Education

This post contains information about education as it relates to massage.

Ayurvedic Head Massage for Beginners – A Book Review

Massage /
It's a picture of Sharon reading a book

Press Here! Ayurvedic Head Massage For Beginners: A Practice for Overall Health and Wellness by Hillary Arrieta

I should start this review by disclosing that my knowledge about head massage before reading this book consisted of watching a few videos on YouTube of a guy in India doing Indian Head Massage. It looks violent, but the receivers seem to enjoy it very much so perhaps vigorous is a better description. After reading this book I would definitely have to go with it’s all in the hands of the practitioner. I will definitely try it someday.

I should also probably disclose that the author is a friend of mine.

About the Author

Hillary Arrieta is a massage therapist, massage educator, aromatherapist, and overall badass. She owns Gaia Bodywork, LLC in Dallas, TX, and teaches barefoot massage with Texas Barefoot Massage Training.

About the Book

This book covers everything: the what of Indian Head Massage, basic principles of doshas, chakras, and marmas, different aspects of preparing for the massage, recipes to prepare your own hair oils to use during the massage, and instructions and illustrations for performing eight different Indian Head Massage rituals for working with clients as well as self-care.

Overall, I found this book unassuming and very accessible. It seems comprehensive for a beginner technique book without becoming a tome. It is easy to read and use with a handy index that makes it quick to find exactly what I’m looking for. I appreciate that the author took the time to illustrate both the self-care technique for each ritual as well as the client-care techniques. And the illustrations being inclusive just points to how much thought and consideration was put into this work.

If you’re interested in learning more about this technique without sinking a ton of money into a continuing education class, this would be a great place to start.

Find the Author

You can learn more about Hillary Arrieta and her book at her website.

Happy Reading!

Sharon Bryant at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy
is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Therapist!

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2022 Barefoot Massage Training Schedule!

Massage /

I really don’t know how I’ve neglected to drop the 2022 Alabama Barefoot Massage Training Center schedule here. It’s been busy is all I can say. And seems like every time I thought I had everything straightened out, something else would change.

Regardless of future changes, right now this is where we stand.

In addition to the entry-level myofascial Ashiatsu Fundamentals and Fijian Barefoot Massage classes, I’ll be teaching a couple of Intermediate Ashiatsu classes this year. Did I neglect to tell you I finally finished my Intermediate Instructor Certification? Yes? No? Refer to above where I said it had been sorta busy. That instructor certification was not the easiest thing I’ve ever done.

I’m Taking Fijian on the Road!

I’ll be traveling to Kentucky and Georgia to teach Fijian in March and September respectively. Palpation Prep School of Massage in Benton, KY, tried to host Fijian in 2020, but COVID-19 messed that up so we’re trying again. If you’re in western KY or anywhere surrounding that area, come join us!

The Georgia Fijian class will be hosted at Terramar Wellness Center in Carrollton, GA, and I am so excited to visit this location. I’ve been following TerraMar Wellness since I first taught one of the owners when I was still in my Fundamentals Instructor Training. Also, they have a float tank and I absolutely cannot wait to make a reservation for that. I might float every single day I’m over there!

And Dawn’s Coming to Teach ROM!

I’m also really excited about hosting a ROM class here at the Decatur campus. That one is happening in May and Dawn Dotson from our Center for Barefoot Massage New York campus will be here to teach it. You may remember her from when I took ROM last September.

So, as you can see, there’s going to be a lot going on as far as barefoot massage training classes this year. And I’m really pumped about being able to road trip and take Fijian out into different communities as well as hosting other instructors locally.

Students, if you’re here for the barefoot massage training, register over here. Registration is open for everything you see here.
Alumni, if you have your eye on a particular class I don’t teach, let me know and I’ll see about getting one of our other instructors to come teach it here.
Clients, if you want to get scheduled in for a clinic appointment, text me and let me know!

Sharon Bryant teaches for Center for Barefoot Massage at Alabama Barefoot Massage Training Center!

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2018 AMTA-AL Chapter Fall Conference with Pete Whitridge

AMTA /

I’ll be out of the office for a few days for the 2018 AMTA-AL Chapter Fall Conference.

I’m really excited to meet and learn from Pete Whitridge. Hopefully I’ll bring home some new myofascial techniques for neck and shoulder as well as some techniques for scar work.

I’ll be back in the office Monday, November 5th.

The schedule is filling up quickly for next week so hit my online scheduler to see what’s available and grab something quick.

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist!

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Sights From San Antonio

Ashiatsu /

Many of you already know I recently went to San Antonio, TX for a big training. I took what is formally called FasciAshi Fundamentals which is a big fancy phrase for more Ashiatsu barefoot massage training. What that means to you, I have new techniques to help you get out of pain!

It was a lot of very hard work, but I am so energized and proud to be bringing these new skills to my clients.

