Class dates through August

I have scheduled class dates through August, 2009 for Bamboo-fusion in Cincinnati.

www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes has photos, dates, prices, etc.

Couples' massages

Many therapists are very busy around Valentine's Day doing couples massages. Using warm bamboo to warm and hydrate the client's tissues would be a fabulous treat to couples looking for something special.

I do have a bamboo-fusion class scheduled in Cincinnati in the end of January, just in time for Valentine's Day! http://www.affinitymassages.com/ has more information about our massage classes.

To be thankful...

This time of year causes us to reflect on the things in life we are thankful for. At our annual Thanksgiving dinner (with 20 adults and 20 plus children this year), we always go around the table indivually and each mention something(s) that we appreciate. Although I usually mention my wonderful family, here are some work related things that give joy:

• The opportunity to teach Ashiatsu and Bamboo-fusion to students. The look of joy on the students' faces when they finally figure out how to do the technique properly is truely priceless.
• My clients. I love stories from my elderly clients (ages 80-94) about the way life was back when.
• The appreciation from my clients when they tell me they don't know how they could live without me.
• Knowing that I make people feel better, oftentimes both emotionally and physically. The clients sometimes just need time to vent, and I can listen to them without judgement.
• Doing work that I really love. There is not much work-wise that places higher on my list than doing and teaching massage.
• My flexible schedule. It allows me to take my girls to dance lessons and take vacations (albeit unpaid!) whenever I so choose.

I would encourage all to think about the things in life that bring them joy and reflect on, no matter how rotten life seems sometime, that there really is much to be thankful for.

2009 classes listed

Bamboo-fusion 2009 classes are now listed on my website, www.AffinityMassages.com/bamboo_classes. Classes are 2 days, and the next one in Cincinnati is scheduled for January 29-30 (Thursday-Friday).

Hope to see you there!

Denver class a "go"

The December 4-6 Barefoot Basics and December 7 Anterior/Side-lying class in Denver are definitely a "go".

Class descriptions and photos can be found at www.affinitymassages.com/class_descriptions.

info massage classes

I now have a new website name attached to my website. It's www.massageclasses.info .

class photos of Bamboo-fusion class

I added a bunch of photos of my most recent class to the website today. The link is www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes if you want to take a look!

Bamboo Massage

Many therapists use tools during a massage. And why not? Frequently, the thumbs, wrists and forearms give up long before the spirit to end massage does. The problem is that the therapist usually can't palpate through tools. Plus, they are typically only room temperature, which feels cold to the client.

Enter bamboo tools. We heat them in a heating pad prior to the massage and rotate the use of the tools. This enables the bamboo to stay warm throughout the massage. Surprisingly, it's not terribly difficult to palpate through the fused bamboo sticks.

End result: the clients love the feeling of the massage as well as the results, and the therapist has given a super massage without hurting him/herself!

My website, www.AffinityMassages.com has more info about bamboo classes. Check out the Bamboo Classes tab.

Bamboo class in January

I've scheduled my next Bamboo-fusion class for January 29-30, 2009. It's a Thursday and Friday and will be held at my studio in Cincinnati.

Class information can be found at www.AffinityMassages.com/bamboo_classes.

Bamboo and Ashiatsu working together

I have a client that I regularly do aggressive Ashiatsu on. He has found that it is the only modality that relieves the physical stress that comes with his job.

On Saturday, he pointed out a picture that I had with a bamboo tool in use on a client. He pondered if that may help get into smaller trigger points. So I heated up the bamboo tools and started off with Ashiatsu.

After about 15 minutes, when the bamboo tools were nice and warm, I started using those and combining the strokes with Ashiatsu. What a great combination! He felt really "worked over" when he left, and I made sure that he took his bottle of water with him.

Don't forget that, especially when you do deep tissue work on a client, that they need to drink lots of water afterwards. I make sure my clients get a 16 oz bottle to take with them.

Bamboo class in January?

I'm thinking of scheduling a bamboo-fusion class in January at my Cincinnati office. Let me know if you have class dates that will work for you.

It's a two day class and can be scheduled any two subsequent days of the week.

www.AffinityMassages.com/bamboo_classes has more information.

Our Town

Ok, this is totally unrelated to my usual blogs, but I'm just a little pleased with myself. My Bachelor of Arts is in Theatre and Film, so basically I worked as a restaurant manager until I discovered a new love. Massage therapy, that is.

