R.I.P. Bubba

Recent news: I have just been hired to work on weekends at Fuga Salon in Chicago. It’s a GREAT salon/spa environment. So for any of you city dwellers, you can make an appointment with me at Fuga beginning May 21st. Call 773-880-1280 to schedule a massage with me there!

You can click on the LOCATIONS tab on my home page to get directions/addresses to my Batavia studio, and also Fuga Salon in Chicago.

And remember…I also do out-calls for those of you who enjoy the convenience of a great massage in your home. Why drive if you don’t have to!

I completed level one training for thai massage at Thai Bodyworks of Evanston. The weekend was enjoyable, intense, full of information, and was one of the best learning environments I’ve ever experienced! Chuck Duff, the owner and founder of Thai Bodyworks, is a GREAT teacher. The way he was able to break down the large amount of information into smaller components, and then give us some visual/technical tools to help us retain all of that knowledge was impressive. I came away from the class with a solid understanding of the material, and I can easily give a competent one hour thai massage that promotes relaxation, flexibility, mobility and stretching.

One of the unique elements of thai massage is that BOTH the client and the therapist feel rejuvenated at the end of a session. Thai massage is oftentimes referred to as assisted yoga, due to the stretching and flexibility that this type of massage provides. The client is fully clothed (loose fitting clothes are preferable) and allows the therapist to take him or her through a variety of assisted stretches. So for anyone who might feel uncomfortable with the typical disrobing that a swedish massage requires, thai massage is the perfect solution.

Give me a call and schedule an appointment for a thai massage. You won’t regret it!

For me, I think the thing that is different is that I’m trying to be more intentional about anticipating moments throughout the day that are simple pleasures..things that I might otherwise overlook or be too busy to notice.

I have a busy day today…working at Wheaton Sport Center during the day, having barbue dinner with a friend, rehearsing The New Tradition Chorus tonight, and meeting with a music associate after the rehearsal. So there will be a lot of interaction with people today…lots of chances to enjoy and experience God-appointed encounters. I’ll keep you “posted.”

I had a FULL day of massage work yesterday. From 10am until 6pm, I was giving massage treatments. It was one of the busiest days I’ve ever had as a massage therapist since I got my degree from The Soma Institute of Massage Therapy in Chicago. I was anticipating being a little stiff and sore when I woke up this morning because it was a very long day yesterday, and massage work is physical work. But..SOMA WAS RIGHT! They taught us well with regards to using proper “body mechanics” as therapists. The strength and endurance of giving massage , when done correctly, comes from your “core” and your lower body. There is very little muscle strength from your arms or upper body that is involved in giving a quality massage. So here’s a shout-out to SOMA…thanks for the great training!

I have spent the first 30 years of my professional career involved in a variety of musical endeavors: soloist, session singer, performer, songwriter, worship leader, vocal director/producer. I have been blessed with unbelievable friendships and a whole lot of great memories as a result of my career in music. I don’t think I could possibly be any more grateful than I am today for this path.

When I turned (gulp) 50, I decided to pursue training in the field of clinical massage therapy. I have been practicing since the summer of 2009, and it has opened the doors to all kinds of remarkable friendships and professional opportunities. I made the decision to leave full time church ministry in December and concentrate on a career combining my free lance music and massage therapy practice.

I’ve had a few “naysayers” who questioned why I would leave church work for a career in massage therapy. But mostly, I have received an abundance of encouragement from my family and friends. Anyone who really knows me knows that I am a “free spirit” and the thought of a 9 to 5 life is suffocating at best. I couldn’t be happier.

And so where does that bring me today? Well..at the moment, I am sitting in my mobile office (Starbucks) just finishing up a meeting with my web designer, Brian Lis. Brian is an exceptional web designer, by the way!! (www.brianlis.com) As soon as I finish up with this blog post, I am going to force myself to go to the gym. Then I’ll go home and have lunch before I head to Ginsberg Chiropractic, where I work as a massage therapist part-time.

I hope you’ll visit my blog from time to time! And remember: It’s never too late to become what you might have been.