AMTA Massachusetts

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• Allissa's top 5 reasons for attending the Annual Meeting & Education

  Posted by: Allissa Haines on Tuesday, April 30, 2013

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  It's not a secret that I like hanging out with other massage therapists. I mean, you all get me. You understand what it's like to spend lots of time in a dark room with mellow music taking care of other people. So I'm constantly talking about how important community and friendships are in the massage world. But here's a broader sneak peek into why I think the AMTA-MA Chapter Annual Meeting (and education) is so awesome. 

  Prizes!

  That's right. We are downright nutty about giving stuff away. Here's a sampling of the raffle prizes we've got for you, our fabulous members:

  Trail Guide to the Body by Books of Discovery
  DVDs from Curties -Overzet Publications 
  Touch, Caring and Cancer Complete Program by William Collinge
  Medical Conditions and Massage Therapy by Tracy Walton from LWW
  Registration to the 2014 New England Regional Conference
  1 Hour holistic Wellness Consultation from Myriam Holistic Health and Wellness
  Goodies from Bodywork Biz
  Variety of awesome stuff from Massage Warehouse
  Piles of product from Biofreeze
  Gift certificate for Online CE course from AMTA National

  Intro to the Trager® Approach

  I got my first Trager® treatment yesterday. It was awesome. I can't wait for the next one, and (as instructed by my amazing therapist) I'm trying to recall and remember the feeling of fluidity behind my right shoulder blade that I experienced after the treatment. After that treatment, and the conversation I had with the instructor Cindy Popp-Hager recently, I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to check out this class. $50 for AMTA-MA Chapter members, $100 for others. You can't lose.

  Tina Allen

  I love Tina. She's smart, funny, and one of the more compassionate instructors I've ever studied with. She is the world's leading expert on pediatric massage. That's it. Not an exaggeration. Tina's also a philanthropist, humanitarian and oh, her team made this amazing documentary of their work in Japan after the tragic earthquake. If you've ever considered working with kids, or you already are, but haven't had specific training, get to this Pediatric Massage class. (She's also teaching a 3 hour Ethics class on Sunday, free for meeting attendees, yo.) $50 for AMTA members (any chapter), $100 for others. It's a steal.

  Important News and Updates

  Have a question about massage legislation in Massachusetts? Our lobbyist Mark Malloy will be there to answer questions. Want to know more about AMTA-MA Chapter's legal and health benefits? We'll cover that, and so much more, all in the Sunday meeting. 

  Food

  Really. Keeping your energy up is important! Coffee, snacks, Sunday breakfast, lunch. We've got it all. 

  Bonus reason # 6: Me

  You'll get me. I'll be at the Saturday night cocktail reception, just aching to hang out with you, and yes, answer any question you want to ask me. Why? Well, y'all employ me as the AMTA-MA Chapter Online Marketing Manager. (Thanks for that, by the way.) I'm yours. And that offer extends into dinnertime in the hotel restaurant after the cocktail hour. And I'm bringing my ukulele. Just sayin'. 

   

• Top 5 reasons to check out the TRAGER Approach

  Posted by: Allissa Haines on Monday, April 22, 2013

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  In 1982, at the very beginning of her career, Cindy Popp-Hager took a class to check out The TRAGER® Approach. That decision guided her career into a successful massage business and a love of teaching. Moreover, Cindy carries a sense of ease and comfort in her work most massage therapists only dream about. 

  I got to talk to Cindy about the TRAGER® Approach and I'm so excited she's bringing this work to the AMTA-MA Chapter. You'll want to register here (and register soon, the class is filling up fast). 

  Here's what I learned about the approach:

  1. It's a modality that can be practiced on its own, without the client needing to undress, or as part of a draped massage. Yay for versatility!

  2. Self care. The same techniques and theories for your practice can be applied to yourself, allowing for a happy, pain-free, successful massage career.

  3. It will change you, the practitioner, as much as the client. In the TRAGER® Approach, the practitioner must be the ease she wants to convey to the client. This class will get you started feeling ease-y.

  4. You'll learn about Mentastics®, a form of 'mental gymnastics' to help you engage the mind to find a feeling in the movement.

  5. It's an educational approach as much as therapeutic approach; clients become curious and mindful about their own feelings and stay empowered to maintain changes. Empowered clients are a therapists's dream!

  Bonus reason:

  "Working in a meditative state, and from their own experience of lightness and freedom, TRAGER® practitioners guide the body of the client through a series of gentle, rhythmic movements which facilitates release of  holding patterns in the body/mind."

  Doesn't that just sound amazing?! 

  Cindy is teaching Introduction to the TRAGER® Approach on Saturday May 4 in Needham, MA. AMTA-MA Chapter members pay only $50, non members only $100, for 6 CE Hours (NCB approved).

  Register Here! 

   

• Kickstart! A special program for massage students

  Posted by: Allissa Haines on Tuesday, April 16, 2013

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  Everyone’s had the experience of getting in the car and realizing that, although the engine is working just fine, the battery just doesn’t have enough juice to get you moving. Luckily, a quick jump from a friend or neighbor is all you need. Once you’re in motion, you’ve got everything you need to keep going after that. And you can even offer someone else a jump if they need it.

  Your massage career is the same way. You’ve got all the workings of a successful practice, but sometimes you just need a quick push to help you get moving right at the start. If this describes you, the Kickstart workshop on May 5 is where you need to be! Massage industry veterans will be sharing their years of insight and expertise in this event designed specifically with students and new massage therapists in mind.

