Archive for January, 2010
Sunday, January 31st, 2010
I’ve just got back from a peer support group for alternative practitioners.
It was interesting because we were each able to help each other and yet not actually be in direct competition. They other lovely ladies were able to give me some ideas and connections to help with the business side of things as well as providing a bit of accountability for my goals.
So the goals for this year? Many and varied but workshops, cd making, more study of rituals and cultures and of course lots of massages!
Stay tuned for the results.
Tags: business, goals, help, massage, meeting, plans, rituals, support, traditions, work
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Thursday, January 28th, 2010
Recently I sent out my new business cards, some services cards and a letter of introduction to the local health providers. I figured I had nothing to lose. Well it’s been two days since I sent them out and I’ve already had two responses and I was most surprised by it being positive. Yay! Hand Print Massage is GO!
I’ve also been rebooked for the Cairnlea Community Hub baby massage classes again in Feb. I love these classes, just seeing the change in resposes by the bub to mum massaging. It’s warm fuzzy stuff really. It’s also a fabulous way for mums to bond with their babies. Eventually, they will ask for massages, just like my little miss does.
I started looking into the effects of massage on depression (a subject very close to my heart) and there are some interesting studies. When I get my head around the jargon I’ll let you know the results. So far it’s mostly positive.
So until next time.
Em.
Tags: baby massage, business, business cards, depression, little miss, massage, work
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Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Today I did something a little bit daring, a little bit crazy, a little bit silly. Can’t tell you too much about it yet but all will be revealed soon (he he).
With that said I can tell you who I was being adventurous with. The very lovely Amanda (AKA MadCow), the completely gorgeous Renee (aka BraQueen) and the amazing Maree (AKA MJPhotography). We were up to secret squirrel business and laughing a lot in the process.
So I’m giving them a little bit of a plug.
Stay tuned for the results!
Tags: bra queen, mad cow, mjphotography, secret squirrel, sillyness
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
A client recently asked an important question and I thought I would share it here as I’m asked it quite often.
“How often should I have a massage whilst pregnant?” My simple answer is as often as you like. The more complicated answer is this.
First Trimester: With approval of your health care provider, a massage once a month is great. This is all depending on morning sickness and general wellness during this time. If you have any reservations, discuss them with your midwife/obstetrician first.
Second Trimester: Every two weeks. This is the time where you’re usually feeling better, starting to feel pregnant and starting to get the early twinges and aches as this is when you start to show and your posture changes to counter the extra size and weight of your belly. Having a regular massage is a great way to counteract these. An added benefit is you sleep better as well.
Third Trimester: Weekly massages. By now your posture has changed and you might have started to “waddle”. Your feet may have swollen and your lower back may be very uncomfortable. The weight of the uterus may be putting pressure on your sciatic nerve as well. You might even just want a bit of TLC and to get out of the house. Massaging at this stage will help to relieve the tight muscles and ease some of the discomfort. The regular rhythmic motion of the massage can also help settle the wiggling baby so you can get more rest.
Post Birth: With clearance of your health care provider you can have a massage as soon as the day after the birth of your baby. This also depends on how comfortable you feel and if there were any complications arising from the birth. Having a massage post birth will help your body recover from the stresses of labour and help with the new postures of baby care. You may also like to take this time to learn basic baby massage. As to the frequency, it’s entirely up to you.
I hope this helps answer this question.
Em.
Tags: baby massage, frequency of massage, post natal massage, pregnancy massage
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Sunday, January 17th, 2010
Hi,
We’ve been busy. Clients booking in, buying vouchers, asking questions. All good stuff.
Also caught up with good friends yesterday. Somehow I came home with their home grown, home bottled dill pickles. I love this type of food. It makes me home sick. My godfather used to grown the most amazing tomatoes. No store tomatoes come close to what these ones were like not just for eating in sandwiches (which I lived on in summer) but also in sauce. Mmm. Sadly I have not got green thumbs nor do I have the appropriate space to grow my own food. The best I can do is a small patch of herbs and some rather surprising geraniums. So Lynne for the tasty treat and the trip down memory lane, I thank you.
Em.
Tags: Food, friends, gift vouchers, Home sick, Lynne, Memories
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Thursday, January 14th, 2010
Hello Again.
