Love,
Dana
Monday, October 26, 2009
Thank you!
Love,
Dana
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The first massage job!
As of yesterday, I have a part-time massage job! I responded to a post on Craig's List and received a phone call the next day. She said to be prepared to give a 30 minute demonstration of my work. I showed up to the building a little early. It's a hair and nail salon called New Identity on 11th and Broadway in Portland. The space is very nicely lit, clean and professional. They do a lot of pedicures and hair. I've only met 2 of the people who work there, both were Vietnamese. The interview went very well, partly because I had a wonderful 2 hour Thai Massage prior to the interview. Thank You, Margaret!. I was nervous, but I liked the manager's energy. She was straight forward, honest and it was easy to communicate with her.
Getting a job, newly licensed and just out of school, is a little daunting, especially since I've only held jobs like Receptionist and Front Counter Manager for the past 2 and a half years. I have a BA and am qualified for more challenging work, but just didn't have the desire to put the energy into doing the work. Now, I have the desire to do my best, both in working for myself and for someone else. That's a first for me. It's really changing how I do things. I'm have more integrity and energy for my work.
...back to the interview. Sandra and I talked for 10 minutes about the in's and out's of the job, it's based on 60/40 commission. I get 60%, they get 40%. They would like me to be on premises, or close by, for walk-in clients during the days I'm scheduled. They provide all supplies and clients, I'm to do my own laundry. She showed me the massage rooms. They are small, but very comforting, clean with table warmers, blankets, CD player and a dimmer switch on the lights.
I asked, "who will I be giving a massage to," she said, "me". Oh. It was a relief to not have the pressure of being watched like in the state practical exam. It also put more emphasis on my work being judged directly by her. I left the room, washed my hands in the bathroom, tied up my hair and attempted to leave my jitters in the bathroom. Tapping on the door to see if she was on the table, I went into the massage room and couldn't see. She had the lights turned very low compared to the bathroom I had come from. My eyes adjusted and I made myself comfortable by taking off my shoes.
We began talking about what she likes in a massage, what I'd be doing for her and for her to let me know about pressure at any time. I know that even though people aren't necessarily conscious of it they can feel how I'm feeling, especially when I'm touching them. I knew she could feel the nervous excitement pouring out my hands. I began with a little rocking on top of the sheet to feel how she holds herself. Typically, this is a shiatsu technique, but I complimented it with Mennell's stroke over the whole body before beginning. This gave me a little time to adjust before diving in.
I have to admit, I've focused on Shiatsu Massage for the past 15 months. I'm comfortable with Swedish, but Shiatsu is home. I had the slightest hesitation before pulling the sheet back, but didn't let that distract me from connecting with her. I spread the massage gel (also new for me) and let her know I was going to warm up her muscles before getting to the deep tissue massage she had requested. While I was working she asked, "is this your deep pressure?" Well, yes in some ways it was, see I don't believe in hurting people. I think some people feel in order to get deep muscle wringing massage you need to wince and hold back from crying out in pain. I feel my way through the tissue and desire to release more than just the muscle. It's the whole body that needs to relax, the body can't do this when the person is in pain.
In response to her question about pressure, I said it was my medium pressure and that the table was a bit high for me. Then I began to try to force my way in deeper and realized I was not taking care of my own body. Putting an end to that, I began to talk to her about how breathing deeply can help release the muscles and then I talked to her about trigger points. She was really interested and we had a nice exchange about how muscles get knotted and what you can do about it. She allowed herself to breathe much more deeply once I shared with her that breathing deeply helps pump her heart more, induces relaxation and moves more oxygen though the blood. I worked on a few more of her trigger points and felt some of them release now that she was breathing. I ended with compression over the sheet on her legs and a 3 minute foot massage.
