On March 20th, over 50 current and former NHI students braved the cold, wet, and windy conditions at the 2011 LA Marathon. As predicted, the weather bombarded runners and volunteers, who had to deal with the elements from mother earth.

For both new and veteran volunteers, we were in for one wild ride. The many surprises which we encountered did not deter us from ultimately giving the gift of massage to the thousands of participants who sweated out the 26.2 mile endeavor from Los Angeles to Santa Monica Pier. A number of runners tumbled towards our massage tent, hungry and tired, but mostly elated that they had finished and looked forward to a massage provided by us. We were positioned into teams of 2-3 massage therapists at each table, assisting runners in drying off and warming up. Many runners experienced hypothermia-like symptoms, but with the experience of the faculty who were present, led by Joe Bob Smith, Jan Takeshita, and Marianna Anderson, and the quick hands of the massage therapists, the runners were able to get back on their feet and into some dry clothes.

Although we were blasted with random gusts of wind blowing through the tent, a river of water that flowed ankle deep, and even a little bit of hail, the day turned out to be a huge success. Runners were extremely appreciative of the support provided by the massage volunteers, and we were happy to provide a little bit of warmth and care to each runner that passed through. Despite harsh conditions that started the day off as a challenge, we ended with plenty of smiles, laughter, and many memories. Here’s to another successful volunteer event at the LA Marathon. Until next year…

Because the record rainfall disrupted marathon operations, our volunteers this year didn’t receive the usual volunteer shirt or even lunch. To thank everyone for their hard work, NHI hosted a pizza and movie night on April 15 as a sign of gratitude. L.A. Marathon Coordinator, Steve Jackson, showed up with a stash of marathon shirts he had scored for everyone, thank you letters, and prizes commemorating marathons past. Everyone had a great time reminiscing about the rain, the runners, and the hypothermia!

Scholarship winner Asad Khan with his sister and NHI staff Joe Bob Smith & Jan Takeshita.

Asad Khan, a National Holistic Institute student who began his journey with us at the Petaluma Campus before moving to the Encino Campus, has won the 2010 JoyLife Chair Massage Ambassador Scholarship.  Way to go, Asad!  His winning essay is featured below.

Each individual is a world onto themselves, and massage therapy has the power to bring vitality and harmony within each person. Massage therapists are able to reach into a person’s microcosm and create abundance by sharing touch. Whatever a person feels inside reflects to the macrocosm, the world we all coexist and function together in. The more people that receive therapeutic touch, the more we can foster a peaceful environment for all; and thus perpetuate a world where everyone can achieve homeostasis. In today’s economy people are investing and harnessing their energy towards their personal health and wellbeing. 

Many people who seek massage therapy often work in a high stress environment or suffer from severe pain and tension. Physical blockages tend to have emotional and psychological components. Massage therapy has the power to not only release certain physical blockages increasing circulation in the body, but also the ability to dismantle any stored energies correlating to that blockage. Massage therapy is a tool to bring conscious awareness to a person’s body. Often a person might not be aware that they have a decreased range of motion or realize the source of their pain. This form of therapy addresses these factors and seeks to alleviate the stress caused from this pain. Studies have shown that people release endorphins as they are being replenished by touch.

Every single person on this planet has the capability to access joy within their lives by being open and receptive to massage therapy. In our western society many people embody fear due to several influences, and initially there can be mistrust between the patient/therapist dynamic. Massage therapy eases into establishing trust through touch, a field beyond language. Essentially this will reflect in that clients every day life and interaction with the collective society, creating a haven of credence. A gentle nurturing touch usually is more beneficial than intense pressure. When there is stagnancy in the body the result can be: mental fogginess, decreased energy, and susceptibility to repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome. Energy follows intention and as massage therapists we hold a great responsibility to bring a client back to their optimal health.

Massage therapy can change the world one client at a time by providing a nurturing touch that will transform people’s lives. This “healing” tool dissipates any fear, anxiety, and stress clients were projecting in the world as a result of holding onto their pain. Massage allows people to let go of the myriad of possible attachments they were carrying, stemming from early childhood trauma to current stressors. Massage therapy in general is considered a viable modality of therapy and has the potential to harmonize and create balance within each client; which not only betters the world within them, but also echoes and creates a better world to live in.

