New School Slideshow

Here's our latest YouTube video for the class that just graduated:

When Times Are Tough

Two weeks ago, a student shared to the class, "My cancer is back." It was a sad moment for all of us and we gave hugs and listened to what was going on. Over the next week and 1/2, the student came to class and participated fully despite her distractions. She sat through meditation class and watched her breath while experiencing her thoughts and sensations. She attended the Singing Bowls class and felt the powerful energies of the sounds of the bowls, and along with the other students, received a short personal session. She participated in exercises where we explored listening to our own inner guidance, clearing our energy fields, and calming and centering ourselves. I don't know, but I imagine she worried about being able to stay in massage school, about what her future was going to look like, about what was going to happen with her health and her life.

Then, a week and 1/2 after getting the initial news, she learned that the nurse practitioner had mis-read her lab reports and she did not have cancer, not even close. It was, as you can imagine, a huge relief.

She told me that being in massage school during all of this was a huge support for her. The meditation classes and the energy healing of the different modalities we explored had given her more peace and insight. And the love and support of classmates and teachers was always there for her.

The number one reason students don't make it through massage school is personal and health reasons. As a massage school director, I have seen students unable to stay in school who are very upset by their life's circumstances. It's sad to watch someone have to change or postpone their dreams when life gives them a detour. But for students who are able to stay in school, the gifts of love, support, and the tools for being present, centered and grounded are huge. I've always said massage school is an amazing experience. It's through both the good and the tough times that this becomes apparent.

I am grateful this beloved student does not have cancer. I'm also grateful she had the additional loving support of her massage school community and experience to help her through her week and 1/2 of scariness.

Massage School Scholarship Opportunity

The Durango Area Association of Realtors is offering scholarships that can be used at Rocky Mountain Institute of Healing Arts. They have five $1,200.00 awards for 2009 graduates of area high schools or GED programs.

Selection criteria is 3.0 GPA and need. Applications include 2 letters of recommendation and the deadline for submission is APRIL 10, 2009.

For more information or for an application:

Durango Area Association of REALTORS

http://www.durangorealtor.com/

Scholarship Fund--Attn: Carrie Griffin

125 E. 32nd Street

Durango, CO 81301

Phone: (970) 247-9604

email: carrie@durangorealtor.com

Colorado Issues "Emergency Rule" for Massage Therapist Registration

Elise says, "don't wait, don't be late, get registered NOW!"

--alright, I made that up, but at least she looks enthused about SOMETHING!

I almost thought it was a joke when I first saw it because "Emergency Rule 10" seemed like something akin to "Love Potion #9." But no, it's real! Here's the information straight from the horse's (Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies') mouth.

The upshot...If you haven't applied for registration as a Colorado Massage Therapist and intend to practice after 4/1, APPLY NOW!

If you want the details about registration in general, check out my post "Colorado Massage Therapist Registration

RULE 10: EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2009 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2009

Emergency Rule 10 provides that all individuals who submit their application, fee, and fingerprint card prior to April 1, 2009 will be eligible to receive a “Provisional Massage Therapist Registration.”

What is a provisional registration?
The provisional registration will allow individuals to practice massage therapy or represent themselves as being able to practice massage therapy in this state through June 30, 2009. Provisionally registered massage therapists are subject to all provisions of C.R.S. 12-35.5-101 (“the Act”).

Who is eligible?
All individuals who have submitted their application and fee to the Division of Registrations, have met the educational or training standards established in statute, and have submitted a fingerprint card to CBI – all prior to April 1, 2009, and who have not yet been issued a massage therapist registration. The Division must have received the application and fee no later than March 31, 2009.

Provisional registrations will be effective April 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009. After June 30, 2009, individuals with a provisional registration must be registered as a massage therapist pursuant to the Act to continue practicing massage therapy.

Who is not eligible?
Individuals who apply for a massage therapist registration on or after April 1, 2009 are not eligible to receive a provisional registration and will not be permitted to practice massage therapy in this state until they receive their registration pursuant to the Act.
Individuals who are already registered by April 1, 2009, as a massage therapist with the State of Colorado are not affected by Emergency Rule 10 and will not be assigned a provisional registration.

How can registration status be verified?
Use DORA’s “Automated Licensure Information System Online” (ALISON). You can verify any individual’s registration status using this system.
Provisional registration status will be assigned to all qualified individuals on March 31, 2009 and these registrations will not be mailed.
Check ALISON to verify provisional registration on or after April 1st. Please do not call DORA to verify registration status.
Visit our website for other information and answers to frequently asked questions.

Colorado Dept. of Regulatory AgenciesDivision of Registrations
Health Services Section
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
www.dora.state.co.us

Massage School and the New Economy

There's been a lot said and written about the "new economy" that is emerging from the shambles of our current financial crisis. Someone recently told me of a financial advisor they heard on the news clinging to the old financial model saying, "We've got to get out of fear back into greed." But again and again, I'm inspired by people looking toward a way of commerce and life that transcends greed and includes sharing and appreciation.

Recently, an incoming student delayed her enrollment from September to March because her loan application (from a nationally known student loan provider of direct career training loans, i.e., non-federally funded) was moving slowly. She'd applied in August and received pre-approval, but wasn't going to get the funding in time to plan her move to Durango. During the months from September to February, the company went silent in it's communications to her. When she'd contact them, they'd tell her an item was missing from her application packet (I can't tell you how many times I faxed them a copy of her enrollment agreement!). When they finally sent her all her paperwork with the final approval, she signed and mailed it back. Then again, no word from them and when she contacted them, they told her the application was older than 6 months and was no longer valid. She could re-apply, they said, but the loan was no longer being offered due to the financial crisis.

I've written about the difficulty of finding loans for massage school before, so this is not new on my mind. Some schools do offer federal financial aid and loans, but the overall tuition can be really expensive at those schools. I'm thinking of one that costs $20k for 1000-hours of education. That's a huge loan to carry after graduating.

I'm convinced that our world needs accomplished, compassionate and professionally mature massage therapists and bodyworkers more than ever. And all this is prompting me to think about how the world of today can support people providing healing touch. Students need training; schools need to retain their quality teachers and sometimes expensive teaching tools to provide the training; the people in the world need soothing, quality healing work. The method of borrowing large amounts of money to achieve this might be breaking down. So how can a "new economy" place value on this and provide these needs for our society? That's my question of the day.

Rebecca