Youtube Ashiatsu training class video

We've finally gotten the video from December's Ashiatsu training class on youtube. The link is here: Ashiatsu barefoot massage training video.

Originally, we had the beautiful Trans Siberian Orchestra in the background, but YouTube took all the sound off the Ashiatsu video.

Classes start again in February 2010. Check them out at http://www.affinitymassages.com/ .

Ethics and massage

Just a quick little note:  if you have invented a new way to do massage or have been properly trained by the founder of a modality, then you should teach (with the founder's permission).  If you have copy-catted someone's work and are teaching it as your own without permission, that is unethical.

Ashiatsu class video

My husband has been working on an Ashiatsu class video that is currently uploading to YouTube. We did it as a little impromtu venture. I'll let you know the link just as soon as it's up!

2010 Ashiatsu schedule

My 2010 Ashiatsu barefoot massage class schedule is finally online at http://www.affinitymassages.com/ .

Feb Ashiatsu class

My February Ashiatsu class is filling up already. There are just 5 spots remaining. You should be able to pay online by tomorrow at the latest for the class. I haven't updated my website yet, but should have it done by tomorrow. The schedule is at http://www.massageclasses.info/.

Teaching again today (Bamboo-fusion this time), and I just finished teaching 4 days of Ashiatsu barefoot massage on Sunday. Been a crazy week, but it's all good! :)

Easy to do website building

Need a website but don't know HTML code? Try building your own with http://www.ibuilt.net/ 's service. The prices are reasonable ($20/month), and you can do everything yourself. They have lots of different layouts, and the customer service people are very helpful.

It's a great site builder for any company, but works really well for me as far as my massage therapy business and teaching classes. You can even have an online store if you want.

I use Paypal to give students the option of paying online, which is a useful feature. Try 'em out! You've got 10 days to use it for free to become familiar with their site before you have to pay.

You can take a look at my website to see a variety of the different styles of pages they have offered. http://www.affinitymassages.com/ has a Faq page, which is different from a registration page. I get lots of compliments on my site, and my husband and I have done it all ourselves. (And I am NOT gifted with computers).

Don't have time for a massage?

If you're really tight and need some massage but don't have time for a full body (or even 1/2 hour), you can do a little spot self massage.

Tennis balls are a great tool to work a variety of areas. Lean against a wall and put the tennis ball between the area that is sore (such as between your shoulders) and roll around. The harder you push, the deeper the massage.  The tennis ball is great for the back, waist area (quadratus lumborum) and the butt (hips really). I typically don't recommend doing this in front of folks as works as you tend to look rather like a bear scratching on a tree.

If your calves are sore, you can try the tennis ball or using a can of soup or (heaven forbid) canned veggies. Sit on the floor with your legs flat and roll the object up and down your legs. You can use a can of soup under your feet as you stand up, a tennis ball, or if you're really hard core, a golf ball. Racquet balls tend to pop with too much pressure (how do I know that???).

In a pinch a round door knob will work wonders in your low back or hips. Again, not in front of anyone! :)

http://www.affinitymassages.com/

Space left in Bamboo-fusion class

There's still time to sign up for our 2 day Bamboo-fusion class in Cincinnati scheduled for next week. What better way to treat your clients to a luxurious massage than by using warm bamboo? It heats up in a jiffy and is sooo easy to clean!

http://www.affinitymassages.com/

Massage with heat

Heat is a great thing to make people relax during massage. It's perfect for chronic pain. As long as they don't have any contraindications, your client typically loosens up more quickly when a nice, soothing heat is used during the massage.

And that, my friends, is why I do Bamboo-fusion massage. We have 4 spaces left in our class next month. You can sign up online at www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes.

Worker's Comp, Injuries

I will soon be accepting worker's comp claims and patients for motor vehicle injuries for massage at my office. Now I just need to decide what office program to use!

Working out before Ashiatsu class.

In our Barefoot Basics class, therapists use a lot of muscles that sometimes they've forgotten they have! Before taking class, make sure you work on your core strength as well as your legs. And stretch those adductors and hip flexors. You won't be sorry!

Ashiatsu and working out

I started the super intense P90X workout program the other day. I am pretty sure that my oncoming additional arm and leg strength will be an added benefit to those clients of mine who want reaaaly deep work.

Don't get me wrong--ashiatsu is waaay deeper than most any other hands on technique. But by increasing my leg strength, I'll really be able to ramp it up. Wanna learn Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy? Register online at http://www.massageclasses.info/.

Need to warm up your massage clients?

Although the weather here in Cincinnati is not particularly cold, it is damp and drizzly. Boy, would I like to have a warm bamboo-fusion massage right now!

The bamboo tools are heated in a commerical heating pad so they're nice and toasty on your client's skin (of course, you should always check in with the temperatures). Luxurious, deep, warm and yummy. Those are some of the descriptive words I've heard about the bamboo massage during a session.

