Shoe clinic

My friend and Certified Rolfer, Karin Edwards, has a spiffy class coming up! Check it out!

Shoe Clinic

Learn about your feet and footwear:
• Understanding natural motion of the foot
• Evaluating your feet
• Modifying your shoes to improve them
• Finding new shoes that support your foot health

Please bring up to 6 pairs of your footwear. You will learn to assess your own footwear, and also learn some simple modifications to help your current shoes serve you better. This workshop is based on the principles of Rolfing and the footwear advice of Dr. Ray McClanahan, podiatrist.

Saturday, 7/11, 2-3:30 PM
Saturday, 8/22, 2-3:30 PM – featuring special advice for runners by a running expert!
Wednesday, 9/8, 6:30-8 PM
Thursday, 10/22, 6:30-8 PM

Taught by Karin Edwards, Certified Rolfer
Cost: $25 (Payment in advance required – 503-230-0087 or rolfer@earthlink.net)
Location: People’s Food Co-op Community Room, 3029 SE 21st Ave.
Additional classes on sitting and posture: www.portlandrolfer.com

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

100 days, 100 voices

This week, I worked with one of my amazing clients, Mary, and I had to share what she's been up to. She recently returned from an incredible journey, traveling all through the US. Her goal was to travel for 100 days and interview 100 people. Well, she interviewed 105!

She interviewed people from all walks of life, every skin color, every economic status, every political stance, every religious viewpoint. She began to see some wonderful commonalities and themes emerge. Through her entire adventure, she never once had to pay for lodging. She was taken in by the kindness of strangers.

It's an amazing world we live in...

http://www.exchange09.com/

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Birthday Massage Special.... ends soon!

Dear friends,

I had a really great birthday last week and all of you made it even better! I had to extend my birthday special out another week! For this limited time, a one hour massage is only $50! Tell your friends!!

I still have a few more openings on Wednesday morning to early afternoon, Thursday morning, Friday early afternoon and Saturday afternoon.

~

I'm also looking for feedback on my massage practice. Anything you'd like to share to help me improve. I've already received some wonderful suggestions!

Here are a few sample questions...

What do you like best about your massage session? What could I do better?

What do you think about my massage rates?

Are there are massage techniques you'd like me to learn?

So, send me your feedback! If you do, you'll be entered into a drawing to win a massage gift certificate! I'll extend the deadline to July 4th and announce the winner soon afterwards.

Until our paths cross next....

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Craigslist Therapeutic section gone to the dogs

Craigslist has become tolerant of sexual ads in the Therapeutic section. Maybe they just grew tired of policing the site, since they have also removed any way to flag an inappropriate ad.

So, now the section is it's a lowly mix of a few legitimate LMT's and a several ads for poorly veiled prostitution. Truly sad.

I imagine if Governor Kulongoski has his way and suspends the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT), it will become even more difficult to make a distinction between our professional, therapeutic status as complimentary healthcare workers and the rest of the sexual riff-raff.

My massage therapist friends, there are better ways to get the word out there and advertise your business! Build a website, hang fliers, teach a class.... become the light others seek.

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Expanded hours and sliding-scale massage clinic

Dear friends,

Life brings transition. I always feel change, even when difficult, can bring us valuable lessons. We evolve through overcoming these challenges.

This lifetime is a healing process. A letting go of both old and new wounds and allowing a new, more vibrant, alive energy to take it's place.

Years ago, I started a process of intentional healing... a path I still trot along today. I've seen my way through much of my physical pain, which has lead to letting go of so many emotional and spiritual sufferings. I'm not the same person I was. And, life continues to be transforming!

I've been working with so many amazing clients! We've been finding freedom from chronic pain. We've been finding hope!

EXPANDED HOURS and SLIDING-SCALE MASSAGE

Now that I'm finding more energy in my life, I want to expand my hours again. I'm now open to evening sessions throughout the week and will be offering 30 and 60 minute sliding-scale massages on every Saturday. If you can't make it on Saturday's, but need the sliding-scale, please talk to me! Finances should not be a hindrance to self-care!

Hamid's sliding-scale massage clinic... click here!

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

OBMT and MBLEx taking a few jabs

Here's an interesting article on the recent attention given to the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists and the licensing exams...

Massage Board and MBLEx Under Fire

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Birthday Massage Special!

It's my birthday next week! So, from June 22nd - 26th, 60 minute massage sessions are $50! Please, only one massage per client. Please mention this special when making your appointment.

My friends... thank you walking this earth. You walk a brave and noble path simply by living this lifetime.

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

A massage therapist's response to craigslist ad charges

An astute reader e-mailed yesterday in response to my previous post about craigslist now charging for ads in the Therapeutic section.

