a community of practitioners

Introductions---Meet, Greet, and Make Merry :)

Hello everyone! This discussion thread is a place for us to introduce ourselves to one another and create a better sense of community.

A bit about me: I still consider myself a relatively new therapist in the field and an ever eager student. I graduated in 2006, and have my own private practice within a larger massage therapy and wellness center in Modesto, CA. I love the work, and everyday I find that I am learning something new. I am grateful to work in such a rewarding and challenging profession.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kirsten Niesar on July 7, 2009 at 6:17pm

Hello, happy to meet you all. I have been doing massage for 12 years, 7 as my "full time" profession. I have been independently employed for most of that time. As of May I have taken "charge" of the building I have been in and have created a wellness collective. This has been an unexpected but welcome (I think) adventure.
I LOVE MY JOB! I can not imagine doing anything else and am so grateful for the opportunity to do it.

Permalink Reply by Tony Poland, CMT on July 10, 2009 at 12:24pm

Thanks Taylor,
I'm Tony Poland, a Sports Therapist and Instructor at IPSB in Culver City, CA. I also do medical massage at a physical therapy center in West LA and teach a gay couples massage class at the Gay & Lesbian Center in Hollywood. My favorite week of the year, every year, is the AIDS/LifeCycle Ride, the first week of June. On ALC, I'm Co-Captain of the Sports Medicine Team.

I've been doing massage since '99, when I was 34. I had finally found my passion in life when I took my first class. I've been a constant student ever since. My next target is to learn one of the many forms of Structural Integration.

I'd love to hear about the other members of this group. Ya'll have a great day.

Abundant Peace,
Tony

Permalink Reply by Elena Barrioz on July 10, 2009 at 1:18pm

Hi to everyone too, I'm currently in the Bay Area and have been a therapist since 1993, but just until this year I've started to make massage my main source of income, prior it was just something I did on the side for a select few clients and out of my home. So although I've been massaging for over 15 years, I'm just now coming from a business point of view and getting all those wonderful little toys, like software, pos systems, marketing plans, networking, etc. This looks like it's going to be tons of fun and I'm so glad to be able to have a forum that has so many of you experienced this area.

I specialize in Aromatherapy massage sessions and during the cooler months I offer Hot Stone sessions for my clients. There are very few modalities that call to me at the moment, but am curious about lymphathic massage. Are any of you in the Bay Area (Silicon Valley) familiar with this technique or trained?

Permalink Reply by Toi Beaman Leal on July 11, 2009 at 4:20pm

Hello Taylor, et al!
My name is Toi Beaman Leal and I've been a massage therapist since 2006. I've also had certification as a personal trainer, but found my true passion when I went to IPSB in Culver City. Although I work on everyone, I attract female clients who are "transitioning" and have decided to put themselves first for a change, taking care of their health. Currently, I work in a physical therapy/pilates studio and a massage studio in Los Angeles and have a growing private practice. To add to this, I am hoping to join the teacher training program at IPSB in the next couple of months, and I'm doing my first workshop on July 17th on Massage and Aromatherapy for a company called Wellness Uprising here in Los Angeles. I love learning and sharing the power of touch with my clients and finding ways to bring wellness to the community!
Namaste!
Toi
PS. Tony Poland (posted above) was one of my teachers. He's fantastic! A wealth of knowledge.

Permalink Reply by StacyLea on July 23, 2009 at 1:00am

Howdy to all. I'm what you would call an outsider, as I currently live in Washington State. My husband is a native to the Redding area and we've been talking about moving back into the area. I love it down there. Not as much rain. :)

I am a newborn to the massage field having graduated Aug. 08 from Everest College as Valedictorian. I am currently working in conjunction with a Chiropractor providing Swedish, Deep Tissue, Orthopedic Massage, and a bit of Trigger Point Therapy as needed.

I've been looking into becoming certified to practice in the Redding area but am confused to say the least about regulations. Exactly what all is needed for me to practice? I am uncomfortable just waltzing in and going right to massaging people. I have over 960 hours of education and am licensed here in WA having sat for the MBLEx.

If anyone could point me in the right direction and give a few tips on what to expect and the best way to go about it I would really appreciate it.

Thank you to all!

Blessed Peace,
StacyLea

Permalink Reply by Taylor Swaty CMT on July 26, 2009 at 5:32am

Hey there Stacy,

As it stands now, your best bet is to check with the city of Redding and see what the requirements are for a massage permit. California massage regulations are varied across the state. Where I'm located, for example, 500 hours of training are required, as are finger prints, tb test, criminal background check, proof of insurance, proof of massage establishment (no in home care), and other fees before I can be allowed to work.

Again though, it varies across the state. Also, the process took me a few weeks after the city went through its motions. Being that you're from out of state, it may take longer. I don't know how long it takes before California recognizes someone as a citizen, or that being a citizen of the state is requisite to receive a massage permit.

