Cole, Massage and Reiki: The Perfect Coupling Susan Anderson, Editor
Lidia Sicilia, Yoga in (e)Motion, A Yogini's Perspective Melinda Loo, The Four ComponentsOf SuccessFor Massage TherapistsIn Private Practice
I would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the contributors in this issue. Your contribution helps Massage and Yoga Magazine to grow and manifest our mission of inspiring, supporting and educating Massage Therapists across North America. Massage and Yoga Magazine is a not-for-profit publication. www.massageandyogamag.ca
TheHealingPracticeof
Lymph ati c Drai nage Th erapy By Robin Devin e, RM T, CLT
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By Robin Devine, RMT, CLT
I love finding balance, in my own life, as well as in the lives of my clients. Creating homeostasis is such a great approach for most practitioners, and really does bring the whole body into alignment. Have you heard of Lymphatic Drainage Therapy? You really should. It brings the whole body and immune system into balance. Why don?t we see it everywhere? I remember sitting in my Massage Therapy college program, and wondering how much more information they could possibly add to our curriculum. After two long years of anatomy, physiology, pathology and the rest of the ?ologies?, how much more could there be to learn? I was lucky to stumble upon a continuing education class on Lymphatic Drainage Therapy with the Chikly Health Institute (CHI) that was coming to my city, and decided to register. I had no idea that this one class would change the entire direction of my practice and career. This technique can be so helpful in conditions related to chronic inflammations, chronic pain, immune system problems, circulatory problems, detoxification, stress, etc, that it is pertinent to every client in my practice.
The Lymphatic System was discovered and studied back in the XVth century, which is quite late compared to other body systems. However, we rarely learn about it in our trainings, and even general physicians have limited studies dedicated to its intricacies. Within a healthy and intact system, our lymphatic system filters, cleans and returns fluid within our bodies, boosting and supporting our immunity. Our lymphatic fluid, which transports water, proteins, digestive fats and cell debris to the lymph nodes is integral to the balance of this system and is imperative to maintain. One of my favorite ways of describing the system is that of a recycling program or water treatment plant. Waste and debris that is leftover in our system from cellular metabolism, as well as the beneficial pieces needing to be returned to the blood stream, enters our lymphatic system as the obligatory ?lymphatic load?. This lymphatic load is then transported through many lymphatic capillaries, collectors, vessels and then to the water treatment plants, or lymph nodes, which are found all over the body. These nodes filter, and clean the lymphatic fluid (lymph), and will send it on to the next node to be further filtered and so on.
After the lymph has been cleaned as much as possible, through several nodes, it is returned back to our circulatory system via the right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct. From there it will be reused in the blood stream or eliminated through the kidneys, for example. What a great system we have working for us! With this view of the lymphatic system, there are multitudes of issues that can occur, leading to stagnation of fluid also known as edema or swelling. Conventional methods used by therapists to deal with swelling consist of an ice pack, elevation and compression. Sometimes, if a therapist remembers their average 3 hour class on Lymphatic Drainage, they might feel comfortable using their gentle nodal pumping techniques. For most doctors, we see diuretic or anti-inflammatory medications being prescribed, and yet for many, this does not resolve symptoms. One of the specialized applications of Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is lymphedema, which is an edema that occurs when the lymphatic system itself is primarily affected (cut, burn, etc.).
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Lymphedema is the most well known lymphatic condition and is starting to gain more public awareness. Lymphedema is a lifetime of care and treatment.
The ability to perform lymphatic drainage is vital, however, the ability to re-route lymph into new patterns and drainage location is critical to patient health and recovery.
Any damage to the system, leads to a lifelong affliction that requires constant treatment, care, equipment and cautious observation. Whether the nodes are removed during a mastectomy, lymph vessels are permanently damaged with radiation therapy, or we become hosts for parasites the lymphatic system becomes stressed and unable to handle the up to 1.5-3 liters of lymphatic loads that returns to the heart daily. With the assistance of Lymphatic Drainage techniques, we can increase this fluid movement up to 10 fold.
Additionally, the knowledge and capacity to fully wrap limbs with short ?stretch bandaging, measure for long term compression garments, have skin care and exercise education and exercise rounds out a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CDT).
Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the current gold standard in the treatment for lymphedema, and is the main reason why specialized training is essential for patients living with this condition.
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The responsiveness and adaptability of your Lymphatic system is what makes it ideal for manual therapy. In North America, there are several options available for hands on therapists to learn lymphatic drainage. There are techniques developed by Dr. Bruno Chikly (Lymphatic Drainage Therapy) and the initial techniques of Emil Vodder (Manual Lymphatic Drainage). I have been trained with both techniques throughout my career, and use them both on a daily basis. I prefer and use Lymphatic Drainage Therapy in my private
practice due to the refinements and integral lesson taught and discovered by Dr.Chikly, which is the direct palpation of the lymph flow and the mapping of the direction of the flow. This skill, applied to each human body, gives a very detailed view into the functionality and quality of their lymph movement, constitution and direction. The lymphatic system is gaining its moment in the spotlight, and is starting to be a point of discovery for the general public. I am constantly found by new patients, who are searching out new ways to deal with chronic congestion, irritating reoccurring infections and a multitude of other immune concerns that are often do not respond to other modalities. I really enjoying applying these techniques to conditions that used to be my main focus as a Massage Therapist. Nerve irritations (sciatica, Bell?sPaly and Trigeminal Neuralgia), musckuloskeletal concerns (trigger points, muscle hypertonicity) and chronic illnesses (migraines, headaches, tenodonitis) are all treatable with lymphatic drainage.
am encouraged daily to hear of so many practitioners in so many different fields who are starting to learn and refer for Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, and it is so applicable for many professionals. I have learned from many physicians, chiropractors, manual therapists, dentists, veterinarians, who have been in classes of lymphatic studies, and I know that we are on the verge of a greater lymphatic movement. The human body has so much to show -Quote Author us? all we have to do is be patient, listen and work with it non-invasively, every step of the way.
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GoingToTheMat ToPrevent ACL InjuriesFor Women.
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Friday has arrived and you're getting excited for the weekend.
the Women's Sports Medicine Program Johns Hopkins Medicine.1
Imagine running down the long corridor in your office and surprising astonished colleagues with an extraordinary mid-air deer leap!
