Week 6

Petrissage is a Swedish massage technique that looks like kneading. Tonight we manage to come up with a dozen words to describe the many ways we can "knead" muscle tissue, including wringing, squeezing, lifting, spreading, milking and circling. We also practice blending these techniques in new ways, to create the impossible to pronounce or spell "Liftersqueezing" and "kneadospreading". Everyone saw the same demonstration, and yet the work looks different from one table to the next. Like seasoned chefs, the students use identical ingredients to create their own, unique dishes. Almost everyone skips dinner to come to this class - sometimes I wish we WERE a cooking school. We'd cook something amazing with these guys!
Two weeks ago, a student informed me that new challenges in his personal and professional life were forcing him to drop out of the program. He was incredibly sad to withdraw, and I was even sadder to see him go. Whenever I watched him practice, he looked like he was born to do this work - it was like watching a serene, happy, beautiful dance around the massage table. After days of negotiating and a team effort from the school administration and instructors, we managed to find a compromise and he is back with us tonight, convinced more than ever that becoming a massage therapist is his destiny and PMTI is the school to get him there. I know how he feels. I remember.

Week 5

As I go through the week, I realize that there is a point I need to make during our circle discussion. "It is impossible NOT to communicate,", I say. "Think about it: can you walk into the room with at least one other person in it, and communicate absolutely nothing? Saying nothing could mean you have nothing to say, you don't speak the language, you are mad, you are so distracted you don't notice there is someone there, you don't feel like talking - your silence, along with your body language, can communicate any number of things. Our clients pick up on everything we do, so unless you actively try to communicate something - care, kindness, concern, professionalism etc - you are communicating lack of those things. If you fail to move your client's arm or leg with deliberate care, or carelessly tuck the sheet in and pinch their skin, you are letting them know you don't care. So what can we do to stay present and have our actions translate our best intentions?" We talk for awhile, and later, I notice some subtle changes in the way the students are touching each other during practice. The movements are more careful and meaningful, and the feedback is more specific. That night, I read in one of the homework assignments:"I've received tons of professional massages, and I never knew how much goes into creating a good massage session!" I smile as I remember a comment from a family member years ago, when I first announced my enrollment at PMTI:" Why do you need to go to school to learn how to give a back rub? Aren't there books for that at Border's?" It's Week 5, and I now know 12 more people who can answer that question better than I did.

Week 4

Since last week, the students had a chance practice effleurage - the stroke that most people picture when they hear the word "massage". Also, we are finally joined by our teaching intern tonight, who will be with us every week from now on, bringing the student/instructor ratio to an amazing 4:1. Homework went well for most people, although we hear a couple of frustrated groans:"I am STILL struggling with effleurage!". "Really?", I say in mock horror. "In Week 3, you are still struggling with a new skill? Congratulations, you are EXACTLY where you should be!" Smiles, sighs of relief.
We review the benefits of Swedish massage, answer questions about specific medical conditions they encountered and discuss the questions they are asking during the intake process. There is a lot of information we want from clients, but they are often reluctant to give it to us, not realizing the implications their medical conditions might have on the plan and the outcome of the session. The students need to be able to articulate not only the questions, but also the "why do you need to know?" answers.
Tonight we work on the anterior part of the body. The chest draping can be tricky, so we walk around, making suggestions and offering assistance. Some students like to have an instructor "parked" by their table as they work, while others stop midstroke when I approach. Note to self: "Figure out who likes what, and stop hovering..." I got all the first names down, the learning styles will take awhile longer. "It's Week 3, " I say to myself and take a deep breath, " you are EXACTLY where you should be."

Week 3

It's 6:30, and our students are here. We hold hands, and I ask everyone to say one word that describes the way they feel, so I can get a sense of the energy in the room. We hear words "excited', "intrigued", "tired", "blessed". We try to put the frustrations of the day behind us and talk about their first experience with homework. Some people had a blast, some were grateful we talked about creating professional boundaries, as their friends showed up and didn't leave for hours, thinking this was a social visit. A couple of students had practice clients who showed up with expectations of a miraculous healing from chronic back problems. We take a deep breath and role play the dialogue that needs to happen to avoid the pressures of being students vs healers and bodyworkers vs fixers. It's a new concept for many, so we discuss how we can facilitate a healing process, encourage a positive change, but not force it on our clients and their bodies. It's a great discussion, and soon everyone is ready for the demo.
The new stroke for tonight is effleurage, and we finally get to use oil! Two hours later, some students look like they are ready for the deep fryer, but, like everything else, this takes practice. The long, slow strokes of effleurage lull some receivers to sleep, and we have to keep waking them up to ask for feedback. The evening goes by fast, and they leave looking relaxed and peaceful. I can't wait for next week!

Week 1

The students come in at 6:30, many after a long day at work. We hold hands and exhale together, letting go of traffic, meetings, bosses and deadlines. There is a busy night ahead of us, but first things first. "How are you, guys? What's on your minds?" I ask. Some people smile, others look away. "We are overwhelmed," one guy cautiously offers. I know they are. Having been through the program, I know exactly what it's like to try and find extra 20 hours in an already busy schedule. But this is PMTI, and we have done this before, with thousands of students. So, for awhile, we let go of the Big Picture and talk about the task at hand:finding supportive, open-minded and healthy people to do practical homework with. We talk about boundaries, emotional and physical, discuss massage contraindications and share personal experiences with bodywork, both positive and negative. The conversation flows freely, and I can see that the class is starting to become a group. Finally, I demonstrate tonight's new technique and the students pair up to set up the tables. The sheets are crisp and brand new, the set up takes twice the time it should and nobody knows how to get undressed discreetly in the classroom. Ah, I love my job. In a few weeks, they will fly onto the tables, clothes folded in the baskets underneath, session plan clear in their heads. But for now, it's like learning how to drive and everyone is fumbling with the seatbelts. The students are finding their style, their voice through touch. Me? I am still trying to remember everyone's first name. By 10 pm, I am looking at a bunch of people who just got a first glimpse of their future. And they like it. A lot.
Welcome to Week 1!

New Student Day

The students arrive, a steady stream of positive energy and excitement filling the hallways. The paperwork is behind them, the admissions process complete. They are ready to touch, heal, serve, help. But...there is more paperwork. Class sign ups, orientation, introductions. Finally, after lunch, they are invited to their practical classroom, where anatomy charts and massage tables line the freshly painted walls. They are greeted by the team of instructors, myself included, and spend the next 3.5 hours doing what PMTIers do best: have fun exploring concepts of touch, bodywork and self-awareness. The movement exercises break the ice, and soon the students find themselves sitting on the floor, back to back, swaying together to the music while concentrating on their partner's breathing. "Massage is like a dance", I say, marveling at the energy in the classroom, "it's about you and your client working together, not about you doing things to your client." Everything they do from now on will be based on that simple concept - approaching every client as a partner, not a project. After a short break, we pull out massage tables, dim the lights and try our hands - literally- at a simple technique called "still touch". There are a few giggles at first, but soon everyone gets settled and enjoys the experience. Again, I find myself humbled by the feeling in the room - what is it? Oh, yeah- I am lucky enough to be in the presence of 25 people who are doing exactly what they are meant to do, and loving it.