Decompressing at the End of the Day

Earthlite shared a great post last month about Winding Down.  It's so important (in any profession, really), but with the high rate of burnout in the massage field, I think it's especially important to make sure that we are really taking this time for ourselves at the end of our day.

So I thought I'd add a few things to Earthlite's great suggestions:

• Soak in a hot tub.  (I'm a big fan of this in the winter time here in Michigan.  Bonus?  You can totally count this as "outdoor time" which can be hard to come by in any other form on those blustery days!)
• Get some exercise.
  While it doesn't seem like winding down... walking the dog (Iggy's favorite), taking a leisurely bike ride, or really pounding out the pavement with a run can do wonders for the soul.
• Yoga or Tai Chi.
  I suppose this could fall under "exercise", but it's a different kind of connection with your own body.  And what better way to really disconnect from your clients and reconnect with yourself at the end of the day?
• Play in the dirt.
  Ground yourself with some garden therapy.
• Play with your kids, pets, etc.  (It's so easy to forget how to play as adults!)

I know a therapist who worked in Hawaii and swore by the recharging powers of swimming in the ocean after a long day of doing massage in a dark room.  This would certainly be my choice if I had it available!
What are your favorite ways to wind down at the end of a long massage day?

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

                                                                     Photo: freedigitalphotos.net

Help Support Massage Therapy At The Paralympics

Source:  http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/

I'm sure you've noticed that the 2012 Olympics are going on right now.  But did you know that on August 29 the Paralympics begin?  The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event where athletes with a physical disability compete; this includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy.  








To get an idea of how awesome this is, check out this video.

Cindy Iwlew (left) & Paralympic Massage Therapist Jennifer Tamang (right).

My friend and fellow massage therapist, Jen Tamang, will be volunteering her services at the London games.  She's going to honor us with a special guest blog post afterward sharing her experience with us!

Parkview Shoppes business owner has been selected as a specialist volunteer to represent the Kalamazoo area at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England.

Along with other health professionals from around the world, Jennifer Tamang, Owner and Licensed Massage Therapist of Balance Massage & Bodywork, has the privilege once again to work with the elite athletes at the Paralympic Games as a Sports Massage Practitioner on the Olympic Medical Team.   Jennifer was handpicked through the rigorous selection process by the London Games Organizing Committee based on her qualifications and experience with massage therapy since 1997.                         

The 2012 London Olympic Games will be held July 27 – August 12 with the Paralympic Games held August 29 – September 9. All the 2012 Olympic volunteers are known as a “Games Maker”. Most of the events have been specifically modified for the Paralympic Games. These athletes compete in events such as seated volleyball, goalball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, tandem cycling and boccia ball to name just a few of the 21 sports associated with the Paralympic Games.  With nearly  5,000 athletes representing 152 countries, the Paralympics are the second largest sporting event in the world!  

                                   

The Sports Massage Practitioners will be providing therapeutic massage services to the athletes with the goal of repairing and prepping their muscles to help optimize performance. The Paralympic athletes present a unique challenge to the Sports Massage Practitioners as they may be blind, in wheel chairs or missing limbs.  It’s awesome to listen to the incredible stories of how these men and women overcame their disabilities from sporting, congenital or military injuries and then go on to compete against like-minded athletes on an international scale.        

                                            

This will be Jennifer’s second international volunteer opportunity with Olympic Games the first experience came at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.  The Paralympic Games unfortunately tend to receive only condensed coverage and the athletes do not receive much recognition as world class athletes due to their “disabilities”.  They are nothing less than extraordinary, though!

Although, it is a distinct honor to be chosen as a Specialist Volunteer with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, each Games Maker provides their services unpaid.  All travel, accommodations and additional expenses must be covered independently by the volunteer.

If you would like to show your support for Jennifer in her efforts to assist these athletes in competing for gold, donations are graciously accepted.  Even a small amount can make a big difference!  Make a donation of $12 and you'll receive this awesome one of a kind pin :-)

If you happen to be in Kalamazoo, Michigan for the Art Hop this Friday, August 3:
Look for Jen and local therapists: Pam Tucker, of Massage Kalamazoo; Sarah Lendardson, of Ambrosia Massage; Stacey MacDonald; and Amanda Brierty offering chair massage to help raise donations.
(They'll be in front of Gazelle's).

 And be on the lookout for a great blog post from Jen after she gets back from London!  Do you have any specific questions for Jen about her experience at the Paralympics?  Leave them in the comments and she can answer them in her upcoming post!

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

11 Ways Getting a Massage is Better Than Taking a Vacation

Bummed you didn't plan a vacation this summer?  Can't take the time to work in a getaway?  Consider these reasons why getting a massage is better than taking a vacation.  (And then schedule your massage).