"The joint through which the anterior cruciate ligament passes, along with the actual size of the anterior cruciate ligament, is significantly smaller in women than in men. This makes it more susceptible to damage. Along with these aspects, women tend to not activate their hamstring muscles as much
No? You can't imagine doing that? Well, neither can I. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if my middle aged knees could possibly support such an explosion of physical power. Come to think of it, over the last few years I'd been avoiding activities and sports that I love for fear of re-injuring my ACL.
"ACL tears in women are four to eight times more common than they are for men. Additionally, once a female athlete has torn her ACL, she becomes 16 times more likely to tear her ACL in the other knee. This is why it is especially important for female athletes to follow the right steps to prevent an ACL injury from happening." says sports medicine expert and orthopedic surgeon Miho Tanaka, M.D., Director of
as their male counterparts during certain cutting movements causing less stability in the knee joint. In addition, the quadriceps angle, or Q-angle, between the anterior superior iliac spine and patellar ligament may contribute to the predisposition of ACL tears. There is some evidence that suggests since women are known to have larger Q-angles than their male counterparts, they might be more susceptible to ACL tears."
while running, landing from a jump , or pivot ing. Basket ball, foot ball, soccer, and skiing are common sport s linked t o injury.2
Do Not Despair! Research shows that by strengthening the supporting muscles around the knee and correcting muscle imbalances, we can significantly lower our risk of experiencing an ACL tear.3 Music to my ears! I would love to start running obstacle courses and circuit training again but I'd been worried about re-injuring my knee or injuring the other side.
http://www.orthopodsurgeon.com/ aclinwomen.html
The most common causes of non-cont act ACL injuries are a result of - quickly st opping, moving and changing direct ion page 11
TipsFor Devel oping Strength and ct Stabil ity 2. CMourre scle around Imbalances theknee joint
1. Strengthen -
-
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develop stronger hamstrings. Strong hamstring muscles help to control knee injury during pivoting movements
studies show that even a 15% discrepancy in bilateral hamstring strength can shift
your center of gravity, making you more vulnerable to injury. Exercise both sides equally for balance 4
3. Stretch -
muscles that are properly warmed up and stretched before exercise or sport perform better and give you a better idea which side is tighter than the other creating muscle imbalance
3YogaPoses For Preventing ACLInjuries anjaneyasana ( Low Lunge) 1. From standing position. Bring your right foot forward and bend knee. 2. Left leg goes down to the floor. Rest your knee as well as the top or dorsal part of your foot on the floor. 3. Place one hand on each side of the right knee to stabilize the pose. You can use yoga blocks to rest your hands on if putting your hands on the floor is too difficult.f your left knee is uncomfortable on the floor, you can place a folded blanket underneath the left knee for support..
Cont raindicat ed
for anyone with acute or chronic injury or pain in the low back, knee, or shoulder.
Utkatasana ( Chai r Pose) 1. Beginning from Mountain Pose, slowly sit back into an imaginary chair, as low as you can comfortably go without losing your balance. 2. Extend arms above you, inside elbows should be at the level of your ears. Looking down, you should be able to see your toes while holding this pose. 3. Take 5-6 long, deep breaths before straightening out and coming back into mountain pose.
hip roll out to the side. 4. Hold the strap on each side and slowly bring the foot towards your head without letting the knee bend. 5. Contract the quadriceps muscles of the left leg to allow the hamstring muscles to relax and stretch. 6. Stay here for 3 to 5 breaths. Repeat on the other side. 4
Cont raindicat ed for someone who has knee pain or injury, low back pain or injury, shoulder pain or injury.
SupineOneLegged HamstringStretch 1. Begin by lying on the back, hips and knees all in one straight line. 2. Place the strap on the arch of the left foot. 3. As you inhale, raise your foot up towards the sky while keeping the right leg straight and not letting your
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ANJANEYASANA
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UTKANASANA
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SUPINE ONE LEGGED HAM STRING STRETCH
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"I f you can t une i nt o your pur pose and r eal l y al i gn wi t h i t , set t i ng goal s so your vi si on i s an expr essi on of t hat pur pose, t hen l i f e f l ows much mor e easi l y. " - Jack Canfield
Living Yoga The 8 Limbs Of Yoga - Part 1 The YAMA-S
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For many of us, the word "Yoga" means physical poses and deep breathing to take us further into those poses. Yogis and Yoginis who have been in their practice for a period of time, understand that there is so much more to Yoga.
"In Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, the eightfold path is called ashtanga, which literally means "eight limbs" (ashta=eight, anga=limb). These eight steps basically act as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. They serve as a prescription for moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline; they direct attention toward one's health; and they help us to acknowledge the spiritual aspects of our nature." 1
The8LimbsOf Yoga 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
YAMA NIYAMA ASANA PRANAYAMA PRATYAHARA DHARANA DHYANA SAMADHI
TheYAMA-Srefer tothe ethical practicesthat guideus inour daily l ives. "All other limbslook to the Yamasastheir foundation." 2 The kindness and compassion we show the world around us is a manifestation of what we feel inside of us.
The5YAMA-S Each is broken down into a behaviour that guides us in our treatment and engagment with others. Ahimsa (practising nonviolence) Sat ya (honesty) Ast eya (not taking from others what does not belong to us) Brahmacarya (practising moderation in our desires) Aparigraha (not being possessive of material things or relationships) 3.
1. Ahimsa Refers t o pract ising non-violence. "But to truly embody ahimsa we must extend past this literal interpretation to include not just these violent actions but also thoughts, feelings and words. We must pay constant attention to our propensities toward
unkind behavior, harmful thought and hurtful speech. We must practice compassion toward all living beings." explains Christine Malossi, RYT, a practising Yoga Therapist in New York City. Some people advocate a vegan/vegetarian diet as a practise of non-violence and others may choose to purchase animal products that have been ethically farmed and raised.
2. Satya Trut hfulness Communicating with those around us with information that we understand to be true. Our thoughts, the words we say and actions we take are in line with one each other. 5
"We Shoul d Say Thi ngs Wi t h Ki ndness And Gr ace, But We Shoul d Say Exact l y What We Mean At Al l Ti mes. " - Alicia Keys
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3. Asteya "Not taking from others and accepting only what is earned and freely given." 6 For example if we covet someone's wealth, the desire and envy we feel for someone else's prosperity is coming from negative and selfish thoughts and emotions.
