Even pregnant ladies can have massage! Just not Ashi 🙁
The swag and info table
That feels so gooooooooddddd…
New Ashi convert loving the hamstring moves
Sharon with the portable bars!
I just wanted to get this out there before I forgot!
The Pool Doctors in Decatur, AL were kind enough to let me come to their business October 25th and set up to provide free massage for their employees and customers. I think there were 6 takers in the short time I was there. We had a lot of fun and plan on doing it again next year. Be ready!
Oh, and I still have to tell you what happened at AMTA National Convention in September, I haven’t forgotten it’s just been crazy busy!
In celebration of National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, I’ll be hauling out the portables and setting up at Pool Doctors in Decatur, AL.So if you’re curious about the barefoot massage thing come on out to see me on October 25th from 2pm – 5pm at the Pool Doctors (1207 Central Pkwy SW, Decatur, AL)
You can watch for a few minutes and then hop on the table for a free sample!
Hope to see you there!
♥
Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Exclusive Provider of Barefoot Massage!
I was contacted recently by a friend asking me to sponsor a food tray for Decatur Police Department. Seems it’s National Thank a Police Officer Day and they want to say, “Thank You!” by making sure that all three shifts are covered for their meals while at work.
Of course I agreed with a big, old donation and some brochures.
I’ve always been an avid supporter of the police. Whatever your opinions on the police, we really don’t want to live in a world without them. Police officers are important and they do a very difficult job. Most never make the news and silently fight the demons they collect while on the job.
And while I’m thankful for all those things that our officers do every day in the line of duty, there’s one officer out there who holds a very special place in my heart. I don’t know his name, but I remember him like he was standing in front of me right now.
I was six and sporting a big, old bandage and brace on my right foot and ankle. The ankle was stitched up from a fall on some glass and I was on crutches. My mom and I had been out on post to do some business and as we were leaving the car started smoking real bad. She pulled over, looked at me and said, “Stay in the car.” Then she disappeared.
The car continued to smoke and continued to smoke and continued to smoke and even at six I was getting worried and trying to figure out how to get out of the car without getting in trouble. I wasn’t really one to disobey much, I was scared of the whoopin’.
Suddenly the door flew open and this big MP reached in and grabbed me out of the car. I remember the way his arms squeezed me as he ran away from the car.
It left an impression.
Now, to be honest the car was never actually on fire. It was a bad overheating situation, but he didn’t know that. He saw a lot of smoke, thought the car was on fire, and saw a distressed kid in the car. He did what anyone would do and what just happened to be his job. He made a friend for life and has always been a good cop ambassador to me.
I share this story with a lot of people and now here because the police get so much bad press and even though I’m one voice I think it’s important to realize that these folks are our everyday heroes and we need to start appreciating them as such. They do a hard job. One that most of us couldn’t handle.
So, THANK YOU, to all our officers out there. And thanks to My Special MP.
♥
Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Exclusive Provider of Ashi-Thai Massage!
A while back I wrote here about going to AMTA-Alabama Chapter Annual Convention where I was teaching a Facebook class. That all went very well and I’m not sure why I didn’t write a followup on it. There was a lot of news to share following that meeting and I probably meant to write, but life got in the way and well, here it is September and I’m just getting around to it.
The reason I’m finally getting around to letting you know what happened in May is because it affects September. So… here goes…
Way back in May at that AMTA-Alabama Chapter Annual Convention I ran for Board of Director’s Member at Large Position 1. I won unopposed (still surprised). For giggles I also threw my hat in the ring for a delegate position. There was no way I was going to get the delegate position because I am a newer volunteer and there are lots of others who have been around and doing way longer than I have. Well, shocker of all shockers, I won a delegate seat.
Delegate for what?
You may be thinking right about now, “Delegate for what?” Delegate to the AMTA National Convention in Ft. Worth, TX, next week, GULP!
