The Diversity of the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame

I believe every type of massage basically came from the ancient temples in China. And that as parts of these teachings went out into the world, they were dithered into many different versions. Overall people were poorly educated and books were rare.

I have always felt that there are many aspects to massage. When we massage, we comfort. We do so with music, temperature, stretching and care. I feel all parts of massage should be recognized in the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame.

There are four special people entering the Hall of Fame this year that represent this effort.

Music - Steve Halpern

Stretching - Sudevi Linda Kramer is a Yogi

The next two, I will explain:

There was a lady, who found herself alone, with the knowledge of Reiki. She could have let it fade into time. She chose to share. She was Howayo Takata. I feel anyone that saves a massage modality is worthy to be remembered. Massage Magazine Co-Founder, Judi Calvert will accept for Ms. Takata.

The last one takes a short story to explain.

As I sat (laid around) in massage school, I wondered why we didn't use all our senses when getting a massage. I knew we used hearing via music, smell through aromatherapy, touch was obvious and even taste was handled, by some therapists that greeted their clients, with a chocolate on their pillow or breath mints.

But what about sight? I dreamed of a projector hooked into the sound system that would somehow show the crashing ocean on the ceiling for my client just as the sound hit their ears. I even envisioned the speakers built into the tables so you could control the sounds and movements on the ceiling.

I didn't give up. I knew there were trigger points forming in and around the eye (orbital) muscles just like everywhere else in the body. I could feel the pressure release when doing self massage. I kept digging for eye massage.

Finally pay dirt! I found Dr. Jacob Liberman. He is to me as Peter Ling is to massage. Ling's Swedish Gymnastics was as much gymnastics as Swedish Massage. He exercised the body to achieve better joint mobilization for his fencing. It also explained his interest in the martial arts.

His creation is "The Eyeport". Dr. Liberman has invented the perfect eye massage, eye yoga and eye exerciser. I own the device and feel like I get the "eye massage" that I have needed for years. Now my eyes don't feel tired, "all the time". And my vision has improved tremendously. It's fantastic to see clear again.

These inductees will become members of the Hall at the 2010 Massage Awards Ceremony, Sat.night. We hope you will join us in honoring them!