We've (being mostly my husband, Paul) been working on a new website for classes. It's got a 4 minute video on it telling you a little bit about my story and why Ashiatsu is so doggone amazing.

In the meantime, I'll refer you to my other blog where I actually write every now and again. 

There's no one massage that is a right fit for everyone. Indeed, many people like a variety of massage styles. The therapist I usually trade with is a CE (class) junkie.

I schedule 2-hour massages with her--she works deeply with Ashiatsu and cupping, stretches me with Ashi-Thai and spends extra time trying out new stuff she's learned. 

For my birthday a few months ago, I went to another therapist for deep tissue hands on massage. Sometimes I like craniosacral, which is super light and amazingly relaxing.

When a new client came in today, he told me how he's been getting a massage every month. He's got some weird pains that have lasted for years--he has seen doctors, osteopaths, acupuncturists, chiropractors and massage therapists. He never really finds respite.

A few weeks ago he was complaining to his buddy that he felt like he needed someone to walk on him. "Well," said his friend, "have I got a therapist for you!"

So I cautiously worked on him. Usually, I can tell what pressure someone needs, but this was a special case due to what was going on with his body. Over and over again I checked with him about pressure, using cupping therapy, ashiatsu barefoot massage and Ashi-Thai stretching.

Smiling broadly when he came out of the session, he happily exclaimed, "I've been looking for you for 10 YEARS!"

There's no better compliment for a therapist when a client feels so much better after a session. Sure, getting paid is great, but a smile where there was just a short time ago a grimace is what makes it click for massage therapists.

I got into this business to help others, and it's days like today that really makes my heart happy.

What I like about Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy," says fan Scot Voss of Cincinnati, "is that it's so much softer than regular massage. I don't have to worry about pointy elbows and fingers. It's really deep and relaxing all at the same time."

In fact, many spas throughout the country list Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy on their menu. Canyon Ranch health spas offer this style of barefoot massage in their locations in Tuscon, AZ, Lenox, MA, onboard the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship and at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Ashiatsu can also be found at prestigious massage spas such as Urban Oasis in Chicago.  The Insider's Guide "Best of the Rockies"  lists Ashiatsu massage at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek as one of the "Most Memorable."

Sports enthusiasts who require deep work are typically harder for massage therapists to work on because of their muscle density. But by using gravity assisted effleurage, trained therapists can save some energy, reduce fatigue and save their wrists by performing this style of barefoot effleurage. In fact, the September/October 2007 issue of Luxury Spa Finder list Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy as their "ultimate skier's massage."

Ruthie Hardee and her team of dedicated instructors currently teach four classes in barefoot massage. I teach on a regular basis in Cincinnati, OH and conduct ashiatsu training in Denver, CO, on a regular basis. Portable Ashiatsu bars allow me to travel and train ashiatsu therapists throughout the Midwest.

Barefoot Basics are one footed strokes suited for the posterior side of the client's body. Any therapist with grace and coordination can learn these strokes, and she or he learn to shift body weight according to the client's needs. In Anterior/Side-Lying, the massage therapist learns both clinical side lying work as well as a luxurious spa approach to the anterior side of the client's body. The client's eyes are comfortably covered during this anterior massage, and all neck and pectoral work is done with the LMT seated on a stool. Arms and legs are included in the anterior protocol as well.

The advanced class of Deepfeet 2 teaches the massage therapist to use his or her entire body weight in two footed posterior strokes which are well suited for larger clients who really need or enjoy deep tissue massage. Therapists need good upper arm and core strength to give this wonderful two footed massage. And finally, the Fusion-Blend is considered to be the final mastery of all the posterior strokes, and it may be taken after Deepfeet 2.

We just completed our first training of Barefoot Basics and Anterior/Side-lying in our new Memphis facility. I had taught in Memphis on portable bars about 1.5 years ago, then Ashi-Thai and A/S at our new studio last year.

Charlene, our instructor in training in Memphis, has a lovely place called Delta Groove Yoga, right in the heart of midtown Memphis. The area is bustling with new businesses--restaurants, shops and of course, the yoga studio. Our classroom is full of lots of light and has a great vibe.

If you know of anyone in Memphis or somewhere in the south that would like to try out our ashi class, let me know! Our next class there is scheduled for the end of February.

Effective my last class in December, I will no longer be teaching Bamboo-fusion massage classes. It's not because I don't want to--I actually love teaching the classes. It's fun, casual, the massage therapists get a ton of work (and therefore are generally quite happy and pleasant).

Sadly, there are a lot of imitators of Bamboo-fusion massage. One of my students decided to teach not 40 minutes from here, using tools she bought somewhere else. For some reason, she was granted approval to teach "her" style of bamboo and is allowed to give credit hours. She had no instructor training. Indeed, she had only taken a 2 day class from me.

It is unfortunate in this world of massage therapy, where we are supposed to be ethical and caring, that there is indeed a lot of pettiness and downright unethical behavior. These days, a lot of people feel as if they are entitled for some reason. What happened to the days when we all knew we had to work hard to achieve something?

There are a number of imitators for Ashiastu as well. Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, designed by Ruthie Hardee, was first approved by the NCBTMB in 1995. Since then, others have hopped on to the bandwagon. One fellow believes it is his right to teach anyone who can simply breathe (license? Why have a license to touch?). Another has blatantly stolen the work and allows others to become instructors by simply paying a fee and getting a training manual. Maybe there's a DVD and some cream included. 

Why apprentice with a hard working and ethical company when you can learn from YouTube? Why pay your dues when you can make money way more quickly by paying someone to give you license to teach? Why pay commission to the founder of the company, who worked hard for many years developing and researching a program when you can copy and keep all the money?

Yes, I long for the "good old days"--the days of ethics and integrity and hard work.

I love this quote from Abraham Lincoln. It coincides nicely with our barefoot massage work. I doubt that this is what old Abe meant, but if the shoe fits...

I do have a couple of spaces remaining in my barefoot massage certification course here in Cincinnati at the end of the month. Let me know if you want in! You do have to be a massage therapist to learn this amazing deep tissue massage modality. And it can save your career!

Apparently, my links I did weeks and weeks ago for payment for my Ashiatsu barefoot bar classes didn't work. So I've got them taken care of now.

You may now sign up and pay via paypal or credit card for any of my Ashiatsu barefoot bar massage continuing education classes and workshops! Sorry about any inconveniences!

Massage cupping is an adaptaption of traditional massage cupping. This type of cupping creates impressive results by creating suction and combining it with massage.

According to Anita Shannon, founder of the modality, "By creating suction and negative pressure, ACE Massage Cupping therapy is used to soften tight muscles and tone attachments, loosen adhesions and lift connective tissues." This brings hydration and blood flow to body tissues. It can also drain excess fluids ad toxins by opening lymphatic pathways (such as in lymphedema).

It looks weird (some would even say gross), but it feels great and produces amazing results. I am now using cupping in combination with all of my massages if I believe the client will receive good results. In fact, since learning the technique, I have used in conjuction with all of my ashiatsu barefoot massage sessions.

Pilar and I have added an Advanced Ashiatsu class to our schedule. If you are a Barefoot Basics grad and have been certified in AOBT barefoot bar massage, you are welcome to join us!

The new class dates are December 8-10 in St. Petersburg, FL.

The 2 footed ashiatsu bar massage is perfect for barefoot therapists who work on big men. Most women are not approriate clients for the 2 footed strokes as their frames are smaller, erectors too.

I just posted the 2013 Bamboo-fusion class schedule for my own teaching. More class dates throughout the United States can be found at: www.Bamboo-fusion.com.

~2013~
January 26-27 (Sat/Sun)
March 22-23 (Fri/Sat)
May 6-7 (Mon/Tues)
June 21-22 (Fri/Sat)
July 18-19 (Th/Fri) ALPENA, MI {Tuition $449}
August 1-2 (Th/Fri)
August 4-7 WORLD MASSAGE CONFERENCE, CA
October 4-5 (Fri/Sat)
November 18-19 (Mon/Tues)

Private classes available for groups of 2 or more. Tuition $449 each.

Tuition in Cincinnati is $399, including bamboo tools, manual, DVD.
Heating pad is available for purchase.