Check out our class schedule at http://www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes. You can even register online.

Ashiatsu sports massage

Although Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy's saying is "the deepest most luxurious massage on the planet," the technique can also be translated into sports massage. I know a couple of massage therapists who used to take Ashiatsu portable bars to GOBA, the Great Ohio Bike Adventure.

For a week each year, the cyclists would travel for miles and miles each day, setting up camp at fairgrounds, etc. each night. A group of sports massage therapists would travel as well and have  massage tent set up for the sports enthusiasts. Sometimes there would be a line of clients waiting for the Ashiatsu therapist to finish up the person on the table so that they'd have their chance. The other massage therapists sometimes during this time had no one on the table.

The cyclist clients loved the Ashiatsu for a post-event massage. An arch of the foot feels awesome on the back of the hamstrings, the heel of the foot fits perfectly into those quatratus lumborums! Check out http://www.affinitymassages.com/ for more information about the classes!

Bamboo class pictures

If you take our bamboo-fusion massage class, not only will you get 16 ceus, bamboo tools and a ton of massage, but photos too! I love to take pictures of the students working. Photos are shown on my site, www.affinitymassage/bamboo_classes.

About massage therapists

"Who Is Today’s Massage Therapist?"
from the AMTA National website.
Today’s Massage Therapists are…

Most likely to enter the massage therapy profession as a second career.

Predominantly female (85%).

In their early-40s, on average.

Most likely to be members of a professional organization.

Most likely to be sole practitioners.

Working an average of 19 hours a week providing massage. (Excluding time spent on other business tasks such as billing, bookkeeping, supplies, maintaining equipment, marketing, scheduling, etc.)

Charging an average of $63 for one hour of massage.

Earning an average wage of $41.50 an hour (including tip) for all massage related work.

Giving an average of 41 massages per month.

Working in the industry on average for 6.3 years.

Likely to provide massage therapy in a number of settings, including their own home, spa/salon, their own office, a healthcare setting, health club/athletic facility, or massage therapy only franchise or chain.

Eighty-nine percent (89 percent) of massage therapists provide Swedish massage, followed by 82 percent who provide deep tissue massage, 52 percent trigger point, and 49 percent sports massage

Bamboo massage photo

Here's a picture of a student working on another student's hand using warm bamboo. The tools feel amazing on the entire body. Most clients think that the smaller bamboo tools feel just like super warm hands. And keeping your clients super warm during this autumn and winter season is especially important!

The "oohs" and "ahs" on the upper traps come right at the beginnning of the massage, and the client will LOVE your warm deep tissue massage with warm bamboo.

It's so easy to do that you have to be careful to give not too much pressure in places!

Visit www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes for the schedule and to register online. I've got lots of other pictures of massage therapist students using the bamboo posted on that page as well.

New! Online store for Bamboo-fusion stuff

Want to advertise your Bamboo-fusion business? I've got a great new online store http://www.cafepress.com/affinitymassage where there's all kinds of cool stuff. Check out the Bamboo-fusion shirts, baby and kiddy tees--there's even a style for your dog so that Fefe strut her style!

New Ashiatsu pictures

New Ashiatsu pictures and layout on on my website, www.AffinityMassages.com. See our group of lovely massage therapists from Cincinnati, southern Kentucky and Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.

For some reason, this blog is not allowing me to post photos today. So I'll just tell you who our new Ashiatsu grads are! Kathy Spalding, Sandy Wright, Megan Rice, Marjorie Blair, Linda Leigh Edwards and Linda Warga.

They made our Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy guest clients very happy with their barefoot massage!

2010 schedule

We now have the 2010 schedule for Bamboo-fusion posted on my website, www.affinitymassages.com..

I have classes scheduled throughout the Midwest--Wichita, KS, St. Louis, MO, Ann Arbor, MI, Nashville, TN as well as Cincinnati.

Our classes have been filling to capacity. Why? The bamboo massage can be easily encorporated into a deep tissue hands on massage. It feels great to the client, and the massage therapists love to use the tools.

Learn deep tissue massage

People are starting to sign up for our October Cincinnati, OH Ashiatsu class! Register at www.affinitymassages.com.

Ashiatsu picture

Here's a photo of me at the ATMA Kentucky spring convention with our portable Ashiatsu bars. I gave out about 30 free Ashiatsu demonstrations that weekend! I was 6 months pregnant too!

Class information is found at www.affinitymassages.com.

AMTA National Convention

Heading to Orlando for the AMTA National Convention next week? Stop by the Bamboo-fusion booth for a free demo. Check out the bamboo-fusion tools. They're very well made.

My next class in Cincinnati is October 5-6, and I do have some space left. You can sign up online.

Advanced ashiatsu classes

I still have a couple of spaces left in our Advanced Ashiatsu deepfeet 2 class here in Cincinnati in October. You must be a certified grad of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy in order to take the classes.

