People often ask me “what is your advice on making my business better….my massage better….get my practice started…..how to handle this client……”. The answers I provide contain one common thread which is “slow down.” Living in this high tech, high stress and high intensity world, the art of slowing down becomes imperative. This is why I love teaching Reiki and other forms of energy work—these modes of healing encourage the practitioner to slow down their thought processes, their minds, their movements and their breath.
To therapists seeking to improve business efforts–> Slow down on your efforts and focus them upon a target market. Assess to whom your skill set will serve best. Assess also which continuing education sources will serve your efforts to reach and serve your target market.
To the therapists wishing to improve their massage effort–> Slow down and use less effort. Slow your strokes upon the body. Use your body to apply pressure rather than your fingers, thumbs and wrists. Turn your small quick strokes upon one spot into longer sweeping strokes upon an entire limb.
To the therapists seeking guidance in getting your practice started–> Slow down your lifestyle. Take a moment to pause and reflect on your life choices and lifestyle. Are you making choices to support or detract from your private practice goals? Are you spending money to improve your financial standing or freely giving your money to every corporation in sight? What do you really need and/or really want?
To the therapists seeking guidance about client cases–> Slow down and return to your anatomy manuals. When considering any pathologies: 1) recall how the anatomy of a system should function, 2) consider how the organs involved are no longer functioning, 3) assess the benefit of bodywork compared to the manifestations of the condition. Will bodywork help a particular symptom or not? Will a particular modality better serve than simple Swedish? Often times, a simple Swedish relaxation session may be applicable, other times more sophisticated bodywork is necessary. This train of thought will help one with working with pathologic clients.
The art of slowing down and remaining present is imperative in effective bodywork. This manner of living will help in all aspects of life, not only your massage practice. Let us all learn to slow down, enjoy each day, remain present with ourselves and others and receive the fullness of life!
Love The LMT Field! 
“To the therapists seeking guidance about client cases–> Slow down and return to your anatomy manuals. When considering any pathologies: 1) recall how the anatomy of a system should function, 2) consider how the organs involved are no longer functioning, 3) assess the benefit of bodywork compared to the manifestations of the condition. Will bodywork help a particular symptom or not? Will a particular modality better serve than simple Swedish? Often times, a simple Swedish relaxation session may be applicable, other times more sophisticated bodywork is necessary. This train of thought will help one with working with pathologic clients.”
^^This advice is so helpful to me! Thank you for sharing Jimmy!
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Reblogged this on With Listening Hands and a Listening Heart and commented:
I have to re-blog this wonderful piece of advice about slowing down from Jimmy Giealis LMT. I can say that this is something I have been working on for a while now. It has taken time for me slow down, but I am finding great improvements not only in my massage sessions, but also in my personal life as well. I hope that my fellow therapists find this helpful to them.
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