a community of practitioners

Why did you want to teach?

I would love to know why you chose to do this.

Massage Therapists seem to fall into two categories: they crave knowedge or get by with the state required minimum. It's feast or famine. Then there is online classes, school classes, degree programs and as soon as someone qualifies they start teaching, ready or not.

To me, it takes a special person to do what you do. I appaud you all.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Maria Troia on July 31, 2009 at 4:03pm

Great topic, Mike.

Before becoming a therapist, I taught high school English, so you could say teaching was in my blood. I am also a published writer and taught creative writing at the adult level as well. When I master something, I am innately driven to share it, I think. The passion I have for what I do transcends my practice -- I always want to do more, reach more than one at a time. It is wonderful to reach a client on your table, support their health and expand their consciousness, and to know that that energy will continue ripple out into the world through them. But you can increase this energy geometrically when you teach because each student will not only be changed by what they learn from you, but they will then go on to change the lives of countless clients with that information too.

Add to that, I still get chills when I see the "light bulb moment," that instant when you realize the student has really owned a concept, or mastered a technique. That opportunity to see someone shift from rote technique to art. I once remember standing back and watching a student in a hot stone class and thinking it was like watching Michelangelo paint. That is a wonderful moment, to know that you have helped to cultivate a gift in someone and they will go on to use what you have taught them in a meaningful way.

And of course as any teacher will tell you, when you teach, you augment your own learning and deepen your understanding of what it is that you really do. It keeps things new and current. While students are always learning, teachers are always learning too.

To me there is nothing more rewarding, no gift that is more far reaching. I teach for the joy!

Maria Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH
www.kiraholistic.com

Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on July 31, 2009 at 4:46pm

I just truly wanted to share from my heart.
I love this work! I love watching individuals transform.
I'm in love with it all ;)

I've gotten thrown in classes I didn't want to teach and learned I loved that too! It's all good!

It is such an amazing privilege and gift to share!

Yes, the more I teach Maria, The more I learn! I agree it is JOYFULL!

Permalink Reply by Shawn Maria Brinza on July 31, 2009 at 9:59pm

most teaches are people who are very passionate about there work and seem to look into the souls of there hungry students.

weather its english, math, or massage hopefully it is the beautiful challenges we set for ourselves and others that keep us thriving...

We must never assume we've reached the top....

Permalink Reply by Eeris Kallil CMT on August 1, 2009 at 2:17pm

Its the $$$!
Ok, so I know that you know that I am kidding, right?

There is something that you get from teaching. For me besides the fact that you feel that you are a vessel full or experience and passion and you want to share it, every time I teach- it make me a better practitioner. You think and do your work differently when you teach it and that make it more refined and precious!

Permalink Reply by Michael McAleese on August 14, 2009 at 12:08pm

I guess I love what I do and enjoy sharing my Passion for it... however I do not Teach A/P..( I know my limitations:)) I do Teach The hands on Part of My School, from Reflexology to Sports massage to Preg. massage to chair massage etc etc etc....

Mike

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on August 14, 2009 at 12:17pm

You should join all the teachers groups here. They are all nice folks and will hep any way they can.

Michael McAleese said:

I guess I love what I do and enjoy sharing my Passion for it... however I do not Teach A/P..( I know my limitations:)) I do Teach The hands on Part of My School, from Reflexology to Sports massage to Preg. massage to chair massage etc etc etc....

Mike

Permalink Reply by Susan G. Salvo on August 19, 2009 at 5:02pm

Lots of reasons...

But I have stayed teaching in massage schools because I LOVE the kind of people who are attracted to the profession.

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on August 19, 2009 at 5:11pm

Hi Maria, I hope you will fill out our teacher form for the Festival at http://www.worldmassagefestival.com/instructor.html

We are always looking for different instructors for the WMF!

.
Maria Troia said:

Great topic, Mike.

Before becoming a therapist, I taught high school English, so you could say teaching was in my blood. I am also a published writer and taught creative writing at the adult level as well. When I master something, I am innately driven to share it, I think. The passion I have for what I do transcends my practice -- I always want to do more, reach more than one at a time. It is wonderful to reach a client on your table, support their health and expand their consciousness, and to know that that energy will continue ripple out into the world through them. But you can increase this energy geometrically when you teach because each student will not only be changed by what they learn from you, but they will then go on to change the lives of countless clients with that information too.

