Feeling sad..massage school postponed 1 year!

[superstar dj]

I'm so sad to write this but it looks like I will be delaying school for a year.  It's just not the right time for our family.  I have 4 boys ranging in age from 12 to 5.  The youngest will be in full day knidergarten 3 days a week this fall but next year will be full time every day.  Financially we just can;t swing it.  Hubby says he will do whatever it takes to make my dream come true but he just can't do it now.  I'm thinking of taking an a&p course at our local college to try to get a headstart.  It was also suggessted I get a portable massage table and just practice on my husband and boys.I will keep reading this board and following all of you doing school now.  Please post often and let me know eveything that's happening!  Help me live massage school through you guys.Cindy

 

[Captain Nerezza]

I am so sorry for  you. I had to put it off last year too. Now I am all signed up for Sept. and I think every day somebody is going to yank it away from me. Are you looking at a school that has financial aid? That really made the difference for me.  It will happen for you though. Timing is everything and EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Thats what I believe.  Take care and keep reading here.

 

[SIMON G]

Feeling sad..massage school postponed 1 year!

Sorry to hear it, mt4b...yes, timing is everything. I like the idea of getting a table anyway and practicing on people around you. Getting the kiddos acclimated to massage would probably be a great thing for them!There are plenty of technique books available to help you on that side, if you can learn through books (I find it difficult myself, but everyone is different), and an a&p class is invaluable whether or not you do massage school.Meanwhile, please take everything you can (and leave what you can too!) from this board...inspiration, information, answers to questions....the resources here are pretty fantastic.

 

[shepherdschapel.com]

I think taking A&P is an excellent idea!  Also getting a table and some technique books would surely help relieve the dissapointment of not being able to officialy start when you wanted to.  Slowly building up your stock and supplies (i.e. sheets, lotions, hydrotherapy tools) over the year will really help once you get started.  Job's Body by Deane Juhan is a wonderful book for bodyworkers.  It's A&P with a holisitc twist not seen in typical science classes.I'm sure your boys wil love all the practice massages from mommy!

 

[carly123houleis]

mt4b,Try not to be sad. Try to talk about next year's enrollment with excitement & the momentum will build. Time does go by quickly.I don't know what area you are located/live in, but do you know any MTs that have their own businesses? I would personally love it if someone like you were to come in and volunteer help at my place in exchange for massages, a peek into what I do for advertising, bookeeping, etc. Just an hour or two when your youngest is in partime Kindergarten. It could be a mutually inspirational thing to try.If the school you are interested in offers continuing ed, you might be able to take one course & have the hours transferred to your program after officially enrolling. It usually costs X amount per course hour, so in a way, you'd be overpaying for one course, but its all a tax deduction   after graduation. AND, you could be practicing what you are so enthusiastic about.Wishing you a happy year. It'll go by more quickly than you think!Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[goodluckwithhat]

Feeling sad..massage school postponed 1 year!

I'm really sorry to hear that you'll have to put your plans on hold. I think you're taking it far better than I if something forced me to do that. But...with the amount of dedication and determination that you're already showing, once you officially go to school, I know you'll be not only an outstanding student but a great practioner as well when you graduate. Just hang in there! Another thing to consider, in addition to all that's been suggested already, is to squirl away money here and there whenever possible. Maybe through a part-time job?As has been says, everything happens for a reason and at the time they needed to happen.

 

[LarryBoy]

Thank you all for your wonderful replies.  I think this has happened for a reason too.  It's one of those situations where I "know" I need to wait but here I "want" to just forge ahead and follow my dream.  My MT is who has inspired me.  I started working with my MT last Novemeber and he has empowered me so much I can't even begin to describe the changes that have occured.  When I look at myself last year, I see this very sad, depressed person.  Someone who didn't have an outlook on life.  I'm no longer that person.  I have grown and changed in so many ways.  I meet with my MT every 2 weeks and it is the best experience imaginable.  Keep this in mind when you are massaging others:  they may just be watching you and thinking "I want to be just like him (or her)."  I don't hesitate to tell my MT what all he has done for me.  I want to do the same thing!I will take the a&p series to get ready for school.  I will also start buying supplies and yes, we are going to save for school.  I have already learned so much from this board.  Thank you for taking the time to respond to my posts.Cindy

 

[Lenieye_Moon]