Plagiarizing or taking undue credit for someone else's accomplishments is also a form of stealing. When we offer a gift to someone , a true gift has no expectation of return. 6
4. Brahmacarya Practicing moderation in our sexual desires. The classic definition of Brahmacarya is the practice of chastity or abstaining from sex to focus vital energy towards spiritual enlightenment.
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Brad Waites, the director of the College of Purna Yoga in Vancouver, has a more moderate interpretation of the fourth yama.
"The classical definition of brahmacharya is misleading, since what brahmacharya actually asks us to do is to think about where we?re putting our energy ? sexual or otherwise. And, if we?re expending it in useless places, to figure out how to redirect it." ?In the long run, brahmacharya is about allocation: using your resources effectively to achieve your aspiration. To hone our practice of this principle, we must learn to conserve and not waste energy on things that do not serve our purpose.?, explains Waites. 7
5. Aparigraha Not being possessive of material things or relationships. "Unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens. If you have them, you have to take care of them. There is great freedom in simplicity of living. It is those who have enough but not too much who are the happiest." Peace Pilgrim
Sou r ces 1. https://www.yogajournal.com/ practice/the-eight-limbs#! 2. The Path Of The Yoga Sutras, a practical guide to the core of yoga, Nicolai Bachman 3. The Path Of The Yoga Sutras, a practical guide to the core of yoga, Nicolai Bachman
4. https://www.yogauonline.com/ yogau-wellness-blog/first-yamaahimsa-nonviolence 5., 6 The Path Of The Yoga Sutras, a practical guide to the core of yoga, Nicolai Bachman
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Pearl sOf Wisdom QI
by Lisa Dowling
Qi is fundamental to the practice of Oriental Medicine, and it is one of the least understood concepts in the West. I often hear people scoff, or dismiss an idea completely as soon as the word " Qi" is brought up in the conversation. Somewhat understandable, since there is no word in the English language which accurately or remotely describes Qi . Qi can be described as 'life force', 'energy', and 'vit al energy'. These descriptions sum up 'in a word' the meaning of Qi. Almost everyone who has ever been interested in holistic health or well-being has come across this word before, and may feel that they have a vague understanding of it. It reminds me a little of how Westerners use the word 'karma'. We have a concept of it, but perhaps have never taken the time to embrace the concept behind this word and fully understand it's meaning.
Qi is everything, Qi is nothing. Although we can look at Qi through electromagnetic force and vibrational energy as a comparable and measurable concept, it has never been directly proven through science.
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What does 'Qi is everything, Qi is nothing' actually mean? In itself, it doesn't really mean anything, but when you start to look at it more deeply, you will see that the meaning is profound. Recent history has shown us that everything is constantly in motion. Every cell, molecule... everything is vibrating. This is what life force is. When something stops moving, it no longer has Qi. Can we all agree that vegetables that have just been picked out of the garden taste the best? The freshness that we taste is the vital energy in the vegetables that are still moving, even though it has been cut of from its nutrient supply. Over time, changes happen to these vegetables as they begin to die and decompose because they are no longer being supplied with
nutrients. We call this - 'f ood Qi' . As practitioners, we are measuring Qi with our clients all the time. We may not be doing it consciously, but we are assessing the client and their body to see how it is working. This is how we assess and develop our treatment plan and how we measure our client's progress. The practitioner can measure Qi by using various assessment skills. In East Asian Medicine we are taught to assess the pulse, tongue and abdominal (hara) area. We also assess through palpation, range of motion testing, and of course a detailed health questionnaire. Assessing Qi is one of the most challenging and important aspects of facilitating healing in Eastern traditions.
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If we misdiagnose an 'excess' Qi condition ? which happens a lot with Qi Stagnation, we can make the patients condition worse. Qi stagnation is considered an excess condition, but it is often caused by an underlying deficiency, or lack of something else. (such as Qi deficiency, Blood deficiency, or an organ or channel weakness). I always encourage my students to air on the side of caution. Our first and most important intention in our work is 'do no harm'. I always assume there is some kind of a deficiency, unless proven otherwise. This can pose a challenge with clients who are always asking for 'm or e pr essu r e'. These are the clients who have stagnation in an area, or their entire body. They may have trouble connecting with that area and the Qi is not moving, or communicating well with other parts of the body. In t h is case, I of t en r ecom m en d cu ppin g. It is t h e m ost ef f ect ive w ay t o m ove Qi st agn at ion in t h e body an d by f ar t h e easiest on t h e pr act it ion er .
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Qi flows around us, Qi flows inside of us, everything alive has Qi. If you sharpen your senses and pay attention, you may start to feel Qi around you. There are many exercises that can be done to become more attuned to your own Qi and that of others.
" Qi is ever ything, Qi is nothing."
Lisa Dowling is a Registered Acupuncturist from Toronto Canada. In her 20 year career as a practitioner of East Asian Medicine, Lisa has studied Traditional Thai Massage, Shiatsu Therapy, Reflexology, Pilates, Movement Therapy, Osteopathy, and Massage. She has studied with many masters from Thailand, Japan, China, Europe, and North America. For the past 10 years, Lisa has been teaching East Asian medicine at the Shiatsu School of Canada, as well as developing her own curriculum for practitioners to understand how to incorporate the subtle and effective concepts of East Asian Medicine into their practice. Lisa is the founder of the Meridian Therapy Institute, and The Cupping Revolution?, and has been travelling around Canada, and into the US and Europe to share this amazing modality with others.
For more information, you can contact Lisa directly at lifeacupuncturebodywork@gmail.com,
or visit www.thecuppingrevolution.com
to find a cupping course near you.
