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Alabama Ashiatsu Travel FAQ!

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FasciAshi barefoot therapists learning

Welcome to Decatur, Alabama!

Welcome to Decatur, Alabama (aka the River City), host to Alabama Barefoot Massage Training Center the Alabama Campus for Center for Barefoot Massage! Sharon and her support team at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology are excited to welcome you to your next barefoot massage class.

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.

The Brick Deli & Tavern is uptown and is exactly what it sounds like. Let’s Do Lunch is an adorable little lunch counter with interesting and delicious options. Current: Coffee and Collectibles, West Side Coffee Place & Cafe, and Whitt’s BBQ are more local options that serve lunch. Bank Street Grill and Josie’s are other local favorites that are a little more upscale. There is a grocery store and a few chain restaurants that are walkable from the training center. Transportation will open access to many more that we can talk about during our time together.

See the Sights:

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.

Happy travels, we can’t wait to see you here!

Sharon Bryant at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Therapist!

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Top Secret Ashiatsu Training

Ashiatsu /

ashiatsu top secretSo 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!

Check out my online schedule to see what’s open next week if you want to get on my table!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist!

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Sights From San Antonio

Ashiatsu /

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!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist!

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My Feet Are Going To School Again!

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FasciAshi ashiatsu barefoot massage

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!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist!

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How Not to Break the Bank This Summer!

Ashiatsu /

5 Tips for Saving Money While Traveling

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.

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist!

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This Week at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy!

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This week at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy:
– Negotiated a truce with 1 angry hip
– Calmed 3 cases of desk jockey neck
– Consulted on 1 case of improving sleep position
– Relieved 1 clogged sinus
– Eased 3 tense sets of shoulders
– Introduced 4 people to Ashiatsu!
– Introduced 1 person to abdominal massage!
– Introduced 2 people to cupping!
#ILoveMyJob #Massage #HarvestMoonMassage #MyDecaturAL #Ashiatsu 

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How Often Should I Get a Massage?

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CalendarI seem to be getting this question a lot lately. From clients as well as people who know I’m a massage therapist that haven’t been on my table (yet).  So I thought I would take a shot at it.

The answer is…it depends.

How often you get a massage depends on what you’ve got going on in your life and body and what your goals are by having massage. I know, I KNOW, goals and massage? What? But it’s really not that complicated.

Let’s say you’re really stressed out, your shoulders and neck are hurting and you’re having headaches. You work at a desk with a computer full-time and there’s no chance of your workload slowing down any time soon. You’re pretty sure it’s all stress-related because the doctor says you’re perfectly healthy.

If all goes well with your first massage, we will assess how much progress was made and decide how soon you need to come back. In my experience, stress-related muscular issues usually respond well to massage. You may need to come back at two week intervals for a while to train your body and nervous system to relax, but after a few sessions you may choose to go to three, four or more week intervals. After a few months of regular massage therapy, your body will begin to tell you when it needs a massage and you and your massage therapist may need to adjust your interval again.

This is just an example, but I hope it gives you an idea of why it’s sometimes hard to answer how often someone should have a massage.

If you’d like to know how often you should be getting massage, give me a call and let’s talk about it!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Barefoot Massage Specialist!

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It’s Just a Little Leak

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PuddlesAs I sit writing this morning, Hartselle Utilities is outside my house in the street with a backhoe digging up the pavement. What started out as a small wet spot in the pavement has grown into a substantial flow that has been watering the neighbor’s ditch and yard for a little over a week.

When I noticed it one morning and then again that afternoon I made a little note in my head to check the next day. It hadn’t dried so we put a call in to the utilities. It took them several days to get to it, all the while the problem was silently growing.

It put me in mind of how we deal with and what happens in our bodies. One day our shoulder has little catch, the next day it’s a little worse so we take something for it. Pretty soon we’re favoring it, using a muscle cream, and taking something a few times a day. Eventually we wind up at the doctor’s office for harder medicine and more invasive interventions.

But what if there was a way to avoid that whole chain of events? Oh, there’s always going to be pain in the body. We age, there’s only one way around that, but can regular maintenance slow it down? I think so. At least regular maintenance can help keep most of us from hurting as badly, as long or as often.

Bold claims!

But there is a bit of science to back it up. AMTA recently published this article on massage therapy’s role in pain management and the actual study they are referencing is published in Pain Medicine. Additionally, it’s long been known that the frequency of massage directly impacts the cumulative effects of massage. In English that means the more often you have massage the faster and more long-lasting the results.

So the next time you feel a little twinge, let that be your signal to check your schedule for your next massage. Don’t have a massage scheduled? Well then it’s time to call your massage therapist and get on his or her schedule! You’ll be doing your body and mind a great service. And while you’re there talk to them about an appropriate maintenance schedule.

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Original Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapist!

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Recapping the Convention

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Boardwalk to Orange BeachSo I promised news of the 2016 AMTA-AL Spring Convention and I finally found a few minutes to sit down and write it up.

First, I am very happy to say that I completed the Chi Nei Tsang Module 1 for Lung and Large Intestine. There was so much information shared and I was able to double my Chi Nei Tsang toolbox.

Mary Ellen Derwis is an amazing instructor and if all goes as planned she will be in Atlanta in July to teach Chi Nei Tsang Modules 4 & 5. I will be taking a couple of days to go finish those two modules and evaluate whether I want to continue on for a full certification in the methodology.

Orange Beach was amazing. The weather cooperated and I actually got to spend time on the beach this trip. Pictures can be found over on my Facebook page. Then I had the amazing experience of a Chi Kung class on the beach Sunday morning. If you’ve never tried Chi Kung (or Qigong), I highly recommend it, especially if you’re on the shore with your bare feet in the sand.

In other news…the membership of the AMTA-Alabama Chapter has honored me with their faith and votes and I will be serving as the AMTA-AL Chapter President for the next two years. This means I will be traveling a bit more. I’ve already been tapped to go to Tampa in June for training. I’m excited and a little bit nervous about this new chapter of my massage therapy and volunteer career.

In the meantime, I’ll be at the office. Call me!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Master Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapist!

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Managing Pain With Essential Oils

Aromatherapy /

geranium-oil-infusionHarvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology will be hosting a seminar on managing pain with essential oils on April 16th at 5 pm.

Please join us for this free education on using essential oils to manage pain. Anna Rickabaugh from Opelika Massage Therapy Center will be here to share her experience with essential oils and using them to manage pain.

Come learn the most effective oils to use to manage your pain!

Where: Decatur Healing Arts Center @ 1900 Flint Road, Decatur, AL
When: April 16th @ 5pm
Cost: FREE!
Please RSVP here!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Wellness Destination!

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