I attended the Soma Institute, also known as The National School of Clinical Massage Therapy, in 2002-2003. I chose this school because of the focus on the clinical aspect of massage. There have been numerous times in my career that I look back and say a silent 'Thank You' for the teachers and mentors that enlightened me with the knowledge I have today. I believe having such a solid education and training process only enhanced what I later discovered to be truly a part of my soul.
As with many folks who find themselves in a massage career, I enjoyed "rubbing" people's backs' as a younger child, usually accepting sticks of gum as payment. Many of those people pushed me to pursue massage as a career, even though I was only 11. I had no idea back then that I really could turn Massage Therapy into a profession I can envision myself doing for the rest of my life. It wasn't until the passing of my grandmother, when I was 20, that I completely accepted the idea that seemed to be following me around my entire life.
The more I think back to the memories of her, the more I see how even she was silently pushing me towards belief in alternative therapies. She had chosen the base of the Ngorongoro Crater of Tanzania as her final resting place, and requested that myself and my step-grandfather make the trip to complete the wish. We were at the very last leg of the trip, on Lamu Island, off the coast of Kenya, when I saw something that made me sigh. It was a small hut on the edge of the beach, with mosquito netting for sides, and long, flowing white cloth for added effect. There was a massage table in the middle, and I didn't even have to be laying on it to feel relaxed. The hotel's owner asked me if I would like to schedule a session, and I declined, but mentioned to her that I had always thought about learning how to give massage. She made a remark about hiring me when I came back to Lamu, and continued to show us the way to our room.
Later that night, after a swim in the pure blue ocean and a traditional dinner, I was reflecting on the last 3 1/2 weeks of safari's and wild animals while sitting on the veranda. As I played back all of the events in my mind, I came to that morning, when I had seen the massage table. For some reason, I asked out loud to my Nana, who I knew was up in the heavens, if I should pursue an education in massage therapy. Without missing a beat, a shooting star blazed across the sky, answering my question and sealing my fate, so to speak.
Life is nothing but a continuous journey, always evolving and changing, and I am very positive that I am on the right path in this lifetime. My approach to every single massage I give is full of heart and compassion, coupled with the education I received and over 6 years of real-world experience. From sciatica to headaches, sinuses to low back pain, I've treated a wide variety of ailments and symptoms. Over the years I have taken additional classes in Cranial Sacral Therapy, Infant Massage, and Reiki (energy) work. Our teachers had always told us the more tools you had in your belt, the better equipped you are to help a client.
I will sometimes suggest another therapy that we can try to help a client achieve their goal for a session. Whether that goal be pain or stress relief, increased flexibility or range of motion, or simply just to relax for an hour, there may be more than one modality that can help you reach your massage 'nirvana'.
