With working a full time job, running a business, the writing projects I have and just life in general its hard to be focused and present all the time. For the first time in a little over a month, I feel I am starting to get a good grip on being present through each massage, through each movement and technique I was right there, focused and willing to let go of all outside distractions. It was such an amazing feeling I wanted to encourage all of us massage therapist to try this. It makes such a difference in how the time goes, how you feel and most important how the client feels. This was even an hour and half massage, which usually by the end I am thinking about what the rest of my day will bring, and all that I have to do. Some things I do to try to stay present in my massage is look at each person’s body as a mission-or a goal. I have one hour to make a difference in these peoples lives, and how they feel, how am I going to do that? Each knot is a challenge that I must remove or at least loosen up as much as possible. Each technique is a dance, a movement, an exchange of energies, you don’t want your client, thinking “why am I all of a sudden thinking about my responsibilities?” In my personal life I have been getting more into yoga and meditation and being present in all that I do, work, writing, relaxing with friends, eating, and just beeing!!! If anyone else has suggestion for staying present in your massage practice please share, because I have noticed its importance and will continue to practice. Bee healthy. Bee happy. Bee Well, and Bee Present!!
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Melissa
As human beings we are faced with alot of challenges in life. Some of these challenges are tolerable and easy to handle, but sometimes life can surprise us with more personal, intense battles. In a world so demanding of our time and energy, how do we carry on as though everything is fine, when inside we are falling apart? When you work in a field such as massage therapy, where its so intimate and with the exchange of energies, how do we cope and not let our feelings get in the way? Now what if you are the boss as well? How do we do it, how do we face the day when we are dealing with such emotional personal burdens?
I personally just went through what would be the hardest challenge I have had in life so far. It was hard because I was dealing with the emotional trauma as well as trying to maintain a business and my responsabilities as a health food store worker, girlfriend, business owner and friend. I feel when we work as massage therapist its easy to give advice and know what is right for our clients, but when its comes to us we neglect to nurture and comfort ourselves. In a time of suffering I think its ok to be a little selfish and take time for you to heal. Go through the emotions, feel alive from them. If you are are angry, feel angry and let it out, if you are sad, feel sad and let it out!!!!Sometimes its ok to take a day off from the business. I know this is hard for alot of people, but just take a day to sleep in, go for a long walk, take a bath, like I said nurture yourself as if you would a client or a good friend. The sun will rise again and clients will call. We are always taking care of others and we must take care of ourselves!
Massage therapy is also a business, I feel, where people are more understanding, and willing to be flexible when it comes to their therapist’s well being. We take time to build relationships with clients so we can be honest with them. No one has to know details, but explain there has been a death in the family, or a terrible tragedy has struck you, and they will understand, they will most likely feel happy that you told them, rather than act as though nothing happened and go on to give a bad treatment. Massage is such an energy connection practice that you would be doing them a favor by not giving them your negative energy.
For some of us, and maybe all of us at some point can use massage therapy as our art, our creative outlet. When this is the case we may be having the worst day ever, but when the client arrives and is settled into your table waiting for your gentle touch to treat their issues, all of our “baggage” can disappear and we direct our focus on the client. This is the best scenario of course! We can all understand when this is not the case and your focus is on your challenge. I can not express enough to bee patient and take time for yourself, so you will be ready to take care of others. As massage therapist our main goal is for balance with health and happiness. As we go through life things are going to surface that we don’t want to deal with, or that stresses us out, or lessons in life that really take alot out of us, we are human just like everybody else, and need what every other human would need. When in a time of sorrow, we must bee patient for our well-beeing as well as those around us!
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Bee healthy. Bee happy. Bee well
Melissa
Winter time in Vermont can be a complicated time for business owners. The weather can make a difference in how many clients keep their appointments, and how many clients have to cancel. In the past I had a hard time with what to do with clients that cancel. I know life is hard and things can happen so quickly and you may have to change plans. I also think that keeping commitments are very important. When I first started Bee Well Massage I set up a cancellation policy for my business. If you cancel within 24hrs of your appointment there is a $10 fee. Now this has been working perfect until the winter came around and the weather became an issue. You don’t know what the weather will be like within 24hrs of your session, I understnd that but feel that when you live in Vermont you should be able to drive in most weather conditions. Also with it being Jan/Feb people are coming to me with their gift certificates that someone had purchased for them as a gift. So now I have people making appointments for a free massage, and what do I do when they cancel? What do I do if they cancel more than once?
This is what happened to me and please tell me what you would do. Last Week I had two clients scheduled, both had to cancel because of the weather . The one client wanted to use her certificate. This person had already canceled on me twice in the past and I let the $10 fee go because it was supposed to be a free massage for her. But this is the third time she canceled so I have decided to charge her the $10 fee for her next massage. When she left me the message saying she had to cancel I was upset, when I called her back she did not answer so I left her a message and I explanied to her there would be a fee of $10 for her next massage due to the fact she had canceled three times. I have not heard from her. The second appointment was for a friend and this was only his second massage with me, and had never canceled. So when he called to tell me he could not make it I was very nice and said “its ok lets just reschedule.” We set up another time for him and that was that. I got off the phone feeling guilty that I had treated them differently and was more flexable and patient with my friend. After thinking about it I realized it was ok for me to react that way because they were different cases. Well my friend was supposed to show up again yesturday for his massage and he had to cancel again. This time I was not so nice and am going to let him know also about the $10 fee. I feel from now on there will be no chances, if you cancel you pay a fee. The person getting the massage is responsable for the fee. I am just wondering what other business owners have set up for when clients cancel? Any advice on how to get clients to take your business as seriously as you do? Thanks I look forward to your response
Bee Healthy. Bee Happy. Bee Well.