Hamid, I read your blog. I am a massage therapist in California. I too am very disappointed in the new charges.....Just an FYI, If you post in Beauty services or Small Biz it is free and your post will still come up when people search on massage and services or even just massage...

Erin M.

Thanks Erin! Great tip!

So, I posted my ad in the Small Biz section today without a problem. And, it looks like ads in the Therapeutic section have become quite sparse. Perhaps if I run a big discount special I'll post in the Therapeutic section again. For now, it's a waste of money.

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Craigslist now charging!

It appears Craigslist.org is now charging to run ads in the Therapeutic section at $10 for a 7 day run. Plus, they won't allow a link to your massage website!

No thanks Craigslist! I haven't paid a dime in advertising in years... not going to start now. Perhaps it's a way to weed out the ruffians, but it's also weeding me out too.

So, my two bits for my fellow massage therapists... get yourself a website and work on web optimization to get your site listed high in the search engine rankings. Transcendingtouch.com continues to be the most successful way to market my massage therapy practice here in Portland, Oregon.

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Suspend the Massage Board?

On Friday, May 15th, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, proposed that the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists, and several other state boards be suspended.

An excerpt from the transcript...

GM is going to have to live without Pontiac – even though there are probably millions of loyal Pontiac owners. Well, every state agency, board and commission has its loyal supporters too.

I get that. But the money simply isn’t there anymore. Some government functions have to go – at least for the foreseeable future. Oregon state government can no longer be all things to all people.

That’s why I am asking the Legislature to suspend a wide variety of agencies, boards and commissions.

These include: The Board of Occupational Therapy, the Board of Massage Therapists, the Consumer Advisory Council, the Commission for the Blind, the Board of Licensed Dietitians, and the Advocacy Commissions – among others.

I am also preparing for possible consolidation – among others – the Aviation Department, and all of the health-related agencies, boards and commissions.


The entire .pdf transcript from his speech can be found here...
Governor Kulongoski's speech to the Portland City Club

This topic has spurned a great deal of heated discussion amongst Oregon Licensed Massage Therapists. I'm sure members of the others state boards are having similar debates!

I'll write more on this very soon....

Until then, leave a comment and share your opinion!


~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Thai massage video

Here's a video of my friend and Oregon School of Massage graduate, Sarah Carl, LMT. She has a wonderful Thai massage practice showcasing her gifted bodywork in both Portland and Gresham, Oregon.

If you're curious about what a Thai massage looks like, this is a snazzy introduction. I find Thai massage to be amazingly relaxing and effective.

Thanks Sarah... you rock!

Sarah can be found on the web at http://www.sarahcarlmassage.com/



~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Identity Theft Scam! Beware!

My wife recently received an email from her friend. With a little critical thinking, just by googling the Malaysian snailmail address provided in the email, it became very clear this was a scam. Someone has hacked into her MSNLive Hotmail.com account, where she has unwisely kept all of her contact information, and sent out a mass email to everyone in her online address book. This is a scam! Don't fall for it!

The first thing to do is contact your friend through another means. My wife called her, and her friend is safe and sound in Washington DC, where she lives. She no longer can get into her hotmail.com account and is trying to contact the appropriate department at WindowsLivehelp.com. Sending an email to abuse@hotmail.com is a good place to start if this ever happens to you.

Some other clues that that tipped me off to the true phishing nature of this email. What hotel was the name of the hotel she was staying at? This basic info wasn't included. How about a phone number to the hotel? Nope, not that either. Hey, wire me some money via Western Union! Here's the address. Oh gosh.... don't fall for this scam!

My compassionate friends.... there are clever folks out there wanting to trick you. With a little discernment, we can keep ourselves safe.

