How to choose a massage class

This is a blog post that I received from Allissa Haines of Writing a Blue Streak, massage therapist super blogger, that was much too good to not pass along to you. Enjoy!

How to choose a massage class -or- learning doesn’t end when you finish massage school

It can be hard to fit continuing education into your already-busy schedule. Much like cleaning behind the fridge, we ignore the necessity until it becomes an issue. (Something starts to smell or we’re due for recertification.) Here’s how to avoid that ugly mess and make your efforts count.

Timing

Don’t wait until the month before you have to renew a membership or a license to find CE Hours. Scrambling around at the last minute trying to find decent education online or in your area is lame. You end up paying too much money to take a class you’re not really interested in. The solution is this: pull your membership cards/licenses out of your wallet (or check the certificate hanging on your wall). Open your calendar. Right now. Make a note the 1st day of the month it expires. Now go backwards 4 months and make a note reminding your future self to find CE classes by the date you need to re-enlist. (If you’ve already missed that window, you’ve got work to do. Keep reading.)

Know the rules.

How many credits do you need? Do they need to be from an NCB Approved Provider? If you’re an NCB-certified MT, did you know that you may still use some credits that are not NCB-approved? Check out their Recertification Guide for details.

Look local

Check out massage schools in your area. I’ve got 2 schools near me that offer great classes, nearly every weekend (and many weeknights) there’s something being offered.

Look far away

As Kelli pointed out, traveling to take a class is a great way to mix business and pleasure. I’ve got my eye on a few classes in Chicago so I can visit my grandparents. And a class in Costa Rica so I can visit the beach.

Look where you belong

If you’re a member of a professional organization, check out what they offer. Many AMTA state chapters will host classes with great prices for members (And you’ll meet other MT’s from your area. We’ve already covered how important and rewarding it is to play with your colleagues.)

ABMP offers online credits, what’s easier than watching an ethics lecture from your couch?

Make it come to you

Really want to learn a specific technique? Find a few friends who want to learn the same stuff and ask an instructor to come to you.

Don’t balk at the price.

Yes, you should choose something in your budget. But keep in mind this is an educational INVESTMENT. In your future. And if you’re taking a class with an instructor who’s been teaching all over the world for 20 years, you should expect to pay for that. You should be happy to pay for that level of skill and instruction. (Conversely, you can also find great educational options from seasoned instructors who teach small, local classes, too. No less awesome, you just have to look a little harder.)

Know your style & make accommodations.

Here’s a secret: I hate hands-on classes. I hate them. I hate struggling to pay attention for an entire day, getting poked and prodded as my partner learns a technique (never mind the terror of introducing myself and partnering up with a stranger). I hate stumbling and being an oaf when I’m surrounded by colleagues.

I also know that taking the occasional hands-on class is important to my career. I don’t want my skills to become stagnant and boring. So when I break down and take a hands-on class, it’s with a trusted friend. I would not have gotten through 4 days of class without my friend Chris. She was patient when I struggled to learn a technique and gentle when practicing on me.

Why bother?

Some massage therapists don’t take continuing education classes. Some liability insurance providers and professional organizations don’t require it, some states don’t, either. So why bother? Why spend the money and time?

I’ll bypass the meandering rant about this and simply ask, “Are you perfect? Do you get complete and perfect results after every massage treatment?” No? Then you could probably get better at what you do, and complacency isn’t going to get you there.

What was the last super-fantastic class you took & where did you take it?

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This post is credited entirely to Writing a Blue Streak. We are very appreciative that we can repost this for all to benefit. Thank you Allissa for saying it so well!

In Health ~
Dianna


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Posted by Melissa Alosso on November 29th, 2010 | Permalink

TSA

When the video first went viral of that guy freaking out in California over the TSA "pat down" I thought it was funny. I also thought it was a stupid distraction but as things become ever more Orwellian I was not surprised. But I was immediately struck by the reactions of others even more. People literally freaking out. We have a culture that is so afraid of touch, and so sexualizes or in this case pathologizes touch.

Every day we work to bring people into their bodies in a better way. I realize how far we live from the "mainstream" as to be swimming somewhere north of the poles, but it still never ceases to amaze me how much fear there is out there. And how much work we have to do to diffuse it even in the safe space of our treatment rooms.

In Health ~
Dianna


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Posted by Melissa Alosso on November 22nd, 2010 | Permalink

How can we NOT do it!

This is a blog post that I received from Seth Godin, marketing guru, that was much too good to not pass along to you. Enjoy!

How can you do it?!

In Health ~
Dianna


This post is credited entirely to Seth Godin. Thank you Seth for saying it so well!
Find us on Facebook. Contact us through our feedback form or email us to let us know your thoughts.

Posted by Melissa Alosso on November 2nd, 2010 | Permalink