A Taste of Your Own Medicine
You tell your clients all the time about the benefits of your work, but do you take your own advice? Receiving regular bodywork is a must if you want to last in this profession. California practitioner Jen Alexander suggests you “find a colleague who is competent and who you trust, and trade bodywork sessions with them at least once a month.” Other forms of alternative medicine can be helpful as well, such as meditation, tai chi, and yoga. “Tai chi helps strengthen your joints and keeps them mobile,” says Brandy Sabin of Washington. “It teaches proper posture and breathing, and allows for more even and fluid movement.” Think of it as an extension of the body mechanics you learned in school, and another way to teach yourself how to use your body in an effortless and healthy way.
Balance is Beautiful
Make health and wellness habits by incorporating them into your everyday routine. Laura Cavanaugh in Hawaii says, “I train and condition myself for performing bodywork as if it is a sport. Exercise is paramount.” Think of yourself as an athlete whose area of expertise is providing bodywork. Strive to perfect your body mechanics, just as a runner experiments with her stride to find the most effective method; and always aim for balance in your technique. “Use both sides of your body equally,” says Donna Bambury of Massachusetts. “I had a tendency to rely on the right side to do much of my massage work, but that causes a lot of personal fatigue. I worked on strengthening my left side and now feel equally strong and confident on both sides.”
Leisure Time
One of the best ways to ensure you don’t burn out is to not overdo it in the first place. “Don’t ever let a business tell you that you have to work eight massages back-to-back every day,” says Rebecca Wood of Texas. “Take breaks and know when to say no.” Certainly, take some days off work to let your body recuperate, but also do your best to incorporate moments of rest into your workday, too. “Make sure you have time between sessions to relax, drink water, have a bite to eat, and visit the restroom,” suggests Jill Nelson in Washington, D.C. “Personally, I schedule at least 30 minutes between each session.”