The best parts were where I took care of myself, like taking off my shoes and not trying to work so deeply that it hurt my hands. Doing these things helped me open up and feel really good during the massage. People can feel this, again, even if they are not conscious of what they are feeling. She came out very happy and let me know that she had a few other people to interview, but she would call me in 2 days. She also asked if I had heard from my other prospects, I said not yet, but that I really liked this place. I left smiling. It felt so good to be able to connect with her that way and to know I had taken care of myself at the same time.
I start next Thursday, Oct. 29th! Smile. :)
Getting a job, newly licensed and just out of school, is a little daunting, especially since I've only held jobs like Receptionist and Front Counter Manager for the past 2 and a half years. I have a BA and am qualified for more challenging work, but just didn't have the desire to put the energy into doing the work. Now, I have the desire to do my best, both in working for myself and for someone else. That's a first for me. It's really changing how I do things. I'm have more integrity and energy for my work.
...back to the interview. Sandra and I talked for 10 minutes about the in's and out's of the job, it's based on 60/40 commission. I get 60%, they get 40%. They would like me to be on premises, or close by, for walk-in clients during the days I'm scheduled. They provide all supplies and clients, I'm to do my own laundry. She showed me the massage rooms. They are small, but very comforting, clean with table warmers, blankets, CD player and a dimmer switch on the lights.
I asked, "who will I be giving a massage to," she said, "me". Oh. It was a relief to not have the pressure of being watched like in the state practical exam. It also put more emphasis on my work being judged directly by her. I left the room, washed my hands in the bathroom, tied up my hair and attempted to leave my jitters in the bathroom. Tapping on the door to see if she was on the table, I went into the massage room and couldn't see. She had the lights turned very low compared to the bathroom I had come from. My eyes adjusted and I made myself comfortable by taking off my shoes.
We began talking about what she likes in a massage, what I'd be doing for her and for her to let me know about pressure at any time. I know that even though people aren't necessarily conscious of it they can feel how I'm feeling, especially when I'm touching them. I knew she could feel the nervous excitement pouring out my hands. I began with a little rocking on top of the sheet to feel how she holds herself. Typically, this is a shiatsu technique, but I complimented it with Mennell's stroke over the whole body before beginning. This gave me a little time to adjust before diving in.
I have to admit, I've focused on Shiatsu Massage for the past 15 months. I'm comfortable with Swedish, but Shiatsu is home. I had the slightest hesitation before pulling the sheet back, but didn't let that distract me from connecting with her. I spread the massage gel (also new for me) and let her know I was going to warm up her muscles before getting to the deep tissue massage she had requested. While I was working she asked, "is this your deep pressure?" Well, yes in some ways it was, see I don't believe in hurting people. I think some people feel in order to get deep muscle wringing massage you need to wince and hold back from crying out in pain. I feel my way through the tissue and desire to release more than just the muscle. It's the whole body that needs to relax, the body can't do this when the person is in pain.
In response to her question about pressure, I said it was my medium pressure and that the table was a bit high for me. Then I began to try to force my way in deeper and realized I was not taking care of my own body. Putting an end to that, I began to talk to her about how breathing deeply can help release the muscles and then I talked to her about trigger points. She was really interested and we had a nice exchange about how muscles get knotted and what you can do about it. She allowed herself to breathe much more deeply once I shared with her that breathing deeply helps pump her heart more, induces relaxation and moves more oxygen though the blood. I worked on a few more of her trigger points and felt some of them release now that she was breathing. I ended with compression over the sheet on her legs and a 3 minute foot massage.
The best parts were where I took care of myself, like taking off my shoes and not trying to work so deeply that it hurt my hands. Doing these things helped me open up and feel really good during the massage. People can feel this, again, even if they are not conscious of what they are feeling. She came out very happy and let me know that she had a few other people to interview, but she would call me in 2 days. She also asked if I had heard from my other prospects, I said not yet, but that I really liked this place. I left smiling. It felt so good to be able to connect with her that way and to know I had taken care of myself at the same time.
