Massage & Bodywork

MARCH | APRIL 2019

Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1078860

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 65 of 119

Yo u r M & B i s w o r t h 2 C E s ! G o t o w w w. a b m p . c o m / c e t o l e a r n m o r e . 63 ready for participants—the class begins with a focus on the breath, bringing clients into the present moment. The Yomassage therapist then leads clients into their first pose, making sure they are completely comfortable before beginning the massage. Once massage begins, the therapist gives each client 60–90 seconds of massage in each pose. Massage balls are then offered for guided self-massage for about 5–10 minutes of each class. Class ends with a hot towel on the feet after a foot massage, or may end with a warm flax pillow behind the neck after a head and neck massage. Either way, by the end of class, clients experience a head-to-toe massage. CAREER LONGEVITY As a practitioner, you know that massage and bodywork can be taxing on your own body. Performing one- on-one bodywork sessions can cause repetitive stress injuries in your hands, arms, shoulders, neck, and back. Many massage therapists have relatively short careers due to these injuries. Since Yomassage is not a deep- tissue modality, it is gentler on the practitioner's body. The goal of Yomassage is not to address issues in the muscles, but to use the power of touch to find ease in the mind and body. "Yomassage is not about getting a deep-tissue massage," Ryan says. "It is about getting into a state of deep relaxation that can be accessed through mindfulness, an unbelievably relaxing environment, and safe touch. Studies have shown that moderate pressure is better for relaxation," she adds. "Any deeper, and pain receptors are activated, making it difficult to truly get into rest and relaxation mode." Because the physicality of the work is less taxing, bodyworkers can work less hours and make more money per session. PROFIT POTENTIAL Yomassage began as a weekly class with five clients for $35 per person. Once demand grew, and the class was refined, the rate changed to $45 per person (therapists can set their own class costs, based on their region and demographics). For a 90-minute class with eight clients, $360 was generated for the Yomassage therapist. When My Yoga Room moved to a bigger space, classes were expanded to allow eight clients and an assistant was added to the class for more hands-on time. "We see Yomassage as a win-win in terms of money for the client and the therapist," Parker says. "The client is able to receive hands-on massage at an accessible rate, and the therapist is able to make double or triple what they would in a one-on-one massage." After several months of teaching Yomassage classes and refining the modality, Parker and Ryan decided to share this modality with other bodyworkers in September 2018. They started training across the Pacific Northwest and are now traveling to Texas, California, New Jersey, Arizona, and Nevada—with plans to have Yomassage therapists in every state by the end of 2020. Yomassage therapist training is open to massage therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, reiki practitioners, and craniosacral therapists. Lisa Bakewell is a full-time freelance writer/ editor in the Chicagoland area. Her areas of writing expertise include health and fitness, travel, parenting, company/personal profiles, business, money-saving, and "how-to" articles. She can be reached at lbakewell@att.net. Yomassage allows bodyworkers to serve, on average, eight clients in a single 90-minute session, and it's easier on the practitioner's body. For more information about Yomassage and to view their training schedule, visit www.yomassage.co.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Massage & Bodywork - MARCH | APRIL 2019