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Tag: how to give a good barefoot massage

Barefoot Massage Open Challenge 2024: coming in March!

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 what common restrictions Barefoot Massage Therapists are working around. Together, we’re compiling tips and tricks, videos, exercises and food for thought content for everyone that will help your body be ready and pain free to give a long career full of barefoot massage sessions!

Make sure to subscribe to our new SubStack, which works like a blog and newsletter in one! As we post new content, it’ll show up in your inbox, too! That’s where the challenge will be posted.

We haven’t been able to consistently post an actual ANNUAL challenge, because, well, life. It all started in 2018 and coincided with the CrossFit Open – just something for Barefoot Massage Therapists to push themselves through. We’ve had 3 so far, and this will be our 4th! The goal all along with these challenges has been for you to get out of your box and try something NEW. Our main focus when teaching FasciAshi is for you to make the techniques effective because you are educated on the theory and feel the ease of its application flow through your body. Your inner wisdom shines through when you are able to contemplate WHY or HOW your massage strokes work. When that is put into action in the most physically efficient and effective way possible for your body, you can see progress in yourself, your clients, and you’ll have a seriously better chance of staying in this profession longer.

We’ve got fresh content coming weekly starting March 8th, 2024 – but in the meantime, did you know that we’ve also got an archive of challenges from previous years?! You can dive into them for the 1st time, or the 10th!

Here’s a list of past years’ Barefoot Massage Open Challenges:

(Or just go watch the YouTube Playlist if reading is TMI RN!)

2021 “reSOLEutions”

This was a 3-month long, content creating challenge that pushed you to create NEW content on specific topics that educated YOUR community: Jump in on that challenge here – it was only 1 blog post to pull you through the entire project >>>

2019 “Mobility & Massage”

This was an ambitious 2x/week 5-week challenge that had you moving and massaging in ways to create more physical endurance and mindfulness in your sessions. Jump in on any of the weeks here>>>

2018 “Ashi-Challenge”

This was our first challenge that pushed you out of the routine and encouraged you to work more creatively than robotically. Try these challenges out and see how it changes your approach.

Stay tuned to our new SubStack for what we are preparing for you in March!

BAREFOOT MASSAGE OPEN 2.3: #Massage Week 3

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.

Barefoot Massage Open: Ashi-Challenge 1.5

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!

Barefoot Massage Open: Ashi-Challenge 1.4

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

Barefoot Massage Open: Ashi-Challenge 1.3

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

 

Barefoot Massage Open: Ashi-Challenge 1.2

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 it go?!

This week gives a shout out to the surfers who lead with the “wrong” foot. Once upon a time, a Disney artist drew Goofy surfing with a different than usual foot forward, and it’s been coined as a common phrase in any board sport like surfing, snowboarding or skateboarding.

The goal is for you to try something new within your massages, contemplate WHY or HOW it works, and then market that aspect to your online community. You are marketing to potential customers, not the massage crowd, so the hidden bonus for you is that over the remaining 4 weeks you can generate new content aimed at your target market with a renewed appreciation for how you do what you do, based on the direct feedback of your existing clients.

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 Scroll down to see this weeks challenge! #GoofyFoot #AshiChallenge1point2

1.3- March 8-12

1.4- March 15-19

1.5- March 22-26

 

Your mission for WEEK 2: should you choose to accept it…

 Spend 20 minutes straight per session massaging ONLY with your non-dominant footr non-dominant foot

The Barefoot Massage Open: a 5 week long challenge for massage therapists

Take note of the following questions while providing your massages this week:

How does this change your focus?

Can you do a WHOLE BODY massage this way!?

Did you feel creative? Frustrated? Have any “WOW” moments?

What differences did you notice within the session – especially when you tried this on regularly scheduled clients?

What did your client(s) notice with this new intention?

Can you convey these realizations within your marketing?

Show your work and tag @CenterForBarefootMassage on Instagram using the hashtags #barefootmassage #AshiChallenge1point2 #AshiChallenge #GoofyFoot

We’ll repost and FEETURE the AshiChallenge post with the most likes/hearts each week.

Barefoot Massage Open: Ashi-Challenge 1.1

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.

barefoot massage open: ashi-challengeTo coincide with the Crossfit Open, a 5 week long worldwide online challenge with a different workout every week, I thought we’d do one of our own!!! Whether you massage with your feet or not, whether you know FasciAshi or not, it doesn’t matter: this Ashi-Challenge is open to every massage therapist! Shake things up, push yourself and try to incorporate the challenge into whatever massage you have on the books – lets see what happens.

Tuesday TOESday: Applying massage lotion

We all know how to apply massage lotion to your clients with our hands: but how about with your feet?

Our faculty and alumni all have their own ways of adding their creme, lotion or oil during sessions. One massage lotion application is to squirt the lubricant onto your foot, then do some smearing strokes to work it along the area you’ll be focusing on… then DO YOUR THANG! (You’ll need to have a holster on your hip to hold that lube tube!) This version definitely helps to avoid getting your hands slippery, which alters your grasp on the bars.

We love to teach you tricks like this in our FasciAshi Fundamentals classes!

How do YOU put the lotion on its skin!?!??!

Read more below:

Tuesday TOESday: The magical thing you didn’t know your massage table could do.

Did you know that your portable massage table has many settings and FEETures that work awesome specifically for Barefoot Massage?

floor-massage-table
Fold those legs up underneath the frame and take your massage table to the floor!

Have you ever been sitting at home wishing you could practice some of your barefoot moves on your partner or kids, only to find yourself frustrated about bolstering and the challenge of maintaining cervical alignment?

That massage table is so much more supportive and comfortable than just the floor or a yoga mat!

You lie them down prone and prop some towels under their head. Maybe you place a pillow under their chest so they’re up high enough to breathe and maintain alignment, never really feeling entirely satisfied with the results.

FASCIAnate your Ashiatsu Massage: Part 3

Ashiatsu therapists want to learn more Ashiatsu.

If you are already an experienced Ashiatsu barefoot massage therapist and you share our passion for giving the best massage from your feet possible, then we already know that you know (deep down) that you want to know more!!!

(Did that make sense?!) It makes sense to us. We’ve felt the craving for more information, just like you are now.  We want you to continue to improve your effectiveness and mindfulness in barefoot massage to help give your clients the healing (and heeling) that they are looking for. #NeverStopLearning is one of our favorite hashtags, and we have FOUR ways for you to do just that!

Today we’ll discuss your opportunity to RETRAIN by attending courses in their entirety.