A Practi cal Gui de To M ov ement Th erapy andWhy Your Client Needsit Right Now. By Kr ist in e Tr au ch t
I am not going to bor e you w ith stor ies of how Thai m assage changed my life and the lives of my clients (it did). Or give you a basic r un dow n of w hat Thai m assage is, you have pr obably hear d it befor e and if you haven?t you can look it up her e: https://youtu.be/Z9bKVZCf8po or any one of the other easy r esear ch m ethods out ther e. Her e is w hat I am going to do, I am going to tell you how Thai m assage is going to change YOUR life. Yes, I am that confident that w hat you ar e going to lear n in this sim ple lesson is so pr ofound that it is going to im pact how you pr actice for year s to com e. But fir st, I w ant you to know w hy lear ning Th ai m assage is so im por tant to your car eer. And I can tell you in one sim ple w or d ? m ovem en t . W hy i s m ovem en t su ch a cr u ci al w or d? It is the #1 m ost im por tant w ellness ther apy that your clients need r ight now.
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W hy i s m ovem en t t h er apy so v i t al ? Am er icans ar e becom ing incr easingly sedentar y. Not just the elder ly, but also younger gener ations. Especially w ith so m any new jobs r equir ing the r egular use of com puter s. In fact, it is becom ing quite com m onplace for people to not even need to leave their hom es to go to w or k, to socialize, or even to go shopping. Even w ith standing and w alking com puter desks (w hich m any do not have access to), people ar en?t getting levels the activity they need. W hen you add in that m any people also spend m ost of their fr ee tim e on phones, laptops, and com puter s in the sam e stationar y positions ? w e have a m ajor pr oblem . Her e ar e a few activities to help you obser ve and under stand this for your self: ¡ Go to your local coffee shop and spend an hour w atching people w ho ar e on their laptops or phones. W hat kind of postur es do they hold and for how long? ¡ Obser ve a fam ily m em ber , fr iend, or even your self the next tim e they sur fing on Facebook or Instagr am .
How m u ch t i m e do t h ey spen d? ¡ Sur vey your clients on
how long they spend each w eek on the phones, com puter s, and television com bined. W hat ar e the r esults? It is ver y easy to see that m any of us ar e leading incr easingly sedentar y lives.
How does t h i s i m pact u s? To put it sim ply, m ovem ent is the key to life. I have seen this fir st hand as a m assage ther apist for near ly tw o decades. M y car eer star ted in Flor ida w her e a w or ked w ith a high per centage of people in their later year s. I had one obser vation em er ge im m ediately. W hen people continued to m ove and be active their quality of life w as m uch higher. On the opposite end, w hen people stopped m oving and being active their quality of life becam e poor. The old adage ?A r ol l i n g r ock gat h er s n o m oss? becam e a tr uth for m e and a w ay that I could explain the need to m ove to my clients. Today, lack of pr oper m ovem ent is dir ectly influencing the health and w ellness of a huge por tion of our population. W ith all the sedentar y behavior s that ar e em er ging in our society, people ar e beginning to suffer fr om lifestyle r elated ailm ents that ar e dir ectly linked to their lack of m ovem ent.
Plantar fasciitis, car pal tunnel, sciatica, IBS, depr ession, anxiety, diabetes, hear t conditions, headaches, I can go on and on listing all the lifestyle issues that can have lack of m ovem ent as a pr im ar y or contr ibuting factor.
How can w e as pr act i t i on er s i n h eal t h an d w el l n ess, addr ess t h i s? This is w her e Thai m assage com es in as a ther apy that can dr astically im pr ove the health and w ellness of your clients. M ovem ent is the one of the m ain goals of a Thai m assage. W hen I talk about m ovem ent I am not just talking about the m obility of m uscles and lim bs. I am speaking about ALL ener gy dr iven m ovem ent in the body; m ovem ent of fluids like blood and lym ph, hor m one tr anspor tation, ner ve conduction, digestion, and even br eathing. In Thailand, Thai m assage is categor ized into a br anch of tr aditional Thai m edicine called ?ener gy w or k?. The ener gy is called ?Lom ? w hich tr anslates into w ind. By descr ibing en er gy as w i n d , they ar e r elating it to the quality of w ind w hich is m ovem ent. They ar e r efer r ing to all pathw ays that ar e involved in m oving ener gy thr oughout the body.
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Thai m assage cr eates positive and beneficial m ovem ent in the body using acupr essur e, joint m obilization, and passive str etching along those pathw ays. As a bodyw or ker or yoga teacher you can have a dir ect im pact on your clients?health thr ough m ovem ent ther apy. Yoga and Wester n styles of m assage both alr eady have com ponents that addr ess m ovem ent, but is it enough? Thai m assage as a m odality utilizes m or e active techniques that can gr eatly incr ease the am ount of m ovem ent ther apy that your clients get in each tr eatm ent.
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Stretching&Movement If you w ent to m assage school you m ay (or m ay not) have lear ned str etching as a par t of your r outine. Often, I see new pr actitioner s elim inate str etching fr om their tr eatm ents once they star t pr acticing pr ofessionally. I have hear d sever al r easons for this. I n cl u di n g: Dr aping Insecur ity ? W ith either the ther apist or the client. Ener gy Output ? Ther apists feeling like it is too m uch effor t to put into ever y session. Tim e ? Not enough tim e to include them in the m assage. Lack of Education ? The ther apist w asn?t instr ucted on the im por tance or
r elevancy of str etching in a m assage tr eatm ent or given enough tr aining to feel confident w ith the techniques. W ith a little ?br ushing up? and pr actice you can add these back into your sessions. Since this is an alm ost im m ediate w ay for you to get m ovem ent ther apy incor por ated into your m assages, I w ould encour age it. If you ar e looking to build your know ledge and skills or find m or e dynam ic and easier w ays of adding to your m ovem ent ther apy to your pr actice, then Thai m assage is the m odality for you. Thai m assage elim inates m any of the issues that can ar ise fr om per for m ing m ovem ent ther apy in a m assage session.
1) Thai m assage is per for m ed on a m at ? this r educes the effor t needed w hen per for m ing str etches because the ther apist uses lever aging to do the w or k . 2) The client is fully clothed w hich elim inates the issues w ith dr aping. 3) The m at is usually m uch lar ger than a table allow ing for easy abduction str etches that ar e pivotal in counter acting lack of m ovem ent. 4) A typical Thai m assage session is 90 m inutes w hich allow s am ple tim e to per for m all techniques including; w ar m ing up, str etching, and cooling dow n. Her e ar e a few techniques fr om Thai m assage to illustr ate the value of studying this unique m odality. Th e Pal m Pr ess ? This technique is used to w ar m up an ar ea befor e joint m obilization and str etches ar e applied. It also com pr esses a lar ge ar ea cr eating m ovem ent in both dir ections aw ay fr om the com pr ession site.
