Rosa’s Blog: going to massage school … at 62 – Part 2

Part 2. This is Rosa’s report after finishing her second term of training. (Click on “Tag” below to see Part 1)

Spring term 2011 ended yesterday.
It was my third term taking classes and working at Oregon School of Massage. Previously I’d taken one class each term just to see if my brain could handle the work. It was gratifying to see that my brain hadn’t totally rotted away since I was last in school in 1984. However, this term was different because I took two classes: Anatomy/Physiology 3 in addition to my first ever bodywork class in Shiatsu, a Japanese style of massage in which the client stays clothed. This class is required for graduation and I must admit I was concerned whether I could keep up with two classes and my job.

What about my body doing bodywork?
But really it was my body on which I was focused. After all, I am 62 years old and wasn’t confident in my body’s ability to do the physical part of massage. Although I’ve kept up a walking routine, I hadn’t exercised aerobically for a long time. I wondered if I would tire easily. I worried about waking up ‘creaky’ in the morning feeling like there was rubber cement in my joints. And what about my hands, how strong will they be? So many questions, so many worries, but the only thing to do was walk into the class and start doing it. The truth about my physical capacity would make itself apparent soon enough and I prepared to welcome it, positive or not.

Easing into bodywork:
The instructor was long time Shiatsu practitioner, Melanie Zermer, who eased the class into the subject. On the first day, she first demonstrated some simple rocking moves which we gave to each other and which we all felt was extremely soothing. After the first class I thought to myself, ‘maybe this will be alright.’

With each class, Melanie taught us more of the Shiatsu routine, which is called the kata. During class we practiced on each other as we learned new parts of the kata. In addition to self-care exercises, Melanie also taught specific massage techniques that are integral to giving the kata and include such body positions as stacked joints, perpendicularity, moving from your center of gravity, and correct stance. They also help lessen the giver’s fatigue. With two teaching assistants, everyone received feedback on their technique.

Overcoming stage fright:
In addition to the in-class practice, we were required to both give and receive one massage each week and write about it. At first I was enthusiastic, but found myself giving only to classmates and significant other. I seemed to have some type of stage fright about practicing my new skills on friends. So I took small steps: first I gave to one friend one week, then another the next, until friends’ complimentary comments made me realize that I was actually making a difference for them.
Initially, I thought my friends were just being nice until I gave a Shiatsu to my dearest friend. Kate graduated several terms ago and is now a Teaching Assistant in Shiatsu. She made several complimentary statements about my work and, since she’s such a good friend, I questioned her: “Really? You’re just saying that, aren’t you?” She shot me a look I’ll never forget and said “You know me better than that Rosa. I don’t say things just to be nice.” Her words stopped me in my tracks and made a big impact on my sense of self and of what I was capable. After giving to Kate, I felt more at ease giving to other friends because now I really believed I could make a difference in peoples’ lives; that my work could have an impact on their health.

How did my body hold up?
In the beginning I experienced fatigue and muscle soreness, at first in my shoulders then later in my hamstrings. But once I got a handle on the proper arm technique and posture – and practiced it – my body became easy in the movements.
Breathing is a large component of Shiatsu and I learned to breathe along with my client. By the end of the term, I was feeling as relaxed as the people on whom I worked. (The breathing component was an eye opener for me when I first received Shiatsu, and learning how to breathe was a great benefit of the class.)
I think my endurance will build up over time but once, near the end of the term, I gave two massages, back to back, without a break. I felt relaxed after the first one, but half way through the second one I felt the fatigue eating at me. That taught me a lesson on the importance of rest.

Final thoughts:
Today there is a storm-front coming in and my body feels these changes in pressure with aching joints. If I were licensed today and had massages scheduled, I would do my best to honor them but I realize that giving more than two or three in any one day could be problematic for me. And that’s where self-care comes in. I am 62 years old and do have considerations about my body. But, if I want to continue giving massage then my task is to care for myself by doing the things that will help me stay fit: pacing myself, getting good rest, drinking fluids, exercising, strength training, eating well, taking supplements, getting massages, and seeing the chiropractor when needed.
I loved learning Shiatsu and discovering its beneficial effects on a body (which are amazing.) If I want to continue giving that to people, I will do what it is necessary to take care of myself.