Module 22

Prone Legs 3

These quad and hip flexer stretches are really great. I have already run into situations where I needed to modify. One because my parter was very flexible, and one because my partner was very tight. 
One of my partners has had a total hip replacement. With him I had to modify the Prone single leg heal to butt stretch from the left and the right side. I am sure this happens often when someone is really tight on one side. I like to practice on him because it is a good reminder to be that both sides of the body are not the same. 

Over the weekend we had our family ski trip and each night I was able to practice many of the techniques on two or more bodies. My family (which I very large I have 7 siblings) is very excited about the skills and techniques I am learning. I will never run out of bodies to practice one. 

I have been working on mostly women, I find it a little uncomfortable to work on men. Over time I’m sure that I will get used to it but right now it is very awkward for me. 

Module 23

Sacrum and Glutes

Finding the groove in the Sacrum was a bit of a challenge for me. I was practicing on my sister. She kept asking me when the massage was going to start. I had to tell her several times that I could not start until I located the groove. Once I did find it the techniques were very lovely to do. The thumb rocking and the percussions went great. When I attempted to use my knees things went down hill. I didn't have my body weight positioned right. It was kind of like I was just digging my boney knee into her glutes. I will give it a try again. Just like everything else the first time is always a little awkward and uncomfortable.  

After watching your Tips and Tricks video on constant contact I wondered about the transition from supine to prone. Do you have a video that shows how to have your client move from supine to prone? If not, will you give me the rundown? Right now when I practice I am just asking my partner to roll over. That is working fine but I am just wondering if there is a smoother transition. 

I went on vacation and I got a little behind on the modules, I am working hard to get caught back up!  

Module 24

Prone Back 1

Your back techniques are so lovely! I personally enjoy practicing them and my partners really enjoy them as well. I like how well these techniques flow together. It really reminds me of a dance. I feel comfortable in these transitions. Such a smooth set of movements. 

I have practiced the kneeling on the glutes several more times and that technique has improved greatly. I also offed my friend a massage. Before hand I chatted with her about some areas of her body she felt like needed some attention. After our conversation I looked through my notes and re-watched some of your videos. I came up with a sequence of techniques to move through. This really helped me stay on track as well as transition from one technique to another. 

Thank you for sharing the video on moving the clients! So helpful. I was amazed at how easily I was able to move the body from supine to prone. Your "Tips and Tricks" videos are awesome!

Module 25

Prone Back 2

I am always hesitant when it comes to using my elbows or my knees even though the times I have used them my partners say it feels nice. For this module I decided to us my brother as my partner. He is a very big and strong man. He is very athletic and physically fit. He also suffers from lower back pain. He was the perfect body to use. Me kneeling on him was the perfect amount of pressure for his strong back. After our session he said his back had not felt that good in a long time. We are now planning to meet weekly so I can continue to work on his back. 

I hope that over time my body becomes more used to the movements. I practiced for an hour and was drained after that. I don't think  at this point I could do more than one massage a day! I am sure I still don't have the techniques right and I am using more muscle power than body weight. I will keep practicing. 

Thanks Shama for these great videos! 

Module 26

Prone Back 3

Before I jump into my notes from this module I wanted to say thank you for the tip on getting my ergonomics right with just one technique and then moving on. I do feel like I have been pushing myself to master the techniques as quick as I can. I will take time to slow down and focus on my body posture. 

The techniques shown in module 26 have been very helpful for me practicing on larger bodies. Most of my partners are smaller people. For the smaller partners I see that using the techniques from module 24 is enough. Although the squeeze/pull down on neck and trap circling is a great technique for all my partners. 
Right now I am sticking with the elephant walking motion. I tried the galloping rhythm and I got so confused. I will go back to it once I feel Ike I have elephant walking down. 

Module 27

Prone Upper Back

In this module the Cobra techniques I am loving! I already feed great about these different techniques. I also feel like I have good ergonomics with them too. This is because I have been doing these techniques for years in my yoga classes when I adjust clients during classes. 

I used my sister while I was watching this module. She always has tension in her shoulder. These techniques where great for her. I actually watched the video two days in a row and used her body. I am focusing on better ergonomics. I can tell a difference. I am not nearly as fatigue as I was a week ago. 

Lift and loosening up the shoulder blade is incredible. I have played with a few bodies just to see how different their shoulder blades are. Some are stuck to the back and some are so loose. I hope that I can work more with those that have really tight more. I look forward to seeing improvement over time. 

Module 28

Prone Summery

The summery videos are great. I love to see how you transition from technique to technique. I know that every client will be different but it is really nice to feel these smooth transitions that you create and share in the summery. 

I am continuing to practice good ergonomics with each technique. I can feel my body becoming more and more comfortable in these techniques. I have also begun to focus more on my body positioning than on my partners. I tell them that I have to get a good feel for the technique in my body’s first. They are very understanding and tell me that they can feel a difference when my positing better. 

I know we have a ways to go before the end of this training. I am just thinking ahead a bit. How long are massages typically? 1 hour? If you are giving a general full body massage how would you brake the massage down time wise?