Posts

Connecting with Clients

/in /by

As a massage therapist there’s a huge amount of public image that goes into our work. After all, when I sell bodywork I’m essentially selling myself. People come in and interact with me based on a huge number of factors. I strive to be professional and respectful to clients and I always tell them that I’ll give them 110%.

Over time my personal facebook is less personal and more business as people find me online. My business facebook is a constant ongoing ticker tape of news and updates about my business dealings and growth. I noticed on online facebook groups that massage therapists fancy themselves to always be publicly calm, serene and all their meals are healthy.

I can tell you that my business has grown through effort, hard work and that includes work on myself. I eat well, do yoga regularly and just like you, struggle to remain calm. I don’t teach yoga and practice bodywork because I’m the most calm, enlightened or smart person around. I do these things quite frankly because I have to. My body hurts but I work on it. To be brief I teach what I know. I don’t share what I learned in a book, I share what I’ve learned from life.

At the end of a week of dealing with clients, students, stress, strain, clients tales of broken relationships, job stress and back pain I sometimes sit down to a beer. You may find me in the line at Whataburger every once in awhile. Beyond that you might find me at the local comedy club saying things you’d never hear in session with me. When I’m done with clients for the day I may be playing ac/dc and eminem in my car on the way to the local bar. Doesn’t mean I’m not a good yoga teacher or massage therapist. It does mean that just like you, we’re all trying to deal with complex lives and our stress load.

You’re human, I don’t expect anything less than your foibles. Accept the same in me. I’ll see you soon for another Thai massage.

Breaking the mold

/0 Comments/in /by

I had a conversation with an associate where I was discussing business, marketing and how to draw clients in the 21st century. She has a small niche business she’s trying to grow as I’m working on my own and we were comparing notes. She mentioned that it sounded like I’d escaped the system. I found it odd but thinking on it I realize that it’s living in a city with so much tech industry. People often work for large corporations like Dell, Apple etc. Workers are concerned about downsizing, losing jobs and have high stress levels but I seem relaxed comparatively.

My choice to focus on healing work does not equal all joy with no work or stress. I’ve no insurance and have lived hand to mouth for the entire 10 years I’ve worked as a Thai massage therapist. Many times I’ve wanted to choose another field that would offer security, benefits and the chance at a better life but when I sit to think what I’d do, farmer is the closest to what I would choose. Healing work isn’t a job, it’s a calling. I do it because I’ve no other choice, not in the sense that it’s hopeless but in the sense that I simply have to follow my heart.

Part of my stress is seeing others like tech workers who’ve made choices that they deem necessary but then come to me with large amounts of stress and back pain. For ten years people have told me how much they hurt and ache, how little money they have and the untold amounts of time and energy pressure they’re under to keep performing in whatever roles they’ve chosen. I accept it, just comes with the job but usually I’m telling clients in a small humble way to change your life. Then you’ve no stress or at least less.

A client was late today and I had about 40 minutes of alone time before his Thai massage. I hung out, doing forward bends opening my hamstrings and breathing. A few downward dogs, half moons and headstands down the road then I did half downward dog against a wall. Upon standing I realized I was more calm, more balanced and my nervous system was free. It’s not bad for a break at work. I get to do yoga for a living. It doesn’t yet buy a home but that’s a matter of time. Breaking the mold will help you escape the system.

Think outside of the box, follow your dreams and let no one tell you that it’s impossible. Most who say it cannot be done have simply never tried.