Enjoy the photo show!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist!

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My Feet Are Going To School Again!

Massage /
FasciAshi ashiatsu barefoot massage

So I’m going to be out of town for a few days this week getting my feet educated. Y’all know I’m serious about my barefoot massage education.

Even though my feet are already pretty smart, this is something new and I’m not one to shirk from a challenge. New, but similar. It’s called FasciAshi. And even though I haven’t learned it yet, I’ve been talking to my Ashi sisters, the ones who created it and the ones who are a bit more unbiased, and I have to say that I am excited. If you’ve been in to see me lately you have probably heard all about it. If not, I would love to introduce you to this new style of Ashiatsu barefoot massage.

I’ll be home on the 23rd and there are still appointments available for that week. Shoot me a text if you’re interested in trying out this new style of Ashi. I’ll get you on the schedule for after I return home.

If not, just stay tuned I’m sure I’ll have pictures and lots more to say about it when I get home!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Specialist!

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It’s That Time of Year Again!

AMTA /

 

I’m headed off to Orange Beach, AL, this week for the 2018 AMTA-AL Chapter Spring Convention. The office will be closed for a few days while I take a class and spend some much needed time relaxing on the beach! No worries though, I’ll be back in the office on the 23rd.

BACK ON THE 23RD!

Until then, check my online schedule to see what’s available next week. If you can’t schedule it yourself, shoot me a text message and I’ll do it for you!

Have a great week everyone!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Specialist!

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Milwaukee or Bust!

Business & Marketing for Massage /

milwaukee-or-bust

I’ll be headed out to the 2016 AMTA National Convention this afternoon. So my offices will be closed this week. I’ll be back at it October 31st. Between now and then if you want to schedule an appointment, please visit my MassageBook book (existing clients only) or call or text me. I’ll be slow to respond because I’ll either be in meetings or classes, but I’ll get back to you ASAP!

Hope everyone has a great week and hope to see you on my table soon!

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Barefoot Massage Specialist!

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It’s Time for Convention!

AMTA /

Footsteps in sandHarvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology will be closed for a few days while I run off to the 2016 AMTA-AL Spring Convention in Orange Beach. I’ll be taking the next module in the Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage series and hopefully when I get home I’ll have some very big news. Keep your fingers and toes crossed!

So officially I will be closed beginning Thursday, April 21st and re-open Monday, April 25th at the normal time.

I will be slow to return phone calls during those days so please leave a message or book an appointment online.

 

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Master Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapist!

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Managing Pain With Essential Oils

Aromatherapy /

geranium-oil-infusionHarvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology will be hosting a seminar on managing pain with essential oils on April 16th at 5 pm.

Please join us for this free education on using essential oils to manage pain. Anna Rickabaugh from Opelika Massage Therapy Center will be here to share her experience with essential oils and using them to manage pain.

Come learn the most effective oils to use to manage your pain!

Where: Decatur Healing Arts Center @ 1900 Flint Road, Decatur, AL
When: April 16th @ 5pm
Cost: FREE!
Please RSVP here!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Wellness Destination!

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Kids and Massage?

Massage /

Me with Tina Allen founder of Liddle Kidz Foundation
Me with Tina Allen founder of Liddle Kidz Foundation

So during my recent trip to Denver, Colorado and the 2014 AMTA National Convention I had the odd fortune of getting to take a Pediatric Massage class. I say odd fortune because it wasn’t my first choice. It was actually pretty far down the list of my choices, but circumstances happened and I wasn’t able to register until other classes had filled and this class was happening in the time period I had free to take a class.

You know how they say that everything happens for a reason? Well, there was a reason. Apparently I was meant to take this class, Pediatric Massage: Highlighting Trauma.

It was four hours of non-stop information. Stuff that I should have learned in massage school or psychology class or somewhere, but hadn’t. The class should have been two days long for all the information that needed to be conveyed and received. The instructor was vibrant, knowledgeable, and passionate. She was also very focused on research and real science backing up what she was teaching.

Overall a great class. One that leaves you thirsting for much, much more of the subject.

What I learned in her class, by and large, is that the kids I have worked on, mostly in my office, are not just pint-sized adults; which is how I’ve been treating them. They have different needs, different expectations, just a whole different mindset of what massage is or should be.

That being said, I’m not going to stop working on kids. I’m just going to modify with what I know now. And, mark this down, I’m going to go for a Pediatric Massage Therapy Certification. I won’t be able to go until next year, but that gives me time to save up enough money. Donations are welcome, the tuition is expensive and I’ll have to travel to do it, but I think it’s going to be worth it. And I think it’s a service that our area desperately needs.

Anyway, I’m linking a video here of a short (17 minutes) documentary about Liddle Kidz Foundation and what they do for kids, not just in North America, but all over the world. Enjoy!

♥

Sharon Bryant Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Barefoot Massage Therapist!

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