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

Here is the email to watch out for...

~~~

Am in a great sorrow writing you this message, Just wanted to inform you about something very urgent, i could barely think straight at this point, i hope you come to my aid because something very terrible is happening to me now and i need a favor from you urgently. I had a trip here in Malaysia and i got myself stranded. Unfortunately for me all my money got stolen on my way to the hotel where i lodged along with my bag were my passport, cell phone which i have all my contacts, And since then i have been without any money, i am even owing the hotel here. So i have access to emails for now, please i need you to lend me $2,500 so i can make arrangements and return back. I am full of panic now, the police only asked me to write a statement about the incident and directed me to the embassy, i have spoken to the embassy here but they are not responding to the matter effectively, I will return the money back to you as soon as i get home, I am so confused right now. I wasn't injured because I complied immediately. So please use the details below to send the money to me through Western Union money transfer because that is the only way i could be able to get it fast and leave. These are the details below...

Name: (your friend's name)
Address: 25B Taman Paya Mengkung, Bandar Melaka, Malaysia

After you have send the money, email to me the western union money transfer control number or you can attach and forward to me the western union money transfer receipt so that i can pick up the money fast and leave.

Thanks and get back to me soon.

(signed your friend)

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Earth Body's Open House! This Saturday!

Dear friends,

You are invited to Earth Body Wellness Center's Open House!

Saturday, May 9th, 2009
3:00 - 6:00 pm
3810 SE Belmont ST
Portland, Oregon 97214

Please join the practitioners of massage and acupuncture at Earth Body Wellness Center. All are welcome!

Come hang out, relax, enjoy and celebrate our community!

Local arts and crafts for sale! Food and beverage! Live music!

$5 raffle tickets! Enter to win massage and acupuncture gift certificates!

Proceeds will be donated to The Bradley-Angle House.

My friends... this will be such a fun afternoon! I'll be showing several new photography pieces and plunking around on the ol' guitar. There will be so many other gifted artists there too! Come get to know your local healing arts community! Network! Make friends! Celebrate being alive!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Hey, Oregon LMT's! Got questions?!

Massage law is constantly changing! It can be very hard to stay current!

When I was a student, the guidelines regarding the washing of massage linens stated that water temperature must be 140 degrees Fahrenheit with bleach or 160 degrees without bleach.

My dear friend, who I feel is finding such gentle purpose, has started massage school at East-West College of the Healing Arts. In her first few days of class, I hear that the instructor is drilling into them that you must wash linens with bleach!

I got all fired up! I don't have white sheets and I don't use bleach! Never have! I was ready to storm the castle doors and ask what the heck was going on!

I knew that wasn't true.

And, as that energy subsided, I started thinking.... well, maybe perhaps my assumption wasn't true. How can I find out?

So, I contacted Diana Nott, the Law Enforcement Coordinator at the Oregon Board of Massage and simply asked. Just a quick email. I received an equally quick response.

Here it is...

~~~

Currently the Rules state that all soiled linens shall be washed with bleach in a clothes washing machine which provides a hot water temperature of at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit. (OAR 334-020-0050(5))

That said, the Board has voted to adopt new rules which, if all goes as planned, will take effect July 1, 2009. Those new rules state simply that all soiled linen must be laundered in a manner that eliminates the risk of spreading parasites, communicable diseases and infections and laundered in a manner that removes all residue of topical preparations.

I hope this helps.

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance to you.

Sincerely,
Diana Nott
Law Enforcement Coordinator
Oregon Board of Massage Therapists

~~~

I was wrong. My initial reaction was unfounded. They had changed the massage law and it slipped under my radar. In my years of private practice, I had missed an important change.

And, it's a change I don't agree with. But, as the above text shows, others don't want to just wash their beautiful purple, green gold, lilac, flower-patterned, polka-dotta linens with bleach. We're not all white. We LMT's choose colors in our practice that reflect our unique inner world. The rule is changing soon.... back to balance. Back to harmony.

There's been demand for solutions that put little stress on our earth. The language of the new law is beautiful, unregimented. Yet, the new rule holds client and massage therapist safety firmly in mind, while allowing room for how you want to run your practice. Us massage therapists... heck, every being... every human being you meet is precious and rare beyond comparison. We're all snowflakes!

The Oregon Board is here to answer questions pertaining to massage therapists. They're here to help. They work tirelessly to continue to refine, broaden and clarify massage and bodywork law.

If you have questions... if you're a student and you feel the teacher is off base or if you've been practicing for years... question. It never hurts to ask and get a second point of view. Contacting the OBMT will give you clear insight in a timely manner.

For questions about current Oregon massage law, contact Diana Nott at Diana.Nott@state.or.us

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )


~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Sliding-scale Thai massage! Check it out!

My friends.... we're building our Stumptown community! Our village of healers!

There is a sliding-scale Thai massage clinic!

Erin has been licensed to do massage for 2 years. She's always learning, always growing... evolving her practice! She loves to give Thai massages! In her regular practice, she gives 2, even 3 hour sessions at amazingly affordable rates! I don't know what a 3 hour Thai massage is like, but I would sure love to find out!

This is a being that cares about you and loves her work! Seek out Thai massage! They bend and stretch and press and support... You're on the floor, on a soft mat, working, breathing with the LMT. It's facilitated yoga! Imagine someone doing yoga TO you! You'll love it!

And, remember... speak up when it's too much! Don't grunt through the pain! You'll get far more benefit if you can breath and relax, even when the sensations have intensity.

Forward this to your friends! You're all part of a wonderful healing arts community! We have only to open our eyes and dive in!

So, go support these folks! Support your local community! They donate to charity! Yay!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )


Here's the scoop....

~

Hello,

I just wanted thank everyone that came and also helped spread the word about the first Community Thai Massage Clinic, it was a huge success!

The next one will be on Monday May 11th from 10 am to 3 pm. I know that we had a lot of interest in having it extend into the evening, but the space we are going to be using this month is only available until 3. We are hoping that in the future we will continue to be busy enough to offer longer hours.

Our sliding rates are:
30 mins: $10-25
60 mins: $20-55
90 mins: $30-85

10% percent will be donated to a Thai charity. And cash only please.

We will have the clinic again at Potentials Yoga Studio, 200 NE 20th Ave. We are hoping to start rotating the different neighborhoods of Portland starting in June.

Please call 541 961 2805 to schedule your appointment.

Thanks,
Erin
ycanary@hotmail.com


~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

New scam targeting massage therapists

My massage therapist colleagues.... beware of scams like this. This is pure hoax.

Just study the odd use of capital letters to denote a location.

The oddly poor grammar.

Note, the use of a company willing to send payment and the duration of request for the cost of a week of massage service.

This is a scam, pure and simple. Do not respond to it!

Stay safe, my friends... May your practice be prosperous!!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

