Monday, March 3, 2014

snowed in again

Happy Monday everyone!
We're iced in again. It started early yesterday morning and quickly dumped about 4 inches of sleet on us. Then last night it turned into pretty snow. So there's another inch of snow on top of that.  I hear the main highway is horrible so I'm staying home.
I'm going to spend some time doing things around the house like fixing my sons bed (broken due to jumping).

I'm excited to be creating my puppy primer package today.  It's going to be a nice package of information for new pup owners that includes answers to the most commonly asked questions.  It'll have nutrition, veterinary, training, potty training and behavioral information in it.  I'll also have some trick card handouts as a starter for students.

If you have a puppy, or have ever had one, what were your main hurdles? Obviously potty training and biting are huge issues and will be addressed.

Hope everyone has a safe day!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

lost and found.

So, the other week I ran into McDonalds for breakfast. Hey, don't knock the egg mcmuffin my friend. It's good, fast, and inexpensive! 
But I digress.  I ran in and ordered. While waiting, the young man asked if I was having a good morning. I said I was and that I was between clients. Of course this raised the question of "what type of clients?".  At that point in time, I was between dog training clients. As luck has it, this young man mentioned his dog and some of the problems he was having with it.  I gave him my number and told him to send me a message so I could give him some links to helpful techniques. 
Now, right about now you're scratching your head wondering if this post is on the wrong page. No, it's not. I'm also a dog trainer. 
You're also wondering what the heck this has to do with massage....I'm getting to it.  Keep reading.

So, I went about my day and happily received a text message from him. I sent him the links and that was pretty much it. 

Well, today I ran into the same McD's needing food AND hoping to run into this nice young man. TaDAAH! There he was, in all his friendly glory. Truly...he was a pleasure to interact with. Intelligent, engaging...not McD' material if you ask me. MUCH more awaits this kid. Again, I am distracted.  point..point...what's my point?
Well, he mentioned that he had lost my contact information but found me online. He looked up my name and found my blog.

"I have a blog??" I asked? 
And then it hit me. 

I have a blog.

When I finally made it home I googled myself.  And lo and behold...There I am on Google. 

My somewhat forgotten/lost blog. 
And now, my found blog.

So,. what do I do with this blog? In the past I'd say "not much".  But now, I think I will try a little experiment.  I'm going to write in my blog every week.  Even if it's a synopsis of my activities for the week I would like to see how blogging affects my life.

This site was originally created as my massage therapy blog. I think it would be fair to have blogs for dog training as well considering my goal is to have a 50/50 split of activities in my life.

SO...Thank you to the awesome guy at McD's for reminding me of my blog. 
And thanks to the universe for sending me to eat a yummy egg mcmuffin that day!

More to come!
-Shanthi

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Rates

I'm currently offering outcall appointments to approved clients.

$70/ hour
$100 - 90 minutes

contact me at steddums@yahoo.com or 479-301-5zero27

Licensed Massage Therapist!!!

So I'm finally Licensed in ARKANSAS!!!  I'm so thrilled!  I've also started seeing clients at Bodyworks Massage as well as out-calls!

What I'm currently offering:
Outcome based therapeutic massage! 
What does that mean? Well, it means that we chat for a while about your body and then I figure out what your needs are. Not the needs of another client. I don't do cookie cutter massage.  Your needs are completely different than Joe Shmoe I may see later that day.  Each Massage is tailored to meet your needs that day.
For more information about modalities, rates and appointments, please check out the following posts.
I'm looking forward to working with you! Give me a call at 479-301-five027 (that's my way of trying to avoid spammers)
-Shanthi

Friday, September 21, 2012

Let the journey begin!

I'm so excited and nervous! I started the ball rolling to take all the steps to do massage in Arkansas!!!
I have to take the MBLex, a couple of classes and take a massage law exam.

I've also decided that I'll hire a manager. I know I'm a wonderful therapist but seriously, I dislike management and development enough that it will be worth my money to hire someone who derives JOY out of that type of thing. 

Wish me luck. I'm studying 2-3 times a week and just KNOW i'll pass the test!

more later

Monday, November 21, 2011

2011....where'd it go?

Hello again! So its been a while since I've "checked-in". The fall was crazy for me. I had some major life changes which landed me in Fayetteville, AR! I am happy to say I absolutely love this town and have found an opportunity to earn a little money with one of my passions, dog training.

I still get to do a few massages now and again but am not interested, at this time, in pursuing it as a full time "job" anymore. The downturned economy and my lack of knowledge and interest in marketing (for new and existing clients) led me to no longer enjoy being a massage therapist full time.

Am I done? NO WAY!

I've really enjoyed working with my new informal clients. Informal implies I'm not getting paid and you're right to assume that. Yes, they do give me a little money here and there, but I don't really ask for it. I'm asking the universe to bring me situations that will revitalize my passion for outcome based massage.

Already, I've worked with a client who carries a media camera around all day , another client who had a motorcycle accident and a third who tore a portion of her right rhomboid seven years ago.
Of course, there's always my sweet husband who has so many issues he alone would keep me busy! Let's see: levator scapula, trapezius, pretty much all the hip rotators, psoas dysfunction amd the list goes on. He's a maintenance man for a small apartment complex so he's constantly misusing his body.

I've gotten a few massages locally and, although they are very skilled, they're not exactly what I'm looking for.
One of them actually mentioned working with me to get me ready to take the MBLEx.

So Thanksgiving is in a few days and its sort of triggered me to look at my life and really take stock of where I am and where I find joy.
I'll post that another time. I'm still trying to find my balance!

'Till then,
yours truly
Shanthi

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

What makes my work unique

While working on a client with a history of a broken neck who had overexerted himself and was now in pain, he asked "Do all your clients get this much value for their money?"

"Yes" was my response.
This lead to a conversation about WHY my clients keep coming back and WHAT exactly I do.
I don't really do the spa massage. Swedish style is incorporated but it's only used as a warm up or cool down of the muscles and mind.

My primary focus is what I refer to as Injury Rehabilitation. Now, my definition of an injury varies a bit from what you or your doctor may refer to as an injury. To me, it's everything from being in a car accident, being pre or post surgery, waking up with a sore neck and reduced range of motion (not being able to turn your head) as well as pain from repetitive misuse (sitting at a desk and developing overly tight hamstrings and hips that feed into low back pain).
All of these scenarios have muscles that are in a state of Dysfunction. THAT's what I think of when I think Injury. Muscle Dysfunction.

You've somehow injured your body and I work with you to find WHERE your muscles need help.

My passion is to work with those "injured" clients and help them move out of pain! I love getting the muscles to relax to the point where I can find the individual portions of the muscles that are trapped in a state of dysfunction.

Now, I also tell my clients that, although I may instruct them to come nearly every week for a period of time, my goal to get them out of pain and into a maintenance massage schedule. For some clients that's once a month, twice a month or even once every 6-8 weeks. The interval that works best for you will be determined by you.

My client made a point that THIS attention to detail, understaning of the anatomy and physiology of the body and ability to find and help problem areas really makes me unique. Sure, I can do relaxation massage. But it doesn't bring me joy.

I Love it when a client comes in with reduced range of motion and pain and walks out 70-100% better after just one session!
Now, I do not claim to "heal" people. I do not claim that my massage sessions will hold at that rate for more than a couple of days. What I DO claim is that, working with you, we will find a way through massage as well as other techniques I feel will benefit your overall wellbeing will allow you to live a more pain free and balanced life.

THAT's what makes me unique.