So last year when I was in D.C., at the AMTA National Convention I took a class on Balance and Postural Stability. I don’t really remember what I expected from that class. Maybe some gait analysis and strategies on how to troubleshoot and assist with balance issues. I know I didn’t expect to learn quite so much about the inner workings of the foot. The taping for plantar fasciitis and bunyons was also a bonus.
It was a great class and I brought home a whole new set of tools to try with my clients. I also use a lot of the techniques for my personal self-care regimen. After all, I work with my feet so it’s really important that I take care of my feet!
Recently, I was contacted by a reporter who interviewed me about that class. It was fun getting to talk about how much I enjoyed the class and how much of it I’m still using. She actually quoted me a couple of times in the article.
A common refrain from barefoot therapists and clients alike are questions about how to clean your feet before, during, and after a barefoot massage session.
Some therapists have beautiful bowls they cleanse in and ritualize the process, but it’s really not necessary. It can be as simple as cleansing with a little soap and water before and after the session in a pan or bowl or even sitting on the side of the sink.
Since most of us aren’t fortunate enough to have a foot bath available in our treatment room, table-side we always recommend a final spritz. It not only makes the client feel comfortable that our feet are as clean as possible, but it also ensures that anything you may have picked up since the last soap and water cleanse is washed away.
Where Do You Get Foot Spray?
I don’t know if you can buy a cleansing foot spray commercially. It’s so easy to make at home I’ve never really looked for it. Also, I like being able to control the ingredients that touch my skin and by doing it myself the cost is less than any commercial product is likely to be, especially with the volume a barefoot massage therapist will go through. I use A LOT of foot spray. There’s also the issue of client allergies to consider so making it takes away the guesswork on ingredients and potential reactions.
Make Your Own Foot Spray!
I know folks who use a combination of alcohol and water or those alcohol-based anti-bacterial gels. Those work, but can be very drying for some especially when used long-term.
I prefer to make my own from simple ingredients. First you’ll need a spray bottle, I prefer the trigger style as they’re easier to use even when you’ve been handling oils, creams, or lotions. I find the pump bottles almost impossible to hold onto if I’ve used any product at all. The other ingredients are distilled water, witch hazel, and essential oils.
For the oils, I prefer ones with anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. And after a recent conversation with my friend and aromatherapist, Hillary Arrieta, from Gaia Bodywork in Dallas, TX, I have started adding lavender essential oil to combat the drying nature of some of the other essential oils.
A Foot Spray Recipe
4 oz. spray bottle (trigger bottles tend to work better than pump bottles) 1 oz. distilled water 1 oz. witch hazel No more than 24 drops combined of essential oils of melaleuca, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, and/or peppermint.
Combine all and shake well before each use. Spritz feet liberally table-side and dry with a towel.
This foot spray can also be used as a room spray, linen spray, to clean and refresh clients’ feet, or on those really hot days when your deodorant fails, can be pressed into use as as a body cleansing spray.
A COVID-19 Compliant Foot Spray
8 oz. 99% ethyl alcohol 1 Tbsp. household peroxide 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin 50 drops of essential oils of your choice 2 oz. distilled water
Combine all and shake well before each use. Spritz feet liberally table-side and dry with a towel.
Do not use for room or linen spray.
I hope this has answered most of your pressing questions about barefoot massage and foot cleansing. If not, drop your questions in the comments or give me a call and we can talk about it!
So a few weeks ago I received this! It’s one small step in a BIG direction for my career and I am so excited. I was actually in the middle of another barefoot training class when the instructor suddenly turned around and said, “Here!” and handed it to me. Yay!
So now I am officially a Certified FasciAshi Barefoot Massage Therapist! It’s mostly just a bunch of words that mean I spent time after class practicing (a lot), I took a test (that wasn’t very easy), had a lot of practice clients fill out evaluations, and after all that, was observed by an instructor to make sure I was doing all the strokes correctly. It took a lot of time and work. I took my first steps to becoming FasciAshi certified in early July last year and you can see the date on the certificate says December. This didn’t just happen overnight, it was a conscious movement toward a goal.
