Healing Hands School of Holistic Health

Have you hugged a Veteran today?

2011-11-11T16:23:00.000-08:00

America
home of the free
because of the brave
Have you hugged a Veteran today ?

Americans have always answered their country’s call to duty and fought no matter what the cause or reason for the war. We are proud of those men and women who have played an important part in defending our freedoms throughout our history. The events of these wars and the people who fought and died for this country are valued by all Americans as links to our common heritage and our growth as a nation. Remember that the men and women of the United States Military have freely chosen to protect us and give us this gift. It is a gift that can never be reciprocated in full, and only asks for remembrance in return.
Many American Soldiers will not come home from their stations of turmoil and danger around the world to be with their families and friends for the holidays.
The American Soldier will stand steadfast and strong, continuing to protect us and fight for freedom in places around the world with conditions that we cannot even begin to imagine. May God Bless them and their families, and may He hold them safe in His arms until they come home again.
The opportunity to receive education benefits is one of the most deserved and rewarding ways we can show appreciation for our veterans. Healing Hands School of Holistic Health is honored to take part in the Post 911, chapter 33 GI benefits.
We truly believe that the skills you learn will allow you to smoothly transition into a rewarding and lucrative career. More importantly, the self-exploration and inevitable healing journey you begin, will bring lifelong benefits to your mind, body and soul.
The education benefits you have earned as a veteran will cover your entire tuition, all supplies needs as well as a generous monthly living stipend and an additional book stipend paid to you directly.
If you joined the military it is because you have a passion for people and a desire beyond yourself to make a difference in the world and the lives of the ones you love. Massage therapy is one of the few professions that allow you to truly make a difference in your own life and the lives of others every day. By enrolling in Healing Hands School of Holistic Health, you can be part of this exciting allied health career; providing massage to help others overcome chronic pain, recover from injuries and illness, reduce stress, and participate in proactive healthcare and wellness.
In our difficult economic time, the field of massage and holistic health is one of the few rapidly growing fields. You can work in a variety of arenas from hospitals, spas, chiropractic offices, to acupuncture clinic or on base working directly with the wounded warriors program. Alternatively, with the network of connections you already have through the military you can quickly build a large private client base allowing you to work flexible hours, making your own schedule and working with people you already know and love.
If you have ever been interested in massage, sports injuries, herbs, eastern medicine or any type of alternative health and wellness practice, you will not regret investigation our programs. Visit us online at http://www.healinghandsschool.com or friend us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/healinghandsschool?sk=info
Better yet give us a call 760-746-9364.
We thank you for your service to our county.

Last Chance

2011-09-16T14:45:00.001-07:00

Absolute Last Chance…
Get your California license to massage with just 100 hours of training.

Healing Hands School of Holistic Health has a great reputation for producing the best Massage Therapists and Holistic Health Practitioners in the massage community. We can’t keep up with the employers seeking graduates from our programs.
Starting January 1st 2012 the California Association of Massage Therapy Council will no longer be issuing 100 hour Conditional Massage Practitioners Licenses. This is your last chance to take advantage of this opportunity and begin working after your first 100 hours of training.
Massage Technician Training will teach you the basics of a circulatory massage modality aka Swedish Massage. At Healing Hands we emphasize proper technique and body mechanics, assuring you will sustain a long and successful career in health and wellness. You will begin to learn your bones, superficial muscles, draping technics and over 1.5 hours of circulatory oil massage technique.
The cost of the class is $990 or ($900 if paid in full). You can break the class tuition up into 3 payments and you only need $50 to save your place in the class. Don’t wait! This is the last chance for this valuable opportunity.
We have two campuses, one in Escondido and the other in Laguna Hills.
Escondido
Starts: November 2cd
Ends: December 28th
Meets: Wednesdays & Fridays 8-2pm
Laguna Hills:
Starts: October 25th
Ends: December 22cd
Meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays 8-2pm
To get registered, or for question give us a call (760)746-9364, shoot us an e-mail contactus@healinghandschool.com or stop in either office Tuesdays at 5:30 for an informal orientation and class viewing. You can also view our schedule and learn more about the school online at http://www.healinghandsschool.com

For details regarding licensing please visit the California Association of Massage Therapy Council at
https://www.camtc.org/ConditionalCMP.aspx

In order to maintain your Conditional Certification as a Massage Practitioner (CCMP), you are required to provide evidence of a minimum of 30 hours of continuing massage education each year, until your total massage education totals 250 hours. Once you have completed a minimum of 250 hours of massage education, you must apply for an upgrade to CMP. You may apply for an upgrade at the time you reach 250 hours or at the time of your next renewal.