Class schedule is posted on www.affinitymassages.com.

Continuing Ed Ad

I just sent out an email campaign for all my classes, including Ashi-Thai (it's new), Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, advanced ashiatsu classes and finally (whew!) Bamboo-fusion.

To find out more about the classes and see videos for ashiatsu, ashi-thai and bamboo massage, go to www.affinitymassages.com/videos.

You can email me at fredettemassage@fuse.net to get on the mailing list.

Ashi-Thai demo

Doing Ashi-Thai demonstration at lunchtime for the Ashiatsu therapists today. We're on day 4. They're getting a little tired! But a good "wow, I've worked out!" tired...

They can take advanced ashiatsu classes in October. Register online at www.affinitymassages.com/register_now1.

Ashi-Thai video on my website

Interested in finding out a little bit about Ashi-Thai? Check out my website.

I also have short clips about Ashiatsu and Bamboo-fusion there.

Bring camera to class!

If you're taking any of my massage therapy CEU classes, make sure you bring your camera! I'll be happy to take photos of you working.

I used to do PR photography for my college, so I can do a pretty decent job most of the time. Whether it's Ashiatsu, Ashi-Thai or Bamboo-fusion massage class, the pictures can be of great value in your marketing.

You know, that old adage: a picture is worth a thousand words...

www.affinitymassages.com

Ashi-Thai classes

As an authorized instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, I now also have permission to teach Ashi-Thai. Ashi-Thai is similar to traditional Thai massage in that the client remains fully clothed, and the therapist uses no oil or cream.

However, what's not typical of this type of barefoot massage is that the therapist also stands on the massage table (you'll find this in some modalities, but it's newer than traditional Thai) and uses overhead bars for balance and support. The massage therapist uses primarily leg strength to move the client into various positions. Ideally, she or he will also avoid bending at the waist, thereby preventing repetitive movement injuries on the back.

www.affinitymassages.com/register_now1 has the registration page!

Advanced Ashiatsu classes

Deepfeet 2 and Fusion-Blend have officially been blended together as one class. Certified grads of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy can learn how to truly give the deepest most luxurious massage on the planet to their clients.

Register and pay online now! Check out www.affinitymassages.com/register_now1 to pay with either credit card or Paypal.

AMTA KY spring conference

I'm going to be a speaker at the next AMTA Kentucky chapter spring conference. We're doing: introduction to Bamboo-fusion.

The students will learn about:

• History of Bamboo-fusion
• Proper care of tools
• Benefits and contraindications
• How to do a few strokes with the tools!

Bamboo tools will be for sale after class at a big discount.

www.affinitymassages.com has more information about our 16 CEU, 2 day class.

Bamboo in October

Inquiries are starting to roll in for our October Bamboo-fusion class in October. Class is October 5-6. Come and receive about 3 hours of fabulous massage each day. That itself is worth the price of class!

Sign up at www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo .

Ashi-Thai barefoot massage

Here's a cool barefoot Ashi-Thai picture. The photo shows the therapist's foot stretching out the client's gastrocs. The client's high flexibility means the therapist could actually also use his or her leg to do the stretch.

My Ashi-Thai barefoot massage classes are a great way to learn to warm up your clients using stretches before a massage. It feels great to the person on the table receiving, too!

www.massageclasses.info has more on this CEU course. You don't have to be an Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy grad to take the continuing ed course.

Bamboo class in Oct.

Had a great Bamboo-fusion class with some talented massage therapists this weekend.

My next class is scheduled for October 5-6, 2009 (just after the advanced ashiatsu classes)!

Advanced Ashiatsu Classes

Anterior/Side-lying is scheduled for September 30. Deepfeet 2 and Fusion-blend (soon to be called Deepfeet 2 Advanced) will be October 1-3.

Remember that I only teach the advanced classes twice a year. If you're a certified ashi grad, it's time to think about registering. You'll learn how to truly give "the deepest most luxurious massage on the planet!"

Register online at www.massageclasses.info.

Ashi-Thai instructor training

Heading off to Denver in the early AM tomorrow (flight leaves at 6:30-how evil is that?) for my instructor training in Ashi-Thai. It's always fun to be hanging out with other Ashiatsu instructors for some hard work and good times.

I'm offering my first Ashi-Thai class in Cincinnati in October. You can log onto www.affinitymassages.com for the class dates. Simply click on the Ashiatsu tab. There are drop downs for the class schedule.

Grab your CEUs in a fun class that's sure to increase your bottom line!

Bamboo-fusion class photo

Brenda Ghantous is trying out the bamboo-fusion tools on a fellow massage therapist. I love to see the look on the "client's" face when they get off up the table after receiving bamboo massage!

The therapists are usually in la la land for a bit. Imagine what you can do for your own clients!