Working in the restaurant business as well as doing massage in the evenings isn't conducive to the theatre life, when most rehearsals are in the evening. But since I've been completely in charge of my own schedule now (thank you loyal clients), my schedule is much more flexible.

Compound that with 2 children old enough to babysit, and violá, time to audition for a play.

I happily received the role of Mrs. Louella Soames, the town gossip, in the play Our Town by Thornton Wilder. Opening night is this Thursday, and it runs Thursday - Sunday for the next 3 weeks. The play takes place at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts on Glenway Avenue in Cincinnati.

In the theatre, we say, "Break a leg!" on opening night. Of course, if I really broke a leg, I'd be in big trouble. But it means "good luck." So break a leg, Mike Fielder (the director), and to the cast and crew as well!

By the way, my teaching schedule is on www.affinitymassages.com. I'm thinking of January for my next Bamboo class.

Websites

Massage therapists are typically not the most organized people I know. No offense if you are! Most of us (myself included) don't know the difference between html code and gimp.

Luckily, there are a few massage therapy website builders out there for those who are interested in starting an easy website for their massage business.

I use www.ibuilt.net for mine. It's really easy and I've done most of it myself. My loving and patient husband has helped increase the website presence with his skilled knowledge. If you go onto my website, www.ashiatsuworkshops.com , go all the way to the bottom of the page. There's a referral page for those who are interested in learning more about ibuilt.

Plus, I get a free month! (It never hurts to try...)

Bamboo Class in Cincinnati tomorrow

We're starting our 3rd bamboo-fusion class in Cincinnati tomorrow. It's a small group, and I'm happy to be teaching! Massage with the bamboo tools feels GREAT! It's fun to do, too.

Next class is to be announced. Make sure you check www.affinitymassages.com for more class info and dates.

Quality of Bamboo massage training

If you take a class in learning to massage with bamboo tools, it's important to know the quality of the tools you'll be using on your client. After all, it's your reputation on the line when you use heated or cooled tools on your client's skin.

The bamboo tools we use in Bamboo-fusion are acutally now solid pieces of bamboo that have been fused together. They have been custom designed for the purpose of heating them, retaining heat and for their anti bacertial properties.

The varnish used on them is very light and is non toxic.

If you're looking into learning this modality, make sure you do your research!

Information on Bamboo-fusion can be found at www.AffinityMassages.com/bamboo_classes

Bamboo video on website

I've added a video of Nathalie Cecilia doing demonstrations of Bamboo-fusion massage onto my website! Check out www.AffinityMassages.com/videos to see bamboo chair massage in action!

Bamboo class in Cincinnati

Hey! All you therapists who need to save your hands! Are you out there? I still have space left in my bamboo-fusion class this coming Monday-Tuesday. Call me 513-238-0970 if you want to sign up! Saturday is the last day--no other classes are currently scheduled...

Use of heat with massage

The following information was found from alternativehealings.com. I found the benefits of heated massage as how it relates to hot stone massage, but the benefits are applicable to the Bamboo-fusion massage as well.

Benefits of using heated tools:

Promotes deeper relaxation
Reduces stress and tension
Provide relief to stiff muscles
Enhances circulation
Soothes the nervous system
Enhances the metabolic rate
Ease bloating caused by PMS
Relieve chronic back and neck pain
Opens tight joints
Frees blocked energies in the body

Aerial Dance Over Denver

There is a relatively new sport, if you will, for the public to try. Aerial Dance, such as the Cirque du Soliel, is an amazing way to work out both isometrically as well as cardiovascularly.

Josh McGirk, a massage therapist, yoga instructor and aerial dance instructor, attempted to teach me and a couple of other massage therapists how to "dance" gracefully above the ground. Not only was the exercise intense, but it was truly the best fun I've ever had while working out. Those endorphins were flying for hours afterwards!

Check out http://www.aerialdanceoverdenver.com/ for more information on classes and for pictures! Josh and the other instructors are really great.

I actually have photos of our little session on my facebook page. Go to http://www.facebook.com/ , look up me (Mary-Claire Fredette), and you should be able to see some amusing pictures of our aerial dance session in Denver.

Bamboo-fusion class in Denver

Learn the new technique of Bamboo-fusion massage, using warmed bamboo pieces, in Denver, CO. For the first time ever, we are teaching a class in the mile high city for those massage therapists who want to enrich their knowledge and learn new deep tissue skills.

