Please, take a seat and talk with an old dog.

[random.nagger]

Hi again.

I wanted to speak with you tonight about education. Not about formal education, but education you attract by your deep desire to truly help people. Not only clients but family and friends. And let's not forget you...

I attended my first an only basic massage course back in 1986. So I guess now you know why I call myself, Old Dog. After I completed that course I felt empty. Like, "Where to now, Brother?" I asked myself.

I didn't have a clue. Because they didn't tell me Jack about... "where to next?" But I did have a huge passion for the work that we do now. Massage people.

After all these years and still doing it. I've realized how lucky I have been to receive the education I have to date. Most of it by attracting with my passion, all the old dogs I needed to advance me. I thank each and every one of them for passing what they could of their knowledge and experience to me.

My education is still continuing now at a pace that I am very comfortable with. I work with a great set of colleagues in the house of the Vienna Ballet in Vienna, Austria. Together we exchange theories and techniques that I never would have learned in school.

In my private business outside the Ballet, I am at present working with an amazing man who is an Osteopath. He had a nasty bike accident some years ago and virtually dislocated his entire middle chest. Can you imagine? Anyway, he has been worked on constantly for years by his colleagues and together they have nearly repaired him.

Except for one last problem, his first rib is still not sitting correctly and it won't go back into place for any great length of time. So we are working at some deep facia work and he is guiding me through it from his perspective.

And this is my point. "Finally, you say."

I replied privately to Brandon who has the problem of being so ready to forget the idea of being a MT. He said that two of his teachers told him that it is impossible to earn a full time living in this business. Apparently, they say they both are talking from 15 years years experience.

Bollocks!!!

Who are these people that say they are teachers? In 15 years, if they were not able to support themselves full time then how terrible would they be at teaching Brandon any different? It is most unfortunate when teachers pass on their failures.

I'm saying you can earn a very healthy income in this business and set yourself up in exactly the right balance of life you would like.

I'm not being a show off believe me, but I earn 130 Euros an hour in my private practice. I only need to work 6 hours a day. I start at 11am and I work until 5 pm most days. My work schedule is mostly always full and I get time to spend with my family. I'm a happy old dog.

I hope I can help you young pups in the future. I only found this site yesterday and I'm intrigued to hear about your ideas on education. Where do you want to go? In which direction? Because there are many.

I would like to go back a bit to the grass roots. That's where you are right now. If I can help you, then you can help others. And this to me is some education I would like to be involved in. Would you?

Sit with the Old Dog a spell.

 

[jimbot]

I hear you old dog.

 

[lizi]

I hear you old dog.

Thanks for the reply and the Q.

I remember my formal education but I don't use it to speak of. The things that I remember most are the useful stuff like the safety aspects.

Correct draping is always a must, even twenty summers later. I am a man and if my draping proceedure is lacking then so will my female clientelle.

Being clean at all times.

Being on time and using my time effectively to do the best job that I can. And this my friend, is what helps your business. Quality workpersonship.

 

[Wiz]

Quality service and sincerity as well as people skill. Clients don't come to you just for massage. It's the relationship that keeps them loyal. the connection to someone that has heart and passion knowing that you keep their best interest in mind.

They can get massages from any therapist but if they can't connect with you the massage won't be received well. This is after all a heart base service. Do massage from the heart not from the head. Any ounce of money intent and they will go elsewhere as they can sense the therapist don't have their best interest.

heart can't really be taught, it has to come from within throughout life experience. I say, one's intent is a big factor to one's success as that is what attract the right client to you. And you have heart Old Dog.

 

[Teapotistic Pastafarian]

Thank you, Silly Pup

Well done in expanding on the subject and I couldn't agree more. Please check out Techniques discussion forum section. I wrote a little something about a tech' that I was taught and it has helped quite a few people to date. It may be of interest to you?

Thanks

Old Dawg