go to massage school

This seems like one of those great tools you can learn early and have with you the rest of your life. I don’t need (or want) a career in this, but would love to take some classes and learn as much as I can.

just this week i took the leap and enrolled in massage school. i’m not certain that this is the perfect timing for it… money-wise or time-wise, but i don’t see the perfect moment coming on the horizon. this is as good a moment as any, i’ve decided! no one in the fam has offered any financial support just yet… but i’m on the hunt for scholarships, and truly, moral support is all i need right now. i’m excited and nervous and anxious to start in april!

As of March 28th, I am finished with my massage training at NMTI. I also obtained my re-certification in CPR and First Aid this past weekend. (Required for the practice of massage.) I, for one, am excited for having completed the program. Although, I am not sure which makes me more happy… the fact that I’ve successfully completed the coursework with a top grade, or the fact that I no longer have to endure all of the stress and ridiculous ploys the staff at NMTI put our class through. In all, obtaining my massage certification will win out, though I can definitely say that without all the added stress, my life is now much more placid. I have yet to complete and send out all of the paperwork involved for the board exam, be given a ticket to sit for the exam (which supposedly can take up to month or even longer, depending on the testing site), and actually going through with the exam. Talk about post-education stress! So, back to the books for the next few weeks and I’ll be sure to update once I get the final say on my testing date.

Wish me luck!

Tomorrow is my last day in massage therapy school! I am beyond excited and only look into the future for what it may have in store! I have a few loose ends to tie up before it becomes official (not to mention, becoming nationally certified), though for the most part, the deal is done. It’s been a rocky road though one definitely worth traveling. I hope opportunities continue to arise and that I can only further my knowledge of the human body and holistic practices which can better an individuals health (rather than all of those concoctions pharmaceutical companies come up with these days!)

I graduate from NMTI on March 28th. It has snuck up so quietly that I haven’t been aware of everything I need to accomplish before the end! Time to overhaul and get things moving. Here is to a stressful two weeks to look forward to. I guess, as long as I remain positive about my situation and successfully complete the required program, I will be more than happy with the outcome. Next, all I have to do, is conquer the National Board Exam…

Everything is going great; I’m nearly halfway through! I have my midterm practical exam this Thursday (taken after completion of 300 hours) and am hoping to do well. This month’s module is Spa and Hydrotherapy, so it should roll over quickly, seeing that the material is relatively simple and the Holiday season is upon us. Hurray!

I received my Fitness Master massage table and bundle pack this past Saturday and has since been thrown up in a hurry, smack-dab in the middle of my living room. It being portable, I can easily fold-up and store the table within 5 minutes time. The table is made of mahogany stained wood with eggshell white vinyl padding (3 inches, top layer of which is memory foam.) It’s just a shame that I don’t get to relax on it. :]

Secondly, I completed my Intro Module and successfully passed the exam, which consisted of identifying endangerment areas and correctly labeling arteries, nerves, and other various implications found within those areas. I passed with a 96%. I am excited to be moving on to more challenging work and look forward to more bodywork. (I tell you what, free 1-hour massages everyday are definitely doable in my book!)

Come next week, my intro module will be wrapping up and I will be taking my first examination procedure. Monday, we will perform a full, 1-hour massage; uninterrupted and unadvised. The instructor will be observing our technique and body mechanics. The following day will be our written exam. I am excited and feel I am progressing nicely, though still can’t help at feeling somewhat apprehensive.

As soon as I got the information, I freaked out because I realized I had to be serious about doing it.

This morning, I rolled out of bed somewhere in the region of 8 o’clock AM, ruefully stepped into the shower and proceeded in readying myself for my 10 o’clock orientation at NMTI. (For someone who has a summer free of employment and obligation, that’s quite an accomplishment.) After fretting in traffic over time management and how I wish it was available on store shelves, I arrived to the facility 10 minutes before schedule. (I felt a bit of pride in being the second person to have arrived.) After getting over my initial fear of new people and places, I struck up conversation with the few that littered the room and immediately felt at ease. After two hours of reviewing the syllabus, rules, and getting to further be acquainted with the instructors and my fellow students, it was already time to go! After my first brush with this new career and lifestyle, I am more excited than ever to begin and can only wait in increasing anticipation until the 29th!