Surely they’re not paying for us to show up and look pretty
I don’t know what I thought a delegate was to do. I ran mostly so I could learn what that part of the process was all about and get a (mostly) all-expense paid trip to AMTA National Convention.
I’ve already taken some online training and am doing my best to keep up with the Google Group for the House of Delegates, but I am drinking from the fire hose. Apparently a delegate’s job is to evaluate position statements and associated research brought forth by members then vote on the position statements to steer the position of the entire AMTA on the massage profession. Who knew it was going to be such an awesome undertaking?
So this week starts the final prep of paperwork and collecting AMTA-Alabama member votes for the different position statements and hoping that I’ve looked at all the right studies. I’m self-conscious about my research evaluation skills as I am pretty sure that Sociological Stats class I took in 1990 has been completely purged from my brain. The only thing I remember about that class is bell curves and a Chinese international student who got to pick her name (Stephanie) when she came to the U.S.
There is more Delegate training to be had when I arrive in Ft. Worth. I’ll be paying close attention as I really don’t want to mess this up.
Surprise! More Classes!
After the House of Delegates meetings are complete I’ll have an all-access pass to the convention. I plan on taking a class with the very well-known James Waslaski and an instructor I do not know for Thai Massage on the Table. I hope to come back with lots of new tools. I’ve been invited to a secret Ashi-sister party where something I’ve been wanting to try for a very long time might be available (this is a teaser 🙂 you’ll have to come back later to find out what it is if it actually pans out).
My goal after the convention is to actually update all you lovely readers on the happenings and highlights of AMTA National Convention 2013. I’ll probably have to sleep for a couple of days before anything will make sense. The schedule is somewhat INSANE! But I do want to get that done before next year’s convention rolls around because, yep, you guessed it, Delegate terms are for two years!
No? Well, get yourself over there —> and sign up for the newsletter. It’s where you’re going to find the latest information on any specials I’m running. I am also told they are somewhat entertaining and sometimes helpful.
Anyway, since I really want everyone to take advantage of the specials I’m running during August and September here’s a summary.
♥
Bring an unopened bag of puppy or kitten food to my office and get $10 off your massage during the months of August and September. All collections will be donated to Decatur Animal Services.
Or
Adopt an animal from a shelter during the month of August, bring in your adoption agreement, and get 50% off your next massage.
Or
Police, Fire, Rescue, or Active Duty Military – $10 off your massage, year-round. Just bring in your city/county/federal ID for the discount.
So what’s stopping you? Save some money, get a massage!
It’s all good.
♥
Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Newest Provider of Thai-Yoga Bodywork!
This year’s summer vacation was one of those, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” type things.
So if you’re seeing this post, you can believe that I’m in Florida taking a much needed sabbatical from the stresses of daily life and (hopefully) getting several great massages.
I’ll be back soon and Harvest Moon will re-open Monday, August 12th. Until then!
♥
Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Exclusive Provider of Fijian Island Massage!
Every so often someone asks if Ashiatsu is safe. They have looked at some pictures or read a description and gotten the idea that experiencing Ashi may be akin to being trampled by a small elephant.
I’m here to assure you that is not so.
Many of my clients have taken to telling their friends and family and actually introducing me as the massage therapist who walks on people. I got tired of correcting folks, it’s a distinction really, so now I just smile and nod yes, that’s me, the lady who walks on people and calls it a funny name.
And while I technically do not walk on people, I do a pretty good impression.
Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy or DeepFeet Bar Therapy was created to deliver deep pressure to the client safely.
So I can say it’s safe all day long, but what do I do to make it safe?
Don’t walk on people
I really do NOT walk on you. I use my foot or feet to glide over and compress the muscles. It’s different from walking because even with two feet my weight is rarely ever fully on the client and I never shift weight from one foot to the other while working.
Use the right tool for the right job
Sometimes it’s not safe to receive Ashi. If you’re pregnant, if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or uncontrolled diabetes or problems with circulation or recent surgeries, you should not have Ashi. That’s why I ask so many seemingly invasive questions when we first meet.
