Of course Ashiatsu also works on the anterior aspect of the body!!!
For the Texas AOBT trained therapists out there, this blog's for you:
Toes on the nose: 
Nope - we don't massage the face or the abdomen, but Anterior/Sidelying (I'm going to call it A/S since it's so long to type out!) not only continues the flow of Barefoot Basics strokes onto the front side of the body - it also gets very specific and works on the areas that "knead" it most, even if your clients don't think that's where the problems really lie. You know better than that - with this class under your belt, you can flip them over and give some work inspired by Rolfing and Myofascial Release with your feet! In class, we teach you a simple 15 minute protocol for Anterior, and a 20 minute protocol for Sidelying that will hit everything you wish you were already working on. Check out this picture of Veronica's Upper Traps and Levator being lengthened and muscle stripped with ease. Now she can stop wearing those shoulders like earrings, it's just a small example of the many things you'll learn in one quick day! Wait until you feel the QL release! If you are an AOBT trained LMT, and if you haven't taken this course yet, what are you waiting for?! Prereq's are successfull completion of Barefoot Basics and an active LMT license.
A/S Class Schedule:
Advanced Ashiatsu (AKA DF2/Fusion)
It's coming not this weekend, but NEXT! Class is Friday-Sunday September 16-18 in San Antonio. If you are an AOBT graduate, already finished your A/S training, have about 6-9 months of Barefoot Basics practice, AND have your AOBT Certification completed, then talk to me so we can discuss if you are ready to learn the double footed Ashiatsu strokes! It is HARD, so I will be completely honest with you if I think you are ready for it. Here's some tips from Mary-Claire on how to prepare (I love how I can rhyme her name with so many things!)
Shoestring budget?
I just ordered the Armrest Bolsters ($38.25 after discount) and with a little practice on my footing, it really has helped me keep my clients arms where I want them - they don't roll way forward and off the front of the table, and if the client would rather have their arms lay on the table, they can now rest a little wider out on these extenders, and there is still the normal room on the table next to their waist for me to stand! Surf Earthlite and email me with whatever supplies you want, I'll put in the order and get you that discount!
See you in class!
-Jeni
Guest CE classes coming to San Antonio this fall: September 19-20, Fijian Massage, www.barefootmassage.orgSo now onto actual massaging! For you clients out there, I'm massaging at the office, schedule your session online or call 210.967.4400 to get on my table and under my feet!
(Sun-Mon) Taught by Christyn Rittenhouse, the top instructor under the modalities founder, Lolita Knight, for Fijian MassageOctober 3-4, Bamboo-Fusion, www.bamboo-fusion.com
(Sat-Sun) Taught by Dari Haffie, instructor under the modalities creator and master of Bamboo Massage Therapy, Nathalie Cecilia.
Here are some exersize ideas to slip into your New Years resolution:1: Pull ups and push ups are your friend. Go try some!Here's the bit of news you ~may~ not like: I don't think I'll teach this class outside of San Antonio for a w-h-i-l-e. Why? I've got to come up with your meat, the guest clients, to massage for 3 days straight! It's hard to coordinate 20 men with the appropriate body type and no contraindications to come receive this work at very specific times in my own town, let alone in Dallas or anywhere else I teach. Most other AOBT instructors stick to one city to teach anyways, and being that I'm a multi-city instructor, this is where it gets tough. SO, I know I said I'd try to get up there ASAP, but it honestly isn't going to happen for a long while. And by long I mean, maybe not in 2010. I'll bring Ashi-Thai, Barefoot Basics and Anterior/Sidelying whenever I teach out of San Antone, though! (Hey Pacific Northwest, I'm looking your way!)So for my dear Dallas and Houston area AOBT therapists, your consolation prize is this: $50 off my February Advanced Ashiatsu workshop if you live closer to Dallas or Houston than you do San Antonio.In the meantime, go get strong to prepare for Advanced Ashi! As for me, I'm taking Aerial Dance lessons to get my muscles in gear:
2: Pilates must be your sidekick, not your nemesis. Get that core STRONG LIKE BULL!
3: Grip strength is important - no cheater moves here with yoga straps supporting you up, no resting your wrists on top of the bars, its all hands on deck this time. Practice squeezing stress balls, and give strong handshakes! Guitar Center has a rad grip strength doo-dad that I like.
4: Use your bars for the ultimate test: condition your body by holding onto your bars, palms facing in, Rhomboids, Traps and Lats held strong, neck long, spine straight, and raise both legs straight out at the same time to be parallel with the floor, your body is in an "L" shape: hold that for 2 minutes!
5: Confidence comes from within - train your mind that you can do this! Think positively, eat healthy, sleep well, drink more water, and practice what you preach.