Add to that, I still get chills when I see the "light bulb moment," that instant when you realize the student has really owned a concept, or mastered a technique. That opportunity to see someone shift from rote technique to art. I once remember standing back and watching a student in a hot stone class and thinking it was like watching Michelangelo paint. That is a wonderful moment, to know that you have helped to cultivate a gift in someone and they will go on to use what you have taught them in a meaningful way.

And of course as any teacher will tell you, when you teach, you augment your own learning and deepen your understanding of what it is that you really do. It keeps things new and current. While students are always learning, teachers are always learning too.

To me there is nothing more rewarding, no gift that is more far reaching. I teach for the joy!

Maria Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH
www.kiraholistic.com

Permalink Reply by Maria Troia on August 21, 2009 at 12:01pm

Hi Mike,
I would love to. I'm a little overwhelmed right now for my next class in Sedona. But I will give this serious thought. It sounds like a dynamic event with some great people involved!

Thanks for the invite!
Maria

Mike Hinkle said:

Hi Maria, I hope you will fill out our teacher form for the Festival at http://www.worldmassagefestival.com/instructor.html

We are always looking for different instructors for the WMF!

.
Maria Troia said:
Great topic, Mike.

Before becoming a therapist, I taught high school English, so you could say teaching was in my blood. I am also a published writer and taught creative writing at the adult level as well. When I master something, I am innately driven to share it, I think. The passion I have for what I do transcends my practice -- I always want to do more, reach more than one at a time. It is wonderful to reach a client on your table, support their health and expand their consciousness, and to know that that energy will continue ripple out into the world through them. But you can increase this energy geometrically when you teach because each student will not only be changed by what they learn from you, but they will then go on to change the lives of countless clients with that information too.

Add to that, I still get chills when I see the "light bulb moment," that instant when you realize the student has really owned a concept, or mastered a technique. That opportunity to see someone shift from rote technique to art. I once remember standing back and watching a student in a hot stone class and thinking it was like watching Michelangelo paint. That is a wonderful moment, to know that you have helped to cultivate a gift in someone and they will go on to use what you have taught them in a meaningful way.

And of course as any teacher will tell you, when you teach, you augment your own learning and deepen your understanding of what it is that you really do. It keeps things new and current. While students are always learning, teachers are always learning too.

To me there is nothing more rewarding, no gift that is more far reaching. I teach for the joy!

Maria Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH
www.kiraholistic.com

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on August 21, 2009 at 5:00pm

There is no hurry, I will save a space for you. Looking forward to seeing your work!

Maria Troia said:

Hi Mike,
I would love to. I'm a little overwhelmed right now for my next class in Sedona. But I will give this serious thought. It sounds like a dynamic event with some great people involved!

Thanks for the invite!
Maria

Mike Hinkle said:
Hi Maria, I hope you will fill out our teacher form for the Festival at http://www.worldmassagefestival.com/instructor.html

We are always looking for different instructors for the WMF!

.
Maria Troia said:
Great topic, Mike.

Before becoming a therapist, I taught high school English, so you could say teaching was in my blood. I am also a published writer and taught creative writing at the adult level as well. When I master something, I am innately driven to share it, I think. The passion I have for what I do transcends my practice -- I always want to do more, reach more than one at a time. It is wonderful to reach a client on your table, support their health and expand their consciousness, and to know that that energy will continue ripple out into the world through them. But you can increase this energy geometrically when you teach because each student will not only be changed by what they learn from you, but they will then go on to change the lives of countless clients with that information too.

Add to that, I still get chills when I see the "light bulb moment," that instant when you realize the student has really owned a concept, or mastered a technique. That opportunity to see someone shift from rote technique to art. I once remember standing back and watching a student in a hot stone class and thinking it was like watching Michelangelo paint. That is a wonderful moment, to know that you have helped to cultivate a gift in someone and they will go on to use what you have taught them in a meaningful way.

And of course as any teacher will tell you, when you teach, you augment your own learning and deepen your understanding of what it is that you really do. It keeps things new and current. While students are always learning, teachers are always learning too.

To me there is nothing more rewarding, no gift that is more far reaching. I teach for the joy!

Maria Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH
www.kiraholistic.com

Permalink Reply by Frank J on September 5, 2009 at 7:17pm

I originally started teaching to give my body a break from doing too much massage work!!!