SpiritQuest's Massage Interview
Do you remember your first client ? Tell us something about that first day when you decided to be a Masseur!
It's always been there. Since Childhood. People noticed. I was gifted.
If somebody got hit by a ball or slipped on the ice I knew instinctively what to do. In dance class or backstage before a show, people would line up to work with me. I knew I was gifted. I felt both lucky and responsible. Our Village Shaman knew it too, and encouraged me to embrace our Navajo Healing Hand Spirit and taught me many Summers. I had the opportunity to work with her as a young man after getting a Masters in Physical Therapy from New York University. I returned to the Reservation and apprenticed with Josephina Proudfoot. Over the past 20 years I have continuously practiced combining those two traditions. Where the Physical Meets the Metaphysical.
Some people say that being a Masseur is addictive. Would you miss your Masseur days ?
I am who I am. I am a Journeyman Shaman who will have many careers but at my core I am a healer. I am here to reach the human being through the human body. It is who I am. It will always be a part of everything I do. When I was on Broadway, touring the World I volunteered Massage Therapy and Physical Therapy for Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York during the height of the AIDS epidemic. I volunteered Massage Therapy and Physical Therapy for Fire Fighters at Trinity Church after 9/11, I volunteered Massage Therapy and Physical Therapy for cancer patients, while I was a cancer patient. Right now, my life is pretty balanced between performing and bodywork. Which is honestly how it works best for me. I love both--they are so different. Each is an escape. I ONLY 2 a day. I want to always look forward to my client. I don't want them to stress if they're running late so I build lots of flexibility in my schedule. Yes, I am still pursuing all the things I love, I still sing, I still perform, I still write, I still do stand-up and I have found the richer my non-therapy life is, the better therapy I do. I am not complete when I am not doing it.
Do you consider yourself a successful Masseur?
Yes. Ridiculously! Here's why: I absolutely still LOVE what I do. After 20 years I still look forward to it. I am still fascinated by the human body and the healing hand rituals of my ancestors I am still fascinated by pain and the source of pain and how to rid the body of pain and every day, every session I want to get better at it. I work for myself. My environment looks like me, it's fun, artistic, theatrical, welcoming, non-clinical, and beautiful. The House is Gorgeous, the landscaping is gorgeous, my housemate is wonderful everyone is an honored guest and treated like a king. That's a wonderful place to be. I love that every day I am told I don't charge enough. It's nice to hear. Almost all my clients are repeats and many have become good friends over the years. I never imagined that happening, but it does and that's wonderful. It's about finding balance in purpose. I know I am gifted. I have spent a lifetime training that gift to do what I do. Now It's fun. My workday ends with a bear hug and a reschedule. It's not like work anymore and if that isn't a success I don't know what is.
What distinguishes you from all the other Masseurs?
I KNOW I am the ONLY half-breed Navajo Journeyman Shaman from Flatbush Brooklyn who sang and danced on Broadway, got a Masters in Physical Therapy from NYU was rated top 5 Manhattan Masseurs by Time Out New York, have worked on 5 Tony Award Winners 2 Oscar Winners and 1 President (Jimmy Carter). I'm sure I got that Market cornered.
Why did you become a Masseur?
I am gifted. When I put my hands on someone I get an entire visual 3D schematic of what's going on, my hands are ridiculously sensitive. My whole body really. My spirit definitely.
I believe I have a responsibility as a person with a gift to understand it, to train it, to work with it, to educate it, to practice it and to use it to help people.
It's very simple. I am a happier person when I am doing what I was designed to do.
It was instinctive. As a licensed massage therapist and a certified massage therapist, I relied heavily on my empathic skills. Which are off the chart. I literally do feel your pain and I can put my finger on it.
I also really wanted to understand the physiology of the human body I got a master's from NYU in Physical Therapy.
While and After NYU I was spiritually lead back to the Reservation of my youth where I apprenticed with Shaman Proudfoot in the Navajo Healing Hands technique.
My continuing practice is to combine those three elements.
How often do you travel? Do you prefer to travel or are you more of a homebody?
I absolutely hate it. But will under the right circumstances. If a client is disabled obviously it's a different ballgame but for the most part, come here, it's great, the studio is fun and there's a gorgeous tub with disco lights and rubber duckies.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a Masseur?
If you don't Love it, don't bother.
How long have you been a Masseur and how long do think you'd like to continue?
forever.
Is extensive training necessary for a Masseur in order to be successful?
It is absolutely a case by case basis.
What are your hobbies, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I host a Singers Open Mic in Pasadena on Monday Nights. I perform at Several Cabaret and Supper Club Venues, I attend as many friend performer shows as possible I want to continue to build community through cabaret.
How would you like someone that contacts you for a massage to feel when they leave?
Relaxed.
Relieved.
Revived.
Complete.
Embraced.
Tell us a little about yourself, if you were to pick something what would you like your clients to absolutely know about you?
Go to: www.brooklynboybodywork.com
How do you like clients to feel about the experience when they leave?
Relaxed.
Relieved.
Revived.
Complete.
Embraced.