A tip from Japan

2011-05-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

NETWORKING TIP OF THE MONTH

In Japan, the business card is treated with respect and honor, and is often considered an extension of the owner. When a business card is presented to someone in Japan, the recipient must receive it with both hands, bow, and express gratitude to the card's owner for the opportunity to meet with them. Most importantly, the recipient must not put the card away immediately. Instead, the recipient takes a few moments to really look at the card and comment on something that catches their attention.
While you might get a few funny looks if you bow in front of everyone you get a business card from, consider the last part of that anecdote. Instead of hastily throwing someone's business card in your pocket as soon as you meet them, try examining the card a little more closely. A few things could happen:

1) You might get a better sense of the card owner's personality
2) You might have a better shot at remembering who this person is after the event is over
3) You might be able to start a conversation based off something you notice on the card
4) The card owner might just appreciate that little extra effort that you put in and remember you for it later!

A Story

2011-02-24T18:05:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time... I had two friends with big, wise, wide open hearts. These two friends also had a big dream, a dream who's roots had grown as they had made their way through life together. A dream that, at first, only the two of them could see. But they were adventurous sorts, and they decided to set out on the path towards their dream. They planned and they worked and they gave their dream all the love and attention that they would give their own baby child. And the dream was born, and the dream began to breath and be real. Around this time, I went to visit these friends and their dream. I went in the dream with them, and felt it was all around me. And once inside, I was amazed. I was amazed at how smart it was and how wise was the way that its parts fit together and how good it felt, in so many ways, to be there. I was amazed at the value to be gained from being there. I was amazed that my friends knew not only to dream a beautiful dream , but to make it happen in the real world. Wow. Not only that though, because, the dream kept growing. The dream wanted to grow, and it grew into a size where my two friends could no longer hold the dream in their own two arms alone. The dream was growing, and my friends were growing too. And they dove into it with their big, wise, wide open hearts, and they dove into all they had learned in their travels together, and they created a dream within a dream. And the dream within the dream was a dream to attract and train other dreamers with big, wise, wide open hearts and with capable, loving arms to help them carry the big dream. And my two friends planned and worked and gave this new dream within a dream all the love and attention they would give their own child, and this dream within a dream was also born and became real. And they did attract amazing people, but even more, within the dream within a dream, these amazing people blossomed and shone, so that they did help to hold the dream in their capable, loving arms, and together they helped to make the dream ever more and more beautiful. And the dream, and the dream within a dream within a dream, that were first dreamed by my two friends, were blessings that blessed all they touched. And so they continue to be to this very day. -with all her love Nira

Be Thankful

2010-11-24T16:07:00.000-08:00

The point of Thanksgiving is to remember the things we have to be grateful for. It's our special time to give thanks... not just for the obvious, like food, but for the thousands of fortunate moments, the multitude of blessings that we receive each year.

That's not always as easy as it sounds. We tend to remember the bad things much more easily than the good. Try to think of all the good things that happened because something bad happened first. For example, "If that slow driver hadn't pulled in front of me, I would have gotten a speeding ticket." "If I hadn't experienced unemployment, I would never have acquired the skills that got me a more fulfilling job."

Don't focus on what you don't have. Focus on what you do have. For example: "I'm so fortunate to have a warm place to sleep in the winter." "I'm so fortunate to live in a safe neighborhood where I can take walks." "I'm so fortunate to be able to see the beauty around me."

Think about people you've known that have made you thankful for their existence. Imagine how many other people there are who might be equally as wonderful. You just haven't met them yet.

Think about people who have made life hard for you. Now think about the things you accomplished because of them. Did you finish something because they said that you couldn't? Did you get better at something because they made fun of you when you did it badly? Did their cruel actions make you vow never to treat others that way? Even the negative forces in your life can be hidden blessings, worthy of your gratitude.

Think about the animals that have given you joy: Dogs that love you with every inch of their hearts, cats that think your lap is the best place to nap in the whole world, birds whose songs uplift your spirit, squirrels whose antics put a grin on your face and so on.