It is applied by placing the palm dir ectly over the location and pr essing fir m ly thr ough the entir e palm and finger s. If you ar e inter ested in lear ning how to pr oper ly do a palm pr ess you can w atch a video lesson her e: https://youtu.be/VB6RNNBx9n4
-Quote Author
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Sh ou lder Rot at ion ? Rotating the shoulder can help create positive movement in all of the surrounding muscle attachments and allow the pathways that travel through the shoulder to move more freely. To rotate the shoulder, we support above the elbow with one hand and gripping the front and back of the shoulder with the other hand we rotate it in a full circle counterclockwise several times.
Th e Figu r e 4 Hip St r et ch ? This technique is excellent for releasing hip restrictions and increasing pelvic mobility. Place one leg in a figure four position with the sole of the foot touching the opposite straight leg. Apply alternating palm pressure to both legs moving from hips to knees and back to hips.
Spin al Tw ist ? The spinal twist has a great effect on stretching the spinal muscles (which sit across nerve pathways that innervate the entire body). This technique can be applied by bending the clients leg and placing the sole of the foot on the floor just lateral to the knee of the opposite leg. Using a hand or foot to anchor the clients shoulder on the same side, the bent leg is moved towards the opposite side of the body creating a twist of the torso.
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Want toaddThai massagetoyour practice? Liveandonlineclassesare available. Go To: https://thaihealingartstrainingcenter.com/ training-center/
Gent le Back St ret ch This technique will gently stretch and open up the lower back, an area of congestion for many people. Bring both legs straight up at 90 degrees to the body. Bend both of the client?s knees and press them towards the client?s chest.
Video Resou r ces: What is Thai Massage? Lesson: How To Palm Press Ar t icle Resou r ces: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/ healthlibrary/conditions/ cardiovascular_diseases/ risks_of_physical_inactivity_85,P00218/ https://www.livescience.com/ 15324-ssedentary-behavior-healthrisks.html http://www.nchpad.org/403/2216/ Sedentary~Lifestyle~is~Dangerous~to~ Your~Health
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M assage and Rei k i : Th e Perf ect Coupl i ng
By: Jen n if er Br iggs-Cole
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As massage continues to become a mainstream, recognized form of healing it is beneficial for a Massage Therapist to incorporate other modalities into their routine. The Japanese healing art of Reiki is a wonderful modality to bring to one?s practice, as it is exceedingly effective for the client while being gentle on the therapist?s body. Massage originated in China, and is one of the oldest forms of bodywork, dating back more than 2000 years. It is a tried and true healing modality, and therefore is practiced with confidence throughout the world. Reiki, however, was invented fairly recently by Dr. Mikao Usui in 1922. Dr. Usui was a Japanese Buddhist who discovered the healing of Reiki energy during a personal illness. His experience was so profound that he wanted to share it with others. He gave treatments and passed his training on to a generation of about 16 Reiki Masters, who continued to practice and teach it to others as Usui Reiki. ?Reiki is intelligent energy; it automatically goes to where it is needed. The only thing required is that you always have the intention of allowing healing to happen. You do not control what
comes, you only surrender to what Reiki already knows how to do.? ? Raven Keyes , The Healing Power of Reiki: A Modern Master's Approach to Emotional, Spiritual & Physical Wellness Massage vs. Reiki The practice of Massage and Reiki are quite different, and yet share one commonality: they both encourage the flow of energy in the client, or ?Chi?. A Massage Therapist works with their hands on the client?s body manipulating the client in order to loosen adhesions and hypertonic muscles, increase oxygen and blood flow, and encourage the free flow of the body?s own energy. Whereas a Reiki practitioner often works within the client?s auric field, barely touching the client in a non-invasive and non-manipulative way. The practitioner then uses the Reiki energy to increase and free unbalanced energy flow in the body. The treatment is applied to particular parts of the body using 12 to 20 different hand positions. Note: Different hand positions will be applied based on the different training traditions. In order to become a licensed massage therapist one must attend an accredited massage school
and take extensive coursework, which usually includes anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, psychology of the body, and other courses, in addition to learning massage techniques. When finished a Massage Therapist is required to be licensed by their state board before they can practice. A Reiki practitioner is not
"You do not contr ol what comes, you only sur r ender to what Reiki a lr ea dy knows how to do." - Raven Keyes
required to be licensed by any state board. However, they are part of some organization that has established a criterion for this relatively new modality. The Reiki Licensing Commission for Reiki Masters and Healers has called for stricter standards of Reiki training. They award designation for Reiki healers, coaches, masters and instructors.
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There are many types of Reiki certifications other than Usui Reiki which requires a lineage from the masters taught by Dr. Usui or his student, Hawaiian Reiki master Hawayo Takata. They are as follows: Kundalini Reiki, Karuna Reiki, Gendai Reiki, Rainbow Reiki, Five Element Seichem, Lightarian Reiki, Urevia Reiki, Shamballa Multi-Dimensional Reiki... to name just a few. Why incorporate Reiki into your massage sessions? Reiki is a beautiful and
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healing complementary modality to massage. It can be incorporated seamlessly into a session. Having the Reiki energy present during a massage session helps to promote healing, as well as relaxation and mental well-being. The client leaves the session feeling at peace, and yet energized at the same time.
WeWant toWork WithYou We are looking for massage therapists (who love yoga) to help us promote M assage an d Yoga M agazin e! Our vision is to inspire, educate and collaborate with other massage therapists.
Magazine content focuses on a review of soft tissue injuries, description of modalities and techniques, emotional connections to pain and injury, the biomechanics of yoga postures and so much more.... We have recently registered with an Affiliate Program that keeps track of sales made via referral links and we would like to offer you a 25% commission on every sale of a single issue or year-long subscription to the magazine made by people who click on the referral link from your blog, social media or website. If you would like to work with us, you can register on our website and copy the referral link to paste into your blog, social media, etc. We offer a 25% commission on every approved sale !!!
yoga in (e)motion AYogini"sPerspective
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I've been a certified yoga instructor for 6 years now and at times I still can't touch my toes without bending my knees, lol. Writing this article, for all to read? this is huge for me. It?s taken some time but I finally feel like I've found healing through growth. How many of you feel dependent on others emotionally? Do you ever wonder why? Or, if you are the person that is being depended upon, do you wonder how you came to be in that situation?! I do!... For years I have been co-dependent on too many people and for some of those years, I told myself that I wanted them in my life ? that I chose to have them in my life! Other times, I separated myself from others to find ?me? again. This year, I've learned more? more about myself and why there was this desire to connect, to be heard, to share, to cultivate these co-dependent relationships ? I believed I needed these unhealthy relationships to survive in my daily life. (Phew! I said that all in one breath).
