On the Table with Ronald Brister

Everyone say hello to Ronald!!

(Photo courtesy of Ronald Brister)

Ronald is a good friend of mine and a very successful LMT in Slidell, LA. We had the fortune and pleasure of going to massage therapy school together. And he has been kind enough to answer a few questions about his work as a LMT and his various pastimes.


MW: How long have you been a MT and what inspired you to start?
RB: 7 years..I had always enjoyed massaging my friends. A girl I worked with was going to massage school and I thought I would give it a try.

What kind of workplace are you located at?
I worked at a Chiropractor's office for the first two years..now I work at Hairport Salon and Day Spa [in Slidell, LA].

The massage area...where the healing begins!
(Photo courtesy of Ronald Brister)

What modality/technique(s) do you specialize in and/or would you like to learn more about?
Most of my clients come to me for deep tissue, reflexology and myofascial release. I would love to learn lymphatic drainage and am currently learning table thai.

Any hobbies/pastimes?
My first passion has always been theatre and music. I still sing fairly often in churches and gospel programs. I can sang!

What was the most memorable performance/concert/show you've ever been to? 

The most memorable performance,etc..is a hard one since I have been to so many. I always said the Stephanie Mills concert was the only concert that was great from beginning to end..but then so was Tony Bennett. Watching Baryshnikov dance was euphoric. Wicked was spectacular. I don't know girl. Can't narrow it down. 

Where did you last go on vacation?
Miami....and going to New York for Thanksgiving this year.

When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
I don't have any wrinkles on my face..considering I am 49 years old. And OMG..I hate my double chin!

If aliens came to grant you one wish, what would it be?
Lots of money.

What is your mission statement as a LMT?
 To provide the utmost professional and caring body work possible.

For people considering going into the MT profession, what advice would you give them? And what should they and shouldn't they anticipate from such a career?

That it must be something you feel very deeply about. If you have any hangups about touching people, this is not the job for you. Don't expect that you are going to start making lots of money right away. Like any business, it takes time and commitment. You have to earn the trust of your clients. You have to put the time in at the office. So many young therapists are not disciplined enough.

Whisper Wednesday: How To Make Your Own Massage Tool

Being that not all of us have the time or money to receive a massage for the recommended once every 4 to 6 weeks, our bodies tend to accumulate a needless amount of tension, stress and pain. To help hold you over in between those massage sessions here is an inexpensive and easy massage tool you can make yourself in as little as a minute!

I present to you...The Sockball Massager! Sorry, that's as fancy as the name gets.

All you need is a tube sock and three tennis balls. Once assembled, use as needed...legs, back, neck, arms, etc. Use as frequently as needed to temporarily relieve the pain and/or discomfort until you can see your MT.

Leaning on a wall or lying on the floor will allow you to control how much pressure you see fit to use.

Here are the necessary items and how to accessible and use them. 

Tube sock

3 tennis balls

^_^

Place the 3 tennis balls into the tube sock and tie a knot in the sock.

 

Place behind your neck

Turn your head towards the desired side

Place behind your back

Lean towards the desired side

Place on your lower back

Squat up and down to massage your lower back

 There you have it! Happy Sockballing!!

Facing my fear: Podophobia

That's right, those five little piggies used to freak me out more than you'd ever know! You'd never realize it today being that I have such an interest in foot reflexology. One of my massage instructors even told me I was one of her favorites when it came to foot massage and she had no idea about the Podophobia I used to have.

I tried not to let my family or friends know how truly terrified I was of even the sight of other people's feet. Saying the word, talking about them or even looking at pictures of feet would give me the most irrational sense of anxiety and panic. And don't you even think about touching my foot, especially with your own foot, I would have a heart attack!

Growing up I always tried to keep my feet covered using socks, shoes, slippers, sitting on top of my feet, whatever I had to do to protect them from others eyes. If I did confess to someone about my phobia, they didn't hesitate to chase me around trying to give me a close up of their stubby toes. YUCK!!

When and why did this phobia start, I have no idea. I do remember giving my mom foot massages until I was 8 years old, but I can't recall any scarring events dealing with feet. Was never bulled and forced to smell Susie's sweaty feet after P.E. or anything cruel like that. I'm not too fond about how my own feet look, but they function properly and help me walk, so I don't hate them as much as I used to. haha

So, how did I get over this fear of the little piggies?? Slowly...My seven younger brothers were good about testing just how scared I was of their feet. Many wars were started and even more battle wounds were given. Over time I was good enough at faking that the sight of their feet no longer bothered me; and eventually it actually didn't anymore. So immediate family was no longer part of that equation. But that left the rest of the outside world.