There’s a lot of discussion in the massage therapy community on whether or not certification in any given modality means anything. “Experts” in our field will stand up and say, with confidence, that it means nothing because it’s not regulated and there are no standards. BUT I’m here to tell you that Center for Barefoot Massage put some standards into their certification process and make us do real work before they will give us the title of Certified FasciAshi Barefoot Massage Therapist.
Certification is important for a lot of reasons.
I want to be confident in my skills, so I do extra work outside of class to make sure that I’m good at what I do. I want my clients and prospective clients to be confident in my skills, so I do extra work outside of class to make sure that I can meet all the requirements to earn the certification AND the confidence of my instructors. And I also want my community to view me as an expert in my field, so I do extra work outside of class to become a trusted resource on barefoot massage.
You want to be good at what you do?
Do extra work outside of class to become better. It’s easy (sort of) if you love it!
If you’re interested in becoming better at what you do and becoming FasciAshi certified check out Alabama Barefoot Massage Training Center and come train with us.
Since my very first Ashiatsu barefoot massage class way back in 2009, I have dreamed about being able to bring this wonderful modality to Alabama on a larger scale. Not only is this work one of the most profound and effective types of massage I have ever received, it has allowed me to save my body giving massage so that I can be of even greater service to my clients.
By finally accomplishing this goal of opening Alabama Barefoot Massage Training Center, I will be able to help other massage therapists learn to use their feet, save their hands, arms, necks, and backs. This will allow more massage therapists to bring this myofascially-based ashiatsu to many more people multiplying the potential of the number of people who can benefit from this work.
As a client, I know you’re probably wondering what this means for you. Well, you may be glad to know that each time I teach we will need guest clients for our student clinic. This will give you the opportunity to come in to a student clinic to receive barefoot massage from students for a discounted rate!
If you’re a massage therapist wanting to learn barefoot massage, head on over to the Alabama Barefoot Massage Training Center page for more information on class schedules, locations, dates, times, etc. Our first class will be taking place March 2019 and we’d love to see you there!
This is your “insider’s guide” to all you need to know before you arrive. Decatur is a beautiful place, if you’re traveling consider extending your stay an extra day to take in some of what our lovely area has to offer!
Training Location:
The Alabama Campus of the Center for Barefoot Massage is located at: 1900 Flint Road, Decatur, AL. Click here to see a map!
We are located inside the brick house next door to Webb-Awtrey Insurance Agency. The training location is a shared space inside Harvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology. Please park in the back of the building as the limited parking spaces in front are reserved for clients.
Travel Suggestions:
Huntsville International Airport is located approximately 30 minutes from the training location. It’s closer, but usually a little more expensive. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport is approximately 1.5 hours from the training location. Usually the cheaper option, you can catch a Southwest flight here, but you’ll have to rent transportation.
Lodging Suggestions:
The Loft in Hartselle – 15 minutes from training center AirBnb has many availabilities in the Hartselle, Madison, and Athens areas. Be aware that Decatur has made AirBnBs and other short-term private rentals illegal. There are several large chain hotels located on Beltline Road 5-10 minutes from the training center.
Coffee & Eats:
Java Jaay’s is a couple of blocks down 6th Avenue from the training center and they have a drive through! Please consider supporting our local businesses first, but if you must have Starbucks the closest is going to be inside Target on the corner of Hwy 31 and Hwy 67.
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is right down the street. Take a hike out to the observation building and see what kinds of waterfowl are in season. Check out the interpretive center and five different walking trails. It’s also all FREE!
Other nearby outdoor activities include Delano Park & Rose Gardens, Point Mallard, Hurricane Park, Bankhead National Forest, and Alabama Scenic River Trail.
Into history? Go see the Old State Bank Building on historic Bank Street and the Confederate Museum.
We are also directly across the street from Upsurge, Decatur’s indoor trampoline facility. And a short drive across the river will bring you to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.
There is so much to do and see in our area you may want to extend your training into a mini-vacation that you can write off!
Directions:
From Huntsville International Airport travel west on I-565 to Hwy 31 south/6th Avenue. Turn left onto Corsbie Street. Corsbie Street turns into Flint Road in front of Upsurge. We are directly across from the Upsurge loading dock next door to Webb-Awtrey Insurance Agency.
From Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport travel north on I-65 to the Priceville exit (#334, AL-67). Take AL-67 north (turn left) to Hwy 31/6th Avenue. Turn right onto Hwy 31/6th Avenue. Turn right onto Corsbie Street. Corsbie Street turns into Flint Road in front of Upsurge. We are directly across from the Upsurge loading dock next door to Webb-Awtrey Insurance Agency.
So I’ll be going out of town (again) for a few days.
I’ll be taking a class, but I can’t tell you exactly what it is because it’s a top secret project that some of my ashiatsu barefoot massage cohorts have been working on. They’ll be teaching this new and hush, hush ashiatsu method to a few of us so we can test it all out before it rolls out to the general public. Never fear though, unless they swear me to further secrecy I will be bringing it home and trying it out on whoever wants to lay on my table!
I’m excited about this trip not only because of the new skills, but also because I’m returning to my ashiatsu roots. This training is in Cincinnati at Affinity Massage Studios with my original instructor, Mary-Claire Fredette, from all those many years ago.
I’ll be back in the office Monday, September 24th!
Many of you already know I recently went to San Antonio, TX for a big training. I took what is formally called FasciAshi Fundamentals which is a big fancy phrase for more Ashiatsu barefoot massage training. What that means to you, I have new techniques to help you get out of pain!
It was a lot of very hard work, but I am so energized and proud to be bringing these new skills to my clients.
Enjoy the photo show!
Randy Cummins was teaching a Barefoot Shiatsu class when I arrived. I got to observe and be the demo body for neck and shoulder work. He put his foot on my forehead during one of the moves and it was AMAZING!
This guy hangs out in the training center!
This class is definitely on the to-do list!
Jeni Spring giving us the wisdom!
This little grotto was across the street from my AirBnB place. Fascinating rock structure.
Ashiatsu Rules!
What I love most about training is meeting new friends. This is Katie Reschny from Florida!
Yes, she’s massaging a skeleton!
It wasn’t all work, we got some playtime in too!
Yep, this new move, I think you’re gonna love it if you have sciatic issues.
♥
Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist!
So I’m going to be out of town for a few days this week getting my feet educated. Y’all know I’m serious about my barefoot massage education.
Even though my feet are already pretty smart, this is something new and I’m not one to shirk from a challenge. New, but similar. It’s called FasciAshi. And even though I haven’t learned it yet, I’ve been talking to my Ashi sisters, the ones who created it and the ones who are a bit more unbiased, and I have to say that I am excited. If you’ve been in to see me lately you have probably heard all about it. If not, I would love to introduce you to this new style of Ashiatsu barefoot massage.
I’ll be home on the 23rd and there are still appointments available for that week. Shoot me a text if you’re interested in trying out this new style of Ashi. I’ll get you on the schedule for after I return home.
If not, just stay tuned I’m sure I’ll have pictures and lots more to say about it when I get home!
♥
Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist!
It’s that time of year again when everyone, it seems, is traveling. I’ve already had two trips this spring, I’m leaving this week for a leadership training, and it now looks like I’ll be traveling a few days each month through the end of the year. Thus I started thinking about how I can save some money (since I’m also losing income while traveling) and decided to put together my list of how to save a few dollars on the essentials.
So here are my tips for cheap(er) vacationing!
Sign up for (or update) AirBnB*! Then spend some time finding the perfect place to stay. AirBnB offers all different price points, amenities, and locations that can save you a lot in accommodations.
Pack a cooler! A cooler works really well on road trips. Packing your own sandwiches, snacks, and cold drinks can save quite a bit and keep your tummy happier. Even if you only eat out of the cooler once a day, it adds up. If you’re not road tripping (or even if you are), consider hitting the prepared foods section of the local grocery for a salad or hot meal.
Fly on Tuesday or Wednesday. The experts that study the airline industry say these two days are best for cost savings!
Visit our state and national parks. There are usually low-cost entrance fees and many times have lots of activities available for no-cost beyond the entrance fee. These areas are also usually less crowded than other public use areas.
Seek out free walking tours, free days at museums and parks, or discounted matinee shows. Also, check out the local theater and orchestra schedule for free and discounted dress rehearsals.
So that’s my short list of how I save a few dollars when I have to be away from home whether it be a fun, summer vacation or a business trip.
Happy Traveling!
***
*I’m an AirBnB host as well as an avid user of AirBnB.
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So I’ll be going out of town (again) for a few days.