I start next Thursday, Oct. 29th! Smile. :)
Monday, October 19, 2009
First 10 days as an LMT & 1st draft of business cards
I've been an LMT officially since Oct. 8th, 2009. I've given 2 massages, had 2 job interviews, one cancellation, one I had to reschedule, my first attempt at a business/financial plan and lots of congratulations. A great start. I'm learning a lot already.
The plan is to work part-time for myself out of my home and part-time for someone else, preferably a chiropractic office or other natural medicine clinic.
The 2 job interviews were very different. The first interview was for a 60/40 split or lease, but the Salon was looking for someone with an established clientele, which I do not have. The second was a group interview at a Salon and Spa. They asked interesting questions, such as: If you could be any animal what would you be and why? What food would you be and what would make people like you? What's your favorite movie? As far as interviews go, this was the most educational because I was able to listen to diverse responses to the classic interview questions. At this point I'm waiting to hear back from them, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
This past week I caught a cold. One of the first in years, no exaggeration, I can't remember the last time I had a head cold. I canceled what would have been my 3rd appointment. It was a struggle to make that decision, but I'm glad I did. Taking care of myself, my client and making sure I am able to give 100% in each massage felt good (after I got over the initial guilt trip thanks to my superwoman alter ego).
The business cards are coming along (Thank you, Yancey!) and I've been procrastinating on writing the text for my website. Your input on the cards is appreciated. Please, tell me what you think! (I'm partial to #6, but think I'd like a circle instead.)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
OBMT Practical Exam
I took the Oregon Massage Practical Exam this past Tuesday, Sept. 29th, 2009.
I'll admit I crammed. I picked up my pathology notes and kinesiology flash cards 2 days prior to the exam and was surprised to find that some of the pathologies on the OBMT list were not covered at my school! I hurried online and got most of the info I needed.
About a week prior to the test I invited Margaret over for a massage and she (a new LMT in OR) gave me the low down on the test. Oh, and I finished the Jurisprudence exam the night before the practical while watching the old Ellen show on youtube. Embarassing, I know, but she is so funny compared to rules and regulations about massage.
About a week prior to the test I invited Margaret over for a massage and she (a new LMT in OR) gave me the low down on the test. Oh, and I finished the Jurisprudence exam the night before the practical while watching the old Ellen show on youtube. Embarassing, I know, but she is so funny compared to rules and regulations about massage.
The day of the exam I arrived in Salem to take the test about 45 minutes early. This gave me plenty of time to study and freak out in the parking lot. Looking back I see how much I was trying to convince myself I wasn't nervous.
The office was very professional and the woman at the desk was uninterested in me as I attempted to make a good impression. I also made the mistake of asking if I could study while I waited for the test. She looked at me and said, "you're done studying". Yes, yes, I am I thought. I drew the muscles I would present from a "hat" and tried to remember where flexor pollicis longus was and what were the actions of the glutes medius. I've often confused the actions of the glutes med, min and maximus. As I waited, I stood there and felt my glutes trying to determine the actions feeling increasingly awkward, unsure of myself and scared (but I didn't want to admit it).
For those of you who don't know the OBMT practical exam is given in 50 minutes by 3 examiners: a client, a questioner and an observer. The client came out to greet me and I immediately felt better. She seemed more real (and relaxed) than any of the other people in the office. She took me to the exam room and read from a piece of paper to show me the items in the room. I put the face cradle on the floor to prepare the table and she kindly let me know that the floor was not sanitary and that the table was. I'm not sure, but I don't think she was supposed to let me know that, I think she was helping me out.
When the other 2 examiners came into the room they were distant, cold and didn't connect with me other than a cursory hello. The questioner read from a script as the observer jotted and sighed whenever I answered a question. The pathology they asked me about was pregnancy which I had just glanced over the night before. After the exam I remembered all sorts of things I could have said, but I felt really stupid at that moment. I ummmed and choked out the words about contraindications and indications. I asked her to repeat just about every other question.
After some range of motion with my clients wrist I was asked to talk about Shiatsu (my choosen modality) to my client. As I began to talk about energy flow aka "chi" I got a faint "uh-oh" look from my client, I quickly included the muscle and body systems benefits and my clients face began to relax.