I have 2 spaces left in our August 7-8 class in Cincinnati (Bamboo-fusion, that is). If you want to sign up, you can pay online at www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes.

Ashi-Thai pic

Here is a classroom picture of an Ashi-Thai class! The students all receive massage from eachother. Class dates at www.affinitymassages.com.

Ashi-Thai benefits

Why take Ashi-Thai?

• It helps your client's circulation.
• It's easier than doing hands on Thai.
• Ashi-Thai is very good to loosen up your client prior to a massage.
• Receiving Thai on the table is more comfortable for most clients than lying on the floor.

More benefits listed soon! www.affinitymassages.com has our class schedule.

Bamboo class discount THIS WEEK ONLY

Special this week only!

My next bamboo class on August 7 and 8 will be held on my parent's 45th anninversay. In honor of that, I am offering this week only a $45 discount for those who register for my Bamboo-fusion class scheduled for that weekend. Please call me at 513-238-0970 or email me at fredettemassage@fuse.net to take advantage of this offer.

It's good ONLY for those who register for the August 7-9, 2009 class between today (July 26) and Saturday (August 1). www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes has the class descriptions! You can also register online there.

Advanced Ashiatsu classes starting to fill

I'm getting lots of interest already in our advanced Ashiatsu classes. In order to take them, you must have taken Barefoot Basics and have gotten certified. Information on the classes can be found in your manual or on my website at www.affinitymassages.com/class_descriptions.

You can pay online now for them as well. Any questions? Email me at fredettemassage@fuse.net.

Twitter-i-fied

You can follow me on Twitter! Just a little bit 'bout this and that in the world of massage, my classes and my work.

About Ashi-Thai classes

What is Ashi-Thai? It's a variation of traditional Thai massage. Typically, the Thai practicioner "palm walks" the client's body, which can cause pain in the therapist's hands and wrists.

In Ashi-Thai, the therapist stands on the massage table and uses his or her Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy bars for balance. She will use her legs to maneuver the client into multiple positions. This enables the therapist to protect her arms and wrists when moving the client through various movements. The client remains fully clothed on during the process, and no lubricant is applied.

Ashi-Thai is a great method for warming up a client and stretching them out prior to a deep tissue massage. It can also be done as a stand alone method for an hour or more.
My Ashi-Thai classes are scheduled starting October.

You can visit my website, www.affinitymassages.com for dates. More info coming soon!

1 space in Bamboo class

As soon as I get the 2 registrations that are supposed to be coming any day now, I'll just have one space available in my August Bamboo-fusion class.

More class dates at www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes.

Twitter

You can now follow twitter online on my www.affinitymassages.com/contact page. Oh, I'm just so hip (you can roll your eyes now).

Paying for Ashi, Bamboo classes online

I've finally gotten my "paying securely online" section of my website complete. You can pay for any of my classes through Paypal using either a credit card or your Paypal account.

Classes include: Bamboo-fusion, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy Barefoot Basics, Anterior/Side-Lying, Deepfeet 2 and the Fusion-Blend. You can also register for Ashi-Thai, the new class I'll be teaching in the fall.

Go to www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes for bamboo massage class information and payment options. You'll find all the information you need to register for the barefoot massage classes at www.affinitymassages.com/register_now.

3 spots remain in August Bamboo class

Our August 7-8, 2009 Bamboo-fusion class is filling up. Just 3 spots remain.

Class runs from 9-6 each day and are held in my beautiful massage studio in Cincinnati. Please look at my bamboo massage page on my website, www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes for more information and other dates.

Bamboo-fusion in Cincinnati

The bamboo-fusion class scheduled for August 7-8 in Cincinnati is starting to fill. I do have a couple more spaces left, but it's time to register NOW if you want a spot!

Class is 9-6 each day, and it's on a Friday and Saturday this time. Come and receive 16 CEUs as well as some wonderful, healing, relaxing massage! Everyone who has taken the class has loved the work.

Visit www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes for more information! Or you can email me at fredettemassage@fuse.net.

Value of bamboo massage class

The AMTA currently offers CEUs (for the members of this massage therapy group) at the national convention for about $30 per hour.

Our bamboo-fusion class is under $25 per CEU, and the bamboo is included in the cost of class, as well as the educational DVD! That's a continuing ed rate you just can't pass up!

My next bamboo massage CEU class (which offers 16 continuing education credits) is Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8. You can look at my website, www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes for pictures and additional class listings.

Our next ashi baby

Our baby Blaise was born 2 weeks ago, on Monday, June 15. He weighed in at 7 lb, 10 oz (my smallest boy) and was 21.25" long. He is a super baby, sleeping and eating well.

Although I am a little (OK, a lot) sleep deprived, I am finally feeling like I'm getting back into the swing of things. I'll be officially back from maternity leave on June 25, and I've already got clients scheduling.