~~~

From: jhnrllns0010@gmail.com

Hello Pleasant Day, i am John Rollins from UNITED KINGDOM i will be arriving the state very soon, i m used to body massage as i can"t do without it.lol, i have to look for
one pending my arrival.Let me know the cost of your weekly services at
your place.I will have my company send you payment.Get back to me
Asap.

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Celebrate life, wherever your foot falls!



~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

You are unique. You are beautiful. You are amazing.

Never fear being you.

Express! Create! Live!


~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Thank you!!

I'm currently going through my own healing process. As many of you know, I was rear-ended last October. Since then, I've been receiving wonderful, hands on healing work from some of my favorite practitioners around town. Along with the help of these amazing healers, I'm also changing my diet by consuming less meat, carbs and sugar. And, I've started moving and stretching, playing with a foam core roller.... just taking care of myself! I truly haven't felt this good since before my waltz with cancer all those years ago.

This happy little accident was another gift from the universe... just enough of a nudge to jostle me out of my haze and start paying attention to my neglected areas. a reminder to start living again!

I'd like to give a nod to all of these wonderful healing artists on my path...

Deborah Santomera - My favorite chiropractor at Full Spectrum Health Center - not just a back-cracker. She warms up the tissue first... love all of her knowledge!

Dr. Chrissie Ott - the doctor that listens and let's her doggies sit on my lap and lick my nose! Her guidance and warm smile has been invaluable to my health!
http://www.nanopracticepdx.com/

April Sykes, LMT - my dear friend at Equinox Massage - love her deep massage work and presence! Stay tuned, April and I are working on her massage website!

Danielle Quast, LAc - my office mate and friend... never seen her without a huge smile!
http://www.pointtohealth.com/

Amy Long, LMT - my office mate, my new roommate, my friend. Time to bliss out on Amy's table! Her doggie Bear and my two pups, Chaya and Sofie, are dearest chums!

Donna Gramont - My physical therapist at New Heights - love her detective-like approach to finding restriction in the body, followed by the excellent physical therapy aides and assistants on the staff.
http://www.newheightstherapy.com/

Thank you all! It is an honor to work with you!

Blessings and love, dear friends...
Hamid : )

~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

April massage announcements

My friends,

I have a few announcements this month...

SLIDING-SCALE CLINIC

The support for my Saturday sliding-scale massage clinic has been wonderful! In May, I'll be adding a second day, offering the clinic on the first and third Saturday of the month. On these days, I may also have time for one of my regular 60, 75 or 90 minute sessions, outside of the clinic times.

Check here for the next clinic dates and times...
http://www.transcendingtouch.com/massage_portland_clinic.html


NEW DAYS OF THE WEEK

I'm also going to start taking Mondays off. So, my regular days will be Tuesday - Friday.


LOW-COST MASSAGE AND ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC

Earth Body's low-cost massage and acupuncture clinic will be back in May!
http://www.transcendingtouch.com/earthbody.html


EARTH BODY WELLNESS CENTER'S OPEN HOUSE

We're having an open house next month, on May 9th! The time will be from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. Come meet and greet all of the practitioners at the center! There will be food and drink! Let's build community!

We all want to help support you, our amazing clients! If you have any arts and crafts you create and sell, contact me! We'd love to let you have some space to show off your stuff!


~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon