What Kind Of Massage Do You Do?

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I’ve got lots of folks asking me questions these days and I’ve been formulating an elevator speech. My work has diversified because I’m not just seeing clients, I’m educating and leading the forefront on CEU classes for massage therapists.

Currently I’m getting ready to unleash the following:

Robert Gardner Wellness Thai Massage Leg Work

A regular pain clinic where clients can receive a 30 minute session while others observe and do yoga therapy.

Classes are coming up in the form of a short course here in Round Rock, and an Intro to Thai massage and Table Thai combo class that’s 5 days. Arkansas and Louisiana are going to receive the same treatment. I’ll post more info and dates when I have it.

So, what do I do? I’m still not sure it has a name. I think it’s the best bodywork I’ve ever seen. It’s not really massage, could be called bodywork but I don’t work on cars. Selling something that doesn’t have a cultural box has been quite the challenge. I will say, my clients get better, whatever we desire to name it.

If you’re in physical pain, contact me. This isn’t what you’re used to when you think massage but it works. When asked for an elevator speech I say, “It’s the best bodywork you’ve never had.”

Pain Clinic

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My whole practice has been helping people understand what I do. At its core I practice Nuad Boran. My practice is a mix of Thai massage, yoga, yoga therapy and 13 years of practice on myself and others. I can usually help other pain sufferers because I’ve worked through those same issues in my body and those of my clients during that time.

Robert Gardner Wellness Pain Clinic May 11th

 

The clinic will allow you to observe for Free, get 30 minutes hands on work for a $40.00 fee and also allow you to do some yoga therapy and stretching while seeing how I work. There are only 10 spots available and you can register using the online scheduler here on the website.

What do I do? Something no one else does. Come see and find out why.

Table Thai Massage 5/7

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We show a reclined tree pose and how it opens the adductors of the hip. Table Thai Massage is extremely effective and simple to use and add into your massage routines. I cannot stress enough how much this will save your hands from excessive work.

Download a copy of the Table Thai Workbook and get started today. The videos will come out soon. This makes video number 100 on youtube with 500 subscribers.

Table Thai Massage 1/7

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Table Thai massage helps therapists use new tools. I tell students in class that much like a mechanic I want them to have a wall full of tools at their disposal and when someone comes in they use the ones most appropriate for the work they’re doing. This simple jostling shown is deceptively effective.

Table Thai massage classes are coming up soon. Stay tuned for the videos from the Table Thai Workbook.

Keep Going

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I spent 6 years in central Texas without ever receiving another Thai massage from a practitioner. I decided to teach because the work wasn’t available anywhere and the community desperately needed it. Along the way things have grown and changed, developed in ways that even I couldn’t have foreseen. Class this weekend in Houston will be the last of the spring and every class has been fun, eventful and fortunately profitable as well.

I’ve gathered critics. I’ll continue to gather more. A trusted friend had a phone conversation with me and what I heard was a complete mirror. His only true feedback was, “keep going.”

Robert_Gardner_Wellness_Thai_Massage_Mat_Series_Two-web-110

There are more classes coming soon. Table Thai classes will start in several months and I’m working on the pain clinic in my home studio again. Stay tuned and if you have not, please subscribe to my email list. You get a free Thai massage workbook and it gives me direct access unlike social media which is increasingly filtering posts and information.

Much more to come. Stay tuned.

<3 Metta

Don’t Teach Thai Massage

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Those are the famous words of an MBA student when I spoke with him years ago. As a struggling upstart that consists of a staff of one, I needed business help. A client referred me to someone who said they could chat with me about business to help me figure out how to improve things. When all the cards were out on the table and I explained what I did he said, “Don’t teach Thai massage.” I asked why and he explained that if I taught students they would steal my clients. I sat, pondered, thought and then concluded our meeting. I’ve never taken or heeded his advice. In my own respectful way, I think he’s an idiot.

Currently if I had 40 clients who saw me twice a month at 2 hours a session I’d have 80 sessions a month at $160.00 a piece which is $6,400 a month. In a year working 20 hours a week I’d make $76,800.00 I can Live on $76,800.00 a year. More than 40 people need Thai massage. Austin and Round Rock area current population is 1,862,549. I need 40 of you to commit to getting regular work.

Robert Gardner Wellness Thai Massage Lumbar Traction
If I don’t teach Thai massage no one can receive the best bodywork I’ve ever had. I have a moral and ethical obligation to Teach Thai Massage. My family will be provided for and the public won’t be honking their horns at me in Austin traffic because they’re stressed. I won’t have to hear about another person who’s sitting in an office neglecting their body because they work 60 hours a week at a tech firm. You need Thai massage. I need Thai massage. The US needs Thai massage and the Planet needs it.

There Is No Scarcity. Illusion is the root of all suffering.

