Why I love massage
It might surprise you to know the reason I love massage as much as I do. I’ve been a massage therapist now for 9 years. 9 years! Time sure does fly when you’re having fun. I went to Bodymechanics School of Myotherapy & Massage back in 2005-2006, and honestly, it was the best year of my life! It was also the hardest year of my life. Let me explain…
At the time I decided to start massage school, I was working as an IT Director, supporting 150 computers and 7 servers by myself – in 10 offices and 2 states. I was stressed out and suffering from exhaustion and daily headaches. I honestly believe that had I stayed there, I would have died an early death like my brother who died at 36 years old of a stroke. I was taking about 10-12 ibuprofen every day for the headaches.
I started training to run a marathon in January 2004, and during the training 2 important things happened.
- My sister died in a car accident at 39 years old
- I got my first massage
When the massage therapist put his hands on me, I literally had this thought
I have been looking for this my whole life!
I had tried chiropractic – and got zero help for my headaches. Ibuprofen offered a temporary relief, but the headaches came back every day. But with the massage – I finally had relief!
Memorial Day got me thinking
Yesterday was Memorial Day, 2015. As often happens, I got to thinking about my brother and sister – and my mom who had also passed away. Half of my family died in a 7-year span. Those deaths were extremely hard to handle – but had a huge impact on my future life!
Massage therapy took away my headaches. I felt an immediate relief in my stress levels. My marathon training improved. I was happier and living a fuller life.
I jumped on the chance to go to massage school to change my life in honor of my family who no longer could.
I also thought about one of my favorite clients – who passed away a few years ago. He was a former author who wrote several top 10 ranked books, one of which was made into a movie. Such an amazing man…. Anyway, every week I massaged him he would ask me “why do you love massage?” I always gave the usual answers – like making people feel better, to relax them, etc.
But one day, I had an epiphany! And, I realized why I loved massage therapy as much as I do. And truly it was for those reasons – but for me, another more important reason. I thought that each session, was like having coffee with someone different every hour and the connections I made fed my soul.
In my IT job, it seemed that everyone who came in to see me was angry. I felt like the enemy because people didn’t come to see you to say that “everything was great.” They only came in when their equipment didn’t work, and then it was to complain.
In massage therapy, oh the smiles when people see me! Happy people who want to share their selves with me. It was refreshing.
Massage is life changing
Whether giving or receiving, massage therapy can impact lives 1000 times over. For me, personally and professionally, I healed. My life course changed and I am now in control of my destiny. I know that I will never again feel the anger that I felt in the IT world.
My clients tell me that I help them. I can sleep well at night knowing that I am changing lives. Now teaching students how to make an impact on lives of those they touch is filling my cup. I know that I will continue to impact many more lives and that is all I can ask for.
I hope that you can find a way to change your life and impact hundreds in your life as well.
If I can help you in any way, just ask.
Our morning class starts in October, but already has 5 students committed – leaving just 11 spots remaining. If you’re thinking of massage school, don’t wait.
Committed to your success – and changing lives, one massage at a time
~ Shari Aldrich, LMP