" You can' t hi de f r om your i nner shi t . Nope. You can' t sl eep i t of f . You can' t sur gi cal l y r emove i t . You can' t eat / buy/ wi sh/ exer ci se i t away. You have t o t ur n t owar ds i t and embr ace i t . Look i nt o i t ' s eyes. Be pat i ent & so t ender . Then get i nt i mat e wi t h i t unt i l i t shows you anot her way, a di f f er ent you. " Gr i mm_al l
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This is not a tale of ?it 's becau se of t h ose people?, but instead, a tale of self real-eyes-ation, self assurance, self love, and self care. Let me tell you, the road to getting here has been downright ugly. I've experienced everything from a broken heart, my dad?s death, surviving cancer-twice within 18 months, self-esteem issues, marital issues, feelings of not being good enough, self destructive behaviour, guilt and shame. What I've learned through all these experiences is that things were happening ?for me? and not ?to me?. I learned that the universe will always bring me what I need to grow, which ultimately helps me accept, let go and move forward...so I'm left to trust! Trust that everyone and everything was put in place just for me, no matter how many times it takes until I get it, because eventually I will get it and now I do. Now that I get it, my world has changed. My internal relationship is more centered BECAUSE I did something different. I went inward to find the friend in me that I so easily gave to others. I have given myself self-respect and now I know when to move on and release emotional attachment. I developed self-love by being authentic in the most positive and loving way I can. I have listened to my heart, my body and my mind by again going within to understand what I really need is to cultivate a healthy belief system which begins with: I am good enough just as I am. Some have said and thought of me as being self absorbed - I say, I am self aware!
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See what I did there? I changed a negative perception by someone else into something positive. To sum things up, as I reflect on my internal relationship to find love, acceptance and trust, I do so in my physical practice of yoga as well. From my perspective and my understanding of what works for me, yoga will always be about a relationship with the entire self not limited to or focused only on the physical body. You are no more enlightened by how well you can bend and be flexible...it's not a competition, it is a journey and a process. Throughout that process, you learn, heal and grow and you get to sprinkle a little of your stardust everywhere and share your light so that it helps to brighten the path for others...through encouragement and inspiration.
In ligh t & love, Lidia Sicilia ak a Yoga M am a On Th e Go @yoga_mama_on_the_go Lidia Sicilia 416-931-9309
Alwaysremember .....
expl or i ng sacr oi l i ac j oi nt dysf unct i on page 42
As Massage Therapists, we recognize that there are several reasons for low back pain accompanied by referral pain down the leg.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction is a very common condition originating from inflammation in the sacroiliac joints. The ligaments that join the SI joints become overstretched and inflammation and pain are the result. Low back pain can cross the hips and low back and is quite often accompanied by pseudo sciatic pain down the leg.
Causesof SI Joint Dysfunction -
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High impact sports such as running which consistently challenges the joints creating inflammation and pain Pregnancy - as new moms move further along into their pregnancy, the body releases a hormone called elastin which loosens the ligaments connecting the sacrum to the ilium in preparation for child birth. Many women
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experience low back and hip pain during this period. Arthritis in the Sacroiliac joints causes inflammation and pain. Aging causes wear and tear on the joints and wears away protective cartilage surrounding the joint. A fall or injury to the tail bone. Uneven leg lengthen causes more stress on one side of the body when walking. Results in SI Joint misalignment and muscle imbalances.
assessment OrthopedicTesting -
Gillet's Test Gaenslen's Test Faber Test (also referred to as Patrick's Test or Figure 4 Test
Symptoms -
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SI Joint pain is often worse with standing but subsides when walking. Pain when sitting cross-legged or sleeping in a sidelying position. Pain in the SI Joints can be felt when walking uphill, climbing stairs or getting up from a seated position Sciatic pain is often felt down the back of the leg. Referral pain across the buttocks and hips. For women sacroilliac pain can increase during intercourse and menstruation.
Sources http://physioworks.com.au/ injuries-conditions-1/ sacroiliac-join-pain Clinical Massage Therapy, Understanding, Assessing and Treating Over 70 Conditions, Fiona Rattray, Linda Ludwig
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MASSAGE THERAPY TREATMENT suggestions
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Client isprone Low back is massaged using effleurage, petrissage and mobilization techniques on the lumbar spine. Trigger points in the Quadratus Lumborum are addressed.
Specific treatment: -
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Adhesions along the lateral border of the Sacrum as well as the Greater Trochanter are addressed using frictions followed by ice. Joint play can be applied to hypomobile SI Joints. Trigger points are released in Gluteus Maximus, Medius and Minimus.
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Once you can apply deeper pressure Apply muscle stripping to the length of the Gluteal muscles.
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Treatment Frequency One hour treatments focused on the lower body as well as any contributory factors such as hyperlordosis. Initially, schedule two treatments weekly for the first two weeks followed by once a week treatments for the next 4 - 6 weeks before a thorough re-assessment .
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elbow alon g lat er al bor der of t h e sacr u m cou ld in it iat e pain an d n u m bn ess dow n t h e bu t t ock an d in t o t h e leg. If t h is sh ou ld occu r , st op u sin g t h at t ech n iqu e. Avoid using frictions if client is on anti-inflammatories. Do NOT use joint mobilizations to the Sacrum or the Hip when client is in her third trimester of pregnancy. Extreme caution using joint play and deeper tissue techniques in these areas if your client is suffering from osteoporosis or a degenerative condition affecting the hip or sacrum.
Contraindicationsand Precautions: -
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Ischemic compressions along Piriformis muscle to Trigger points close to the insertion at the Sacrum as well as 1/3 medially from the Greater Trochanter. Follow treatment with an application of deep moist heat to the buttock and passive stretching to external rotator muscles of the hip.