Changes

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I wanted to update you on the goings on in my business and labor of <3. I want my dealings to be transparent, it's important to me that my customers, clients and students understand that I'm giving you all I'm capable of. Things are growing rapidly and as things develop my schedule tightens and my responsibility to myself and to you grows. Here are some things to keep in mind: 1) My business grows because of you. When you like and share my posts, photos and events on social media that helps my business grow. When you refer clients/students that's a Huge boost for the healing work we do. Your reviews on yelp, google and the like are 21st century word of mouth and I appreciate your time. Thank you for your continued support.
2) My fees for Thai massage sessions go to $160.00/session on March 1st. These sessions are 2 hours minimum.
3) Classes for Thai massage are growing and I will be traveling in coming months to work with students in other cities in TX so my availability is limited.
4) I’m working on numerous projects to allow you to get work at a reduced fee. I have general pain clinics coming and also some for specific issues like migraines and chronic headaches. In addition I’m having short weekly classes teaching Thai massage at Blue Honey Yoga in addition to the Free Thai massage jam.
5) If you need inexpensive education there’s the previously mentioned Thai massage jam, a Free Intro. to Thai massage workbook, a soon to be 140+ page Table Thai workbook and videos of the Intro. to Thai massage class available for download for $29.99 My youtube videos are full of info and are also free.
6) Yoga classes 1.5 hours and cost $10.00/class. 😀

My utmost concern is serving the public and making sure you can get the bodywork you need. I cannot provide that if I’m overworked. I need time to rest, time for yoga and time with my family. I’m my own boss so any healthcare (no Real health insurance at the moment), retirement, mortgage, debt etc. falls on me. I can only honestly and impeccably provide 20 hours or so of hands on Thai massage sessions in a week. It’s unreasonable to ask my body for more than that and that’s why session fees must go up.

I communicate extensively though social media. If you have questions related to health and bodywork issues let me know. I provide information for free constantly. I love educating people but must charge for my labor.

Breathe!

Would You Give A Man A Foot Massage?

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I use lots of facebook groups like MassageNerd group to gather information and insight on my profession. Over time it gives me a chance to see various themes and perspectives on the massage industry. Here are some of the topics that massage brings up again and again: sexuality, intimacy, communication, hygiene and homophobia.

The following is the best video I’ve ever seen on the subject. Keep in mind this is Not Safe For Work. NSFW

It’s got it all, teasing homoeroticism between Vincent and Jules while touching on the intimacy and nurturing touch given to Jules grandmother. Jules expresses his physical mastery by not tickling during his masterly foot massage and the anger involved in perceived infidelity by someone else touching Marsellus Wallace’s wife is mentioned. I see the concepts so often it grows old and tired but at least Tarantino exists in a realm where he can express the reality through drama and wonderful dialogue.

Massage and bodywork is not what you think it is. Thai massage is above and beyond, a completely different beast. In our culture it does not exist. Not yet.

Want To Get Better?

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As I’m finishing writing the Table Thai workbook I’m amazed at all that’s going on. Classes in different cities, community classes at Blue Honey Yoga, private practice is booming and all the while I feel less like a massage therapist every day. I suppose these changes are normal growth, small turbulence in an active practice.

Robert Gardner Wellness Thai Massage is better

I love massage therapists and the public and I’m doing everything I can to show them there’s a better way. If you don’t know what Thai massage is yet, get ready for the rest of 2014.

Spine Care and Disc Herniations

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Disc bulges and herniations are horrible to deal with. Having worked with clients with chronic back pain I feel the utmost compassion for those in pain. Typically there are soft tissue components to disc herniations and those are the ones I help with as a bodyworker. By stretching and helping align the soft tissues we help the spine come back to normal movement and mobility and hopefully take pressure off of that herniated disc or bulge.

In the above short video I discuss spine care with my friend slim. Long term the key is to lengthen the spinal column and backbend gently.

Migraines and Chronic Headaches

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I’ve worked for 13 years and butted my head up against many an issue in an attempt to try to help people. One of the things I’ve seen over the years that I’ve had almost no success with have been migraines. Chronic headaches I’d get some improvement from neck muscle work but migraines are the oddest thing.

Running across an article in a magazine I found out that there were lawsuits related to doctors using botox to treat migraines. The FDA hadn’t given approval for that use specifically and a patient had a horrible adverse response. I nearly blew a fuse reading the article because I know enough to know that in most people all botox does is stop a muscle from contracting. I’ve Never heard a doctor say that muscle tension or spasm can cause or contribute to a migraine. I just let the information percolate.

Robert Gardner Wellness headaches

To make a long story short I’ve kept working, kept reading and studying and in the last 2 months I’ve seen around 5 clients and found muscle patterns that repeatedly reflect muscle tension patterns with chronic headaches. I’m getting ready to run a small migraine and chronic headache clinic so stay tuned. In one client her headaches went away almost completely and in the other 4 their frequency and intensity decreased. That’s not bad for a massage therapist who doesn’t diagnose or treat anything. See you in clinic soon.

Thai Massage Is Good For Your Body

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I’ve spent lots of time over the years giving Thai massage and it’s as good for the receiver as much as the giver. As a receiver you get deeper consistent pressure and the range of motion involved in unparalleled. Those aches and pains you get in your back and neck go away and stay away longer than table massage.

As someone who gives the work I get a chance to move, breathe, stretch and exert muscles. I burn more calories than giving table massage and have a broader range of motion while using my whole body not just my arms and hands. This full bodied practice reminds me of moving meditation again and again.