1. No sunburn, tan lines, or skin damage.
2. You'll smell like heavenly essential oils afterward, instead of like salty sea water, pool chlorine, or stuffy airplane air.
3. It only takes an hour of your time & a short commute to get there.  No long flights involved (usually).
4. A massage won't break the bank.
5. You can squeeze a massage in during your lunch break or after work hours.  No requesting time off from work. (ok, this could be a con as well as a pro...)
6. Your shoulders and back will feel nice and loose versus how they will feel after hauling luggage through an airport.
7. No stress of planning what to do on your vacation.  Just lie back, close your eyes, and relax.
8. No hangovers.
9. No layovers.
10. You won't come back feeling like you "need a vacation from your vacation".
11. No groping from airport security.

What are some of the reasons you would add to this list?

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

Creative Lighting for Your Massage Room

Remember the beautiful homemade artwork featured in Massage Pin-Spiration?

Here's another gorgeous idea from Pinterest.  The original pin includes this in the description: use tall canvas, apply stickers, decal, etc., and spray paint. Remove Decals; hang white lights behind it.
(I haven't tried this... if you have, I would love for you to send a pic for everyone to see how it turned out!)

This would be a great addition to your massage room, yes?

Do you have creative soft lighting ideas for a massage room?  Share what's worked well for you in the comments.

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

Poetry, Massage and... Naps?

Remember writing haiku poems in school?  Here's a little prose I wrote about client cancellations.  

While this is all in fun, I did find this great list of massage haikus that are quite lovely.  And what an awesome idea this therapist had.  According to the website, she traded massage for a poem in an informal research project to study individuals' perceptions of massage and inner states of being catalyzed by massage. 
You can read all of the poems at her website ArtistryOfTouch.com. 

Feeling poetic? 
Write & share your massage haiku in the comments below.  (Reminder: the syllables are 5,7,5.)

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

Ideas To Soundproof Your Massage Room

I used to work in a salon/spa.  It was a beautiful place.  The problem?  It was designed by the owners, who had never even had a massage in their life.

The massage room was back by the break room. The entire place had beautiful ceramic tile floors.  Beautiful, noise-carrying, ceramic tile floors.

During every massage, not only could I hear the conversations happening in the break room, but the constant sound of the hair stylists high heels clicking on the tile floor.  (How they could work all day on their feet in heels is beyond me! But that's a whole 'nother blog post...)

The noise drove me nuts.  But never mind me... the real problem?  It was bothering my clients, too.
While I didn't end up staying there long enough to bother with trying for a solution, I figured there are many other therapists out there in possible similar situations.

While I'm no expert on soundproofing, here's some ideas on how to semi-soundproof your massage room, or at least make the noise less noticeable.  (Without breaking the bank.)

I like the concept in this video.  Remember, you don't have to do every wall, or every part of the walls, to make a difference.

I know what you're thinking... why would I want foam covered walls?  But, you could get creative.

One solution to hide the foam is these awesome curtain panels from IKEA.  This therapist has a layer of blue fabric in the back, and then a few decorative panels in front for a cool look.
Both the curtains and the curtain panels would not only hide the foam, but add texture and visual interest to your room.

If you don't want to do the foam/cover up approach and don't mind investing a little more material and labor, another way to do some soundproofing is with Green Glue.  Their site includes suggestions for soundproofing existing walls by adding a layer of drywall after using Green Glue.

So, this cuts down on the noise through the walls... but what about that ceramic floor?  It's wise to invest in a rug for you room, with some thick padding.
Also, a soundproof door bottom.  (who knew there was such a thing?)

If you're dealing with noise coming from windows, try some acoustic caulk.

Another approach is to create some white noise.  Fountains are great for this.  Or if you can't do a fountain, stream nature sounds - ocean waves, bubbling brook, thunderstorm, etc. or play an MP3 or CD in a continual loop.

The zenvi face cradle is a great way to have your massage music right at your clients level - so the main thing they will be focusing on is your wonderfully relaxing music.

Have you worked in noisy environments?  What worked well for you to cut down on the noise level in your massage room?

Tweetable: The real problem? It was bothering my clients, too.

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

Hide Your Ugly Ceiling

Check out this awesome ceiling drapes aglow idea - what a great way to beautify your massage room!
Especially if you don't have a particularly pretty ceiling.  Remember, clients are laying on your table and looking directly up at your ceiling.

What a creative way to hide fluorescent lights, water stains, or other less-than-desirable ceiling issues.
Have you implemented this idea or something similar for your massage room?  I'd love to see some pictures!

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

Massage Pin-Spiration

Source: thenewenglandsoutherner.com via Bodywork on Pinterest

Living Earth Crafts recently wrote a blog post entitled Get Inspired.  So I thought I would share my favorite place for inspiration: Pinterest.  

I find inspiration for everything from decorating my massage studio to lacing up my running shoes...it's a guilty pleasure that, to be honest, I don't feel much guilt about!  

I heart these pieces of homemade artwork.

Beautiful, yes?  Can you believe this is just 4'x8' foam insulation boards from Home Depot covered in damask fabric?  What a clever (and inexpensive) way to beautifully decorate your massage studio...

Oh the ideas... !

Where do you find inspiration?  

Source: baconwrappedmedia.com via Bodywork on Pinterest

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com