Decatur's Barefoot Massage Specialist...and more!
Contains information that may be useful to the massage consumer.
Have you finished shopping your Christmas list yet? I haven’t and I’m getting just a little panicked about it.
I figured some of you might be in the same boat so I wanted to toss out there that I have gift certificates available for those hard-to-buy-for folks on your list.
Call me if you’re interested.
Have You Finished Shopping Yet? Read More »
Every day I’m a massage therapist I learn something new. That there was such a thing as National Massage Therapy Awareness Week is one of those new things.
I consider myself a walking, talking advertisement for massage therapy as it’s the only way I’ve identified that actually grows my business. That and I love it and as such love to talk about it so NMTAW just sort of fits right into the way I do things.
Anyway, the American Massage Therapy Association is promoting awareness about massage October 25 -31 this year and they want you to take time out for yourself and get a massage. I would love to see you on my table so call me or go to the Massage Therapist Locator at AMTA and find a massage therapist near you.
Have a great week and massage!
National Massage Therapy Awareness Week Read More »
I found these tips for a better massage in an article on massage and breast cancer which you can go read here if you like. They are appropriate for anyone who wants to receive a massage.
When getting a massage, consider this advice from the AMTA:
1. Communicate with your massage therapist. Give accurate health information and let the therapist know your expectations and reasons for the massage. Tell your massage therapist what you prefer in the way of lotions and oils and whether you have any allergies.
2. Remember to breathe normally. Breathing helps facilitate relaxation.
3. Drink extra water after your massage.
4. Don’t get up too quickly and do allow for some quiet time after your massage session. If you’re dizzy or light-headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast.
Tips For A Better Massage Read More »
It’s amazing how people you don’t really know can touch your heart. I know Molly through one of her teachers at Decatur High. From all accounts, she is a bubbly 16 year old. Unfortunately, on July 31st, Molly was involved in a horrifying boating accident.
She has been in Huntsville Hospital recovering since that time.
I think we’re all aware of the healthcare crisis that is currently gripping our country. Molly and her family are on the frontlines battling the insurance companies as well as missing time from work to be available to care for Molly. That said, an evening of entertainment and silent auction in Molly’s benefit has been arranged.
Please come out and support Miracles for Molly on Thursday, September 17th, at The Brick on Moulton Street in Decatur, AL. Bidding will start at 5pm and run through 8pm. Eight Years Later, Bishop Black, and Big Junk will be playing beginning at 6:30pm. There will also be a raffle and door prizes all evening.
Lots of items, large and small, will be available to bid on including a gift certificate for a one-hour massage from Harvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology.
Hope to see you there!
To read more about Molly’s amazing journey, please visit her Caring Bridge page http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mollymoses/mystory or Facebook at the Miracles for Molly group.
Miracles for Molly Read More »
One of the things I’m really sensitive about as a massage therapist is the unfortunate and continuing association with prostitution. The Alabama Board of Massage Therapy has regulations that govern the manner in which we can advertise and how we conduct our business. These laws are in place in order to foster a sense of professionalism, legitimacy and to disassociate our profession with that of the older one. These laws also serve as a resource pointing to changes being made and asking the public to examine their preconceptions. This is an issue in massage therapy that’s been around for a long time; it’s time to change it.
So when I watched the local news this morning I was dismayed to see that two separate “spas” were raided and arrests were made for allegedly promoting prostitution. Reading the story online (link is unfortunately, broken) made me pretty sure that none of the people arrested are trained and licensed massage therapists.
Perhaps you’re one of us who don’t think of massage therapy and prostitution in the same realm. Unfortunately, we are the exception. Even my own grandmother was worried when I took up this new path into massage therapy.
Well, if you get a massage, tell people. Tell people how it made you feel better and safe. Good PR never hurts.
If you experience something during a massage that makes you suspect you’re being propositioned or if someone blatantly offers you a sexual favor, report it to the local authorities and the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy.
When stories like this hit the airwaves, I cringe inside and wonder if we’ll ever win this battle. I choose to believe, though, that every day is an opportunity to educate someone to the benefits of safe, therapeutic touch making the pool of like-minded individuals larger than it was yesterday.
If you’re interested in reading more about this topic, check out the articles and resources I’ve linked below.
A Client’s Bill of Rights
How to Get a Massage Therapist License in Alabama
End Human Trafficking – Alabama
National Human Trafficking Task Force – 1-888-373-7888
Updated: 12/16/2023
Sharon Bryant at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy
is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Therapist!
Things I Hate To See Read More »
I am not a runner. I’ve always wished I could run thinking it would do wonders for my metabolism, but I’ve never been athletic and the few times I’ve tried to run, I’ve ended up hurting myself.
Therefore, when I was offered the opportunity to support the participants in Run Across Alabama I quickly agreed.
You may be wondering what Run Across Alabama is and why would anyone run in this heat? Run Across Alabama is a group raising money in support of the National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association. Why are they running in the Alabama heat? For Elliott, a little boy who was born with Tay-Sachs.
Please go to their site and read more about Elliott, the participants, and Tay-Sachs disease. I won’t ask you to make a monetary donation. Their website does an excellent job of soliciting to those who feel moved to do so. I will ask that if you are along the route to please come out and lend a bit of moral support to the runners.
I’ll be in Hartselle July 2nd, doing my part by donating a bit of restorative massage for some of the runners.
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Over the last two weeks I’ve seen two artists with back pain. Both explained that they’d been working on a public art exhibit painting / decorating huge metal butterflies.
Earlier this week I started seeing beautiful butterflies at the corners of certain streets downtown. I was so excited I began taking alternate routes to my office just to see how many butterflies I could spot.
Turns out there are 63 in all. Carnegie Visual Arts Center has more information on the exhibit as well as a map of where to find all these beautiful creations.
If you’re looking for something to do on one of these beautiful spring days, come on over to Decatur and search for some butterflies.
The Butterfly Did It! Read More »
Just a few days ago I finished reading Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body by Jennifer Ackerman. As a body worker, I found it fascinating and wished it had been assigned reading while I was still in massage school. While none of what she covered was in-depth in any one area, she did address a broad range of bodily functions.
I particularly found her discussions of circadian rhythms in relation to drug therapy and our changing sleep habits and suspected effects on our bodies engaging and wished for more depth. Some of her discussions on hormones and neurotransmitters would have been helpful before I took that particular exam in Anatomy & Physiology.
Overall it was a good review / reinforcement of what I learned in school packed into a small book. It has only 272 pages and includes an extensive reference area at the end of the book which is fully a quarter of the page count.
Nonetheless, it is fully accessible to the lay person with little technical jargon, has a good pace, and an entertaining quality. In other words, if you’re halfway interested in how your body works you will enjoy this book.
I’ll be placing this book on the shelf in my office. I enjoyed it enough that some day I will probably re-read it.
A Day in the Life of Your Body Read More »
My hot stones are finally here!
I’m now taking appointments for luxurious hot stone massages and integrating the stones into my therapeutic massages for those clients needing a little extra help at loosening up those tight muscles.
I still have a few appointments open this week so if you want to schedule a massage or buy a gift certificate for your valentine, call today!
Just in Time for Valentine’s Day! Read More »