NaturalTouch's Massage Interview
Do you remember your first client ? Tell us something about that first day when you decided to be a Masseur!
I actually do not remember my first client, sadly. I do have a few memorable clients, one of which solidified my choice to pursue therapy. One was a man who I now consider a friend, and who introduced me to RentMasseur.com, and is a major player in me deciding to pursue therapy more professionally. Another was a younger-middleaged woman who traveled to my friends shared home-office space, and had not done a massage in years, and was fresh out of the Airforce, and was concerned about it being a painful experience and being in an uncomfortable social situation. After a few minutes of her being on the table, she relaxed considerably and left feeling like a new woman!
Do you consider yourself a successful Masseur?
I would feel I consider myself a successful masseur, only in the vein that my licensed friends have asked why I am not yet licensed, giving comparable massages to them, and in the small roster of repeat clients I have, and friends I have made from them.
Some people say that being a Masseur is addictive. Would you miss your Masseur days ?
I wouldn't consider massage addictive: it's a part of oneself. It's sharing your need and desire to touch and be touched and share a sacred safe space and sense of calm and gratuity with another person. I would totally miss it, because it'd be missing a part of myself!
What are your hobbies, what do you like to do in your spare time?
TOTAL NERD! I'm getting back into my videogaming, playing mostly roleplaying games. I also am an avid photographer of my garden, and enjoy cooking.
What distinguishes you from all the other Masseurs?
I don't know what would distinguish me from "all other" masseurs, but from feedback from friends and clients, and comparing myself to mall-masseurs, I feel like I give less a clinical massage and more personal massage, which has earned me a number of good reviews.
Is extensive training necessary for a Masseur in order to be successful?
In my experience, the training has helped me understand how to best practice the technique of giving a massage for the sake of my body as a tool, and understanding the anatomy of the body to best work WITH it. A significant portion of training is the reception of touch, and understanding what constitutes a healthy positive touch. That is the best extensive training: Getting massages and understanding how the body works!