Can you believe we’ve had lots happen in the last two days? Where to start.
OK. Tuesday while at I was at the first aid course, Hubby bangs head on beam and work. Wednesday goes to doc, is put on sick leave, x-rays and ct scans and workcover forms are filled out. Hubby keeps his workplace aware of what’s going on the whole time. When we get home, Hubby checks work email to discover he’s lost his job. Not the greatest of news. So we start the process of figuring out what happens next.
In the midst of this, I wake up and realise this means I can work more often without needing child care (at least in the interim). Yay sort of.
So, where does this lead. It means, Thursday afternoons and Friday’s are now available for massage bookings. For some this is a much more suitable time. I’ve decided tomorrow is going to be the First Friday and because it’s short notice, I’ve decided to have a half price hour long massage for my blog readers. (Just mention the blog first friday offer.) To book in you can call 0409 235 613 or email me info@handprintmassage.com. Get in before I’m booked out! My range of massages are listed on www.handprintmassage.com to tempt you.
Em.
Tags: child care, Hubby, injuries, massage, work
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Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
Hello again.
Yesterday was my first official day back at work. I even had a client. Yay. Love my pregnant clients. In a way I felt like I hadn’t had any time off at all. It was stinking hot too. I was very very very grateful to have air conditioning.
Today I refreshed my first aid qualification. I could have done this in my sleep. When I was in scouts at least once a month we would have a first aid session before we went hiking. Then later I was a first aid officer in my department store workplace and seemed to be on first aid courses all the time. The only part I struggled with is CPR, only because I seemed to be having a coughing fit at the time. I did have fun wrapping bandages and putting slings on my people.
There was an interesting mix of people there from dental nurses, security guard, kinder teachers and a musician. There was even another couple of massage therapists.
Thankfully the cool change has hit now and it’s not so hot. Maybe we’ll get a decent nights sleep tonight.
Talk again soon.
Em.
Tags: first aid, pregnancy massage, scouts, work
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Friday, January 8th, 2010
Hi again.
Been an interesting week leading up to starting work again. Actually in truth, I didn’t really not stop working. I just didn’t see clients face to face. Anyway, in the last couple of days I’ve been looking into ways of marketing my wonderful massages and an expo is coming up in a couple of months that would be perfect. Only problem was the cost. So when they rang me to have a chat to see if I could book in, I told them up front and honest, that I couldn’t afford to have a stall. An hour later I get a call back offering me a discount. Still too much. Twenty minutes later I’m called again this time with a way to get my fee back plus some profit. Great that was the plan anyway but I still didn’t have the cash up front. For now, I’m not booked in but should I get the cash I need to be successful at the event, I’ll book in straight away.
I learnt that if you don’t blunder around and tell the truth, sometimes people are willing to help you.
Now, for round two.
I need your help. I’m wanting to purchase a new piece of equipment and take up a stall at the expo. To do this, I need people to either book in and have massages or buy a package or more. You can even buy them as gifts.
In other news, it’s going to be really hot in the next week and I’m truly grateful for the ducted air-con.
Em.
Tags: air-con, ask, business, expo, gifts, help, massage, money, package names, packages, pregnancy massage equipment, truth, work
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Saturday, January 2nd, 2010
Well it’s begun. 2010 has arrived and I spent it at a country hospital with severe tonsillitis. Not such a great start. Gotta get better from now on.
We have returned from the home land to find two very excited dogs and a thunderstorm. I missed the puppies and my bed and my bathroom and my kitchen. Well I missed my home. Tomorrow I’ll probably miss my home town but that’s OK.
Little Miss really enjoyed her stay with Grandma and Pa. She was painting and pasting with Grandma, inspecting Pa’s boat and even spent time with her Uncle Fred and her Old Grandmas. Shame I was in bed sick.
So have any of you made resolutions for this year? Or have you just set yourself some goals?
Here’s a short list of my goals for this year.
- Good Health for my family and myself
- More clients
- A holiday for my family and myself
- Eat properly
That’ll do for now.
Still looking for great names for the packages. Go to www.handprintmassage.com to see what they’re about and email me the suggestions.
Em
Tags: country, dogs, goals, health, holiday, Home sick, little miss, package names, weather
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