How Do You Find Balance?

I've recently gotten back into doing yoga, and it's been amazing. Over the past few years with doing Bodywork Buddy, I've slowly started spending more and more time on the computer and less time doing the things that fill me back up and take care of myself - like yoga. I didn't realize how much I was really needing this until I started taking classes again.


It's helped me be more in the present, not only in class and other areas of my life, but specifically in my massage practice. I've found myself working more slowly, taking more time in each stroke, and watching the clock less. Even changing up my routines and techniques more while really listening to my client's bodies. Of course, I'd like to say that I alway do this ... but after 16 years of doing massage, the truth is sometimes I'm just on autopilot. 


It's been refreshing to see my work in a new light since doing yoga regularly. I wasn't expecting this result from starting up a yoga practice again, it's been a pleasant surprise. I'm really enjoying my massage work more lately, and I feel like I'm doing better work with my clients.


According to Karina Braun, Yoga will help you as a massage therapist to gain awareness in your body and help you to improve your posture and alignment while you work. Increasing flexibility while helping to prevent injury, yoga can help you do massage for years to come.

What other things do you do to help fill your cup and keep you balanced to be a better massage therapist?

The Truth About Self-Worth and Your Value

I think a lot of massage therapists can relate to this article by Astra Spider.  I know it really hits home with me!  Especially the lines: hiding is not in integrity with who you are & There is freedom in knowing that, if you tell someone about your services and they choose not to hire you at that time, it is OK. There is freedom in knowing that, if you tell someone about your services and they DO choose to hire you at that time, it is OK.  

It is all OK.

What are your thoughts?

The Truth About Self-Worth and Your Value

By Astra Spider


This one's for all you Soulpreneurs.

I understand.

It is challenging to put yourself "out there." Marketing, talking about who you are, what you do, what gifts you have to share with potential clients. Guess what - you have a business. And so, you have services and/or products to sell. Being a soul-centered entrepreneur, your business is powered by your creativity and would not exist if it weren't for the driving force of your soul's purpose. So - hiding is not in integrity with who you are.

Undervaluing what you have to offer your audience is not in integrity with who you are. Feeling guilty for selling your services or products is not in integrity with who you are. Feeling sorry about receiving money for your services and products is not in integrity with who you are. Entrepreneurs - Soulpreneurs - you are amazing. You are inventors. You are creators. You are fearless mouthpieces for your soul's purpose. A recent message came through from the Universe and I find it to be one of the most valuable pieces of wisdom that I can apply - in business and in life - and that is:
"There is no fear."

Think about the repercussions! How incredible it is to realize - any fear you have been feeling around putting yourself out there has been conjured up with your mind! I find this freeing, don't you?

Those fears, your dear old friends, were put in place at some point as a form of protection. Protection from rejection, protection from moving ahead lest you fail - or, possibly even scarier, lest you succeed! (Gadzooks!)

And it is ok. It is OK to have had your fears in place. Your mind is a funny friend - protective, yes, but sometimes overbearingly so. When the Universe says there is no fear, she is pulling forth the memory from your soul of the Gift of Freedom. There is freedom in knowing that, if you tell someone about your services and they choose not to hire you at that time, it is OK. There is freedom in knowing that, if you tell someone about your services and they DO choose to hire you at that time, it is OK. It is all OK.

They may buy your book, and they may read it! It is OK.

They may not understand your subject matter, and they may move on to the next page on Amazon. It is OK.
The Universe pulls forth the memory from your soul that you are here for a reason - and that you know your reason - and that being who you are and doing what you do is enough.

It is why you are here.

It is all you ever need.



Astra Spider is "The Shamanpreneur for Soulpreneurs" and channel of the Universe, supporting soul-centered entrepreneurs in awakening your inner-wisdom for soul-soaring success in business and in life!
Visit Astra's website and opt in to her newsletter to receive your free copy of her e-book, "9 Key Steps in Opening to Your Abundance," at: http://emerge-embrace.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Astra_Spider
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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

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

How To Burn Out in 7 Years ... or Less!

A post last week from Massage Table Outlet about the importance of self-care for massage therapists has inspired me to write this post.  Unfortunately, it's a topic that I feel doesn't get enough emphasis in our field.

- Massage Table Outlet

Therapists often don't realize the importance until it's too late!  So while my list here is playful, please take care of yourself and take this information to ♥

How to Burn Out in 7 Years... or Less!

Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• Do as many massages a day as humanly possible.
• Only schedule enough time in between clients to change the linens on the table.
• Fuel up on gummi bears and Mt. Dew during your work day.
• Forget everything you ever learned about proper body mechanics.
• Use your thumbs AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE in your work.
• Consider doing massage as your daily requirement for "exercise" and never do anything additional for your body.
• Try to work 7 or 8 days a week.
• Don't stretch - this is for sissies.
• Say YES to everything and everyone - especially clients.
• Never learn any new techniques. Stick to the exact same work you've been doing since massage school so you're sure to be bored out of your mind.
• Play the same massage music every day... for years.
• Charge just enough to feed yourself and possible not make your mortgage or rent payment each month.
• Take on all of your client's emotional and physical baggage yourself - make yourself a martyr.
• Give all of yourself all the time to every one....except yourself.
• Don't learn to work with any kind of tools.
• Spend your off time doing hands-heavy hobbies like playing piano, gardening, kneading dough, etc.
• And last but not least:
  Never receive any bodywork yourself!

Do you have other tips to add on how to quickly burnout as an MT?  Comment below - I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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

How to be a Stressed Out Mess at Tax Time

As a follow up to my post yesterday on "Getting Organized for Tax Time", here's a few tips for those of you that prefer to be more "free spirited".

ddpavumba / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• Don't use any type of bookkeeping system for your massage business.
• Randomly scatter any business related receipts throughout your office, home, purse, and car.  Then host an annual "receipt hunt" and invite friends & family to join in.
• Make business purchases with several different credit cards, debit cards, sometimes with cash, other times checks - including personal checks.  And don't keep track of any of it.
• Wait until the end of the year to tally up income from massage sessions. Or better yet, wait until April 14th.  Or even better?  Just guestimate your income.
• Don't keep copies of tax returns from previous years.
• Don't consult with a professional.  Decide to do this all yourself - even though you're a massage therapist, NOT an accountant.
• Prioritize.  Facebooking always trumps bookkeeping.  always.
• Don't make quarterly payments. It's much more exciting to find out that you owe thousands all at once. And if you don't pay? The IRS will threaten to seize your assets.  THIS is how you bring more adventure into your life!

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