I was told demonstrate 10 minutes of Shiatsu on my client. I made sure to check in with her about pressure and her comfort level. I gave her a blanket proceeded to begin the opening sequence of short form Shiatsu. As I was rocking her low back I panicked and didn't do the form in the correct order (plus I had to leave certain things out because I've heard they don't want me to get up on the table). It took a few seconds to regain my composure and just keep going, giving it my best. I focused most on her neck and shoulders and was able to finish both arms before time ran out and the massage was abruptly stopped.
When the other 2 examiners came into the room they were distant, cold and didn't connect with me other than a cursory hello. The questioner read from a script as the observer jotted and sighed whenever I answered a question. The pathology they asked me about was pregnancy which I had just glanced over the night before. After the exam I remembered all sorts of things I could have said, but I felt really stupid at that moment. I ummmed and choked out the words about contraindications and indications. I asked her to repeat just about every other question.
After some range of motion with my clients wrist I was asked to talk about Shiatsu (my choosen modality) to my client. As I began to talk about energy flow aka "chi" I got a faint "uh-oh" look from my client, I quickly included the muscle and body systems benefits and my clients face began to relax.
I was told demonstrate 10 minutes of Shiatsu on my client. I made sure to check in with her about pressure and her comfort level. I gave her a blanket proceeded to begin the opening sequence of short form Shiatsu. As I was rocking her low back I panicked and didn't do the form in the correct order (plus I had to leave certain things out because I've heard they don't want me to get up on the table). It took a few seconds to regain my composure and just keep going, giving it my best. I focused most on her neck and shoulders and was able to finish both arms before time ran out and the massage was abruptly stopped.
It was awkward, so awkward. In retrospect, I would have smiled more, just to keep my spirits up. We went out in the hall so my client could undress and get on the table. I was to demonstrate a breast drape and show muscle location on my client. The breast drape was scary, but I took it slowly and did well. Again, I think my client helped me a little. The observer just gave me a pitied look (or so my scared ego thought).
Next came the Kinesiology part of the exam: showing the origin and insertion of the chosen muscles and showing their actions. I was sooooooo nervous. Some of the muscles I didn't demonstrate very confidently and I felt I wasn't sure about how to demonstrate their exact location and/or action. I didn't feel prepared enough and I wished I had studied more in advance. I think I got cocky from doing so well on the written without much studying. Now I know, for myself in a situation like the practical exam, I need to know my stuff inside and out.
They abruptly told me the exam was over and I swear my jaw dropped to the floor. I don't know how much time I had remaining, but I thought they must be mistaken. I asked, "what about the pathology part of the exam"? The questioner was about to answer me and they remembered her role and just repeated the same sentence about the exam being over. I thanked them and left feeling very confused, disoriented and disappointed in myself.
I gathered my things from the front desk and it hit me...I must have failed. I got in the car and immediately called a friend and blurted out, "I think I FAILED!" He calmed me down and tried to talk me out of my craziness. "You didn't fail, and if you did you can learn something from it and take it again," he said. The whole car ride home I went back and forth between "I'm fine either way" and "oh shit what if I failed". About half way home I realized the pregnancy questions was the pathology part and I laughed at myself as I beat myself up for asking, "what about the pathology...".
It wasn't until Saturday when the mail arrived that I knew I passed. I think deep down I knew I passed, but my mind wouldn't listen and just chill out. That evening I went out to dinner with a friend and just have been feeling great. It makes me so happy to know I jumped through all the hoops and have created a career for myself.
I've learned a lot about myself from the exam experience. Thank you to my great friends who talk me out of being abusive to myself :)
I've learned a lot about myself from the exam experience. Thank you to my great friends who talk me out of being abusive to myself :)
The license application goes in the mail on Monday. I still have to be patient until I'm officially an LMT. I'm so excited!
Love,
Dana
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