MassageFreek

What is massage freek really about?

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007 | Business Insights, Massage

Might it be unprofessional of me to elaborate on my most recent personal processes and realizations in my business life?
Does it matter to my audience what I feel and for what reasons?
…
So I’ve been having some processing and realizations concerning business and my entire life path and desires.
With much consideration, I have concluded that this business, massage Freek, has got to be the toughest of all my ideas and pursuits to make happen.

To attempt a concise explanation: this massage business is the “coming together” of dynamically apposing paradigms as well as personal and business needs and desires.

I have a business of a healing art. The characteristics of any healing art are often in opposition to business and capitalism.
A healing art is my business. The characteristics of business, as it is commonly done, have boundaries and “rules of conduct” and professional standards – that seem to appose the intimate nature of any healing art.

Most massage Therapists keep pretty strict boundaries in the realm of sharing and receiving personal information as well as relationship crossover. This is something my business is challenging from the sheer selfishness, on my part, of just wanting to be myself without fear as I give massage to the people that will enjoy me.

Business says: “sell and get “ok” with being told no” “oh by the way – money is what it’s all about – you need to make it cuz no one’s gonna pay for your ride, hunny”
Healing says: “give it away” and “the heart to heart connection of a practitioner and a client transcends the need for money… the universe provides” or something along those lines.

Have you noticed how many massage therapists are charging somewhere around $70 an hour?
Did you know that a “full-time” massage therapist works at least 15 to 20 hours a week?
Do the numbers.
It’s (excuse me) fucking pathetic.
And now our culture is “programmed” to expect massage to be somewhere around $70 and hour. So just watch out and expect people to snort and raise their eyebrows at charging more than $70 an hour… or if you really got some balls to charge what your massage is really worth… expect calls from men seeking to find the “extras” that come with a $110 an hour massage.

My colleagues are undercharging.
Simple as that.
Raise your rates! Have a sliding scale but only for people that are really connecting with you on that heart level!

At any rate, getting back to me, cuz you know that it’s always about SELF…
I have it in me to do many things that have previously-carved paths and routes of much greater clarity and ease. I want to do art, investment, club owning, public speaking and teaching to name a few. These things, far as I know, have some pretty clear paths of creation and success steps.
Massage Freek is it’s own beast, I tell you!

I find that the advice that works for so many situations to deep degrees across the board comes to be “worked” in my business by my hands and well… it doesn’t quite fit. Many consultants and books can help but I think it’s me that’s doing most of the bushwhacking here.

I’m carving my own way with my niche, my personality, my way of doing business and my way of doing massage and handling the inevitable intimacy that comes with that.

It’s a trip. I like it.
In consideration of this project (the massage Freek project) and its characteristics, goals and challenges… I have come to the conclusion that I may not ever do something as challenging, on an integration-of-things-never-put-together-before, as this business. But I could just be too young and unexperienced to get that all the projects will feel like bushwhacking.

So naturally I’m proud and anxious, as I have been from the beginning.
I see this massage practice as one that is the expression of my soul and me and what those parts really want. I see this practice as a way to teach me things I don’t know and need to know about life, the world, other people and especially myself. It is not for the money, it is for the self-expression and self-formation it provides. I do it because I love to rip myself apart with the business issues and put it all back together when I come to my massage table.

When I give massage, I know it is for a greater purpose. It fulfills me and challenges me so deeply and when I am giving… I experience such peace and Rightness in my body and mind. I know it is my greatest gift to this world.

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