Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1037165
bolstering your self-esteem by giving away your time so as to be "needed." Example I had a client who canceled three times because of her son's soccer schedule. I valued my time more than that. After that experience, I set a two-day cancellation policy with full payment due a week before an appointment. FOURTH CHAKRA: GREEN Manages: Love, relationships, healing Location: Chest Manipulator's Strategies The fourth chakra manipulator believes that we only love them if we bow to their immediate and often dramatic desires; either that, or they want to "give" us love, perhaps through compliments, gifts, or special treatment. They might also state or infer that no one except us can heal them. Healer's Strategies We all want to love and be loved, but watch out for the ego trap. We are basically hired help. Our goal is to get our own needs met outside our practice and encourage our clients to connect with real people, and perhaps their Higher Power, through their everyday lives. As applicable, recommend that clients form beneficial friendships, use professional resources or support groups to address relationship issues, and see other healers if they have the money or time. Be clear that although you care for 96 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k n o v e m b e r / d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 8 them, you are running a business and are only available during scheduled sessions. Example I once had a student send me several messages on Facebook insisting that I become her friend. I switched the conversation to my professional email and stated that while I was happy to have her in my class, I couldn't offer friendship. (Since then, I don't even look at my Facebook messages. Ever.) She began sending mean notes accusing me of hurting her in a past life. I reimbursed her the class monies so she could exit the class. FIFTH CHAKRA: BLUE Manages: Communication, receiving worldly and spiritual guidance Location: Throat Manipulator's Strategies The fifth chakra manipulator is exceptionally good at using words and phrases to get what they want. They might quote an external authority, such as scripture, an expert, an invisible spiritual guide, or God, to insist you do "X" or "Y" for them. They might twist your words against you or misquote your policies. They might also say you are being unkind if you establish and keep standard boundaries. I had a client who canceled three times because of her son's soccer schedule. After that experience, I set a two-day cancellation policy with full payment due a week before an appointment. THIRD CHAKRA: YELLOW Manages: Structure, administration, personal power, thoughts, cognitive empathy Location: Solar plexus Manipulator's Strategies A manipulative third chakra client might be constantly late or compel you to see them on their schedule, not your own. Most likely, they only feel special when being accommodated. Healer's Strategies Set a schedule and keep it. Build an emergency session time into your schedule every so often. Create a cancellation list and a referral system. Set clear boundaries around client no-shows and lateness. Don't ever see clients longer than they are scheduled for. Consider asking for prepayment from all clients; have a nonrefundable cancellation policy. Also, don't answer or respond to questions or needs outside of a client's paid time. I use an assistant who makes it clear that I won't respond to clients' issues except during a booked session time. Specific to bodywork, figure out the cutoff to starting a session for a late client. Work on issues related to owning your own personal time. Your time is your life—keep it sacred. Avoid