I have been back in the role of student for just over 2 weeks now, and I have so many thoughts through those 2 weeks that I’ve considered sharing. But with adjusting to a totally different schedule, and both the mental and energetic requirements of being a student in bodywork, I’ve struggled to sit down and put those thoughts into written word. So he’s a quick snapshot of how things are going:
- My first full class has been completed! I didn’t actually really think about it, but turns out Reflexology was the perfect first class to kick things off as it was a good way to get my hands working in a complete, stand alone modality that I could start practicing professionally now while working on completing my massage certification. (Plus we had an amazing instructor with whom I really connected and who helped me to feel welcomed and valued for what I have to contribute to this profession as someone who is coming into it dragging a few years of life experience along.)
- My concerns about how well my hands and wrists would hold up to hands-on bodywork have been eased as other than being physically tired at the end of a long day of practicing treatments in class, I have not had any real concerning issues.
- As much as my Reflexology class validated that I am meant to work in the bodywork world, my current class, my first therapeutic massage technique class, has not given me the same level of confidence. In short, my mental emotional body LOVES doing the work that blends hands on care giving with the science of the body (my FAVORITE), but my physical body isn’t quite as happy. My chronic lower back/hip issue is flaring up and biting me in the butt…literally…while working on fellow student “clients” in class. I will be focusing heavily on proper body mechanics in class (a HUGE part of the class focus), and good self care and core strengthening out of class. Turns out going back to school as a student of massage has more than gently guided me back to my yoga mat on a more regular basis over the past 2 weeks…which is a lovely thing on many levels.
- While I know it is only temporary, I’m struggling a bit more than I expected emotionally with how my class schedule affects our time for family togetherness. I get to spend time with the girls during the day, though they often want to be off doing their own thing with friends (AND THEY SHOULD because it’s one of the carefree joys of youth), but I’m lucky to see my husband for more than a few minutes at a time during the week beyond the time we spend sleeping next to each other at night. I’m missing family dinners and evening conversations recapping everyone’s day and just the comfort that comes from casual togetherness. BUT I only have another week before I get a break in my class schedule, and we will have 1 evening together this weekend after my day of class and before the hubs leaves early Sunday morning for a few days of professional conference attendance in Chicago, so there is light at the end of the tunnel. I do feel fortunate that I am aware of how schedule changes affect my mental health, that I can identify what I need to feel whole and recharged so I can find alternative ways to feed that need, and that I can maintain perspective on the temporary nature of this particular situation.
- As crazy as the intensity of my summer class schedule is at times, it’s going to be REALLY hard to have the patience to allow things to slow down once the new school year arrives and my class schedule slows down to just 1 a month. Now that I’m in the thick of it, I just want to power through. But being JUST a student doesn’t pay the bills, and honestly I’m not quite ready to leave my littles and the library…a fact that was brought to my attention yesterday during a short stop in the children’s section of a bookstore yesterday…and a conversation with a student who felt it necessary to tell me how much he missed “my” library and then gave me a play-by-play update on all his summer reading activities. My heart grew 3 sizes in that little exchange. 🙂
Thank you for following along with me on this new journey, and for all the encouragement that I have been offered for my decision to tackle this adventure! As my knowledge continues to grow and plans for the future of my offerings take shape, I will do my best to share that information here. I feel a little fire growing in my gut, and it’s starting to shine light on just how excited I am to return to a place that allows me to share with others the many gifts yoga and bodywork have to offer our personal health and sense of well-being!
peace,
Jenn
JMavin Massage 