Finally, I am in school!

[Raynay]

Well just an update. You guys all know I have been waiting a long while for this. So the 8th was the first day. I was amazed at the amount of reading for that first week. I guess the way it goes is its kinda heavy reading at first and then tapers a bit. I think I am going to really like my teachers. They seem to really know how to convey the information and make it fun. My classmates are all great to. There are 18 of us with only two males. A range of ages 19-55. I was VERY distressed though not to be able to log on here and spill my guts, vent, ramble etc! One little issue I am "feeling" is that we needed to have four hours out of out of school practice by this weekends class. Well I got it done, but basically we are just going off our handouts from the hands on weekend intro class that was in June. I was very very nervous about hurting my hubby, friend, son. Also I just feel so kinda overwhelmed. Where to begin kind of feeling. I know I am a perfectionist personality and that I am in school to learn but I can't help feeling nervous about these first few. On top of that my husband said he was really sore after I worked on him. Thats a confidence booster. To be fair to myself his lower back was stiff and kind of sore before we started.
My girlfriend however said she felt relaxed yesterday afterwards so that made me feel better. Oh and one more thing. Does carrying that table around get any easier? That thing feels akward. I can't even imagine if you didn't have the case. And of course my girlfriend has a steep winding stair case. Even if I spring for the little wheelie cart it wouldn't help there.
Anyways I am soooooooooo glad the site is up and running again.
Take care & as always thanks for being here and listening.

 

[??Rock Star??]

No way I am hauling my table around to give people free massages....my back would be out of commission in no time.

I would suggest that you just set it up somewhere in your home and have friends and family go there to be worked on.

 

[ms.prissy]

Congrats! I'm sure you are going to do great. Having graduated from your school, my advice would be just to try and keep up as best you can, reading-wise. It is a lot, but its good info, and the classes do build on each other.

Its REALLY normal to feel overwhelmed and lost at first. This is probably a very different kind of learning than you have experienced before. The instructors are very kind, and will help you any way they can.

Good luck!

Janey in Seattle

 

[MOMIN]

Seattlesunshine,

Congrats on starting school! You are smart to have found this site early in your career. I didn't find it until I was in my second semester. Hearing about other's experiences and having the support here was invaluable. I look forward to hearing about your experiences as you embark on this grand adventure.

As far as reading...
I tried to read everything we were going to cover BEFORE we had it in class. I took notes from my readings and made lists of things that I thought I would need to know for the NCE. Reading before class often made my A&P a little boring and sometimes it meant I knew more than my instructor, but the strategy saved me from having to study much for the national exam. I reviewed and kept up with all the material all through school. (It just about killed me at times.) After I graduated, I took 3 months off and then took the NCE and passed high in all categories. To me it was WAY worth the time I spent studying during school to be able to take the summer off after school. By the time I finished, I needed a break from school.

RE: carting your table around...
I wouldn't do that to give a FREE massage and I don't do it now even for pay. My table is pretty heavy and by the time I load it in the car, set it up, do the massage, lug it back to the car and home, it just is not worth it to me. When I have some spare $$$ I may buy a second table that is much lighter than my "real" table but I like being able to control the environment in which I give massage.

Looking forward to future updates!

LaLoba

 

[Mabelline]

LaLoba

I only found out about this site recently And Im in my 2nd year of Practise!! It would have been a HUGE support for us had we known about it when we were in school.

Seattle...

I think most of us had similar feelings when we first started (Ive been a masasge therapist for 2 years) Its like starting anything from scratch... youre dealing with uncharted territory, and naturally it can be a bit overwhelming. your body and mind will just naturally fall in line with the demands placed on it.. and that will happen sooner than you think.

And youre lucky to have a forum full of supportive people in similar situations.

Best of luck with your studies!!

 

[John L]

Thanks for all the encourging replys. I just did my 9th massage and I am feeling more comfortable already. I wish I didn't have to lug the table however I just don't have a space at home right now that I feel cofortable with. I've got kids (teens, much louder then little ones!) and pets. Also I have a very small place. I can move my coffee table around and make it happen. I probaly will do that later on when i know I have the place to myself. That's a very short time window each day though. Today I just told my friend that we would have to do it in her downstairs media room which was way easier the her stairs last week. My table is fairly lite weight, just doesn' bend around stairs too well. And I am sooooooooo glad I found this site. I have gained a lot of insight that I really believe puts me ahead of the game. So thank you all and I promise to carry on the goodwill as soon as I have answers or encourgment for others on here.

 

[Tay B]

Seattlesunshine,
Love the name! I am a student still, expecting to graduate in Jan.2006. One thing I have already learned is to relax, breathe and if you want this bad enough things will fall into place for you. Just believe in yourself and it will happen. Good luck!

 

[Gipper]

I think it's really really unlikely that you'll hurt anybody.

Sometimes, some folks do feel "worse" after massage because they're more aware of pain/patterns/etc that they were tuning out or ignoring.

Sometimes, one can go "too deep", too quickly. I had someone in school get a little carried away kneading my gastrocs on one leg, and it was sore the next day :-(

 

[Lacus]

if you're going to lug your table, you really should get a cart. if you can't justify the $80-$90 for a pro model, try your local walmart for a folding heavy duty luggage rack for $40. it's extremely sturdy.

this will allow you the option to pull the table up the stairs on its wheels. it's usually slow going, but not so taxing on the body before you have to actually do the massage :

i have one client who wants his massage in the master bedroom on the 3rd floor of his oceanfront house. it's 7 stairs then turn and another 7 to the 2nd floor~ ditto to the 3rd. my client generously offers to help lug it up. but i slide it on the way down. don't want to ruin the massage i just gave him, you know? :

enjoy school.
and remember to work smarter, not harder.

 

[my my metrocard]

Thanks, I think I will look into the table cart. Sounds like the sensible thing to do.