Also, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy massage and Ashi-Thai moves are designed to be performed in a certain way. If I’m using the wrong foot to do a particular move, at best, I’m going to get stuck and have to make clumsy adjustments. At worst, I might hurt my client. So there’s a right foot and a wrong foot to use for each move.
No free-stylin’
I use only one foot at a time when working with clients who weight less than 40 lbs. more than I do. No, I’m not going to ask you how much you weigh unless you really need two feet, and you’re really close to the me+40 limit.
Regardless of whether it’s with one foot or two feet, I only perform moves I learned to do the safe way in training.
No goofing around on the table, EVER
This is probably the most dangerous thing an Ashi therapist can do. Goofing around and / or not paying attention to what they are doing is going to result in falling off the table and / or on the client. Neither of which is good for everyone involved.
We are trained specifically on how to move and navigate while on the table with a client. It may look simple and fluid, but it’s not all that intuitive and our instructors spend a lot of time trying to ingrain safe on-the-table habits.
Always be gentle and considerate
I try to never touch or cross the spine while working. Since the pressure is deep by the nature of Ashi, getting too close to the spine could cause a lot of pain or even injury. Also, stepping on or pinching the client’s skin is bad form. As is getting your toes tangled up in their hair. Not good… Oh, and I wash my feet obsessively between clients.
So that’s what I do to keep Ashi safe. I hope these answer your questions about Ashi Safety. If not, please leave a comment and I’ll write about it.
***I should point out that what he’s doing isn’t really perfect in that he’s unsupported. His form is pretty good and his balance is great, but as an adult I would never attempt this because frankly, someone could get killed.
I won’t tell you not to let your kid walk on your back. I think it’s a right of passage myself, but do be aware of the receiver’s physical limitations and the weight of the child. My nephew and I had a good weight difference when this picture was taken, probably about 90 lbs. difference.
But he’s growing and I’m growing older and I can almost guarantee we won’t do this again because our weights will be too close for it to be safe. Not to mention even in this photo, at these weights, one wobble the wrong way could have sent him crashing down into me and there’s at least one of us injured if not both.
But… it was fun anyway and a great memory that we will both have for posterity. I’m glad we got it in electrons 🙂
♥
Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Exclusive Provider of Ashi-Thai Massage!
Jordan Ben getting sassy on the portable bar system
Recently one of my Ashi sisters called wanting to rent my portable bars for an event. Turns out she got a gig at a “Girls Day Out”. She kept saying it was about swimming and eating and massage and pedicures while the guys were out hunting or fishing or doing whatever they do when they’re not around on the weekend.
This is one of the many pictures that came out of the event. I love that they were outside. The tent the host provided was huge and had curtains for privacy if the client wanted them. She was set up on grass and at first I thought that might be a problem, but apparently the portable bars handle grass alright.
I love the Garden Party aspect of this event that she did. I wish I could have gone with her, but now that we know, anyone? Ashi at your Garden Party? Family Reunion? Random outdoor event?
I’d love to bring the portables and do massage for your friends and family!
♥
Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Exclusive Provider of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy!
There are improvements afoot at the office and they are not so subtle.
We had the parking lot striped with the spots labeled for our clients. Apparently during the day (while I wasn’t there) we were having a huge influx of vehicles fill up our lot leaving no room for the therapists and clients who were coming in for a massage. So after talking with the landlord we were given permission to stripe our parking spaces in front of our offices.
Unfortunately the guy who labeled the spots sort of got it wrong. It was supposed to say, “Massage Therapy”.
We’ve had clients pull up to park and then move their car because they thought the spots were reserved for the therapists. This is not the case, if you are a client, please park in the labeled spots.
Other than the unfortunate spelling errors the new striping and labeling are working out great! Clients are having an easier time finding parking in our small lot and it’s the first time I’ve ever had a parking place that welcomed me. The only thing better would be to have a parking place with my name actually on it.
Hmm…
♥
Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Exclusive Provider of Ashi-Thai Massage!
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