Bamboo-fusion has been written about in several national magazines as well as in the Ohio Hands Across Ohio quarterly newletter (which is handled by the Ohio chapter of the AMTA).

www.AffinityMassages/bamboo_massage gives complete class information.

Advanced classes in Cincinnati

Come on, ashi grads! It's time to sign up for the advanced classes which will be held a month from now! Check out the dates on my website, www.AffinityMassages.com or call me at 513-238-0970. We've got a couple of people signed up for each class, so there's room for more!

September class for Bamboo-fusion

I still have space available in our Sept Bamboo-fusion class. Learn all about the history of bamboo massage, enjoy other therapists working on you and earn massage therapy CEUs all at the same tim!

Check out my "bamboo classes" link on www.AffinityMassages.com !

July Bamboo class full

I've managed to squeeze in 2 more spots for the July Bamboo-Fusion class. Now, with 10 therapists, we're officially FULL! I do have another class scheduled for a Monday-Tuesday, September 8-9.

Please check out www.AffinityMassages.com for more info on the Bamboo-Fusion classes.

New Bamboo Class Scheduled

I've scheduled a class in September, the 8th and 9th, for our next Bamboo-fusion class. The classes in Cincinnati so far have filled to capacity, so sign up now!

Please contact me at www.AffinityMassages.com/contact if you want info about the classes. I'll be happy to send it to you!

Bamboo class a success!

Founder Nathalie Cecilia flew in from Florida to teach Bamboo-Fusion for the first time here in the Midwest. We had a group of great therapists. Everyone was pleased with the class and quite happy to take home their bamboo sets.

Class next month has just one spot available. Give me a call or email me if you'd like to join us. Go to www.AffinityMassages.com and click on the link about bamboo classes.

Bamboo class in Cincinnati

The May class for Bamboo-Fusion with founder Nathalie Cecilia is full! We have only 2 spots remaining for our July 10-11 class.

Check out my website for class information at www.AffinityMassages.com/bamboo_classes

Bamboo massage in full swing

I'm having great luck with the Bamboo-fusion massage and my clients. They are all raving about it's positive effects, the wonderful heat and they way they feel afterwards.

Yay! I love it...

www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo_massage has more info about the classes!

Bamboo class in May

We're getting more calls on the Bamboo-Fusion front with the class scheduled for May 20-21. Make sure you give me a jingle so I can send you registration information if need be.

Class size is limited to 8 lucky therapists who will get to enjoy receiving and performing massage with delightfully warmed bamboo. (I'm so glad I'm not a proctologist taking CEU courses...)

Finally moved in

I just want to let you know that I've finally moved to a new, larger location. Although my old place had plenty of character, the time was right to move into a new building. So long to the Harleys revving on Hamilton Ave, the church in the next office singing their praises enthusiastically and the fire trucks whizzing by.

With lots of light, ample parking and a quiet atmosphere, my new studio is off the beaten path and ideal for both classes and massage therapy.

I'm located at 7813 Affinity Place, Cincinnati, OH 45231, in Mt. Healthy. It's taking longer than expected to fix it up, but it's all coming together.

Affinity Place

My new studio will be located at 7813 Affinity Place, Cincinnati, OH 45231.

Coffee fans can visit a local favorite, College Hill Coffee Company, which is just a couple of miles away. Starbucks and Chipotle are also nearby as well as family restaurants on Hamilton Ave. in Mt. Healthy.

I'll be ready for business on Thursday morning. Don't forget that I'm adding Bamboo-Fusion massage to my menu this week too!

Www.ashiatsuworkshops.com has information on my appointments page.

Bamboo class in May

Bamboo-fusion massage therapy continuing education classes are coming in May to Cincinnati! I'm excited to host founder Nathalie Cecilia and Op Manager Karen Lay to my NEW studio May 20-21, 2008.

I loved my Bamboo training course (it felt awesome to receive!) and hope other LMTs will join us in class. Check out my website www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo_massage.

Bamboo training

I just finished my instructor's training on Bamboo-fusion massage with founder Nathalie Ceceilia in Florida. What a wonderful modality. Can't wait to try it on my clients when I get back into town next week.

www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo_massage has info on classes.

Bamboo Massage Therapy

Beginning in April, I will be offering Bamboo-Fusion massage therapy at my office in Cincinnati. Give me a call to schedule a session at 513-238-0970.

Descriptions of the massage can be found at www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/appointments.

