TIME FOR A MASSAGE?

I received my first massage two months before I attended massage school. My reason for waiting so long? I told my husband that massages were for people who were sick, hurt or really stressed out. Who me stressed? I had six children, that I was homeschooling, plus four daycare children in my home everyday, and my hubby worked a night job and tried to sleep all day.

On Mothers day hubby scheduled a massage for me at the local health club. She only had time for a half hour upper body massage. When I got done hubby took me out to Red Lobster for dinner and I sat like a noodle! The only thing I could say was that if I could make people feel like this I would love my job. I did, and I did!

RECOVERY MASSAGE

The following is an article I wrote a couple of years ago about recovery massage. As I am still in the process of recovering from my marathon a couple of weeks ago, I am reminded it is time to get a massage! Our students spend one weekend at the beach doing sports massage during our program.

Do you remember when you were a child and your mother would tell you to go to bed so your body could grow? Well that was true then and is still true. Your body actually grows and heals most when it is resting, and recovering.

What this means to you in the sports arena is, you must give your body time to recover between workouts to get the maximum result from your workouts. One of the best ways to enhance this rest and recovery phase of training is sports massage. The following are all benefits of massage in relation to sports.

The first thing a massage will do for you is to bring your awareness into your body. You will become aware of the places you are holding stress when you work out and the places that are unusually tight. You will learn to feel the difference between normal muscle soreness and injury soreness.

The next thing massage will do is to help your flexibility. The constant muscle contractions of sports cause microtrauma in the tissue which promotes adhesion. The massage will make the muscles and tissues more pliable, and will encourage flexibility, resilience and better circulation.

Another advantage is that massage speeds up the recovery from workouts by removing lactic acid and other by-products from the muscles. Doing this helps the muscle tears to heal faster so that you can be ready for another workout sooner.

In the case of injury massage will also help. The injured areas can be massaged to encourage blood supply to the injured area and aid in the healing process. Increased circulation to the area will speed the healing process, especially in the case of overuse injuries.

The last benefit is the fact that a good sports massage therapist can spot areas of weakness or stress that could lead to injury. Many times athletes are so involved in their training that they tend to tune out their body talk. The body always whispers before it screams. A good massage therapist will be able to help bring your awareness to the areas that need attention and prevent injuries.

THE BENEFITS OF GIVING A MASSAGE

Most of us know about the benefits of getting a massage but what are the benefits of giving a massage?

When I was in massage school I started to notice a very interesting phenomenon. What I noticed was that when I finished doing a massage I had more energy than I did before I gave the massage. It wasn't really evident at first because I was concentrating so hard on trying to remember everything and getting it right, but after a few months it became apparent that I was receiving as much benefit from the massage as I was giving.

I talked with my teachers expressing concern that maybe I was somehow sucking energy from my clients. They assured me that this was not the case. Once I became aware of this blessing of massage I started paying more attention to it. What I noticed was that the more massages I was giving the more I was getting out of those massages myself.

What I have realized over the years is that giving a massage is somewhat like a meditation. When I work I am totally focused on that person and particularly on that body for at least one hour. At times when I am working if there is a loud noise or something it usually startles me more than it does the person on the table because of the level of focus that I put into a massage.

I started asking around to see if other massage therapists had this same kind of experience with massage. What I have found is a resounding yes. That is exciting. At our massage school we teach weekend classes once a month for the general public to learn basic Swedish massage. Again and again we have students commenting that they can't decide if they would rather give or receive the massage.

Here are the findings from a study from the TRI about this. Elderly Retired Volunteers Providing Versus Receiving Massage

Elderly retired volunteers were assessed after giving Infants massage for a month versus receiving massage themselves. Results were: 1) they reported less anxiety and fewer depressive symptoms and an improved mood after giving infants massage; 2) their pulse decreased; 3) their cortisol levels decreased; and 4) they reported improved self esteem and a better lifestyle (e.g. fewer doctor visits and more social contacts) after the one month period. These effects were stronger for giving infants the massages than receiving massages themselves, suggesting that the massager can benefit from simply giving massages.

"Elderly Retired Volunteers Benefit from Giving Massage Therapy to Infants", Journal of Applied Gerontology, (1998), 17, 229-239

So as you can see it was not just me! I asked some massage therapist friends about the benefits they felt like they receive from giving massages. The list looked like this.

1. People are happy to see you
2. I love hearing that people are doing better because of massage
3. I don't have to sit while working
4. I feel I am promoting healthy life choices
5. General frequent compliments on my work
6. Being able to trade with other people for massage, haircut, waxing, computer work.....
7. Teaching people about the body
8. Being able to offer advice or referrals ie: certain doctors for MRI or X rays
9. One of uninterrupted time, no phone, email, knocking etc.
10. I go to work to relax.