  What's in store?

  *You’re more connected than you think you are, and it’s time to take advantage of that. Lynda Solien-Wolfe will tackle why networking is so important to the success of your massage practice, and cover the ins and outs of networking, including the use of powerful social media tools. 

  *Get the inside scoop on massage gear. Many new massage therapists are intimidated by the costs associated with buying all the equipment needed for their practice, and cut corners accordingly. Don’t fall into this trap! Massage Warehouse Director of Business Angie Patrick will walk you through the process of buying massage equipment and helpyou make the best decisions for your needs.

  *Massage therapists work in all kinds of environments, from spas to clinics to gyms. But what do all these workplaces have in common? They’re all looking for massage therapists who handle themselves professionally. Richard Silva of Massage Envy will share tips and strategies for keeping it professional in the workplace, whatever type of business that might be.

  *Learn more about AMTA benefits from Allissa Haines, an eight year AMTA MA-Chapter member and our Online Marketing Manager. She’ll talk about what AMTA has to offer students and new professionals, and how it can help you build your practice, whether you’re just starting out or still looking forward to graduation day.

  Also, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the AMTA Massachusetts Chapter Annual Meeting. Find out what’s the latest in massage legislation, learn about what massage therapists are doing all over the state, get a professional headshot taken for your marketing materials, and maybe win a raffle prize. Put those new networking skills to work and meet your new Massachusetts colleagues!

  Are you ready to Kickstart your practice?

  The AMTA Massachusetts Chapter is ready to help, all you have to do is say the word. You can register for the Kickstart event here.  Get ready for a change, because your new career starts moving this May!

   Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

   

• You can be part of Running for Research!

  Posted by: Kathy Borsuk on Sunday, April 7, 2013

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  First, I would like to thank the AMTA-MA Chapter for the generous donation to my team as we run to raise awareness and support of the Massage Therapy Foundation.

  I am honored to be representing the AMTA on the MTF "Running for Research" Boston Marathon Team.  Not everyone can run a marathon, but it is exciting to watch and participate. I would like to include YOU in the festivities to show your support for the AMTA and Massage Therapy Foundation. I plan on running with a camera to capture the experience.

  I will donate $5 (up to $200) to the Massage Therapy Foundation in AMTA-MA's name for every AMTA or AMTA & MTF sign I see along the 26.2 miles stretch. (The support would really help, especially in those later miles.) If I can snap a picture of you and your sign, I will.  Maybe I can even stop to say hello. (It's a good excuse for a rest.) Some of those pictures may end up on my blog, and I would like to pass them on to AMTA National as well. 

  I am very excited for this wonderful opportunity and I want to share it with all of you. If you're interested in reading about my training experience for the Boston Marathon, check out my blog here If you are interested in making a donation to the Massage Therapy Foundation's "Running for Research" campaign you may do so on the fundraising site here.  Every dollar counts and your support is appreciated.  

  I hope to see you and your signs at the marathon on April 15th!

  Note: If you can't be there, The AMTA-MA Chapter will be following Kathy's progress through the race and posting updates on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

   

• We want you. Yes, you.

  Posted by: Allissa Haines on Monday, April 1, 2013

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  The rewards of volunteering are many. There's the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing your efforts make someone else's life better. There are opportunities and doors that open, because you were serving in the right place at the right time. And there are the relationships. I cannot overstate the value of being around like-minded people, other massage therapists who truly understand what it is like to touch people for a living.

  But let's step back a little bit
  Some of us were very mindful about choosing a professional organization and liability insurance provider. Some of us just signed right up with the AMTA because a friend or teacher recommended it. (I admit, I was the latter.) But if you're a member of the AMTA-MA Chapter, I bet you already know you made the right choice. 

  We've got a host of benefits at our fingertips: high quality education for only $50 a day, an attorney who can help you with your business and legal questions, a complimentary Health Insurance Agent, to help you find coverage at a rate you can afford. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

  Who makes all this happen? 
  The leadership of the AMTA-MA Chapter, a team of volunteers with an itch to serve makes it all happen. It's a group of people who truly understand the work we do (because they do it, too) and want to make it easier for us to do that work. Kind of cool, huh?

  It's really exciting that every year members get a new opportunity to serve in big or small ways. This year at the Annual Meeting we'll be electing a 1st VP, 3rd VP, and Treasurer to the Board of Directors. We'll also be electing 3 Delegates to serve in the House of Delegates at the AMTA National Convention and 1 Alternate Delegate to step in if needed.

  Think it could be cool to play a roll in the AMTA? Check out the volunteer position descriptions here and see if an elected office is right for you. Applications are due May 1, and can be completed easily online. All the details are here. 

  We need you. Yes, you.
  It's a common misconception that a person needs to be outgoing, with superhero energy and unlimited reserves of time to be a great volunteer. Be assured that is not the case. Are you quiet, detail-oriented, and good with words? Our Newsletter team could use some help. Do you love talking to massage students and sharing what makes your business a success? We've got some room for you on the Membership committee. Do you know lots of other massage therapists, but only want to volunteer a few hours a year to the Chapter? The Awards committee could use you for exactly that. And if you want to play a part, but aren't sure where your skills and desires fit in, just ask! We've likely got a task or opportunity to suit you perfectly.

  You can find out more about various volunteer positions at our Annual Meeting on May 5 or contact President Mary White at info@massamta.org with any questions or ideas. 

  Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net