Cindy,Jill's right (Sagetherapist)... the time will pass quickly. There are so many subtle aspects of our work... that really we're continually learning new things that we "bring to the table."  You have the ability and the time now... to get a head start on developing skills that will serve you well in the new career you have chosen.Have confidence that you are in the right place now... and that you will be in the future when you finally start your first day of MT school.  Have you chosen a school yet? Have you spoke to them about wishing to attend their school?  At one point my school had an 18 month waiting list!Some schools have an instructional series of classes geared towards the "lay person" who wants to just help their family members and not make a career out of this field. I believe the class runs about $200 or less and would give you some "basics" and help you to be comfortable working on your family.  In addition, this might let you see what their instructors are like... and help you to get to know their teaching style. (An added bonus, IMHO.) You might not get "credit" for the course, but I think you'd be more confident in your abilities when the time to actually start school Did arise.  Failing the actual "Please Touch" learn to massage course at your "School to Be"... I'd recommend you try some basic videos too. As I recall both my local library and our local Family Video store have a very basic massage video hosted by Shari Belafonte.It's available @ Amazon.com and there are others available there as well. In addition you may look in the ISO - Want to Buy area for some that fellow board members may have purchased and no longer need.Read the board here regularly. You'll learn so much and on so very many topics! And your discussions with Your MT will be so much deeper now because you will have this added "insight" of what it can be like to be in this field. Now that you've joined the board you have not just Your MT to draw upon for information and advice... but tons of others here ready to help answer your questions as well.In addition to Volunteering to help Your MT with things around the office... I'm sure you could prove useful should he do any volunteer work himself... there are so many ways you could be helpful!Make the Search function your new best friend! LOL  There's so many tips and tricks you can pick up around here on sheets, oils, music, intake forms, and the like that a lot of your time may just be taken up gathering this information.  When I was in MT school I sent away for free samples of different brands of professional therapeutic massage oils and creams.  I believe there are a couple threads about recommended reading ... your school and it's instructors, as well as Your MT, may have suggestions too.Do you like to write? What about keeping a journal over this next year before MT school... a place to compile all you are learning about massage. And how massage can affect your body, mind and spirit.  You could continue it while you were actually in school as well.And there's always the odd chance when you might score something you Know you'd need on sale.  Linens are a big expense so keep on the lookout for great deals on sheets, blankets and even towels.While I think I'd hold off on large quantities of oils... most companies when pressed will suggest the shelf life on their products is 6 - 12 months depending on how it's stored. I'd buy only enough to work on my family during this next year... and probably only after trying out several company's free samples first!To you these might all be baby steps... but they're all steps towards reaching your goal of going to school to become a massage therapist.  So, enjoy the process... be in THIS moment... and Cindy...Go Chase That Dream!-m

 

[coolette22]

Great ideas posted here!Since you know you will be going, and that it is just a matter of time, don't let it get you down. آ I too agree on the A&P course. آ Also, see if there are any Adult Education classes in your area, that teach massage techniques for the lay person. آ Those little classes can be fun.Look into finding just the table you want now, while you have a little time, and then that way, you'll be ready when you start school.Supplies are always in order, and looking for bargains now, instead of having to get everything full price in a hurry is definitely a blessing.Don't worry, it will work out, and even if it takes longer than a year, the time will come and you'll be ready.You could also ask for special CD's and massage videos for Christmas.And, please don't be a stranger. آ Ask questions, as many and as often as you like. آ You are part of the group and we want to mentor you! آ PS -- I see I pretty much said what everyone else did.  *grins* OOPS!  But, you get the idea!

 

[boston92]

Thanks for all the replies and all the great advice!It turns out that dealying massage school was a great decision!  I am having so much fun reading everything I can get my hands on about massage work.  I also purchased an Oakworks table from a lady who never used it.  My hubby has given up his computer room and now we are painting and making it my massage room.Thank you for reminding me to enjoy THIS moment.  I always seem to want to rush time and get to the next step.Yes, I do have a massage school chosen and they know I will be coming next fall.Let's see, I purchased some sheets from my massage therapist and dyed then navy blue.  I purchased a duvet and think liner from ikea.  I have a cool lamp from ikea.  I have a rock water fountain than holds a candle in the middle for the room as well.  Hmmm....I think that's all my purhases.Good idea on the Christmas list ideas!  I think I'll ask for gift certificates.One drawback to my "room": it isn't heated!!  I have a small portable heater but it really doesn't do a lot to warm the room up.  I also need to purchase a bed warmer but so far the ones I have looked at are expensive.Anyway, there's my update!  Thanks again.Cindy

 

[Minerva]

Feeling sad..massage school postponed 1 year!

I also need to purchase a bed warmer but so far the ones I have looked at are expensive.

Check these links out!  

table warmers
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9475

Helpful Tips/Hints for New & Not-so-New M.T.'s
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=13205

Electric Blankets
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=585

 

[cvcastrejon]

Feeling sad..massage school postponed 1 year!

You may find when you get to school that you waited an entire year just to be with the PERFECT group of classmates. You would not be the first to have such an experience