Suggestions

[Imma Tater]

I'm trying to figure out which way may be the best way for me to go in doing massage.

My husband is a bodybuilder and is really wanting me to go toward modalities that will be beneficial. I'm thinking deep tissue and trigger point. But 3 others in my class are going in that direction, also. I have this thing about not wanting to be the same as everyone else. What others would be good to look into? I'm hoping some of you who are more experienced can point me in the right direction. There are just so many... :

However, I don't want to limit myself to just the above systems. I'm also thinking energy work and have dipped my toe into the Reiki pool. We had a Reiki practitioner speak at our school last week and it sounds like a fascinating topic (heck they all do). To the point that a student I carpool with is going to see if our instructor would be willing to teach us fully outside the normal course time, provided we can get enough students together to make it worth the instructors while.

Since I'm still learning (just starting week 4), I feel like I'm trying to learn a million things a minute. You know the feeling. Wow...that one looks interesting. Or, oh, look at this one. It's almost like a "show me something shiny" moment.

Completely overwhelmed and looking for logical advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[rabbithorsegirl]

My best advice is to simply use your education to learn what you can about each of these fields. Then later, when you have a good idea of each type of bodywork, pick the one that fascinates you the most. Think about what methods you are inclined to use when faced with your favorite type of client. Pay attention to what you talk to your husband about after class, which types you are the most enthusiastic about. If you LOVE the method you practice, you will have a better chance of success, even if the person in the next room is "selling" the same modality.

 

[nebbie]

Its funny how you can change your mind about what you think you want to specialize in. For example I was so hot to get lymphatic training. I had it planned out in my head that I would use it working with post op surgries like breast cancer etc. Well I took the classes, and I admit that lymphatic is super powerful but frankly I was bored to tears. Not my style at all. I also shyed away from Lomi and Aurividic (sp?) styles because I am not into a lot of oil and thought ick at first. I took some classes and low and behold, I LOVE LOMI!!! You can love the idea of something of you have to actually enjoy doing it. So I think you should just be open to it all right now and experience as much as you can. You will be led in the right direction in the end.
Enjoy

 

[V-katastrophe]

Ah, the one-month overwhelm about where to specialize and how to be different from other practitioners!

Please don't worry about this right now. Truly the thing that sets practitioners apart from each other is excellence, not modality. And gaining the reputation for excellence will come with practice -- plus, you may change your specialty or client base at least once during your career.

It *is* a good idea to get plenty of training in several modalities during school days, because it is just not as easy to do once school is finished.

As far as modalities that will be beneficial for bodybuilders -- honestly I cannot think of a single modality that would *not* benefit them. Any modality you use can be adapted to the needs of almost any clientele. (And like others have said above, you might not know whether you want to really work much with that population, or what will help them, until you have been out on your own in practice for a while anyway, so there's no need to limit yourself. I am practicing a new non-'deep' modality right now that is extremely efficient and effective for weightlifters, to their amazement!)

Anyway, welcome to the club of wanting to practice every fascinating modality in the book! That will get you through school!

 

[Uchiha Itachi]

Ok. You all are pretty much telling me what I'm thinking deep down inside. So, I'll take a few deep breaths and just focus on learning first. :

 

[ROCKER_CHICK]

I am practicing a new non-'deep' modality right now that is extremely efficient and effective for weightlifters, to their amazement!)

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I would be interested to know what this "non-deep modality" is.

And, I agree with the others, get as much exposure to different styles as you can, and see what jives with you.

As for being different, that just comes with time. Everyone I went to school with began to have obvious differences in style and manner of working about half-way through our training- and we all had the exact same classes and instruction. It just comes down to personal style.

 

[armouror2000]

I am practicing a new non-'deep' modality right now that is extremely efficient and effective for weightlifters, to their amazement!)

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I would be interested to know what this "non-deep modality" is.

I'll hijack my own thread and ask what this modality is, too. I'd be interested in trying it on my husband and getting his opinion on it.

 

[Dani Ludwig]

My massage instructor said "You don't pick the modality; the modality picks you."

That sounded very strange in the beginning. He very well might have said it around week 4 when we were all starting to get anxious and excited about all there was to learn and just wished we could download it all into our brains and bodies instantly. We wondered what was ahead? What am I going to like? What am I going to be good at? Which area will I easily find a job?

The last week of school when we all went around the room to talk about our experience. I don't know that there was one of us who were still going in the direction that we originally thought we go when we first started school. And, I know that my direction has changed since I left school.

Learn, absorb, try a few things on for size and see what you are good at. What you enjoy doing. It will come to you. And, even after school, don't be afraid to change directions if you find that your original choice is not working the way you anticipated.

I would caution about doing the kind of work that your husband wants you to do. Is he asking for you to specialize in this type of work because he wants to reap all the benefits, or because he is excited for you to be involved in his world? I think that you need to do what YOU want to do. Just like anything else, if you do it for someone else, it has a great chance of not being something that will have great success because it will not fill you up. If your heart takes you in that direction, then it has worked out just the way everyone wants. But, even if you do not specialize in sports massage, you will still be able to work on him and he will get benefit from it. Please keep in mind that this is about YOU, not about him.

 

[Imo]

I agree with all the advice you've gotten already. And especially the part about doing what you love, (even though
you have yet to figure that one out just yet)

Also, just like the old saying of the shoemaker's children going without shoes, sometimes its the same way when it
comes to working on husbands & other family members. Its fine while you're practicing techniques & when your schedule allows. However, once you have begun establishing your business you may not want to work on your spouse at the end of a long day!
Be sure he knows it will end up being by scheduled appointment only & stick to it! There are also plenty of us
MT's who feel our husbands should see another practitioner
besides us. Afterall surgeons don't operate on their spouses either ! Just a thought....

In the meantime enjoy all the training you are doing & try out other styles from different practitioners and you will discover what works for you. Best of Luck !