Asad explained his pursuit of a career in massage therapy…

As a child growing up I had many health issues and severe back pain. This pain followed me throughout college as I continued to neglect my health and wellbeing. By freshman year I had become overweight, and reached a critical point in my life. I was at a crossroads, where I knew I had to make rapid change if I wanted to live pain free. Through many synchronicities I transformed my diet and started implementing healthy practices, which allowed me to lose weight and bring balance back into my life.  Massage was an integral factor in helping me through my healing process. I would go twice a month to a nearby therapist who completely eliminated my lower back trauma.

Several weeks later I gave my mother a massage and she commented, “you need to make a career out of your hands, you have positive energy and it translates through your touch.” Her articulated response planted a seed inside me triggering an onslaught of “coincidences” that would lead me to search for massage schools online. I became interested in pursuing a career in massage out of a necessity for self-healing and to truly help people suffer less. I traveled all the way from New York to come to National Holistic Institute. Six months later, I’ve worked with several clients with severe trauma and conditions. After hearing positive feedback from them, I know that I have truly found my calling. I make people smile all day, and I am grateful.

In contributing to this blog, Asad added…

During my training at National Holistic Institute and healing path a mantra that continually echoed inside me was, ”Trust your process.” This mantra has been with me and cleared paths for me behind doors that would not open unless I completely surrender to the process. For me this means to let go of all expectation and in the moment experience all that is, which will lead oneself to transform into something greater. During my process and training at NHI I have met some amazing mentors, teachers, healing practitioners, energy workers, and most of these people have families. The inspiration I’ve felt has come from not only my own path, but experiencing it on a daily basis by being immersed with individuals who are the example of what it truly means to being master therapists. My experience at NHI has been fruitful because I will carry the light and integrate all my training into practice.

I am grateful to have also won the JoyLife Therapeutics Scholarship award based on an article I wrote this past August.  The article along with a brief summary of my healing path will be posted on their website during the next several weeks.  Asad may be reached at: massagingthesoul@gmail.com

Placement Coordinator Jan Takeshita & Teaching Assistant Suzanne Bose outside Bliss Spa.

A fortunate group of National Holistic Institute graduates and students got an exclusive VIP tour of Hollywood’s hottest new spa during a recent career night.

Since opening in January, Bliss Spa at the new W Hotel Hollywood has quickly become the go-to destination for the rich and famous looking to be pampered like a rock star.  In addition to the long list of celebrity clientele frequenting its legendary Hollywood & Vine location, Bliss has brought its unique “Spa-llywood” touches to over 40 high-profile events in just 6 months – awards shows, magazine fêtes, and movie premieres like Alice in Wonderland and Sex in the City.

NHI began its relationship with Bliss back in December.  While waiting for its fabulous new digs to be finished, Bliss used NHI’s Los Angeles facilities to train employees on its unique custom products and menu of services.

Additionally, Bliss broke its long-standing tradition of hiring experienced massaged therapists by employing 3 NHI graduates right out of school.  One of those, Michael Scola, joined us on our tour.  Having graduated NHI in January, Michael is one of Bliss’s top-ranked and most requested massage therapists.

Graduates & Students attend NHI's Bliss Spa Career Night at the W Hotel Hollywood.

Because of the professional success of our alumni, Bliss invited this latest group of NHI students and graduates to view their beautiful space, learn more about the company, and apply for a job.  On our tour we saw Bliss’s ground-level retail shop (they have their own complete product line); the 4^th floor spa complete with a luxe nail lounge, treatment rooms, and men’s and women’s lounges; behind-the-scenes areas where all the magic happens; and we even got to visit Drai’s private rooftop pool where many therapists go to give on-site massages.

We thank Bliss for rolling out the red carpet for us and look forward to sending many more of our graduates their way.

Bliss Spa Trainer Heather Moelter, Campus Manager Joe Bob Smith, and NHI graduates at Drai's rooftop pool where many on-site massages are given.

Waking up at 3:00am to be ready for this year’s 25^th Anniversary Los Angeles Marathon seemed impossible.  However, over 30 student and graduate therapists from National Holistic Institute were pumped up and ready to go!  A few arrived earlier than staff!

