Massage Class! sign up with a partner or pal
One of my favorite texts I once got from a client included their partner in a group text. They introduced us explaining to me, “Meghan, my partner keeps asking me to rub their and I'm sick of it. Partner, meet Meghan and please book a massage.” 😂 I laughed out loud and we proceeded to get the tight necked sweetie a massage scheduled.
I don't know how the at home neck massages that preceded this text went and it's mostly irrelevant for the story but I am sure my client was doing whatever they knew and could to support their sweetie (including connecting them to third party care!). And it is super common for massage therapists to hear their clients talk about their body woes and say that their partner tries to massage them but “it just isn't the same as when you do it.” I always laugh sweetly and accept the compliment and also think to myself, “gosh I hope it's different, I have after all spent years of study and education on this massage stuff!”
But there are actually so many SUPER SIMPLE tips and tricks that anyone can use in order to provide a quality of touch their loved ones are seeking.
Here's the top things we'll go over in the two hours:
COMMUNICATION and CONSENT basics
In order to get actually useful feedback on how our touch is landing for people, we have to ask better questions than “how's that?” “is that good for you?” We'll go over asking better questions that both giver and receiver can get more information about how to adjust pressure, location, and type of touch.
the TOOLS AT OUR FINGERTIPS
What makes a touch feel pokey, grounded, sharp, creepy, or therapeutic? With the tools of our fingers, thumbs, knuckles, elbows, even feet, there are a lot of little and big adjustments that can be made so that you are more confident that you are conveying the quality of touch you are going for. It's simple enough stuff but takes practice and our own body awareness to deliver. I'll show you and we'll practice!
and BODY MECHANICS
Another thing I always hear when folks share about their at home massage efforts is that they get tired after 5 minutes. Even if you don't need the same regimen as someone giving massages all day, there's still no reason to hurt yourself giving 5 minutes of massage!* When teaching how to use your body as a tool for this type of care, we'll talk about how to stack your joints, save your thumbs, and use your body weight instead of over exerting. Plus, if we are straining, that will come through to our partners. And we want to offer calm, listening, confident, and grounded touch so that our people can feel safe enough to relax in our hands.
And then of course it’ll be through my demoing and you practicing specific massage moves and techniques with each other that you can then take home with you to use over and over!
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But Meghan, my partner/friend/lover says they already love my massages, why sign up?
Look, that's between you and your people! And on the off chance they are “massaging the truth” juuuust a little as to not seem ungrateful (or also likely they aren't sure how to provide clear and kind feedback, which we'll go over!), I think I have some material that could be worthwhile! Or they really DO LOVE your massages, so why not learn more?? AND why not sign up so your partner can also give YOU the massage you want??
This will not be an anatomy or technical heavy class. It will be hard for me to hold back, but for a short two hour class**, we're doing a KISS (keep it simple, silly) model. This is meant to be a way for you and yours to help each other release general tension and stress, ease the mid week shoulder crunchies, and promote circulation, so that your breaths can be a little deeper and your movements can be a littler freer. We aren't getting into specifics on how to treat a rotator cuff injury, sciatica, or eliminate plantar fasciitis pain (just as some examples). BUT gentle, grounding, and informed touch can reduce stress and unnecessary tension that often exacerbates many ailments and THAT'S what we'll be learning how to address together.
Most importantly, touch is a powerful tool for connection. I believe that the material I’ll share and us practicing together can actually help strengthen the communication and connection between you and your person. And that possibility gives me the warm fuzzies! 🥹
Doesn't that sound nice???
Class will take place in my office on Gentilly Blvd.
It costs $72 FOR A PAIR, so $36 per person. Solidarity pricing will be $30 off for BIPOC; just ask and I’ll share a discount code.
You must register WITH someone because I do not yet feel equipped to facilitate everyone's safety pairing them up to work with strangers. That may change, but for now, please sign up with someone you have a baseline of care and communication with, so that I can provide some tools and trust y'all to work well together.
You can sign up for October 24 or December 19, or both! Just like you’d take a yoga or work out class repeatedly, even if you’ve learned material once, repetition creates the muscle memory for our bodies. And the techniques and modifications I teach are sure to vary through each class.
Masks will be required and provided.
I'd love my immunocompromised or otherwise covid/illness safer bbs to feel super comfy signing up. And unless I get requests otherwise, I'd love to be able to remove my mask while talking and teaching. And 99% of people masking will greatly minimize the spread of whatever might be floating around. I'll also have a small air purifier on.
When you register there'll only be one intake form for the both of you so maybe sit down together or hop on the phone when you sign up so that you can both share a bit about what you are hoping to get out of the class and let me know about any injuries or accommodations you may need.
Send any questions to me at handlewithcare-mj@proton.me.
Register here: https://meghanjohnson.as.me/massageclass