One therapist did mention that she always felt a little jealous that it was not her on the table! I guess we are all human after all.

I think this is a pretty impressive list of benefits for any job. Next time you decide to receive a massage maybe you should ask your therapist what he or she getting out of it? Hopefully their answer will be a very enthusiastic- TONS!

I wrote this article a couple of years ago for Ezine articles. I have always believed in the benefits of giving a massage and have seen the lives of our students improve by giving massage.

MORE ON BUSINESS

This is an excellent article from Erika biz about starting and running your own business. Many massage therapists are great at massage, but not too keen on business practices. That is why at the Costa Rica School of Integrative Massage we spend some time every day on business ideas and imaginative business ideas.

They’re laughing at you. "Let’s face it. When you start a business, you’re probably going to fail.

I mean, you’re practically doomed from the start. 90% of all businesses don’t make it five years. Even if you have successfully run a business before, you’re probably rusty at that whole “starting” thing.

You probably won’t make it.

Your customers are going to ask for refunds. They’re going to take their lack of success out on you. They’re going to tell you you didn’t perform (regardless of whether you did or not.)

They won’t pay you. Their checks will bounce. Their credit cards will get declined. They’ll promise to pay…every week, for the next month…and never pay. Suddenly, their phone number will get disconnected.

They’ll call you up and attack you personally, spewing venom you never thought you’d hear outside of an R-rated gangsta movie. They will laugh at your feeble attempts to make it right. They’ll threaten to sue you. They will get their local police department to call you.

They will leave anonymous comments on the Internet about how awful your company is, and, by extension, how awful you must be as a person.

They’ll complain that you charge them too much. They will threaten to cancel. They will cancel, and then when your broken billing system decides to bill them again, you won’t be able to refund it quickly enough to spare the hate mail, hate calls, and hate letters.

In short, they’re all going to laugh at you. In fact, they’re probably already laughing at you. I bet you can hear it right now in your head: “You’re so stupid. You’ll never be able to figure this Internet thing out. You don’t have time for this. You’re not young any more. You have mouths to feed! How could you possibly consider quitting your job?”

If you’re thinking I’m about to make it all better, I’m not. What I just listed above (including the part where the police department called me) is all real. It all happened to me in the course of running my business. I once let a customer rant on the phone for just over an hour (I timed it) while I transferred the call to my cell phone, put on my headset, and drove home. I listened to him ranting in my ear about how awful our service was the entire time.

As you’re reading this, some emotions are probably coming to the surface. At least one of them is likely to be a memory of when something like this has happened to you in the past. And maybe it’s scaring the crap out of you. You don’t want to run a business like that, you’re thinking. Who in their right mind would sign up for that?

But some of you…some of you are different. Sure, there are probably fears and doubts in there, and you may even question your own sanity. But somewhere, deep down inside, something is fighting to rise up. Something is saying, not, “It won’t happen to me,” but “I will find some way to handle this.” Because it will happen to you. Don’t kid yourself. You can run a great company, and you’re going to get shit flung at you every single day. It’s just how business works.

This post is for the fighters out there. It’s a reminder that you can do this. It’s a reminder that we all get the crap beat out of us, if not physically, then emotionally. Life isn’t always a cake walk. No matter how big or small a business you run, no matter how much money you have…this world is full of people who will want nothing more than to tear you down and see you fail. Online or in person; customer, employee, best friend or family member…they’re going to want you to fail, for reasons beyond your control.

To be okay with this, you have to first acknowledge it. Only by acknowledging that the hate is out there will you be able to get past the fear that is inside you and take the next step.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather wake up each morning knowing that I’m bringing my absolute best to the table than wake up looking over my shoulder and asking “What if?”

The haters will be there no matter what you choose. Choose something that will make you happy.

Now go out there and change the world!"

WATCH YOUR KNEES

Need Pain-Free Knees? Start Here!

-- By Jen Mueller, Certified Personal Traineryou’re not alone. Nearl

Knees are the most commonly injured joints in the body. Considering that when you simply walk up stairs, the pressure across your knee joints is four times your body weight, it isn't surprising. Simple, everyday wear and tear can end up hurting your mobility.

But it’s not too late. Like a rusty door hinge, with care and maintenance, you knees can be trouble free. Even if you already experience problems, exercising the muscles surrounding the knee joints— Quadriceps (front of thigh), Hamstrings (back of thigh), Abductor (outside thigh), and Adductor (inside thigh)—will help make your knees stronger and less susceptible to injury. Exercise keeps your joints from stiffening and provides needed support, making movement easier and reducing pain.