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Do not massage locally for 10 days after a cortisone injection. Avoid com pr essin g t h e Sciat ic Ner ve du r in g t r eat m en t . Exam ple, u sin g you r
Clinical Massage Therapy, Understanding, Assessing, Treating over 70 Conditions, Fiona Rattray, Linda Ludwig. Piriformis Syndrome
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yogaasanasfor sacroiliac joint dysfunction
bending the knees and slowly bringing your legs back down to the ground2
Contraindications
bhujangasana
1.
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(Cobr a Pose) -
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Lying prone (on your stomach), with the chin on the floor, palms flat on the floor under the shoulders and legs together. Contract the quadriceps and squeeze the legs together at the knees. Contract gluteus maximus as you press the pubic bone into the floor As you inhale, lift the head and chest off the floor. Keep the neck relaxed and elbows close to your side while holding the pose. Hold the pose for 3 - 5 breaths before slowly bringing your chest back to the floor and releasing the pose. 1
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Sal abhasana
3.
( Locust Pose) -
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Contraindications -
recent or chronic injury and pain to the low back, shoulders, neck pregnancy
Dhanurasana
2.
recent or chronic injury or pain to the low back, shoulders, neck, ankles pregnancy
lying prone (on your stomach) lift the arms and chest lift the legs and squeeze them together at the knees contract the quadriceps to extend the knees imagine pushing the outside s of the feet against an immovable object - this action contracts the Tensor Fascia Lata which internally rotates the femur keeping the pose in alignment hold the pose for 3 - 5 breaths slowly bring your upper body down the ground and then your legs back down3 This is an excellent pose for stimulating the Root Chakra.
Contraindications -
recent or chronic injury or pain to the low back, shoulders pregnancy
( Bow Pose) -
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lying prone (on your stomach), bend both knees and grasp the outside of the ankles isometrically contract the quadriceps (try to straighten the knees while still holding the ankles the shoulders extend to lift the feet hold the pose for 3 to 5 breaths before
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1. https://www.yogabasics.com/asana/cobra/ 2., 3. Anatomy For Backbends And Twists , Ray Long, MD, FRCSC, Yoga Mat Companion 3
BHUJANGASANA
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DHANURASANA
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SALABHASANA
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DELICIOUS&OHSO HEALTHY: PLANT BASEDRECIPES
Pl ant Based f oods def i ni t el y don' t have t o be bor i ng! Tr y one or al l of t hese del i ci ous and super - heal t hy r eci pes t o shake up your meal pl an.
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LEM ON BLUEBERRY CUSTARD from the "What the health Cookbook" A creamy dessert that is cool, tangy, light and refreshing. Plenty of protein, anti-oxidants and Vitamin makes this delicious dessert great for you.
In gr edien t s:
1 12 ounce package silken soft tofu 2 tsp lemon juice 1/2 tsp lemon juice 1/2 tsp lemon zest 1/4 cup blueberries (fresh, or frozen and thawed first) 4 pitted medjool dates
Dir ect ion s:
1. Soak the pitted dates by putting them in a small bowl and putting boiled water over them - to almost cover them. Cover and soak for about 10 minutes, until soft. Drain liquid from dates. 2. Add softened dates, along with the rest of the ingredients to your blender. Blend until smooth. 3. Use a spatula to spoon mixture into a bowl, cover, and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and serve cold.
Sou r ce: Vegan health and fitness, Optimum Nutrition For Life, Volume 6, Issue 4,
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Sweet Potato Bl ack Bean
Burger
Pr ep t im e
15 m in
Cook Tim e 1 h ou r 15 m in s
Sweet Potato Bl ack Bean Bu r ger
Tot al t im e 1 h ou r 30 m in s Ser ves
12
Nutrition Information Serving size: 1 burger patty Calories: 172 Fat: 3.8g Carbohydrates: 30g Sugar: 1.2g Sodium: 135mg Fiber: 3.3g Protein: 4.7g
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"Amazing sweet potato black bean burgers bulked up with brown rice and seasoned with smoky cumin and paprika. Sweet, tender, flavorful, so healthy, and delicious."1
In gr edien t s 2 cups mashed sweet potato (~2 large sweet potatoes - organic when possible) 1 cup cooked salted black beans, rinsed and well drained (if unsalted, add more salt to the burgers) 1 - 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice* (or sub cooked quinoa* with varied results) 1/2 cup walnut or pecan meal (or very finely chopped) 1/2 cup finely diced green onion 2 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper (to taste)optional: 1/4 tsp chipotle powder
Scrape down to pack, then lift out and transfer to the baking sheet and gently press down to mash. The thinner you press them, the faster they?ll cook, but no need to go too far. Just a gentle press will do. Bake burgers for a total 30-45 minutes, carefully flipping 20 minutes in to ensure even cooking. The longer you bake them the firmer and drier they will get - up to preference. I went for around the 35 minute mark.Serve on slider buns (double stack for more bulk) or atop a salad with sliced avocado, red onion, greens, and ketchup or salsa. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to a few days. Freeze for longer term storage.
optional: 1 Tbsp brown sugar (for added sweetness) FOR SERVING (optional) Sliced avocado
Not es
Sprouts, lettuce or parsley
* To cook rice: bring 2 cups water to a boil. Then add 1 cup very well-rinsed rice, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook for about 30 minutes or until fluffy and tender. You will have leftovers.
Sliced onion In st r u ct ion s Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and cut sweet potatoes in half. Rub with olive oil and place face down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake sweet potatoes until soft and tender to the touch - about 30 minutes - set aside. Reduce oven heat to 375 degrees F (190 C). While potatoes are baking, cook rice or quinoa (see notes for instructions). Add black beans to a mixing bowl and mash half of them for texture. Then add sweet potato and lightly mash, then 1 cup rice, green onion, nut meal and spices. Mix to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more rice or nut meal if the mixture feels too
* For quinoa: rinse 1 cup quinoa and add to a saucepan over medium heat. SautĂŠ in a bit of olive oil for 1-2 minutes, then add 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and continue cooking for about 15 minutes or until tender and fluffy and the water is absorbed. * Inspired by the Black Bean Burger at Beer Kitchen
Sou r ce: The Minimalist Baker, https://minimalistbaker.com/sweet-potatoblack-bean -burger/
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Vegan Buddha Bowl page 54
Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Total Time 35 minutes Makes 2 Servings
Recipe From Well and Full
Ingredients
Instructions
Qu in oa
Start by cooking the quinoa.