Bamboo classes

Our Cincinnati Bamboo-Fusion massage classes are getting lots of inquiries. Sign up now and reserve your spot. Www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/contact.

Cincinnati State demos

The massage therapy instructors at Cincinnati State have extended their offer to have me demonstate Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy this week. I'll be there from 3:30-4:30 on Thursday, March 6 and from 9-10 AM on Friday, March 7.

We'll discuss the history of barefoot massage, benefits of Ashiatsu, the differences between "hands on" versus barefoot therapy and more. I'll also demonstrate various strokes to those students who are willing.

If you're interested in having me demonstrate Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy at your school, let me know. You can reach me at www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/contact.

Bamboo-Fusion massage

Traditional deep tissue hands-on massage can be injurious to the massage therapist due to small, repetitive movements. With the Bamboo-Fusion massage, the bamboo tools can allow you to easily adapt to pressure changes. Ms. Cecilia explains that she has noticed that during a bamboo massage, the client’s skin can actually become more supple.

“There is a beautiful quality to the material; both you and the client feel very energized and revitalized, but also more relaxed.”

To learn about Bamboo-Fusion massage continuing education classes, click on www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo_massage.

Just a thought...

During this trying season of continuing colds, allergies, coughs and worse, it's paramount to take into account hand cleanliness. Of course we wash our hands before and after each client, but what about our client's hands? If we massage their hands, do we know when they were cleaned last?

I knew a massage therapist once who actually sanitized her client's feet with hot towels prior to massaging them. If anyone can think of a clever way to do the same with a client's hands, please let me know!

Although I do specialize in Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, I still love my "hands-on" massage as well. Check out my website, www.ashiatsuworkshops.com for info about classes and massage therapy sesssions.

Bamboo-Fusion-it's start

Petite in stature, Nathalie began to experience pain in her hands within only 2 months of doing traditional massage. As a Thai therapist, Nathalie sometimes did back walking while using a bamboo pole for balance. She discovered the hands-on approach with bamboo when one of her larger male clients kept asking for deeper pressure in his upper trapezius.

“As I was working on this gentleman in a sitting position, my eyes caught the two bamboo poles that I used for back walking. I had the idea to use one of the poles for tapotement on his upper trapezius. So I stood about six feet from him, tapping on his shoulders with this long stick, and he told me it felt really great!”

Find out about our classes at www.ashiatsuworkshops.com.

Bamboo-Fusion continued

Petite in stature, Nathalie began to experience pain in her hands within only 2 months of doing traditional massage. As a Thai therapist, Nathalie sometimes did back walking while using a bamboo pole for balance. She discovered the hands-on approach with bamboo when one of her larger male clients kept asking for deeper pressure in his upper trapezius.

Find out about class at www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo_massage!

Bamboo-Fusion Article continued

“The small wood pieces that I have cut in half are made with rattan since rattan is solid. They fit in the palm of my hands which makes it easy to apply deeper pressure. For the larger sticks, I use bamboo, which is a great tool to deliver long, soothing strokes,” Nathalie explains.

www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo_massage has info on classes.

Bamboo-Fusion classes coming to Cincinnati!

Visit www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo_massage for more info about our new classes!

Bamboo-Fusion article continued

Imagine a skilled therapist using warmed bamboo and rattan to dissolve knots and kinks throughout your body. These hand crafted tools are custom designed so that even the smallest therapist can give an easier deep tissue massage. This ecologically sound and sustainable product is currently made by a woodworker. When Ms. Cecilia first began bamboo massage, she actually made the pieces herself by hand.

To receive registration information about Bamboo-Fusion massage, please visit www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/contact .

Bamboo-Fusion class in July

Announcing a 2nd class in Cincinnati for those massage therapists who'd like to learn the exciting new modality Bamboo-Fusion--July 10-11.

There is room for just 8 therapists in this class, so make sure you sign up early. More information about the class can be found at www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo_massage.

(The article about Bamboo-Fusion massage will continue tomorrow.)

Bamboo article continued

As an innovative creator of bamboo massage, Nathalie was sought out by various private resorts and spas and taught them her Bamboo-Fusion modality. This exotic treatment is in demand at high end spas such as the Ritz Carlton in Jupiter, Florida and Preston Wynnn in Saratoga, California. Ms. Cecilia has trained numerous therapists from top spas at the famous Hakone Gardens in California. (This beautiful Japanese garden is abundant with bamboo foliage and is also the location where many scenes were filmed when making the movie Memoirs of a Geisha).

www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo_massage has information about bamboo massage classes.