Here are some exercises you can do to both stretch and strengthen the knee area:

STRETCHES

1. Chair knee extension: Sitting in a chair, rest your foot on another chair so the knee is slightly raised. Gently push the raised knee toward the floor using only leg muscles. Hold for 5 - 10 seconds and release. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
2. Heel slide knee extension: Lie on your back, with left knee bent and left foot flat on floor. Slowly slide the left heel away from your body so both legs are parallel. Hold for 5-10 seconds, return to starting position. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
3. Knee flexion: Sitting in a chair, loop a long towel under your foot (resting on the floor). Gently pull on the towel with both hands to bend the knee, raising your foot 4 - 5 inches off the floor. Hold for 5 - 10 seconds, then release. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
4. Hamstring stretch: Standing, put one foot in front of you, toes up. With hands on the small of your back (or one hand holding a chair for balance), bend the opposite knee and hip (not your lower back), until you feel the hamstrings stretch. The upper body comes forward at the hip. Hold for 5 -10 seconds, then release. Repeat 5 times on each leg.

STRENGTH TRAINING

1. Wall slide: Leaning with your back against a wall, bend your knees 30°, sliding down the wall, then straighten up again. Move slowly and smoothly, using your hands on the wall for balance. Keep feet and legs parallel, and do not allow knees to go out over the toes. Repeat 5 -10 times.
2. Bent-Leg Raises: Sitting in a chair, straighten one leg in the air (without locking the knee). Hold for about one minute. Bend your knee to lower the leg about halfway to the floor. Hold for 30 seconds. Return to starting position. Work up to 4 reps on each leg.
3. Straight-Leg Raises: Sitting in a chair, rest your foot on another chair. Lift the foot a few inches off the chair while keeping your leg straight. Hold for 5 -10 seconds. Return to resting position. Repeat 5 -10 times. (Also work on increasing the time, up to 2-3 minutes if possible.)
4. Abductor Raise: Lie on your side, propped on one elbow. The leg on the floor bent, the other straight. Slowly lift the top leg, hold for 5 -10 seconds, then lower. (Ankle weights will increase the intensity). Do 1-3 sets with 12-15 repetitions each. Remember to rest in between sets.
5. Hamstring Curl: Stand with the front of your thighs against a surface (a table or wall). Flex one knee up as far as is comfortable. Hold for 5 - 10 seconds, then lower slowly. If possible, do not touch the floor between repetitions. (Ankle weights will increase the intensity.) Do 1-3 sets with 12-15 repetitions each. Remember to rest in between sets.
6. Step-Ups: Stand in front of a step, like a sturdy bench or stairs, about two feet high (or less if necessary). Step up onto the support, straighten your knees fully (without locking them) and step down. Maintain a steady pace. If you are comfortable with your balance, pump your arms while doing this exercise. Start with 1 minute, slowly building your time. Gets your heart pumping too!
7. Stationary Bike: Biking is a good way to increase strength and range of motion. Make sure you have the right positioning of the legs. At the bottom of the pedal stroke, the bend in the knee should be 15 degrees. Start with 10 minutes and slowly increase your time.

Depending on your current level of activity and mobility, a good start is 3 stretching and 3 strengthening exercises, 3-4 times a week. Stretching can be (and should be) done everyday if possible to prevent stiffness and achy joints. These stretches can be done a few times a day if needed.Always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. These exercises are designed to help, not hurt. If you experience pain at any time during the exercise, stop. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong.

BONUS TIP: If you have increased soreness after doing these exercises, it may help to ice your knee or knees for 10 - 20 minutes. Place a bag of ice (or frozen vegetables) over the joint, with a towel between to protect the skin. Elevate your leg on a chair if ice alone is inadequate.

I found this article on Spark people and thought it was very appropriate. There have been studies done that show that even if your knees hurt you should continue strengthening all the muscles around them. In our Sports Massage class we teach all the above and more!

COSTA RICA FOODS

We love the food in Costa Rica, but then we loved beans and rice before moving here. We allow an hour for lunch at the school so that the students can return to their home stay and eat a healthy homecooked lunch.


