'Tis the Season for Giving

Hey guys :-)

Although I'm a firm believer in being open and giving throughout the year, I understand that this time of year instills within us an even greater urge to give back.

Although this isn't exactly massage-related, I wanted to give you a few ideas for ways that you can give back.

One thing I think is especially nice that you can do for your loved ones when they have a hard time is send them this link:

http://thenicestplaceontheinter.net/

I don't know why, but I adore this and turn to it whenever I need a hug the most.
You can even make your own video and send it to them, so someone else will get your hug!

http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1416

This site gives you questions to answer. The default is the English language, but there's an anatomy section if you want a little extra help studying. Every question you answer correctly sends 10 grains of rice to hungry countries. You can read more about how it works on the site.

The Veterans Site

Feed Shelter Animals

You can click on the button on the two above web sites every day and sponsors will pay to feed either veterans or shelter animals (depending on which one you click on). They pay because, when you click, the sponsors get to display ads. If you can click every day to feed the hungry, why wouldn't you? I do!

http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas

Here are some ideas for Random Acts of Kindness!

There are local charities you can donate to, such as Mercy Meals in downtown NB, run by Reverend Russ. He has everything from a breakfast/soup kitchen to helping the homeless shelter, providing warm clothes for the homeless, providing free medical care... the list goes on!

Send me more ideas if you have them. Remember: every time of year is the right time to give!

~Jess

IMPORTANT: Last Lab, Important Dates Final Practicum Tips

Today was the final open lab in the clinic.

I expected a few more students, only two showed up, but I am thankful to those two students and I hope I helped.

At any rate, to prepare for the rest of your finals, I have some other times available to help if you need it.

Next week on Tuesday, December 17th I will be in the Academic Support System from 2-5pm. Just drop in and I'll give you whatever help you need.

On Wednesday, December 18th I'll be here for the same hours as open lab, but I'll be in the Academic Support Center. So any online work or studying you need to do, you still have a quiet place to go.

And that's all the tutoring I'll be doing for the rest of the semester.

I'll be in your lab on Thursday, December 19th for your final practicum (cheering all of you on).

I also want to give you some tips for your final practicum.

~Get some rest the night before so your mind stays sharp!
~Eat breakfast (any food, really) before you come in. I don't want anyone passing out from stress and starvation.
~Your appointments are at 10:00am. You should try to arrive around 9/9:30 (especially since Berly is probably doing some yoga beforehand). You don't want to walk in at 10am with your jacket on and arms full of pot luck food with a client sitting in the waiting room.
~Make sure your station is set up! Table heat on, table height set, sheets, face cradle and blanket on properly, and that your station has a rolling stool at the right height and a chair for your client!
~You're going to be working on some type of athlete. Athletes normally can take pretty deep pressure. Obviously it won't be deep tissue deep, but keep checking in on your pressure.
~Watch your body mechanics!
~Part of this final will be based on touch assessment. These athletes have well-defined (and tight) muscles, and it's up to you to use your sense of touch to figure out which areas are tight and need more pressure. You did blindfolded massage for a reason!
~Again, keep checking in with your client.
~If you use PROM in your massages at all, I'd highly suggest using it on them. They're athletes, they could use a stretch!
~Remember to RELAX and FLOW!

Also, just for reference:

Grouding

Draping

Petrissage

ROM

It's getting towards the end! I'm really going to miss you til next semester!

~Jess

Scholarships

To any and all students who want to become AMTA members:

http://www.amtamassage.org/forms/scholarshipformintro.aspx?utm_source=%2fstudentscholarship&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=redirect

That's a $5,000.00 scholarship for massage students. I would love it more than anything if one of you guys won it :-)

See you all tomorrow morning!

~Jess

Lab Tomorrow

Hi guys!

Open lab resumes tomorrow on the usual schedule. I really hope to see you there! I know you learned some extra, more detailed massage strokes in class today, and in the lab I can not only help you commit them to memory but I can teach you some of my own as well.

Have a lovely night :-)

~Jess