Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68016
'ROUND THE TABLE UPCOMING TOPICS How have you incorporated design into your office/massage space to make it welcoming to clients? How have you used social networking to boost your practice? How have you benefitted from participating in volunteer or outreach work? DEADLINE PUBLICATION DATE December 15 Mar/Apr 2010 February 15 May/June 2010 April 15 July/Aug 2010 Please email your 'Round the Table submissions (200 words or less) to darren@abmp.com. Submission does not guarantee inclusion. Also, due to space constraints, your material may be edited. attract additional clients by means of referrals from your regular clients. AMPARO M. DEMATERA NAG CITY, PHILIPPINES When I am upset and disappointed, I get a sense of constriction both mentally and physically and I'm no longer open to receive feedback from a client. Giving massage becomes a chore. It's no longer an uplifting journey of pleasure mutually shared, and I can't wait for the massage to end. I try to avoid this feeling at all costs and try to be very selective in my marketing. I used to feel very disappointed when I could not satisfy everyone who called me for a massage and give them a great treatment. I do not feel this way anymore. There will be people who do not inspire you due to their negativity (no matter what you do or say, they will not be happy with you or your massage). There will be others who will judge you by a preconceived standard imprinted in their brain. No matter what technique or stroke you offer, it will not feel like "John's or Mary's massage." Stay calm. Do not beat yourself up or try to stand on your head and jump through hoops of fire. Save your psychic and physical energy for your next client. End the massage as politely as possible and tell them they will be happier with someone else or another establishment. If a massage is not working out, it is like a relationship that is not working out. Don't try to fix it or fight it; it is best ended and forgotten. Don't let it ruin your day. Let it go and move on to the next massage ASAP to blot out this experience. I swiftly offer my services to someone who is going to deeply appreciate what I have to offer. BERNARD ZEMBLE LAS VEGAS, NEVADA One main aspect that has greatly influenced and improved both my life and my career is grief work. There's a local group here called Bereavement Outreach that holds meetings every Thursday evening, alternating between educational sessions and sharing sessions for the bereaved and a support person. It was here that I was able to both understand the process of grief (the Kubler-Ross model and James Cherry's book Handbook of Grief Recovery) and share what I was feeling. It was a very rocky journey, but one I needed to take. Another helpful book was Judith Viorst's Necessary Losses. Now, having been through some of my own process work, I'm able to connect with clients by acknowledging how grief and loss impacts our lives and shows up in our bodies, as well as relating to them during those very turbulent times. One doesn't have to have major losses or issues to let go of, but learning about the process sure helps. T.J. TALLET SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA The most important thing that's made me a better massage therapist is working on clients. I customize each client's treatments to their needs. If I had a second choice, it would be all the continuing education and networking I've done to increase my knowledge of the human body. And if I could have a third, it would be all the bodywork I've been receiving, even before I went to MT school. Not only did it help me become more aware of my body and its needs, but being a client has made me aware of what I did and didn't like—the session, therapist, type of bodywork, etc. Combining these three things, I hope to make each client's session now as relaxing and as therapeutic as possible. KIMBERLY ROGERS WAUPACA, WISCONSIN One thing that has made me a better massage therapist is to know how to pace myself. I recently did 7.5 hours with only 30-minute intervals. Let me tell you, I was wiped out completely the next day. The next time I started to book a lot, I gave myself at least an hour interval, and it has worked out much better. Some people are late, some people like to talk. I need at least some time to have a breather for myself. I have always worked hard and I found this to be the best way for my career to work for me. LAURA BECHTOLD (SEGUR) KIRKWOOD, MISSOURI connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 33