Food and Drink in Costa Rica ...
by Infocostarica Staff

Costa Rican cuisine is simple but heavy on oil and some species. Comida tipica or native dishes, rely heavily on rice and beans, the basis of many Costa Rican meals. Home-style cooking predominates. But meals are generally wholesome and reasonably priced. Gallo Pinto, the national dish of fried rice and black beans is particularly served as a breakfast. Notable is the famed Rice n' Beans of the Caribbean, a Gallo Pinto made in coconut milk, worth trying. Many meals are derivatives, including arroz con pollo or arroz con atun. At lunch Gallo Pinto becomes Casado : rice and beans supplemented with cabbage and tomato salad, fried platains, and meat. Vegetables do not form a large part of the diet. Costa Rica home cuisine has an inordinately ammount of fried foods so keep that in mind when you receive and invitation for dinner.

Food staples include beef, chicken, fish and despite of the 1.000+ kilometers of coastline, seafood like shrimp or lobster, is expensive because Costa Rica exports most of its seafood. Travelers with low budget should stick with the casado on lunch time menus, or 'plato del dia' which is a close cousin of the casado with a common denominator of low price and varied ingredients.

Eating in Costa Rica doesn't present the health problems that plague the unwary traveler elsewhere in Central America, but you need to be aware that some of the pesticides used in Costa Rica are forbidden elsewhere. Something I should say is that you may eat where the locals eat, usually that means tasty and trustworthy food. Beware of black beans and chicharrones, which might prove to be too much for some foreign stomachs.

Costa Rica has no national drink, but very popular in the cultural tradition of drinks are Horchata, a cinnamon flavored cornmeal drink, Chan, a slimy drink made of seeds, Linaza, which is popularly used to cure indigestion, and Fresco de Frutas, which is basically a fruit salad floating on a base of kola and water, delicious!! And, of course, guaro, the campesino’s nearly-tasteless yet potent alcoholic drink of choice. And coffee of course, Costa Rica’s grain of gold. Most of the best coffee is exported, so don't expect the best coffee everywhere you go. Coffee is traditionally served very strong and mixed with hot milk.

Many bars in Costa Rica have the now disappearing habit of serving bocas with each drink , bocas are different types of food in small amounts, usually ceviche or chicken wings or bean soup, to have a better time with your drinks. Some bars provide them free but others may apply a small charge. Turtle eggs which may have been taken in a special legal season are a very popular dish in many bars for its special taste, but are best avoided because of the possibility of having been poached illegally.

Imported drinks may be expensive so you might be better of trying with the local Costa Rican drinks. The beer is a very popular drink and the ones of most sale are Bavaria and Imperial. Even the poorest campesino can afford the native red-eye, guaro, a harsh , clear spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane. In rural areas you might find Vino de Coyol, which is a wine distilled from liquid that is collected on holes on the trunk of a very spiny palm, drink with caution, intoxication goes away, but many say if you go out in the sun with a Coyol hangover, you might find yourself drunk again.

Avoid the local wines, all of which are made from fruits other than grapes, such as blackberries and 'nance'. The most memorable thing of them is the hangover. Imported wines are expensive with exemption of the ones from Chile or Argentina which are of great quality. We personally like the Cousino Macul, imported from Portugal.

MASSAGE BUSINESS SALES

Did you know you can sell your massage business when you are ready to move? When we left Flagstaff to set up our school here in Costa Rica I had not really considered selling my business. One day I was talking with my realtor who was trying to sell my house and she asked me if I was selling my business. The more we talked the more convinced I became that it was a good idea.

After talking to a few perspective buyers I found the perfect buyer. We worked together for a couple of months to make the transition smoother for my clients. We were both happy with the results and remain friends to this day.

Some things to keep in mind are:
What exactly are you selling? I was selling my client list of over 100 plus all my furniture, minus my table and the remaining time left on my lease.
If you specialize do they also? I specialized in Sports Massage as well as she did, perfect fit.
Are their personalities compatible with your clients? My buyer is probably compatible with everyone so it was easy.
Payment options? We took half up front and the rest in payments.
What are your "no competition" clauses? We decided I would not do any massage within 100 miles for five years.

Selling a massage business is a good option. Just make sure you find someone that works as closely as possible to your style and gets along with your clients.

BUSINESS IDEAS

The following article was out of the Massage Magazine and was a great one for business needs. At our massage school
we spend lots of time working on business ideas to will help our students prepare to run their own businesses.

by Dennis Lisaius

If sports massage is your calling, how do you find those elusive athletic clients? Network!

Networking is nothing more than building relationships. It’s a way of reaching out to individuals and groups. With effective networking, athletes will be aware of you and your credible skills, and they will feel safe in your hands.

1. Decide on your target sport. The athletic world is diverse. Are you interested in golf? Beach volleyball? Running?

2. Know your sport well. Athletes trust someone who “gets” their sport. Know the jargon, big stars and major events of your target sport.