1 Cup Quinoa rinsed
Bring 2 cups water to a boil, then add quinoa.
2 Cups Water
Ch ick peas 1 1/2 Cups Cooked Chickpeas Drizzle Olive Oil or other neutral oil 1/2 Tsp Salt 1/2 Tsp Smoked Paprika 1 Tsp Chili Powder 1/8 Tsp Turmeric 1/2 Tsp Oregano
Red Pepper Sau ce 1 Red Bell Pepper ribs and seeds removed 2 Tbs Olive Oil or other neutral oil Juice from 1 Lemon 1/2 Tsp Pepper 1/2 Tsp Salt 1/2 Tsp Paprika
Simmer for about 15 minutes until all water is absorbed. When done, remove from heat and keep covered for about 10 minutes so quinoa can absorb any excess water. Preheat oven to 425. In a bowl, toss chickpeas, oil, and spices until chickpeas are evenly coated. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, bake chickpeas for 15 minutes. When done, remove from oven and let cool. To make red pepper dressing, add all dressing ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Finally, assemble the buddha bowls. In two bowls, add quinoa, mixed greens, avocado, and chickpeas. Drizzle everything with red pepper sauce, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Enjoy!
1/4 Cup Fresh Cilantro
Ever yt h in g Else Mixed Greens And Avocado Sesame Seeds for Garnish
Recipe Sou r ce: Well and Full https://wellandfull.com/ 2016/02/the-vegan-buddha-bowl/
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No Bak e A l mond Butter Coconut Bi tes
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Vegan and Gluten Free: Nutty, lightly sweet and satisfying energy bites made from just 6 simple ingredients. Vegan and Gluten Free.
Pr ep Tim e: 10 minutes M ak es 15 - 25
INSTRUCTIONS In a large bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients: coconut, oats, flax and almonds. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: almond butter and maple syrup.
Dr y In gr edien t s
Pour wet mixture over dry mixture. Using a sturdy spatula, fold together until well incorporated.
¾ cup unsweetened coconut shreds or flakes
Scoop mixture into your hands. Roll and press into bites.
¾ cup gluten-free rolled oats
If the mixture is a little dry, add in a little more almond butter or maple syrup.
Ingredients
¼ cup ground flaxseed ¼ cup finely chopped almonds or other gluten-free, vegan add-ins (chocolate chips, raisins, etc.)
Enjoy!
Wet In gr edien t s
NOTES
¾ cup natural, unsalted almond butter (mine is very liquidy)
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. If you like them firm, you can store them in the fridge. - These also keep well in the freezer for up to a month.
¼ cup pure maple syrup
Recipe Sou r ce: http://beamingbaker.com/ no-bake-almond-buttercoconut-bites-vegan-gluten-free/
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MelindaLoohas been a massage therapist for over 15 years. Melinda believes that m ast er in g t h e f ou r com pon en t s of m in dset , t ech n iqu e, self car e, an d bu sin ess are crucial to having a long, happy, and healthy career as a massage therapist.
SheoffersCEUclasses, strategycalls,anda6-month mentoringprogramfor ambitiousmassagetherapists whowant tothriveintheir career. For more information, go to: www.melindaloo.com page 58
"Over the years, I have learned what it truly takesto have a successful and sustainable career asa massage therapist. There are only four componentsyou need to master in order to achieve thissuccess." - Melinda Loo
TheFour Componentsof Successfor MassageTherapists inPrivatePractice Over the years, I have learned what it truly takes to have a successful and sustainable career as a massage therapist. There are only four components you need to master in order to achieve this success.
1.Mindset A successful mindset is the foundation you build your career upon. Your vision, beliefs, attitude, identity, and intentions all shape your mindset. Someone with a successful mindset is confident, solution oriented, holds themselves to high standards, is willing to get out of their comfort zone and take risks, and has tremendous faith that they are reaching their goals. Without the right mindset, you will easily become discouraged. A poor mindset feels like getting pulled out to sea in a riptide of fear, doubt, insecurity and low self-esteem that will eventually sabotage your success. With the right mindset as our foundation setting the tone for our success, we move on to mastering our craft. Usually this consumes the majority of our initial years as a massage therapist.
2. Technique Technique is about tuning in directly to what needs to be done to achieve the best results in the moment. Your techniques are tools of expression to transmit your intentions for healing. When you view each client appointment as an opportunity to be of the highest service possible, you are accessing the best your education, experience, and intuition have to offer. Mastering your techniques is a component that you absolutely cannot skip if you want to be successful. Generally, a successful massage therapist in private practice works 30+ hours per week. All of these hours will require that you have lots of energy which brings us now to the importance of self care.
3. Self Care Massage therapy is physically and energetically demanding. Like professional athletes, we need to be able to recover quickly, prevent injuries, and show up to each appointment with the energy needed to perform our best work. Living a lifestyle that supports our own health and healing is crucial for success. If we don?t have a lifestyle that supports our work demands, we are vulnerable to burnout. Proper self care will extend your career and allow you to enjoy your success with a higher quality of life. Self care is an absolute must for longevity. Occasionally, burnout is not caused from poor lifestyle
or lack of self care. It can also be caused from not creating the right conditions and structure to thrive, which brings us to our final component, business.
4. Business Business is all about creating the ideal structure and platform for you to thrive, serve your local community, and be well compensated for your time and energy. Being in private practice empowers you to work on your own terms. You create your ideal work schedule, set your preferred rates, work with the types of clients you want to work with, choose your location, etc. Once you have created your ideal business structure and have all of the business skills necessary to run your practice efficiently, then you can enjoy the freedoms and the lifestyle that come with being a successful massage therapist in private practice. The top massage therapists in the field all have one thing in common. They are well developed in these four components. If one component is under developed there will be a sense of struggle and lack. It?s very important that massage therapists in private practice master these four components to continue offering great work in our communities as well as feel nourished and valued in their own life. Written by Melinda Loo
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