In the beginning of August, I'll head out to Denver to do my teacher training for Ashi-Thai, a brand new modality! I should be offering that class by October or so. And I'll be teaching 2 classes in August as well, so I certainly won't be bored (not that I typically am with 8 children)!

My class schedule is listed at www.affinitymassages.com .

Bamboo class in August

I still have space in my Bamboo-fusion class in August, the 7th -8th. Trying something new in the next few months: if you have a group of four or more massage therapists interested in taking our bamboo massage class at one time at my studio in Cincinnati, I'll give you a 10% discount on each person's tuition.

That's $40 off tuition, and the bamboo with educational DVD are still included in the price. All four people must have deposits paid in order for each therapist to receive a discount.

My email is fredettemassage@fuse.net, and website is www.affinitymassages.com . Click on the Bamboo classes tab for more information about our massage courses and dates for continuing education!

Get a massage

Sometimes we as massage therapists forget how good we make people feel. Take time out to get a massage from a good LMT that you know. Try something that you haven't received any training in, even.

I just got a massage the other day, 90 minutes. Yum. Of course, she found muscles that I had forgotten about. Sure felt good. Try it yourself!

Another great idea is to take a CEU class for massage therapy. You'll no doubt get some extra work done. You can receive loads of work by taking either Bamboo-fusion or Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy classes. My website, www.affinitymassages.com, has specific information.

Bamboo class photo

Here's a photo of some delicious bamboo-fusion massage being done by one of my students during class (Brenda Ghantous working).

If you take the class, you'll receive such good work! And get CEUs at the same time.

The instructional DVD and bamboo tools are included in the price of class. See www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes for more specific information.

Bamboo sets available soon

I will be adding a new page onto my website soon, one where you can purchase the Bamboo-fusion sets online. The table set, which is the kind you can heat, will be available with the DVD as a set. I will also add the Visage (facial) set combo with DVD.

www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes.

forgiveness

Harboring resentment towards someone who has treated you badly creates stress. It's commonly known that stress can cause many mental and physical illnesses. Is forgiveness the key to letting go of that anger, resentment or hatred?

"...and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

What is the key to forgiveness? Is it to ignore the person who's done you wrong, or ignore the act(s)? Is it to fight back? Take a deep breath (inhale the good, exhale the bad)? Sometimes forgiveness is an extraordinarily difficult feat, especially when another is hell bent on making your life difficult.

My thoughts...well, I can see why people pay to speak with a psychologist or therapist! We as massage therapists sometimes act in that capacity. Hopefully, time really does heal all wounds.

www.affinitymassages.com

May class full

Our Bamboo-fusion May 18-19 class has filled to capacity. Early registration is recommended for all classes as we have been selling out!

See www.AffinityMassages.com/bamboo_classes for future class dates.

Bamboo-fusion class in May

I have one spot available for my May 18-19 Bamboo-fusion class in Cincinnati. Class is limited to 12 students this time around.

Not only will you learn how to do a luxurious warm massage, but you'll receive tons of work and feel awesome!

Please check out www.affinitymassages.com for more information or email me at fredettemassage@fuse.net .

Letter to AMTA Northern Kentucky members

Dear AMTA-NKY UNIT Member,

Monday, April 6th is our next AMTA-NKY unit meeting at Gateway Community and Technical College. Our guest speaker will be Mary-Claire Fredette from Affinity Massage Studio. Mary-Claire will give us a presentation and demonstration of Bamboo-fusion Massage. Those who have attended the state conferences in the past will recognize Mary-Claire Fredette as she has been the exhibitor and demonstrator of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy.

Meeting time is at 6:30PM with a short business meeting followed by the Bamboo-fusion presentation at 7:00PM. GCTC is located on Thomas More Parkway across from St. Elizabeth Hospital South. The Bamboo-Fusion program will be held in the massage classroom located on the second floor where we can also experience a little full body as well as Bamboo-fusion chair massage.Park in the lower or south parking lot and enter GCTC using the south side entrance. Stairs to the second floor are directly inside this door.

Bamboo-fusion is an exotic new modality that is extremely relaxing and therapeutic. It was created out of a need for the practitioner/founder to be able to do deeper tissue work without experiencing fatigue and pain. The modality offers something for everyone.

The ability of your Unit to continue offering quality programs is dependent on the attendance and support of you, the local AMTA member. Recognizing that on Monday you may have just completed a workday and have to delay dinner to attend the unit meeting, we are offering the following incentives. Besides an already interesting guest speaker and topic, there will be refreshments and a drawing for a door prize of a Bamboo-fusion Chair Massage DVD.

Karen Miller, LMT

Bamboo class full

Our Bamboo-fusion continuing education class for massage therapists in Cincinnati this weekend is full to capacity. We have therapists joining us from Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and even from Windsor, Ontario.