3. Find the teams and clubs for your sport. Nearly every sport has a local club or association. (If not, focus

4. Join and support them. If runners are your target, join their club. Attend their meetings and events. Clubs appreciate help, so you can volunteer. Participate!

5. Offer free post-event massages. After an event, give free 15-minute massages to athletes in your club. They will love you for it!

6. Know the “gatekeepers." Make friends with the club president and leading athletes. Their opinion can make a big difference in the size of your client list.

7. Be generous. Give more than you expect in return. Be liberal with free massages, especially for gatekeepers and star athletes. The law of karma really works.

Dennis Lisaius is a certified sports massage therapist from Santa Monica, California, as well as a triathlete, runner and cyclist. He is the founder of LA Sports Massage in Marina del Rey, California (http://lasportsmassage.com), which provides SPORT Therapy—a fusion of techniques from sports, deep tissue, Active Release Techniques, trigger point, Structural Integration and facilitated stretching—to world-class professional and amateur athletes. The company's client list includes such notables as Natascha Badmann, six-time Ironman World Champion; Chris McCormack, 2007 Ironman World Champion; and WNBA star Candace Parker.

HAPPY DAY OF PEACE

We at CRSIM would like to wish one and all a truly Happy Day of Peace today! Pura Vida!!!

NMT and Massage

	ARTICLES from MASSAGE MAGAZINE
	Research: Massage Reduces Headache Frequency Massage significantly reduced the number of headaches experienced by people with chronic tension headaches, and decreased the duration of the headaches, according to a recent study. "Massage Therapy and Frequency of Chronic Tension Headaches" was conducted by Christopher Quinn, Clint Chandler and Albert Moraska, PhD, of the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Boulder, Colorado. Four people who had experienced two to three headaches per week for the past six years or more participated in the study, which lasted eight weeks. During the first four weeks, baseline headache measures were recorded. Throughout the last four weeks, participants received two 30-minute massages per week. A standardized massage protocol was used, consisting of six phases that fit in the 30-minute time period: preparatory tissue warm-up (three minutes), myofascial release (five minutes), axial cervical traction (two minutes), trigger-point therapy (15 minutes), facilitated stretching (five minutes) and session closure (three-to-five minutes). The trigger-point therapy, which made up the bulk of the routine, consisted of scanning palpation of the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital, splenius capitis, levator scapulae and temporalis muscles. "When located, active trigger points were treated by pincer or flat palpation with just enough pressure to elicit referred pain or autonomic referral phenomena," state the study's authors. The pressure was maintained until the referral pain ceased, or for a maximum of two minutes, then slowly eased to produce a vascular flushing. In a typical session, six active trigger points were treated, and the procedure was repeated three-to-five times on each point. Every night before bed participants completed a headache diary form, recording number of headaches, intensity of most severe headache, and duration of longest headache. Each subject experienced a reduction in headaches within the first week of massage treatment, and the mean number of headaches per week was significantly reduced from 6.8 to 2 during the four weeks of massage. "Because our therapeutic massage protocol specifically addressed trigger-point activity, we believe that the reduction in activity of these regions by massage was a major contributor to the observed beneficial effects on tension headache," state the study's authors. Although duration of headache decreased for all four subjects, the decrease was not statistically significant, and there was no significant change in headache intensity. "The findings suggest that a larger, more complete study that includes a proper control group is warranted," state the study's authors. —Source: Boulder College of Massage Therapy. Authors: Christopher Quinn, Clint Chandler and Albert Moraska, PhD Originally published in American Journal of Public Health, October 2002, Vol. 92, No. 10, pp. 1,657-1,661. This article originally appeared in Massage Magazine, (800) 82-28; ww.massagemag.com. This is great news for headache sufferers. When we study NMT at our massage school we spend lots of time on these simple remedies for headaches.

PEACE

Part of the draw to Costa Rica for us was the absence of an army. I found this article on "Lonely Planet" that give the history of how they got rid of their army.

Unarmed democracy

Early Costa Rican politics followed the Central American pattern of violence and dictatorship. In the 19th century, a few favored aristocrats competed to control patronage in the new state. The military, the Church and, most of all, the coffee barons were the main sources of influence. Presidents were more often removed at gunpoint, than by the ballot box.

In 1842 Francisco Morazan, the last head of the CAF, returned to Costa Rica and became president via a coup. Morazan set the precedent for using arms to come to power, but he also confirmed that power was fleeting without elite support. He was executed shortly thereafter.

