Before I was a massage therapist, which was also before I had even had a massage, I was frolicking in the NC mountains harvesting herbs and making medicines getting my herbalist certification. From there I went on to get a clinical herbalist certification. Both from the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism The herb clinic brought me face to face with people discussing their health. When going through their health history up until the present and asked what was going on in their lives in times of sickness – 100% of them said something like this “…oh, well, i was going through a lot then…” or that they lost a loved one, lost a job, divorce, work, kids, family – STRESS. When we experience stress, we stop taking care of ourselves and then get sick. How many times have you gotten a cold and said “ugh, i don’t have time to get sick!!” We don’t have time to eat-so we skip a meal, or eat fast food. We don’t get enough sleep because we have to stay up late and/or have to get up early. And we aren’t breathing!! We’re either smoking cigarettes trying to destress, or not even taking a 5 minute break. So, here we are back with the herbalist: I can give you herbs to help you sleep and I can give you tonic herbs to help with nutrition- but if you don’t even have time to make yourself a meal, how can I expect you to have time to prepare an herbal infusion, or remember to take a tincture and or capsule every day? (on a side note, this is how “the lazy herbalist” was conceived) Taking herbs, or taking medicine isn’t addressing the problem- STRESS After herb school, and to this day I still I don’t even know how it happened…I guess, I was thinking aromatherapy goes with massage? But really I just figured I should finish my associates degree that I started after high school and never finished. So, all of a sudden I find myself in massage school. I guess it was meant to be. At this point, I have still never had a massage. I realize how strange that is ,but that’s just how it happened. After a few weeks of school, I figured I should probably see what I’m getting myself into (you know, after I’d already gotten myself into it…?) and get myself a (ahem) “Pro-fessional Mas-sage from a real live Masseuse. (please don’t call a massage therapist a masseuse, ever, its kind of like the stewardess/flight attendant thing except it means your a prostitute. ironically, I was a flight attendant at one point in time too. ) And then my life changed forever. I guess it helps that I happened to find the cutest place ever to get my first massage. For some reason I expected it to be in a doctors office-like setting, but was pleased to find myself in a grandmas-cottage like setting for my virgin massage experience. The table looked like a bed, and it was the warmest coziest bed I’ve ever laid on. I can’t even describe the actual massage, because I’m not sure if I was even there for the whole thing. Half asleep, half awake, and maybe dreaming- I don’t know. And then it was over. (this is why you need a 90 minute massage- they’re better) I took my time wondering around the room-naked-yes naked because I didn’t have a care in the world. In awe, I grazed all the different oils, stones, and art- every little thing that had a purpose and intention to make people feel comfortable and relaxed. Then I thought “I want to learn how to make people feel like this,” and then I thought “I AM learning how to make people feel like this!” I still have these thoughts after every massage. Except now its more like, “I get to make people feel like this!” or “this is why I do what I do” I’m so lucky! Even if I didn’t like the massage that much, I still have these thoughts, because just because you didn’t like it, doesn’t mean it was a bad massage. Everyone just has different styles and you have to find the right therapist for you. So, not to make a long story longer, I graduated massage school and am now licensed in 3 states. I am also a self proclaimed massage addict. Like with every addiction, there are side affects- like feeling good and being happy! But there are also withdrawals. My body craves massage and is stiff and hard to move when I haven’t had one in a while. I’m also usually a little bit grumpy and (duh) stressed! This is why REGULAR massage is important. Not once or twice a year on you birthday or anniversary. Regular massage helps maintain the only body you have- would you expect your car to be running around for a year without any maintenance? I wish. I can sit here all day long and list all the numerous massage benefits that have been SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN to be true- But the number one benefit is that it reduces stress. Every single person on the planet has stress in their lives. Even retired billionaires sitting on the beach have stress in their lives. “Yeah, but a billionaire can afford a massage,” you’re probably thinking. Well, if I can afford a massage, you can afford a massage. There are so many things that we waste our money on- cut one thing out, or cut back. For example, if you have a couple glasses of wine with dinner every night. That’s at least a bottle a week, 4 times a month- it adds up and you should be able to afford a massage every other month with that money. Now, I’m not saying anyone has to quit drinking just to get a massage, I’m the last person that would say that. But really, 1-2 glasses a night? what is that doing for you? If you don’t want to do that, find something, anything. I saved so much money when I stopped buying 2-3 cartons of almond milk a week. I love it, but that stuff is expensive! “yeah, but I don’t have time”. Yes you do. You’re watching 2-3 hours of TV a night? (5 hrs is the national average) get a massage instead. you’re on face book for how many hours a day? (and you haven’t liked my page yet?!) get a massage instead. You’re binge watching netflix all day Sunday? (orange is the new black stresses me out!) get a massage instead. Don’t have anyone to watch the kids? Yes you do- family, friends, neighbors, neighbors kids…don’t teens baby sit anymore?! This is what friends and family are for- to help each other out. We’re so scared to ask for help. I get it, I get it. Say it, “I need help. ” Yell it, “I NEED HELP!! I’M STRESSED!!!” True story, the struggle is real. I want to help people come back to themselves. I want to help people to feel happy and live healthy stress-less lives. Even if its only for a moment, I want to help you. So, Here's how I'm going to help you. If you mention that you read this blog post, print out the coupon, or just type in the comments when you book in an appointment "help, I'm stressed" I will give you $20 off your massage. No. Joke. I mean it.
0 Comments
|
AuthorI am an herbalist, massage therapist, childless, wife just trying to live a healthy, fun, magical life in this crazy beautiful world. Categories
All
Archives
February 2020
|