Bamboo-Fusion

Bamboo is delightful in use as massage tools as well. The sticks hold heat and feel comforting to both the client and the massage therapist. Nathalie Cecilia, founder of Bamboo-Fusion, was the first in the United States to use both bamboo and rattan as extensions of her fingers and hands during her luxurious deep tissue massages.

Bamboo's Beauty

Just wanted to add a photo of bamboo--it's just a beautiful plant!

Bamboo stalks can grow well over the height of men--even NBA basketball players! You don't even really have to take care of it. A little water, and it's good to go.

Massage with Bamboo-Fusing Nature with Deep Relaxation

Here is the first installment of an article I wrote for the Spring 2008 issue of Hands Across Ohio, AMTA Ohio chapter. For information about learning Bamboo-Fusion massage, please click on www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo_massage.

Used in China for over 5000 years, bamboo has many wonderful properties. With its origin in ancient times, it has been used for building, making paper, books and food. Sweet in taste, bamboo shoots are eaten in many popular dishes. In fact, bamboo is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine—it’s roots to quench thirst and promote lactation, while the leaves assist with healing in a type of asthma caused by excessive phlegm, among other things.

With luxuriant foliage, bamboo plants are a beautiful addition for massage rooms, offices, houses and parks. Naturally beautiful and resilient, bamboo is commonly used in many household items such as mats and wall hangings, baskets, chairs and fans. It grows well on infertile land, regenerates itself after being cut and can tolerate extreme temperatures.

Bamboo article

I wrote an article this week for the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) Ohio newsletter regarding the art of bamboo massage. I will post it over the next several days. Those of you who live in Ohio will recieve a copy of the newsletter free of charge even if you don't belong to the AMTA.

First installment will be forthcoming tomorrow. For more information on either Bamboo-Fusion massage or Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, please visit my website at www.ashiatsuworkshops.com .

Bamboo's Natural Beauty

Did you know that bamboo is naturally resiliant? It can survive hot summers and cold winters. It's strength is amazing--bamboo can be used in flooring, furniture and even in house structures. Lush and green, it's a favorite plant in gardens, massage rooms and in office buildings.

Medicinally, bamboo shoots and leaves can help reduce phlegm and increase lacation. Many Asian recipes call for bamboo shoots, as it's flavor is sweet and slightly sugary.

Bamboo is now being used to deeply yet softly work out knots and kinks in massage clients. Nathalie Cecilia, founder of Bamboo-Fusion massage, teaches therapists thoughout the U.S. to luxuriously use her delightful technique of warm bamboo on their clients.

High end spas call upon Nathalie to train their massage therapists in this technique. Currently, Nathalie primarily teaches at her office in Sarasota, FL. Other instructors, trained by the founder herself, will soon be teaching this modality in Seattle, Hartford and in Cincinnati.

For more information, you can look at Nathalie's site, www.Bamboo-Fusion.com or www.ashiatsuworkshops.com/bamboo .

Bamboo training

If you're interested in a great way to deep, luxurious massage on the go, then Bamboo-Fusion is for you! Warmed bamboo and rattan are wonderful for both the therapist and the client. With much easier cleanup than with hot stone massage, the bamboo massage is delicious!

Bamboo and rattan are ecologically friendly, and the massage therapist can actually palpate through the tools. I will be doing my instructor training for Bamboo-Fusion in March and hope to be offering it in Cincinnati shortly therafter.

Check out www.ashiatsuworkshops.com and click on the Bamboo link for more info.

Bamboo class instructor training

Just a quick note to say that I'm heading off to Florida in March to do my instructor training for Bamboo-Fusion.

I'm really looking forward to the warm weather and to receiving bamboo massage from the founder, Nathalie Cecilia. I should be able to begin teaching Bamboo massage in the Midwest in late spring or early summer.

More information can be found at AshiatsuWorkshops.com.

Can't wait to add this exciting modality to my training classes! :)

Ashiatsu Class Costs

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy classes costs are as follows:

• Barefoot Basics, 25 CEUs, $550
• Deepfeet Two, 16 CEUs, $299
• Anterior/Side-Lying, 8 CEUs, $199
• Fusion-Blend, 8 CEUs, $199

Please check out www.AshiatsuWorkshops.com for class information.