The next bamboo class is scheduled for May, and it's starting to fill. Please check out the schedule at www.affinityMassages.com and go to the Bamboo Classes link.

Bamboo is here!

I've just received my latest bamboo-fusion tools and DVDs for class. I have 2 more sets for the two therapists who wants to join us on the 28th of March!
www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_class has info about it!

Texas Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy

Our Barefoot Basics class in Austin, TX next week is full. We do have a few spaces available in the anterior/sidelying on Sunday. Please call me at 513-238-0970 or email fredettemassage@fuse.net if you're an AOBT grad who'd like to join us.

Class description and costs can be found at www.affinitymassages.com .

Why learn Bamboo-fusion massage?

Massage therapists will learn an innovative way to provide Swedish or deep tissue massage while reducing the stress on their hands. Discover a new way to give effleurage and petrissage with warm bamboo of different sizes and shapes.

The bamboo set is lightweight and easy to carry--great for house calls, spa treatments and for those who specialize in deep tissue massage. By introducing a new tool, you will increase the amount of clients you can apply deep tissue to, give longer full body massages and save your hands from repetitive use injuries.

Oftentimes, spas and massage centers find it saves their groups of therapists time by hosting class at their location. There is a minimum requirement of 6-8 students in order to have a class at your location. Minimum depends on travel distance from Cincinnati. Bamboo-fusion is available at your site for $449 per student. Please contact Mary-Claire for more information regarding this at 513-238-0970 or fredettemassage@fuse.net.

Our Cincinnati dates can be found at www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes .

Bamboo class filling up

Looks as if my Bamboo-fusion class the weekend of March 28-29 may fill up. If all deposits come in as they're supposed to, we'll only have one spot remaining for class.

If you're tempted to join us, give me a call or email. Contact information can be found at www.affinitymassages.com .

Bamboo class weekend March 28

Now's a great time to learn Bamboo-fusion! My only weekend class for the year is scheduled for March 28-29, a Saturday and Sunday. No matter what the weather, clients love the nuturing feeling of heated bamboo as it smooths out knots and kinks.

If you need something to set you apart from other massage therapists, consider the Bamboo-fusion massage continuing ed class! 16 CEUs, 2 days, $399 includes the tools and DVD.

www.affinitymassages.com has all the information.

AMTA Kentucky chapter

Thanks to all you massage therapists, instructors and students who came to the Kentucky chapter of the ATMA convention in Lexington this weekend! I gave away complimentary Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy massages to about 30 people.

Reports from those taking classes showed a high level of satisfaction with the instructors and interest in the classes.

Vendors from Cincinnati, St. Louis, Kentucky and other midwestern areas displayed a variety of products such as massage supplies (Massage Supplies and Such), crystal jewelry (Minerals and Mor) and the popular heated flax seed / buckwheat pillows (Mother Earth Pillows).

Thanks to Julie Harper, Katherine Warner and all those volunteers who made the convention worth going to!

My website, http://www.affinitymassages.com/, has our class schedule for the rest of the year.

2009 World Massage Festival

Nathalie Cecilia, founder of Bamboo-fusion, will be inducted into the 2009 Hall of Fame at the World Massage Festival in Texas coming up soon. If you're planning to go to the convention, which is in Texas this year, check it out!

Kentucky AMTA convention

I'll be at the Kentucky chapter of the AMTA convention this weekend. It's at the Crowne Plaza in Lexington. Come try a free sample of our famously luxurious barefoot massage, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy.

Those attending the convention get a coupon for class in their goodie bag...

www.affinitymassages.com has info about classes. My class in April is the last one until August.

Bamboo-fusion class in March

Next month is the only month of the year that I'm offering Bamboo-fusion on the weekend. It's Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29.

www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes has all the info.

Students in Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy class

This is a photo of 3 students working on 3 guest clients during the last day of our Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy Barefoot Basics class in Cincinnati.

We are one of the few continuing education classes for massage therapists that bring in "real clients" for LMTs to practice on.

The massage therapists frequently report that the experience is a highly valuable one, and they greatly appreciate the opportunity.

I still have room in my April Cincinnati class as well as in our March class in Austin, TX.

Check out http://www.affintiymassages.com/ for more information.

Undressing to comfort level

When I was in massage school, the teachers told us that our clients should undress to their comfort level. Looking back at my first massage, though, when the therapist told me that, I didn't have a clue. How did I know what I was comfortable with when nobody had ever given me a massage before?

First time clients are often nervous enough as it is. If you tell them WHY they should undress a certain way, that will make sense to them. For instance, if you want to work skin-on-skin on a certain area, you can tell them that it'll feel much better, that your flow will be smoother and that you can be more accurate.

Or you can say, "If you take off such and such, I won't have to worry about getting créme on it. I know I hate when that happens."

