Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72093
SPEAK YOUR MIND Tell us about a massage therapy instructor who changed your life. In 1990, I enrolled in owner Karen Carlson's massage school in Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania. Karen's program was as much about self-development as it was about learning to be a massage practitioner. I learned wonderfully effective massage techniques and to see this work as the beautiful, deep dance that it is. Karen gave me the caring push that I needed to embark on what has become a fulfi lling career in helping many people create their own wellness. Although I have studied with many teachers since I became a massage practitioner, Karen's voice is still the one I hear as I work. KATHY KYAR DES MOINES, IOWA Her name is Dolly Stavros, and she was a teaching assistant in Swedish massage at my college. Dolly knew much about technique, body mechanics, anatomy, and fl ow. But, more than anything, she showed me the practice of being present and the reality of transformation that comes through touch based in love. As I delve further into the clinical applications of bodywork, it always benefi ts my work in the deepest ways to be present and to come from love. PAUL VACHON KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE Scott Shaw's plate is full. He is both a massage practitioner and a licensed counselor, and both of his practices are thriving. To students at Biloxi's Virginia College, he is both inspiration and caring instructor. By the end of our fi rst quarter (i.e., Fundamentals of Massage Therapy), Scott had given us a brief glimpse of deep tissue, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation—and we could locate and release a trigger point! Not many fi rst-quarter students can make the same brag. Scott's approach gave us a brief, sweet taste of the skills we will one day master when we, too, become skilled massage therapists. GARY ADDIS BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI The most infl uential instructor I ever had was Dr. Valerie Chin. I was a scared and timid MT student attending my fi rst hands-on course. I had no idea what I was doing, but she taught an amazing class. From teaching us how to properly frog-leg a client or massage blindfolded (because you never know when you're going to need to use that technique … and I have had to), she was invaluable to my education, and to the profession as a whole. She continues to inspire me through her words of wisdom: "It's always better to be told to back off the pressure, rather than to hear from a client, 'Could you go a little deeper?'" LACEY CHRISMAN ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA Upcoming Topics What do you do to make your practice more environmentally friendly? Deadline: June 15 Publication Date: September/ October 2012 Visit www.massageandbodywork.com or www.abmp.com to submit your answers, or email darren@abmp.com. After a busy week of delivering hands-on work to your clients, what do you do to rejuvenate yourself? Deadline: August 15 Publication Date: November/ December 2012 Celebrate ABMP's 25th anniversary and you may win a refund on your membership. ABMP.com. 15