After this inauspicious start, political life slowly became more civil. A number of democratically inspired constitutions were enacted, and just as quickly discarded when elite fears were aroused. By the late 19th century, the eligible electorate expanded from 2% to 10% of the adult population. Military strongman, Tomas Guardia, forced higher taxes on the coffee barons to finance social reform. By the early 20th century, Costa Rica had free public education, a guaranteed minimum wage and child protection laws. Denied the right to participate, disenfranchised groups resorted to protest politics. In 1918 women school teachers and students staged effective strikes against the despotic displays of President Frederico Tinoco, who soon resigned.

Beginning in 1940, events would lead Costa Rica onto a more democratic path. At this time, President Rafael Calderon defied elite expectations, by championing the rights of the working class and the poor. Calderon orchestrated a powerful alliance between workers and the Church. The inevitable conservative reaction was unleashed in full force in the 1948 presidential election. Costa Rica briefly descended into civil war. The business community staged its own strike threatening an economic crisis, armed workers battled military forces, and Nicaraguan and US forces joined in the fray. Peace was restored in less than two months, but with 2000 deaths.

Out of the chaos came a coffee grower and utopian democrat, José Figueres Ferrer. As head of a temporary junta government, Figueres enacted nearly 1000 decrees. He taxed the wealthy, nationalized the banks, and built a modern welfare state. His 1949 constitution granted full citizenship and voting rights to women, blacks, indigenous groups and Chinese minorities. Most extraordinarily, he abolished the military, calling it a threat to democracy. Figueres proved to be a transformative figure in Costa Rican politics. His revolutionary regime became the foundation for Costa Rica’s unique and unarmed democracy

INDEPENDENT COSTA RICA HISTORY

... Indepence and the path towards democracy ...
by Infocostarica Staff

Costa Rica won its independence from Spain on September 15th, 1821. Unlike independence in other countries, it wasn't a very significant event at the time, since this country had functioned apart from the Capitanía General of Guatemala for a long time. In other words, even though the official date of independence is 1821, Costa Rica, since its origins, possessed an autonomous sense of being that became definite in that particular year. The country had functioned independently because of Spain's lack of economical, political and even religious interest in the poor region.

After the Declaration of Independence, the four main cities of the country: Cartago, Heredia, San José and Alajuela, also felt autonomous from each other, and disagreed on several issues. The Cartago and Heredia conservative leaders were in favor of joining Mexico, while the two latter cities and their Republican leaders disagreed. After a small battle in the Ochomogo Hills in Cartago, the Republicans were victorious, thus rejecting the accession with Mexico. Afterwards, Guanacaste, which belonged to Nicaragua, decided to join Costa Rica.

After a definition of physical and political boundaries, this young country headed towards a formalization of its political tendencies. Since the country never possessed strong religious institutions or interests, liberalism characterized politics. Other countries in the region were unfortunate in the sense that they had two opposing poles -conservatives and liberals- who caused a cycle of wars that in some places, still carry on.

The first elected chief of state was Juan Mora Fernández. Throughout his rule, which started in 1824, he succeeded in installing a fair judicial system, in expanding public education and in promoting coffee plantations. In 1835 however, San José was attacked by the other three cities, but it still won the battle. Three years later, Costa Rican stability was challenged again, this time by an outsider- the Honduran Francisco Morazán. He overturned President Braulio Carrillo, but his efforts weren't successful and he was executed a year later.

After these threats to the solidity of the state, a new political group had emerged- the coffee elite. These wealthy families overthrew the nation's first president, José María Castro, and placed Juan Rafael Mora as their leader. Mora achieved great economic growth for his country and what's more important, he saved it from William Walker, an ambitious American who wanted to take over the country. Even after accomplishing great things, he became a victim of yet another coup, and was executed.

The evolution from a militaristic and coup-ridden nation to a more stable and democratic one, took place through Tomás Guardia´s rule. Ironically, Tomás Guardia came into power and remained there by military force. However, his reforms were the seeds of a much needed democracy. In twelve years he succeeded in controlling the use of the military, revising the Constitution, building the railroad to the Atlantic and several roads and declaring education for both sexes obligatory and free (1869 reform). These amazing events marked the path for a new democratic era.

I found this grea article in the magazine about Costa Rica. We find the fact that Costa Rica is so young very exciting and still lots of room for growth. Just like our baby school, we are new and have much room for growth. We will continue to grow and develop, just like Costa Rica.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

Happy Independence Day to one and all from Costa Rica! Today was a day of celebration and relaxation. The morning was filled with dancing, as well as political speeches and singing. Of course there was the parade also.

Here at the school we are preparing to begin online work next week. We will be seven weeks out from the hands on portion beginning the first week of November. Lots of fun stuff to see and do.