I think that makes your massage easier and gives the client an additional level of comfort.

www.affinitymassages.com

Getting a massage

How often do clients ask you how often you get a massage? And how often DO you get a massage? Can we ask them honestly to come back once a week or once a month for "maintenance" if we don't do it ourselves?

Taking care of yourself by getting a massage does a lot of good. And if you do a trade, all it costs is your time. Here's new mantra--take care of ourselves like we take care of others.

Not much!

I had a brilliant idea for a blog today during a massage, but it was a long massage (2 hours), and now I've forgotten it. So...

If you love massage, make sure you figure out a way to make it happen. Firemen and EMTs work really hard--they'd be great people to market to. Put up some cards on Whole Food's bulletin boards. Have an open house at your office. Give away free chair massages at a barber shop.

Website changes

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. Don't hurt yourself by working too hard today...

I made a few changes to my website, one of which is a flash intro. Please let me know if it's too slow to load or if the flashes bother you! Looking forward to nonpartial feedback! Of course, if you like it, you can let me know that too.

www.massageclasses.info links to the site, as well as www.affinitymassages.com and www.ashiatsuworkshops.com .

Appreciation for a good massage therapist

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and a lot of massage therapists are dreading the 9-5. I'm not really sure why people feel the need to show their love only on one "special" day of the year (or 2, if you count Sweetest Day). But they do, so many massage therapists are busy.

Which, of course, is good for the bottom dollar. But the problem is that many LMTs do 6-8 or more hours of massage just on this day alone. As a client, you're better off getting a massage before noon! As a therapist, we try to give each client the same quality massage, whether it's the first or the ninth of the day.

Last year I did 7 hours of hands on couples' massage on Valentine's Day, something I don't care to repeat. See, I'm not used to the hands on any more. I do deep tissue with my feet. My wrists and forearms felt like liverwurst at the end of the day.

But the clients loved their massages. And so to you hard working massage therapists, know that your clients do appreciate you, and hopefully, they'll compensate you for a job well done.

Client comfort

In my opinion, if a client's feet are cold during a massage, it ruins the massage. Especially this time of year (for those of us who live in winter climates), it's important to remember simple things that can make our clients return to us.

Do you use a heating pad on your table? Eartlite sells a fabulous digital heating pad that is inset in fleece. It adds an extra layer of cushion, and you can set the temperature up to 160 or so. I usually keep mine at a toasty 118 to keep the clients cozy.

How warm is your room? Although we may get hot during a session, it's important for the client to stay warm. How about keeping the room a little warmer, and you can use an oscillating fan up high where you'll feel the breeze, but the client won't?

Can you keep your client's feet warm? I usually use a little camping heater set on a small table at the foot of the table, aimed right at the client's feet. You can also use microwaveable flax packs (Mother Earth Pillows has some lovely ones).

Can larger therapists take our classes?

Many therapists assume that we have a height and/or weight restriction for our Ashiatsu classes. Not so, brown cow, as the saying goes!

For our Barefoot Basics class, all the strokes are one footed on the posterior side of the body. So if the client needs less pressure, the therapist simply shifts his or her weight onto the foot that's on the table.

Check out http://www.affinitymassages.com/ for more frequently asked questions.

As you can see by this photo, there are therapists of all sizes, from tiny to average to muscular and heavy. And Rick too--he's not a tiny little thing!

Ashiatsu and pregnancy

Here I am showing Adrianne in Birmingham, AL some fancy footwork this past weekend.

See my belly? I'm 22 weeks (5+ months) pregnant here and have no problems doing Ashiatsu, getting on the table or teaching.

Ashiatsu is a great way to keep in shape during pregnancy! When I was expecting twins, my clients loved the additional pressure they got as a direct results of my weight, and I only gained 25 pounds.

With my last baby, I gained about 20 lbs and worked up until a couple of days before I was due.

And the babies were all above average size, with the twins being 6 lbs each (that's 12 lbs of baby!) and the single baby being 8 lbs, 12 oz.

AMTA KY convention

I will be doing demonstrations of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and handing out brochures at the AMTA Kentucky chapter annual meeting.

Last year, despite near blizzard conditions, the convention had over 200 attendees. We look forward to seeing you again this year!

www.affinitymassages.com

Bamboo-fusion Visage (for the face)

Not yet available for massage therapy CEUs, if the Bamboo-fusion Visage facial set is available for purchase online. Regular price is $99.95 for the Visage stick set and $49.95 for the video. However, if you take our next Bamboo-fusion table class, you can purchase the set for a significant discount.

The Visage stick set is available for $80 and the instructional DVD for $40. That's a savings of $30. This offer is ONLY good if you take our class and purchase the set either on the first or second day of class.

www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes has all the information about our classes scheduled in Cincinnati!

