On a table, across a chair, and of course, in bed. On a bus, and on a train. Leaning across the ice machine, or hanging on to a bar stool. Oh! How about in a Buddhist temple, or backstage at a show. In the spa, lying in the grass by the sports field, or in the backseat of a moving vehicle. It’s true; I’ve done it in all those locations, quite proudly!
Now, I know what you’re thinking. But, no, thank you very much, this is not a list of (ahem) “exploits” from a 1970s rock-band groupie!
This is just a sample of this list of places where I’ve given a massage.
But, more than just to give myself some bragging rights, the point of this post is to talk about the versatility of this craft, and how to be flexible in how you use it. Let me explain.
Why be Versatile?
There absolutely is vital wisdom behind the idea that a massage is a private, and in many ways, confidential event. Receiving a massage can put one in a vulnerable state, and suggests a relationship between the two parties that involves a level of physical trust. So, yes. Generally speaking, providing a confidential, comfortable, and private environment is considered good practice.
But that’s still not the only way to do massage. In fact, having the versatility and the creative attitude to offer massage at different levels and in different places can also be considered as good practice.
Here’s why…
Meet them Half Way
There will always be people who aren’t going to enthusiastically seek out the privacy of a spa setting, or to set aside the time to strip down, or oil up, and put themselves in the hands of another for 60-90 minutes. But they might be super happy to let you treat their neck and shoulders for 15 minutes, sitting in a chair. And your willingness to be flexible, and to work with what is presented to you can mean the difference between that person receiving the benefits of massage or not.
And, regardless of what you or I might think of as the ideal situation, it is their body, their time, and their decision. Why not meet them halfway?
Now of course, it is also your body, your skill, and your time, and you are free to decide what settings suit you, and which ones you’re comfortable with. But a willingness to explore and expand those limits allows more people to experience the benefits of massage.
Good Marketing Sense
To be sure, you should never compromise what you feel is your own good judgement just to get a client. Like with everything, you may encounter people whose desires or demands simply go beyond what you feel is healthy for you or them, and therefore you may have to decline.
However, it is also true that being flexible with your skills can make for very good marketing of your services. Once, while living in a small town, I decided to set up my services in the local pub, where people often went at the end of the day. The results were very positive.
Not only did people get something special added to their days-end relaxation, but I made some money, and expanded my client list. That is what you call a win-win.
Build Your Skills
Now, in a lot of the course material, I emphasize the importance of understanding what exactly you are doing with your hands in different positions. It is critical to understand that we are not just giving people a rub when we massage. So, yes, technique is critical.
At the same time, eventually we must learn to be fluid, dynamic, and in some ways creative with technique. This is what it is to expand as an advanced professional of massage; you know the basics like the back of your hand (and the front and the side)… in fact, you’re so good at it that you can explore and experiment, without giving up the value of the massage.
Trying out your technique in different settings, and in different positions will only make that process, and the end results, much stronger.
It’s FUN!!
Whether you’re a beginner, advanced, or somewhere in between, you probably know the experience of focusing carefully on giving a successful massage. It can be exhausting! It is important that we take our craft seriously. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to enjoy it. In fact, we should enjoy it, for a number of reasons, including the fact that enjoying something makes you better at it. But also, what else can we ask of life other than that we find work that we enjoy?
Having some versatility, exploration, spontaneity, and willingness to try new things with your massage will keep it fresh. It will teach you new things. And the challenge may awaken your own desire to be creative, and to take your craft to new levels.
What could possibly be wrong with that?