Get ready for this years Barefoot Massage Open Challenge! This year’s topic for the “Open” is on common physical imbalances of Barefoot Massage Therapists that could result in injury. Our instructors have been talking behind the scenes A LOT about all the things that make up “body mechanics“… things like your alignment while working, as well as what movement possibilities and…
The benefits of side-lying barefoot massage are plentiful. Once you get past the “my client only wants to lie face down to receive the massage” mentality, you’ll find that you can access a number of muscles more easily when they lie on their side. Why side-lying barefoot massage? Providing side-lying barefoot massage allows you as a therapist to have better…
Throughout the course of this years and last years Barefoot Massage Open, we’ve pulled out some pretty heavy challenges. I hope that todays challenge helps to answer a very common frustration that many of my mid-level students have: how do I fit it all in?!?!?!
I think that these particular past topics will help you optimize this weeks challenge – so go review these before scrolling down too much further:
1.3: Game Face (Spend an hour with the client supine!)
1.4: Not yo’ momma’s Ashi: (Spend an hour with the client in Sidelying!)
1.5: Weight then Wait (Stop moving!)
+ Take what you learned from this years 2.2 Challenge (Xray Vision) which helped you study the structures that lay underneath the tissue you are aiming at AND revisit the last challenge I posted, 2.3 Mindfulness – where you took a long hard look at what strokes you do most often and why.
Got all that at fresh in your thoughts again? OK, now lets scroll down! >>>>
We structured our FasciAshi classes to incorporate a Mindfulness practice – so I’d like to challenge you to bring an element of mindfulness and attention to your massage practice this week.
Do you have a “Signature” stroke? That one stroke that, for some reason, you feel that you absolutely MUST find a way to sneak into every single session because you love it so much? I think we all have one. This week’s #AshiatsuChallenge is to help you find WHY you are doing what you are doing.
Here we are: 2 weeks into the second annual Barefoot Massage Open, a weekly massage challenge for ashiatsu therapists – this Friday we’ll step into WEEK 3! But lets not get ahead of ourselves…. lets focus on the now! Today is Tuesday, which means it’s #2sdayTOESday & also massage day in our #AshiatsuChallenge…
(It’s also Mardi GrASHIATSU today!!)
Our FasciAshi Range of Motion (ROM) class is where stretch therapy meets ashiatsu massage. There is a growing presence of ‘stretch providers’ in the massage therapy, yoga and personal trainer industries, possibly due to the evolving understanding of the properties of fascia. The public is noticing more and more that a movement practice of some kind is essential to a healthy body – and some are turning to their massage therapists for help.
The human population is becoming more and more sedentary.
The leading cause of disability is musculoskeletal pain, and over 80% of acute and chronic injuries are caused by the body not moving properly. (I should know, I just spent a day on the couch writing this blog post!!) One goal of stretch therapy and movement re-education is to make the client more aware of their habits of movement and more comfortable in his or her body with less compensation.
We all need varying movement to maintain healthy tissue hydration, regeneration, and repair. Motion is lotion, no matter what lifestyle you live. The smooth moves we teach in the FasciAshi ROM class could be just the thing that your clients are ACHING to try!
It’s finally WEEK 5 of the Barefoot Massage Open ashi-challenge! You’ve started a massage at the clients feet. You’ve used your non-dominant foot for 20 minutes straight. You’ve began a massage with them face up. You’ve done an ENTIRE MASSAGE APPOINTMENT in the side-lying position. What now? What game changing difference can you POSSIBLY add to your barefoot massages?
Patience, Padawan. Read on to find out.
I think you’ve shown yourself to be tough enough to challenge the way you massage over the last 4 weeks. I’m sure asking yourself “but why?” in every move you make is becoming more second nature. Just you wait…. there’s SO.MUCH.MORE.
The goal all along has been for you to get out of your little shell and try something NEW. Our main focus with FasciAshi is for you to make this ashiatsu intuitive, but also educated. Your inner wisdom shines through when you are able to contemplate WHY or HOW your massage strokes work, and then put that $#!+ into action!
Massage Challenge, WEEK 4. Have you been keeping up with our first annual Barefoot Massage Open, a weekly massage challenge for ashiatsu therapists?! You got this, we’re over half way through. This week WILL make or break you, though. Are you still tough enough to continue to challenge the way you massage!? Are you questioning WHY you do what you do during each massage? Do or do not, there is no try: and this time there is no crying back to your mom, either – cuz the Week #4 challenge ain’t your momma’s ashiatsu!!!
Last week you started your massages with the client face up. How was it?! Are you feeling more confident in your work?
Just wait till you do a week of what we are about to put you up to. You will be hard-core after this. If you aren’t yet trained in ashiatsu strokes that pertain to this weeks challenge – then use your hands. (And go take the Intermediate FasciAshi class already! You are missing out!)
BAREFOOT MASSAGE OPEN: FIVE WEEKS – FEB. 22-MARCH 26
1.1- Feb. 22-26 Start the massage at the clients feet #FeetFirst #AshiChallenge1point1
1.2- March 1-5 Use your Non-Dominant Foot for 20 consecutive minutes #GoofyFoot #AshiChallenge1point2
1.3- March 8-12 Start with your client FACE UP! #GameFace #AshiChallenge1point3
1.4- March 15-19 Scroll down to see this weeks challenge! #NotYourMommasAshi #AshiChallenge1point4
1.5- March 22-26
We are already 2 weeks into the first annual Barefoot Massage Open, a weekly massage challenge for ashiatsu therapists – and we’re about to step into WEEK 3! Are you feeling tough enough continue to challenge the way you massage!? Are you questioning WHY you do what you do during each massage? Put your game face on, cuz your massage game is about to get REAL up in week 3!
Last week we pushed you to use your non-dominant foot continuously for 20 minutes. How did it go?! Are you feeling a little more ambidextrous?
This week we do what your massage instructors have been telling you to do ALL. ALONG. The thing you’ve been afraid to do ALL. THIS. TIME.
Be like Nike: Just Do it.
If you aren’t yet trained in ashiatsu strokes that pertain to this weeks challenge – then use your hands.
BAREFOOT MASSAGE OPEN: FIVE WEEKS – FEB. 22-MARCH 26
1.1- Feb. 22-26 Start the massage at the clients feet #FeetFirst #AshiChallenge1point1
1.2- March 1-5 Use your Non-Dominant Foot for 20 consecutive minutes #GoofyFoot #AshiChallenge1point2
1.3- March 8-12 Scroll down to see this weeks challenge! #GameFace #AshiChallenge1point3
1.4- March 15-19
1.5- March 22-26
Are you tough enough to challenge the way you massage? Can you question the way you think about WHY you do what you do during each massage? Step up to our 5 week massage challenge that will change your massage game. Last week we had you start at the clients feet and see how that changes your perspective. How did…