When I started massage school, I knew I'd have to touch someones feet as well as have mine touched. The instructor would always demonstrate a technique before we were asked to perform it and with such a small group we usually had one person we worked with regularly. I always tried to partner myself with Ronald. He was hilarious! And having something to laugh at and keep me distracted always helped. Initially, I would never look directly at the foot and taking slow deep breaths helped calm my budding anxiety. When it came to having my own foot touched that was a bit harder to deal with. I would just close my eyes and imagine I was somewhere else. And holding my breathe helped. LOL After months of being immersed in the same situation I grew more and more comfortable with having someone even stand next to me with no shoes on, although I would prefer if they at least had socks on. Sweaty feet to this day gross me out, but I think that's normal. haha

All in all, I'd say I'm cured! I've read many stories of Podophobics and as with any phobia there are varying degrees of severity. Therefore, not everyone is able to get over a phobia of their own will. But, I wasn't going to let a pair of feet stop me from my passion to become a massage therapist!

Hmmm...I think I'll treat myself to a pedicure tomorrow! ;)

Whisper Wednesday: Waiting to Exhale

Breathing is a natural, involuntary and voluntary act that we do every moment that we're alive. Conscious and unconscious. On average a person breathes 23,000 times a day. Of course those numbers can greatly fluctuate depending on how active the person is.

Another factor that can change ones rate of breathing is stress. Stress can cause you to tense up, contracting the muscles of your neck, shoulders and chest which restricts the expansion of your ribs and lungs resulting in short labored breathes. With a daily accumulation of stress it can trigger internal effects such as tension headaches, increased blood pressure, diarrhea/constipation, suppressing your immune system and in some people, triggering panic attacks.

So, take a chill pill, a few deep breathes and relax!! Easier said than done, right?

Well, aside from keeping us alive, certain breathing techniques can significantly decrease your levels of stress and increase your level of relaxation. When these breathing techniques are practiced during a massage session, it can greatly enhance your relaxation and allow for a deeper massage, if so desired. And I'm not talking about the Lamaze "he, he, hoo" breathing. If your massage session is causing you to breath like that, I'd jump off the table quick!

It should also be noted that for those who have problems with hyperventilation or dizziness you should consult your doctor before practicing any breathing exercises. And if you do become dizzy while performing the breathing exercises, you should stop immediately. Not breathing, just the exercise. Smarty pants.

A common breathing exercise used in yoga is called, Ujjayi. It is a perfect breathing technique to use during massage. Especially for those more therapeutic and deep tissue massages. It's a deep, slow technique that causes you to make a sound as you inhale and exhale. Almost like listening to the ocean or a whisper, therefore causing you to focus on your breathing and calming your mind and body.

Here is a guide on the Ujjayi breathing. VERY relaxing.



Happy Breathing!!! Whoo-saaaa....

Shout Out!!: My little brother is off to bootcamp!!

They grow up so fast. Sigh.
It wasn't so long ago that I remember Da'Very as a young teen, saving up his checks for music recording and mixing software. He even organized his closet and made it into a recording booth. He had high hopes of becoming a rapper. And he is quite the lyricist. And not because he is my brother. However, that teen has now become a man is a husband and father to two adorable children!

Da'Very with wife, Dominique and children, Jai'Maree and Jaidyn.
(All photos used courtesy of Da'Very Joseph)

After enduring a couple of job layoffs and a few setbacks, Da'Very sought out many options to help get him and his family back on a forward trajectory. He then spoke to two of our step-brothers who are members of the Army and Air Force. They gave him all the pros and cons of joining the military, what to expect and how it would affect him and his family. Da'Very has always been one to put others needs before his own and this decision to join the Army is an example of that.

He is leaving today for boot camp and will be stationed in Lawton, Oklahoma. Luckily we have family there that he can get reacquainted with.


Here are some family pictures that were taken before Da'Very's leave.

With our father, David; stepmom, Vanessa; and Da'Very's family.

3 generations of Joseph's.

Da'Very with his in-laws. Mother, Tracy; Brothers, Zeb and Dov; Sister, Ocean; Wife and children.

Father and son.

We will all miss you while you're away, Private Joseph!!

Also, a big congrats to Da'Very's wife, Dominique for graduating from Everest College as a medical administrative assistant!