Let us know how it goes! :)

StacyLea said:

Howdy to all. I'm what you would call an outsider, as I currently live in Washington State. My husband is a native to the Redding area and we've been talking about moving back into the area. I love it down there. Not as much rain. :)

I am a newborn to the massage field having graduated Aug. 08 from Everest College as Valedictorian. I am currently working in conjunction with a Chiropractor providing Swedish, Deep Tissue, Orthopedic Massage, and a bit of Trigger Point Therapy as needed.

I've been looking into becoming certified to practice in the Redding area but am confused to say the least about regulations. Exactly what all is needed for me to practice? I am uncomfortable just waltzing in and going right to massaging people. I have over 960 hours of education and am licensed here in WA having sat for the MBLEx.

If anyone could point me in the right direction and give a few tips on what to expect and the best way to go about it I would really appreciate it.

Thank you to all!

Blessed Peace,
StacyLea

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Galvin on August 27, 2009 at 1:40pm

Hi everyone,

I have been working in the field of massage/bodywork for about 8 years, and running a private practice for about the last three in Santa Cruz. I worked at a clinic for three years run by a Rolfer, where I essentially apprenticed under him and learned advanced deep tissue skills, as well as the basics of structural bodywork. I also teach beginning massage classes at the school he founded - Midline School of Integrated Bodywork.
I specialize in Deep Tissue/Orthopedic massage, and work primarily with chronic stress patterns and athletic injuries. I LOVE my work - so exciting to be constantly learning. Each session proves to be a valuable lesson for me!

Glad to be here -

Jen

Permalink Reply by Tharien C. Bramhall on August 30, 2009 at 10:52pm

Jennifer, I meet up with Brian Johnson over 3 years ago, he did some work on me and it was great. How do you like working at Midline. I live in Gilroy and I received my CMT 2 years ago, but I have been in the Health and Fitness industry for over 25 years. Just wanted to introduce myself and look forward meeting you some day.
Tharien

Jennifer Galvin said:

Hi everyone,

I have been working in the field of massage/bodywork for about 8 years, and running a private practice for about the last three in Santa Cruz. I worked at a clinic for three years run by a Rolfer, where I essentially apprenticed under him and learned advanced deep tissue skills, as well as the basics of structural bodywork. I also teach beginning massage classes at the school he founded - Midline School of Integrated Bodywork.
I specialize in Deep Tissue/Orthopedic massage, and work primarily with chronic stress patterns and athletic injuries. I LOVE my work - so exciting to be constantly learning. Each session proves to be a valuable lesson for me!

Glad to be here -

Jen

Permalink Reply by Tharien C. Bramhall on August 30, 2009 at 11:01pm

My name is Tharien; I am a Life Coach, Personal Trainer, CMT & Nutritional Consultant. I have been in the health and fitness industry for over 25 years. Owned my own business for over 11 years and have been on my own again for the past 2 years as a CMT. I live in Gilroy but will be moving to the Los Gatos or Palo Alto area soon for my practice.

I have been attending the Rolf Institute in Boulder for the past months and will be going back soon to finish my Rolf Practitioners license. I look forward meeting all the most interesting people in this industry as I continue to grow my practice and work alongside all you other body work specialists.

Tharien C. Bramhall
The Core Balance Program
Life Coach, Personal Trainer, CMT
Isagenix Nutritional Consultant

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Galvin on September 6, 2009 at 5:50pm

Hi Tharien,

I no longer work at Midline, although I loved the experience. We were all learning together about business, marketing, bodywork. The clinic was brand new - Brian did a six-week training with us initially, then weekly 2-hour training meetings. I learned a TON. He's definitely been a mentor to me - he's a very talented and skilled Rolfer.

Anyway, I decided about a year ago that it was time to strike out solo though. It's been challenging, but overall steadily growing. I am very happy doing this work. :)

Nice to meet you...

Jen
Tharien C. Bramhall said:

Jennifer, I meet up with Brian Johnson over 3 years ago, he did some work on me and it was great. How do you like working at Midline. I live in Gilroy and I received my CMT 2 years ago, but I have been in the Health and Fitness industry for over 25 years. Just wanted to introduce myself and look forward meeting you some day.
Tharien

Jennifer Galvin said:
Hi everyone,

I have been working in the field of massage/bodywork for about 8 years, and running a private practice for about the last three in Santa Cruz. I worked at a clinic for three years run by a Rolfer, where I essentially apprenticed under him and learned advanced deep tissue skills, as well as the basics of structural bodywork. I also teach beginning massage classes at the school he founded - Midline School of Integrated Bodywork.
I specialize in Deep Tissue/Orthopedic massage, and work primarily with chronic stress patterns and athletic injuries. I LOVE my work - so exciting to be constantly learning. Each session proves to be a valuable lesson for me!

Glad to be here -

Jen