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totally agree with you Mike...one never knows until one trys. i just wish i had bucked upon this sooner...because i DO believe it is innate in me. however i also believe things happen in their own time, and therefore any other time but the present, i wasn't ready for. :)
Mike Hinkle said:Hi Lisa,
This is the same in almost all fields of endeavor. Some people just naturally fall into whatever they do. The skills they have learned along the way "just fit". It will always be this way.
Talent can be taught, to some. Otherwise only three of those students, Rudy mentioned, would be successful. Given time and effort, it is possible. Some doctors are naturals and some should change careers. Along the way, trying and then quitting, they will affect many aspects of the profession. And change opinion of it.
Massage is a skill. Whether natural or taught, I hope everyone is given a chance, because you'll never know if you are or aren't a natural, until you try! It's like the kid that wants to hit the ball, but is afraid to swing the bat. Go for it and find out!
Yes yes, here's the thing... if you realy study massage therapists who graduate as a group and you realy look at some HARD markers for success in terms of what a proffesional carreer is you will see that most are scraping by, many having to hold several jobs to make ends meet... few able to pay for health care insurance, let alone short term or long term disability insurance. We will also see HIGH levels of dissatisfaction in this same group for these same reasons on top of that many give up, burn out, or settle for poor working conditions and very low pay because what clients they do get in the door they can't retain and don't get referals from. Here in this cyber place - Those of us who are making it are the minority. Just several years ago the (new student in a private massage school) was forty something, carreer change, mom with an empty nest, recent divorce etc... now corporations have moved in to get their share of the federal money available to many disenfranchised low end socio-econimic (very young) and very gullible, couldn't handle college, so they thought massage would be an easy job, students. Whew! This recruiting proccess has been in many cases criminal at best. Promising these new students great jobs with great pay that seldom pan out. It still blows my mind when I walk into a classroom at month 8 of training and ask "so where are you going to work? what are your plans?" and I get a whole lot of blank stares followed by some poorly thought out answers! Part of the reason is that massage schools often hire massage therapists who have never had a succesfull practise so they resort to teaching to make a living. Those who can't teach, those who can do. This is NOT always the case (I love to teach). These unsuccessfull (now teachers) of massage pass on very watered down skills, that never cut it in the real world, - and so it goes. But I ramble :}
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Mike Hinkle said:Hi Lisa,
This is the same in almost all fields of endeavor. Some people just naturally fall into whatever they do. The skills they have learned along the way "just fit". It will always be this way.
Talent can be taught, to some. Otherwise only three of those students, Rudy mentioned, would be successful. Given time and effort, it is possible. Some doctors are naturals and some should change careers. Along the way, trying and then quitting, they will affect many aspects of the profession. And change opinion of it.
Massage is a skill. Whether natural or taught, I hope everyone is given a chance, because you'll never know if you are or aren't a natural, until you try! It's like the kid that wants to hit the ball, but is afraid to swing the bat. Go for it and find out!
Lisa,
Yes I agree. Let me give you an example, I have two daughters... one has the touch... one does not. Same environment, same exposure to Massage therapy. I commend you for teaching all over. I am in the process of doing the same with Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage. Some people can move chi... some cannot. that all being said.There is a teacher for every student. In Chi Nei Tsang we see our clients as students. Sometimes a student is in a place that a less skilled practitioner may make them feel more comfortable. Sounds crazy but I believe it is true.
Those with natural talent blow the rest away. Finding them is a gift. But some students cannot appreciate the gift at specific times in their lives because their core is not ready for the kind of change that will take place. I am appreciative to have all levels of practitioners available. Hoping they all strive to become the best practitioner they can be.
Where does the core skill of massage come from....I believe you "want it" or you don't. What's so intriguing about this idea, is that some massage therapists don't realize this is their calling until they have already begun their massage education...and then they get their "aha moment".
It is so interesting to observe a massage class from the first day of class to graduation. The students are constantly evolving, and I agree that some individuals possess a "natural talent" that can be seen early on. I enjoy observing a diverse group of students who have chosen massage therapy for different reasons (career, passion, and some really don't know why!).
My point is, I think a student can "want it" without yet knowing it!
I haven't read the other postings ...so please forgive me if what I say is already mentioned! ;)
My personal view is that there are four (4) kinds of individuals who attend massage therapy school.
1- This individual attends massage school and wants to become a therapist...however, they are unable to absorb and regurgitate the AP portion of the course. This is the end of the line for this individual in regards to becoming a massage therapist. It also would be rare for this person to try again in the future.
2- This individual attends school, has the drive and mental fortitude to push forward through the lecture portions...but is unable to function during the hands-on training and has to drop out. This individual is more likely to try again in the future.
3- This individual attends school, has the drive and mental capacity to complete the lecture portions...but is able to master the hands-on techniques of massage. However, this person is unable to feel energy or work with it...energy is unknown to this student therapist.
4- This student therapist achieves all of what number three does...however this person is also able to 'feel' the clients energy and 'exchange' their waste and bad energy...with clean and renewed energy. This student-therapist functions like a sponge.
This is how I look at all the students who come through my school. You can almost tell immediately the first week of school.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my post! :)
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