GREAT ARTICLE

Massage School Online

Because massage is such a hands-on activity, many prospective students don’t realize that they might have the option of attending one of several online massage schools. This is a shame, as the opportunity to take massage courses online really opens up the field to those who might not otherwise have even realized they could become massage therapists. There are many advantages to attending online massage schools, not the least of which is the convenience that comes from being able to study in your own home at your own pace.

How Is It Possible to Take Online Massage Courses?

It’s true that the techniques required to become a massage therapist will require actual practice under the supervision of a trained instructor. When most people think of massage, they only consider the physical kneading and manipulation that takes place. In reality, though, there are a number of required courses that students need to take in order to prepare for the hands-on aspect of their training. Many of these courses can quite easily be taken in an online format.

For example, online massage courses will usually include lessons on the basics of anatomy and physiology, as a massage therapist must be well-acquainted with the bones, muscles, and nerves of the human body in order to offer the most restorative and healing services. The courses can be taught in different ways. In some cases, students will utilize a text book or other written materials. Because of technological advances, however, students are also learning through video observation or by listening to recorded lectures and lessons.

Certification

It is possible to receive certification through online massage schools. The subjects studied in this format will be the same as those that an on-campus student would take, so there is not a big difference in content. Obviously, there are some differences when it comes to accruing hours of practice. Different schools offer various alternatives when it comes to earning those hours.

For example, some schools will bring students in to finish off their online massages courses with on-campus internships. Those schools will generally have the student work in a clinic under the supervision of instructors or doctors. These internships are necessarily short and intense, and they get the job done. For those who cannot travel for this type of experience, it may be possible to take part of the course online but then find a local school or clinic in which to practice.

Online massage therapy courses are especially good for those who are already certified as massage therapists. These professionals are usually required to take continuing credits to keep their licenses and certifications in good standing. This can be done conveniently through the use of online massage schools. In fact, this is one of the very best reasons to enroll in online massage courses.

Financial Aid and Other Concerns

In order to attend school, either online or in person, many students find themselves needing financial assistance. Some online massage schools will be able to offer financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans. Students should keep in mind that only schools that are officially accredited will be able to offer federal financial aid options. This is just one of the many reasons to consider attending online massage schools that have gone through the accreditation process.

Those who complete online massage courses will want to ensure that they have the same opportunities after graduation as those who attended classes on campus. Each school will have its own guidelines, and it is vitally important to compare those guidelines with the laws and regulations of the state in which the graduate hopes to practice. For instance, if the online massage school is not accredited but the state requires accreditation in order for graduates to become certified, then completing that particular online massage course will probably not be worthwhile. The key is to determine that the benefits the school has to offer are in compliance with the regulations governing the practice.

Upon completion of online massage courses, graduates will find themselves prepared to enter the workforce. There are several courses that a new massage therapist may consider for his or her career. For example, the field of sports medicine is continually growing, and the need for well-trained therapists has grown right along with it. Other graduates of online massage schools may find that they are better suited for the spa atmosphere. Yet others will discover that they want to set up their own practices and either have an office or travel to clients’ homes.

The idea of taking massage courses online may be an unusual one, but technology is making more and more things possible. Online massage courses are simply one of those things. The dedicated student can utilize these advances either to get started or to build on a prior education.

I found the above article online and thought it very appropriate for our school. It is great to be able to complete your book work at home and then travel abroad for your six weeks of massage hands on study. We look forward to all our students who discover this amazing option.

TAMARINDO

We have discovered a new jewel here in Costa Rica. We went to Tamarindo this weekend, and it was beautiful. We rented the above house, that slept seven for only $100.00 per night. It was a two minute walk to the beach and beautiful.

I had always heard the Tamarindo was very expensive, but this was the least expensive we have found to stay on the beach in all of Costa Rica. We have taken students to Manuel Antonio beach to do Sports Massage Class and liked it also. It is also a little pricey and the homes to rent are not as reasonable. The advantage of Manuel Antonio of course is a three and a half hour drive compared to a five hour drive to Tamarindo. So many beautiful places and beaches to see!

VOLUNTEER

Do you want to know an idea that brings good karma into your life? Would you be excited to learn of a way to help people who are hurting? Can you think of a really good excuse to go to the beach in Costa Rica and spend the weekend? I have the perfect activity for you if you are interested in any of the above. Volunteer your massage skills at a marathon!

