10/01/2004: "Observations..."

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10/01/2004: "Observations..."

... after two days of school:

I'm one of the older people in my class of 12. Many of the group are in their 20s, probably hadn't gone to college and are still trying to figure out what to do with their lives. At least a couple are older than me and in my boat -- they're middle-aged women looking for a career change. One of those is a white Jamaican woman who has practiced reflexology for many years and now wants to explore traditional massage. She has a fabulous Jah-MEHHH-kahn accent.

People, especially Americans, have real hangups about close interaction with others. I personally have a very small comfort zone when it comes to violating my personal space, which is something I'm quickly going to have to get over. Today, we were shown the proper way to drape a client on a massage table with a sheet in such a way as not to expose her or make her feel uncomfortable in any way. After the demo, we were paired off to practice draping each other -- one would be the client, the other the therapist. It required lifting the client's legs and "close talking." Everyone was so intimidated by the thought of having to touch another, it seemed as if minutes passed by before someone would actually begin the exercise. We all glanced back and forth at each other, waiting for someone to make the first move. It's just so ironic that we, students of massage, were so afraid of coming in contact with a stranger.

I really like one of the clinic instructors, Tom. He's a licensed massage therapist, but you'd never know it by looking at him. Think a fatter, more disheveled Dabney Coleman. He's a civil engineer by trade and had been one until about 10 years ago, when he decided he didn't like engineering any more and formally pursued massage, something an old girlfriend had taught him informally many years ago. He's from the Bronx and used to supervise at construction sites -- hard hat, gut, overloaded keyring dangling from beltloop and all. Now he teaches and owns a chair massage business. He tells jokes during class ("Come on people, at least one of you has to smile at that one") and doesn't take life too seriously. I admire people like him who don't fit into the mold of what society says you're "supposed" to look like.

I'm not looking forward to all of the A&P (anatomy and physiology) I'm soon going to have to memorize.

Current mood: Tired
Current music: New Order | 1963

Replies: 4 shoutouts

I'm so proud of you, but could you explain "simple strokes"? You have my mind wondering in the gutter. ;)

Posted by P @ 10/07/2004 06:18 PM EST

It's been exhausting but fun so far. We've already learned how to do some simple strokes. And I've gotten plenty of offers for volunteers! But I also need plenty of practice. :)

Posted by Huffy @ 10/06/2004 12:37 AM EST

So... when will you need pals to practice on?

Posted by ~ @ 10/01/2004 12:40 PM EST

I'm so excited you're doing this.

Posted by tiff @ 10/01/2004 11:49 AM EST