This was the inaugural year of the Marathon’s route starting at Dodger Stadium and ending at the Santa Monica Pier.  Massaging runners at the beach – how cool!  It was optimally temperate marathon-running weather, with the fog never quite dissipating at the beach.  We warmed up quickly though as the runners started finishing and the line lengthened.  Despite what seemed like a never-ending queue, the NHI therapists worked tirelessly and with few breaks so that no runner had to wait longer than 15 minutes to receive our much needed touch.

As in years past, our students were chosen to work on the elite runners and Road Runners official training group.  Because the runners gave their all to complete the 26.2 miles to finish the marathon, our therapists dedicated themselves to providing bodywork until the last runner came through the line.  NHI Encino Student Life Coordinator Jan Takeshita reports, “Although tired and sore at the end, many commented that they were still exhilarated by the amazing experience and new friendships born.”

Having participated in the L.A. Marathon as a runner, massage therapist and student coordinator many times over the years, I was very impressed with the professionalism, skill, and dedication our students put into making this 25^th Anniversary L.A. Marathon as special as its title.

Many thanks to L.A. Marathon Massage Coordinator Steve Jackson as well as NHI staff Jan Takeshita & Jen Moore for their participation at the Marathon and John Gorman & Craig Arakaki for providing the necessary training to the students before hand.  Now we get to rest up to do it all again next year!

Dan Magro of Current TV’s Dan About Town recently visited the National Holistic Institute Encino Campus to find out what it takes to become a massage therapist.

After getting basic chair massage tips from yours truly, Dan joined a class where he received muscular realignment work from student Amber Mathieu and instructor Jan Takeshita.  By the end of his stay, Dan began to realize just how much training goes into making a professional massage treatment so therapeutic.

Enough voters mistook Leisha & Craig’s pumpkin for an Obama look-alike giving them 4^th Place with 10%…

The talents of John & Jen overcame the subject matter (yes, that’s my face on a pumpkin) to achieve 18% and 3^rd Place…

Jan & pinch-hitter Joe Bob drove Nancy’s idea home with 30% and a very close 2^nd Place…

And in 1^st Place…

(drum roll, please…)

With the help of props…

(drum roll, continues…)

And electric lighting…

(drum roll, a little more intense…)

Denise and Vanessa claim a 1^st Place victory with 33%!!

Congratulations to everyone!!

I’m aiming to set an NHI record for the most visits to BodyWorlds 3!  Last Friday, I attended this amazing exhibit for the third time when I took a few students from Group 56, my mentor group, and one escapee from Group 51.  We all had a great time exploring with the occasional “Oooh” and “Aaah” and comments like “Hey…there’s the sternocleidomastoid!”  I never tired of the students’ request, “Hey Jan, what’s that?!”

Personally, it’s like watching a well-crafted mystery movie.  I learn something new each time I go.  Viewing the bodies and seeing the muscles we work on was the most intriguing the first time.  Seeing an actual hip or knee replacement was amazing!  My second visit (with all the NHI teachers) was a review of the posing bodies.  Also, I paid more attention to the organs.  Viewing the organs with various pathologies was sobering (cirrhosis of the liver, smoker’s lung, cancerous breast, hardening of the arteries).  This time I paid special attention to the nervous system.

The body is so fascinating and, while it’s complex enough to always be somewhat mysterious, it has become less and less mystifying each time I go.

Some Group 56 students at BodyWorlds 3.

Lastly, I feel compelled to comment about the concern that many of these bodies might have been from individuals who didn’t give consent to be plastinated.  I, too, have read these news reports.  Speaking only for myself, I visited the exhibit on all occasions with a tuned sensitivity to the energy that might come from a lost spirit.  I have never “felt” that something was amiss.  Whoever these people were, they have given me and many others the amazing gift of insight and information…and I thank them all.

When I last blogged about BodyWorlds, I mentioned a related, if unflattering, German movie called Anatomie.  Well, it so happens that Monday I saw yet another movie featuring the actual BodyWorlds exhibit – Casino Royale, the latest James Bond movie.  It doesn’t have much to do with the plot (what plot?), but it looks good while Bond runs through.  Talk about product placement.