Ashi-Thai Certification
Ashi-Thai Certification Read More »
My friend and colleague, Jim Barnes, of Decatur, AL was recently published in the North Alabama Natural Awakenings magazine with a nice article that discusses the many benefits of Reflexology.
The backstory of how I became a certified reflexologist is a bit ironic considering that my massage practice is currently all about the feet. Before I graduated from massage school a friend of mine and two instructors decided to go to Chattanooga for a 16 hour reflexology intensive course. I reluctantly agreed to go even though it would eat my entire weekend and I had studying and relaxing to do.
I’m glad I went. It was a non-stop weekend of learning about feet and how to spend therapeutic time massaging the feet. There was some bonus hand and ear work thrown in too.
I walked, floated really, away from that weekend on feet that felt brand new from all the rubbing, stretching and manipulating. I still love to receive reflexology. It’s one of the few modalities that allow me to relax to the point of falling asleep on the table. Unfortunately I don’t have the opportunity to do many true reflexology appointments so I tend to integrate it into my regular massage routine as much as possible.
I know that as my practice expands to offer daytime appointments I will have greater opportunities to reach out to segments of the population who may not be able to benefit from Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy or Ashi-Thai or even gentle, Swedish massage. I will enjoy being able to offer reflexology as an alternative. And I’m so glad now that I spent that reluctant time learning more about the feet.
So who benefits from reflexology? Anyone can benefit from reflexology. Individuals who suffer foot pain from overuse or injuries such as plantar fasciitis would be perfect candidates for reflexology. I also find it’s a nice alternative to offer to my Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and Ashi-Thai clients who have recently had surgery and can no longer enjoy deep massage during their recovery period. Elderly individuals who can no longer receive regular massage due to circulatory or pain issues may be able to benefit from reflexology. In addition to the touch therapy, elderly clientele receive the added benefit of a regular foot health checkup.
If you’re interested in reflexology or know someone who would benefit from it. Give me a call, I’d love to meet you and your feet!
The Benefits of Reflexology Read More »
I am currently negotiating with a massage therapist from KY trying to buy a set of used portable bars. The purchase, while expensive, will allow me to start attending conferences, trade shows, health fairs, and expos to demonstrate and raise awareness about Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and Ashi-Thai as well as the overall health benefits of massage. I’m also banking on the fact that the added exposure will bring in new clientele.
The next step is to find those fairs and expos. I have a few leads, but I’m still looking for more. So if your company or an organization you know of puts on any kind of fair or expo, large or small, please leave a comment and let me know.
Commenters will also get first dibs at being my body on the table at some of these things too. Free massage. Woo hoo!
Taking The Feet On The Road Read More »
If you had trouble opening the PDF of the article that I posted last week, here’s the link to the official online publication from Natural Awakenings. You’ll need to scroll over to page 12 to see the layout.
Thanks for visiting!
The Official Link Read More »

The September 2010 edition of Natural Awakenings for the Tennessee Valley hit the news stands within the last few days. I found out when I arrived at my office Thursday afternoon. Several copies had been delivered to the waiting area and Miss Cathy was waiting for me with the news.
Happy dances ensued as she told me how nice it was and I tried to find it in the magazine. For the record my article is on page 12, but it took a long time to find because I was so excited.
And now, without further ado, here is the link to the PDF scan (it takes several moments to load, sorry about that) that I made of the actual magazine article. If you’re interested in a copy of the magazine (they’re free) and you’re in the Tennessee Valley area just visit your local health food store or contact Natural Awakenings directly.
Enjoy! And thanks for visiting!
Natural Awakenings Article Read More »
There were a few moments of craziness last week while we were in Ashi-Thai training and a video button got pressed. We ended up on YouTube doing the Bonk, Bonk, Bonk, Waggle, Waggle, Waggle. I’m the second therapist you see, the one with the black Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy t-shirt.
Enjoy!
Bonk, Bonk, Bonk, Waggle, Waggle, Waggle Read More »
If you’re here looking for information on Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and its recognition by the American Medical Association, then you’re in the right place.
Let me start off by clearing something up. The American Medical Association does not recognize massage as a medical modality, therefore, it does not recognize Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy.
If you were to Google Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and AMA or American Medical Association you will find numerous websites claiming that AOBT is indeed recognized by the AMA. You can find magazine articles with the same claim if you look hard. One of which actually appears in the Digital Lounge on the Deep Feet website. How could so many people believe this when it’s simply not true?
Well, there’s a simple explanation and I want to tell you so you don’t make the same mistake I did. It was a typo. Way back when, someone published something which was supposed to read, “recognized by the AMTA,” but instead read, “recognized by the AMA”. You can see how this impressive typo quickly took root.
Recently when asked to write an article on AOBT I pulled out the AMA gun to include and then realized I needed to do a bit of fact checking. I was confused when some publications / websites listed AMA and others didn’t so I fired off an email to a couple of instructors and Ruthie Hardee, the founder of AOBT.
This resulted in a personal phone call from Ruthie where we discussed my questions about AMA. Well, mostly she discussed and I sorta freaked out because OMG I’m talking to Ruthie Hardee, the founder of AOBT! Squeeeeee!!!
Anyway, I wanted to put this out there so perhaps other people designing their brochures or writing articles on AOBT don’t make the same mistake.
I should go, I have about a thousand brochures that need to be touched with correction tape!
I had written a while ago about scheduling an Ashi-Thai training for September of this year. Two weeks ago when I started making concrete plans to go to San Antonio, TX for that training we discovered that the class was probably not going to make. The instructor and I decided it would be best for me to transfer into the August training class in Dallas.
So after a lot of hastily done research a ticket was purchased, a car was reserved, and I’m driving to Birmingham to hop a flight this afternoon.
I’ll be back Thursday and I’ll be looking for bodies to practice on. If you’re interested, give me a call.
Ashi-Thai Surprise Read More »
Do you remember that old joke about the farmer? I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately.
Recently I was asked to write an article about Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy for our local Natural Awakenings magazine.
At first I got excited, then I got nervous, then I got so excited I made myself sick. It was not pretty. Eventually I got over the nerves and got on with it. I finished the article this morning and though I think it’s pretty good I’m back to being nervous. The thought of attaching it to an email and pressing send has me in a cold sweat.
I am alternately nervous that they won’t publish it and then that they will. What if it’s not good enough? Rejection stings. But what if it is and they publish it? Pressure.
Out Standing In His Field Read More »
Look who is now listed as the only certified Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy master graduate in north Alabama!