That is right, two of our massage school graduates are donating their time and money to spend a couple of days at Tamarindo beach marathon working on wiped out hurting athletes. I can't think of a better way to spend the day, unless of course you are lucky enough to be running in the marathon :)

COSTA RICA DIA DE NINO

Today is a special day here in Costa Rica. Today we celebrate the kids. That is a fun day for everyone and the magicians and clowns make out like bandits! My daughter attends the local public school and had a blast with the magician that pulled the baby chick out of his hat.

One of the classes at our massage school is infant massage. We teach the up and coming massage therapists how to teach parents to massage their children. It is one of the funnest classes to teach, as we always have a baby around with friends and family that we can use. The babies really love it also.

REGULATION

The NCBTMB just announced they would now have an "advanced exam" that you can take. I guess some people have trouble convincing people they are as experienced or seasoned as the NCBTMB puts it. So by taking this advanced exam you now have all the credibility you would ever need. Forget the fact you have only been in business two years, by golly if you can take and pass this written, not hands on but written exam that makes you the best in your field.

It is obvious by my sarcasm that I do not agree with this further regulation of the massage industry. It looks as if either a. they are looking for a new way to generate income, or b. they are trying to be big brother and thinking bigger is better.

I liked an article I read about choosing a massage school. In this article they pointed out that if a school offered more than 500 hours you should question their motives. If they are offering more than the required amount are they just after more money? You only need 500 hours to take the NCE and practice in most states in the U.S. Once you are done with school and you find an area you want to specialize in it is great and even encouraged to continue taking further education in those areas of interest to you. It looks like this regulation is getting way too big.

JOBS TO CELEBRATE

Today is Labor Day in the U.S. The day we celebrate having jobs. The question to ask yourself at this time is, "am I doing what I am supposed to be doing". More and more people are asking themselves this question about the jobs they are performing in their short time on earth. More people are demanding a job that brings some satisfaction and sense of purpose to their lives.

When I attended massage school nine out of the eleven people in my class were starting second careers. I had been running a daycare out of my home, and the others were employed in various other jobs. All of us saw a great opportunity in massage as a profession, as well as making the world a better place.

I made the decision to go to massage school thirteen years ago. I have never regretted the decision and in fact have loved every moment, except maybe the laundry part, of being a massage therapist.

MASSAGE MOMENT

I don't know about you, but sometimes all I have to do is look at a massage table and I start to relax. Especially if I know that I will be on it soon :) At the school we teach hot rocks and it is a favorite. Most days we can even heat the rocks in the sun! Pura Vida!!

ARENAL

I love Arenal. We have spent time in Fortuna and have enjoyed it immensely. It is kind of a little tourist town, but with tons of charm. At night if you are really lucky you can see the active volcano throwing off a little steam. Sometimes in the daytime you can even see the smoke as in the picture below.

When you head north toward the volcano from Fortuna you can stop at one of the many hot springs. There is the most expensive one Tabacon, the mid-priced one Baldi and the one we loved the family place. That is the only name I know it by as it was the one all the families and people who live here frequent. It had about five pools, like the one pictured below and was super hot. There were a couple of pools you could actually cool off in. If it rains it is just better because you can sit outside and cool off, and jump in the hot pools and get warmed up.

Our massage school does three trips throughout the six week Costa Rica period. One of the weekends we spend in Fortuna visiting all the cool sites and fun places in that neck of the woods.

I LOVE GIVING MASSAGES!

I love giving massages. I guess that is a good thing since I have been doing them for 12 years, and now teach massage.
Today I had the privilege of giving my friend and student Sally a massage. It was great to help her out and to just get my hands on someone again.
In class we have been learning Swedish Massage, the modality that Rick teaches, so I have not been able to teach as much. I am looking forward to receiving a massage from her as well.
I did an article on Ezine articles about The Benefits of Giving a Massage. It is interesting to note that there are many benefits from giving a massage.
In a study labeled the "grandmother study" this was proven out. The study was being performed to see the value of massage on pre-mature infants of druggy moms. When they began the study they had to find someone to hold and massage the infant.
The research center went into a nursing home and asked for volunteers from the elderly people living there. The findings? The elderly people benefited more than the babies. The babies did benefit from the holding and the massage, to be sure but the elderly people had lowered blood pressure and needed less of any meds they were taking for anything!
I always remember and point out this study when talking to people who are undecided about massage school. Everyone has their own reasons for attending massage school, and I doubt they even know the health benefits they can reap from being massage therapists.

NEW BLOG

Welcome to our blog that will tell about our journey and experiences of our massage school located in Costa Rica. Feel free to contribute and comment, it is an interactive blog to be enjoyed by all. Our massage school is located in the center of beautiful Costa Rica, with quick and easy access to the whole awesome country.