Oct 11 2006
New Massage Therapy Office
Now that fall is here, and I’m not riding my bike as much, I thought it would be appropriate to catch people up on what’s happening in life in general.
About a month ago, I started sharing an office space with a couple other massage therapists in the Uptown area of Minneapolis. It was a bold move, but I have to say that it’s going well. I’m there on Wednesdays all day. I’ve also been seeing quite a few people in my space at home, as well as traveling out on occasion to give massages. One of the great ways I’ve found to find new clients is to post ads on Craig’s List. What I usually do is offer a small discount for times during the late morning and early afternoon, as those times are the toughest to fill for massage therapists, as many people want evening appointments. Plus, to get your name out and people to walk in your door, I think that you have to be creative, and you have to be willing to GIVE as well as receive. Not everyone can afford a massage all of the time. I’d rather find a way to keep a client coming back at an affordable price than to only insist that everyone pay me $60 or more an hour.
So what is my approach to massage and bodywork?
I get asked that question a lot, and I love to answer it! I’m seeing a lot of the massage industry leaning toward more medical and retail models, which doesn’t necessarily please me. I believe that you need to treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. People come as they are, and they shouldn’t encounter yet another person wishing to impose “treatment plans” or sell them the latest and greatest product. They should feel nurtured, and their relaxation should unfold naturally. It should never be forced. My approach to massage can probably be most correlated with that of Esalen Massage. I use long and integrating strokes, connecting the body as a whole, incorporating elements of Acupressure and Reiki (a hands on energy technique) throughout the massage. I can use deep or light pressure, and often do both when giving a massage.
To learn more, go to my massage website - A Peaceful Touch.