Excellent Bamboo class

Our Bamboo-fusion class that ended today went of without a hitch. We all had a lot of fun, and the students had comments such as, "I'm never doing a hands on massage again!" and "If they want deep tissue, I'm heating up the bamboo and using it on them."

www.affinitymassages.com has a lot of information, pictures and videos about this delightful style of nuturting massage.

Snow or no snow, it's class time!

Despite the level 3 emergency in Cincinnati (which means that all roads are closed except for emergencies), class is on for tomorrow!

The roads should be cleared up by late this afternoon, so hopefully the snow plows won't have too much trouble. Our Bamboo-fusion class scheduled for tomorrow and Friday is still a "go!"

www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes has information about this class!

Buying bamboo plants

Interested in buying bamboo plants for your yard? They provide beautiful scenery as well as privacy. The following information was taken from Burt Associates Bamboo at www.bamboo.com.


DWARF BAMBOO
These beautiful bamboos offer a variety of leaf colors hard to find in the taller bamboos.Many are useful as potted plants,bonsai and bonsai companion plants. These species present a range of heights from several inches to several feet. They are appropriate for Zones 5 to 10 and are all running bamboos. The height to which they will grow in Zones 5 and 6 will be substantially lower than the listed maximum height
MID-SIZE BAMBOO
Use these bamboos as screens, decorative specimen plants for the garden, foundation plants or as portable screens or specimens in large containers. These are grown for their culms and are the classical bamboos. In every instance the beauty of the culms (canes) will be apparent. If you need a privacy screen, a fast growing bamboo, this section will fill your need. They do best in sun
MOUNTAIN BAMBOO
Look in this very valuable group to find hardy, clumping bamboos as well as clumping bamboos for warmer climates and interiors. These bamboos originate in the mountains of South and Central America, China and the Indian sub-continent. The Fargesias are among the hardiest of bamboos and all are useful in shade; some in sun as well. If you are in a northern state and need an evergreen screen that requires no control, The Fargesias are perfect for you. The Borindas, Chusquea and Drepanostachyum do well in warm states. Himalayacamlamus prefers cool nights. These latter, more tender bamboos, but not the Fargesias, are excellent interior plants.
TIMBER BAMBOO
Here are the giants ranging from 40 to 100 feet at maturity with culm diameters of 3 to 7 inches. They are the classics, the bamboo you usually picture when you think of bamboo. The clumping timber bamboo can be grown in a relatively small space, but give the running bamboos ample room. As they become established, they all very rapidly increase in size. These all do best in full sun.

www.affinitymassages.com doesn't give too much information about the actual bamboo plant, but you can learn more about our classes there!

Bamboo-fusion working set

I'm including a photo of the set you'll receive when you take our Bamboo-fusion class. It's extremely well made, solid bamboo fused together rather like a cutting board. The bamboo tools retain heat well and are easy to heat up.

Class dates are found at www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes .

Try a bamboo-fusion massage

Thinking of taking our bamboo-fusion class? Or do you just need to warm up?

I offer bamboo-fusion massage at my office in the Mt. Healthy area of Cincinnati. And you don't have to pay any more for it than you do for any other massage at my office.

So come and warm up with the deeply penetrating warmth that bamboo can offer! Try it out--you just may want to offer it to your own clients!

Office hours and rates are posted at www.affinitymassages.com/massage_therapy .

Learn a new modality!

Bamboo-fusion is going to be the big next thing, I've been told. As massage therapists need to fufill their CEU credits, learning to massage with warm bamboo with give them the upper edge. Clients love the feeling of the massage while receiving it, and the effects keep them happy for a long while!

Treating your clients to warm bamboo-fusion massage during these cold weather months is a great way to keep them coming back!

Learn more at http://www.affinitymassages.com/ !

Warm up with Bamboo-fusion

Whew! It's COLD here in Cincinnati. 8 degrees this morning at my house.

Are you having trouble keeping your clients warm in this weather? Are they chilled to the bone? Bamboo-fusion is a great way to keep your clients warm in this sub-freezing weather.

The bamboo tools heat up quickly, and you get enough in the set to rotate them throughout the massage. This ensures that you'll always have warm bamboo to keep your clients toasty.

Not only will you warm them up, but they'll be happy that you've worked out those knots and kinks too!

I do have space available in my January 29-30 class here in Cincinnati. Come join us and receive lots of wonderful, warming massage techniques!

More information can be found at www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo-classes.

Bamboo class in the end of January

I have a few spaces left in our January 29-30 class in Cincinnati. Please feel free to join us! What better way to learn to treat your clients to a warm, luxurious massage than to learn to use warmed bamboo tools?

You get to receive a lot of wonderful work in class! The bamboo tools are easy to clean (unlike the stone massage) and it only takes a few moments!

Join us in class! You can email me for more information about the bamboo-fusion class at fredettemassage@fuse.net or look at my website, www.affinitymassages.com/bamboo_classes . Hope to see you soon!