Massage Therapy Instructor
As a massage therapy instructor, you have the unique opportunity to shine light on countless lives. Through your investment in the students of your class, you can spread hope, happiness, and goodwill to thousands of lives.
If you have chosen to become a massage therapy instructor, here are five ways you can positively influence your students.
Five Ways To Help Students as A Massage Therapy Instructor
A student’s potential is heavily influenced by the passion, professionalism, and skill infused into them while in massage school. Within their first six to twelve months, they are primed and ready to learn. During this time, they need to be inspired, motivated, and encouraged to reach for their dreams.
- They need to be shown how to massage: Most massage therapists are expected to figure out how to massage on their own with little to no guidance. Students need to observe their instructor performing a massage and experience it firsthand. When it is time for hands-on, show them your one-hour professional massage from start to finish. Create an opportunity for your students to experience a professional massage, allowing them to evaluate themselves and their peers objectively.
- They need to develop the discipline to self-regulate: Life is far easier to navigate when we possess the ability to self-regulate. It prevents unnecessary arguments, reduces workplace hostility, and lays a foundation for critical thinking. Encourage the students to find their inner calmness. When their emotions are running high, offer them the opportunity to ground themselves. Be fair, kind, and firm, and set a good example.
- They need to possess the ability to articulate their thoughts, feelings, and opinions: For as much focus schools place on academia, very little is invested in helping their students communicate their knowledge. A greater emphasis should be placed on writing. Many students groan when thinking about writing essays, but they are an ineffective way to assess their understanding of a topic. Additionally, it provides the student with content writing experience, which helps with marketing. Share with them something you have written or write an article specifically for them. Be a leader, show them the value of knowledge, and how fun it can be to show off what you have learned.
- They need to know the history of massage: History helps us understand the present and prepare for the future. Having a cursory understanding of our professional past is not enough. Students need to research, examine, and draw their own conclusions. Dive into the history of massage and use storytelling as an instrument to create a learning environment. Everyone loves to hear stories, give them something that enhances their professionalism, and gives them something to think about in your absence.
- They need to be healthy: Mismanaged health leads to burnout and injury. It also inhibits our ability to gain and maintain clients. As wellness professionals, we need to practice what we preach. To inspire our clients to live their highest quality of life, we should strive to attain it ourselves. While many schoolbooks include a section on personal health, it is rarely discussed in a meaningful way. As instructors, our aim should be to help students build a healthy foundation, filling in the gaps of their prior education so that they can have a long, rewarding massage career. Search for ways to improve your own health and be an example for them. Everyone has their own physical limitations, but we can all strive for optimal health.
