I had a great time at the National Convention recently.  It was my first time at a National Convention and I was thrilled to meet so many great names in the industry!  Most notable for me was Judith Aston (above, with Melissa and me), who gave me lots to aspire to, personally.  I decided I want to be just like her “when I grow up”!  She is poised, graceful, strong, flexible and radiates wellness on all levels from her very being!  She was gracious enough to chat with me at the dinner/dance and I was able to see that not only was she amazing from a far, but she was genuine, too.

The other “big name in the industry” that I met that was most influential to me was Carol Osborne (www.bodytherapyassociates.com) who was honored as AMTA’s “Teacher of the Year”.  She gave an inspiring and touching speech at the Teacher’s Networking Luncheon and she taught “Balancing Art and Science in Massage Therapy”, which was one of the “teacher tract” workshops I attended.  From that class, I felt both validated (that NHI already uses some of her suggested activities/techniques to include both Art and Science in all our classes) and excited to share with the NHI faculty her tips that I believe will add even more depth, understanding and fun to our already fabulous classes.

Joe Bob Smith (Encino Campus Manager), Alicia Ramos (San Jose Campus Manager) and I all met up at the AMTA National Convention in Phoenix on behalf of National Holistic Institute.  NHI chooses to participate in such conferences both to learn what’s current in the larger massage community and to give our students and alumni a voice in those happenings.  This one was so big it required three of us to go!

Author Ruth Werner, NHI Grad John Lambert, & Melissa

In addition to taking classes like Integral Anatomy, Balancing the Art & Science in Massage, and Massage Therapy on Trial, we met up with teachers, NHI graduates, textbook authors, and massage therapists from all over the country.  It was so inspiring!

Just to show the variety of our experiences, I met 2 Japanese publishers who promised to send me a Japanese-language copy of the textbook we use, Trail Guide to the Body! 

Books of Discovery reception

Joe Bob found the red, white & blue table he’d always wanted from Oakworks.

Alicia won a basket full of creams and massage lotions at the Massage Envy gathering.

Massage Envy reception

We all had a wonderful time at the Massage Therapy Foundation reception, hanging out with the Trail Guide publishers and Ruth Werner who is not only the author of the beloved book Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology, but the leader of the MTF’s Education Committee.  What does all that mean?  Read about the MTF and their brand new e-journal that they have just launched online – propelling our industry forward.  This massage research is available free to all at the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.

Alicia in a portable Far Infrared Sauna at the AMTA Convention in Phoenix.

Would you like to boost revenue while easing your workload?  Massage therapists by nature can feel alone professionally, like a rowboat bobbing at sea.  They spend most of their working hours in a room with only their patients.  Many choose to work independently for themselves.

Weeks, months, and even years may pass without a therapist “talking shop” with a fellow therapist.  Hopefully, this means work is busy and running smoothly.  But, by not conversing with industry peers, therapists miss out on continuing (and relatively cheap) opportunities to learn the latest in patient care, business management, and marketing.

Conventions connect you to hundreds, possibly thousands, of people doing exactly what you do.  They have the same joy for massage, share similar business struggles, and desire to jointly improve both their personal lives and the massage industry in which they work.  You go from feeling like a rowboat to a fleet of ships!

Graduation from massage school shouldn’t be the end of education; rather, it should mark a whole new chapter of learning.  This means taking continuing education classes; reading massage articles; joining professional associations; and attending local, state and national gatherings.  Doing these things will elevate a therapist above other less involved peers, creating a livelier business and lengthening career longevity.

Author Ruth Werner and Melissa

While this was my first AMTA National Convention, I have always attended professionally related events whenever possible.  In fact, my NHI relationship began at such a conference!

Now that we’re back on campus, Melissa, Alicia, and I look forward to sharing more detailed stories about information learned, things seen, and people met.  So even if you didn’t make it to Phoenix, this blog can serve to connect you to the massage community at large.

Of course, our school happens year-round.  That doesn’t mean we don’t celebrate summer, though.  In fact, this year we termed it the “Best Summer Ever” and filled it with fun events at each campus.  One of those was San Jose’s 2nd Annual BBQ in the Park.  Thanks to Beth Fisher, an admissions representative in San Jose, for providing details and pictures.

On August 11th, staff, students, and graduates of the NHI San Jose campus gathered at the nearby Frank M. Santana Park for the second incarnation of this event.  Picnickers chowed down on a choice of beef, salmon, or veggie burgers, as well as an array of vegetables and dip, salsa and chips, and some yummy chewy cookies.

San Jose campus hoops it up for second annual BBQ!

In honor of the concurrent Olympics, participants demonstrated their athleticism in a unique triathlon of events – Frisbee throwing, hula hooping, and water balloon tossing.  Watch out, Michael Phelps!

SASC Benita MacDonald holds a hula hoop for the Frisbee throw.

Campus Manager Alicia Ramos, Student Administrative Services Coordinator Benita MacDonald, and Emeryville Student Services Coordinator Jaime Montenegro worked hard to make the event a success.  San Jose is already looking forward to next year!

And we look forward to more blogs from Beth, who looks to be a regular contributor.