I am a woman transitioning from raising a family to discovering what my passion is and pursuing it. I have enjoyed this first half of my life and am excited to begin this second half of my journey here on earth. Massage Therapy as a career opens up many opportunities that have been unavailable to me up to this present time.
In pursuing the next path to take, I needed to search for the job that would not only fulfill me as a person, but one that would fit into future plans with my husband and family. I wanted something that would engage not only my mind, but also keep me physically active. Something that I could do the rest of my life and touch others’ lives for the better. Something that would help me care for my aging parents and my grandchildren. What I found in a career in massage therapy is all of that and more.
The beginning of massage school was an exciting and scary time since it has been over 30 years since I have been a student in the classroom. On the first day of class, faces that mirrored my own emotions looked back at me and a kinship formed within this body of learners. The excitement that we all felt at finally pursuing our dream was palpable. Some of us were fresh out of high school, some were new mothers, some were single parents, and some, like me, were beginning again. We were all embarking on this journey together, knowing that this was our time.
I needed to remember how to study all over again. I needed to rework my time to accommodate work and home life with studying. We all needed to find our stride, and we were able to do it as a class. “No student left behind”, we said. The support of my classmates and instructors as well as the administration has been an unexpected blessing. Meeting my and forging these friendships has been such an added benefit to my massage education and to my life. Struggles shared always lightens the load.
As I sat in the classroom listening to the instructors cover the subjects at what seemed a blazing pace, I wondered if I had taken on too much. There was so much information to take in, so much studying to do. Feeling overwhelmed, I began to doubt this path. But as we continued on, the information began to come together. The body systems I was learning about in Anatomy and Physiology started to blend with Kinesiology, which enhanced our hand-on classroom time. Words that were so foreign to me at the beginning started to flow seamlessly from my vocabulary. “Locate the Trapezoid and work slowly until you can isolate the rhomboids. Slow and steady, not immediate pressure.” This is no longer a foreign language, but a way to serve. The excitement began, again, to build.
My first day in our hands-on clinic was such a new experience. My classmates and I had spent countless hours practicing on each other in the classroom, but here was my moment of truth. I was about to give a “real person” a massage. Would I remember everything? Would my strokes have the proper pressure? Would the sequence flow and be pleasing to my client? There were so many questions and uncertainties. Then I began the first massage. Once I began, all the fear and uncertainty fell away and I became one with the massage. The focus, the flow, the feel of the muscles under the skin became the focus. Where were the muscles tight? How much pressure should I apply to the IT band? How can I effect the client in a positive way? How can I improve their quality of life? The questions and the answers occurred to me as I moved around the body. Breathe. Focus. Then suddenly it was over. The time had flown!
What I have learned about body mechanics has greatly impacted all areas in my life. I am moving more freely, and I am seeing the benefits of taking care of myself so that I can take care of others. This is not intuitive for mothers. We give to our families without thinking of ourselves. I am finally learning that to care for others, I need to care for myself. Learning about the way the body moves has impacted the way I move, sit, stand, study and give a massage. I am more aware of where I place my feet and how I hold my shoulders. The information I have now will improve the quality of my life as I age as well as empowers me to help others improve the quality of their lives.
The classes that I am taking have challenged me on levels that have not been addressed in years. I am learning not only about the body, but learning topics such as ethics, how to run a business, and how to have difficult conversations. These topics would have greatly benefited me in my younger years, but I am so grateful to be learning them now. I get to practice this craft in all its aspects with a wonderful group of students who have become close friends. We can learn and grow together as we support and nurture each other.As I am moving through this program, I am learning more and more about who I am and how I can give back to others in the community. Moving into my middle years has brought challenges as I move from raising children to caring for aging parents and funding retirement.
As a massage therapist, I can set my own hours and make a living while caring for my husband, children and parents. The opportunities to travel as I age are also intriguing since I can take this career wherever I may wander. I have always been in a service industry and this also speaks to my desire to help and serve others. As a massage therapist, I am fulfilling my desire to serve others, care for my family and travel all while making a living. It is a win-win situation all around.
