When I started massage school in Connecticut several years ago, I knew I was in the right place. I had visited the very same school many years prior to that and fell in love with it, but the circumstances of that part of my life didn't allow for me to enroll. I know now that I wasn't ready at that earlier point. And when I was finally able to begin my courses in massage therapy, I just knew that it was the perfect new path for me to take.
Since I was working full time and going to school part time, 3 evenings a week, my time at school was broken up into 5 'semesters'. With each passing week my passion for my future career grew. I loved my classmates, my classes and the work. In the third semester, we had a class called Energetic Foundations. I was very excited for this class, and more than a little curious. When I told my 'science and math' son about it, he scoffed, saying, "There's no scientific basis for that." I had no idea if there was but I couldn't wait to start it.
The time came for the first class. At our school, we sat on pillows on the floor in a circle. As we entered the room, there was a serene centerpiece in the middle of the circle. We settled in and met our instructor, Richard Harris. There were the opening greetings, remarks, sharing, and rules and regs. Then we got into the subject.
You know how in movies when a person achieves a goal or makes a profound discovery and the soundtrack may play a Hallelujah chorus? That's exactly what happened. As soon as Richard began showing us about energetic work, I knew that 'the teacher had appeared'. From that very first class, I knew the major focus of my massage work would be with energy work of some kind. It comes out of me naturally and now here was this guy telling me how to direct it for the good of my clients! It was then and remains to this day my favorite class.
Fast forward awhile. I have been working as a massage therapist for 2 years now and my love for and interest in energy work has only grown. And this past weekend, I had the privilege of teaching my very first energy workshop! I wondered if I'd be able to teach this class in a way that would help them understand. Could I get across to them and help them learn what is built into me already? Turns out I could. And I did. It was a gratifying and energizing day.
Looking back at past experiences, it's easy to see how this ripple grew. I used to love playing teacher and I loved school. (Well, grammar school anyway.) I raised my children, which is teaching every day. Having a spirited and involved group of classmates to go through school with was vital. Being married to a brilliant teacher lays terrific groundwork for the type of exchange necessary between students and instructors. Even the experience I gained while teaching 2-year-olds for a year came in handy! And landing in a classroom with an instructor who knew his stuff, was passionate about his subject, and gifted in getting his message across to students, was an especially valuable gift.