Think about the places that make you smile: A favorite hangout, a wooded trail, an exciting city, a great spot from which to view the sky, a hill that you once rolled down. Give thanks for all these things.

Now pass it on. True gratitude involves action. Lend a hand. Pitch in. Make a gift. Give your time. Listen. Give back as often as you can. Even a friendly greeting can make all the difference in the world.

Create your own opportunities for gratitude. Do you know someone who never seems happy? Be ready with a smile and a kind word each time you see them. It may require patience, but eventually, they'll smile first when they see you. Your interactions with them will be much more pleasant. Guess what? You'll have a new reason to be thankful!

Let others know when they've done something that you're thankful for. For example, "I'll never forget how you stuck up for me. It meant a lot." "That email you sent really made my day." "You make shopping here a pleasure." An attitude of gratitude spreads like ripples from a tossed pebble, benefitting all it touches.

Remember that hard times make good times sweeter. Also keep in mind that obstacles and challenges not only make you stronger, but they force you to explore outside of the comfortable routine that you've settled into. Without challenges, there can be no progress. Without obstacles, there can be no achievement. Be thankful for the opportunities that they provide.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Healing Hands. We appreciate each and everyone of you. 2010

Pregnancy Massage

2010-11-17T18:41:00.000-08:00

Maternity massage therapy is one of the most personally rewarding and professionally satisfying specializations.
A typical prenatal session, performed by a maternity specialist, addresses pregnancy's various physical challenges such as pain in the lower back, rib tightness, ankle swelling, & pain from pelvic postural and functional changes. Trained therapist emphasize autonomic sedation to maximize the stress-reducing effects to both relax mom and improve uterine blood supply for optimal fetal and maternal outcomes. Many women unburden their fears and other anxieties about childbearing during their sessions. Some therapist include techniques that may help the mother to be, develop the sensory awareness necessary to birth more comfortably and actively.
If you want to expand your personal practice, consider marketing to pregnant women.
-Try approaching local Md's and clinics and ask if you may put out flyer's or business cards.
-Join online networking groups such as stroller moms
-Offer discounted package rates. Pregnancy lasts 9 months if you can secure a commitment for 2x a month but only charge $40 for an hour that's an extra $160 a month for 9 months totaling $1440 for the year.
-Offer a free or discounted massage for prego friend referrals

Healing Hands School of Holoistic Health is offering Pregnancy massage for Winter in Escondido. Don't wait to long the class is already half full.
www.healinghandsschool.com

Vision Magazine

2010-11-11T17:01:00.000-08:00

Healing Hands, Healing Hearts

With a plethora of options now available in natural healing, a new awareness has developed around massage. Its status as a mere luxury is getting a real makeover. For many, massage still seems like a luxury, as most insurance companies don't cover it, or if they do, will it include a list of exceptions. However, those who have received massage and have felt the benefits (and for those who are interesteed in becoming body workers themselves) can understand the vital link between health, healthcare and touch. The movement seems to be heading in the directions of clients and patients being proactive and involved in their own health and wellbeing. Alongside this new element of awareness and shift in prioities, the field of massage therapy is ever growing/integrative healthcare is one result of such awareness, and it is a wonderful step in combining allopathic medicine with natural, complementary therapies.

In San Diego, there is a handful of massage schools. Healing Hands School of Holistic Healthis not new to the massage field, and has been teacing massage therapy since 1992. Interestignly, it started in Neha and Paula Curtiss' station wagon; their "office" a kitchen table. These modest roots have grown into a successful school with two campuses: one based in Escondido, and the other on Laguna Hills, California.

Paula, one of its founders, discussed how Healing Hands developed in response to a community need for this type of healing, even before the Department of Education recognized massage therapy as viable training. There are now large trade schools around the nation that offer massage. Before it was adopted by the Department, there were only independent schools (such as Healing Hands), concentrating soley on teaching the art of massage. The founders' vision is "to teach theraputic bodywork where the massage students not only learn the teqhniques but are inspired by the art and the craft of the work. We understood that the student must be able to feel the work; we saw then, and now, the need for the beginner to be both the therapist and the client." The school has served over 4,800 student, and offers excellent job placement assistance.

Curtiss also emphasizes the variety of massage modalities available to students, and how it reflects the multi-cultural aspect of massage itself. Although most well-known in the West is Swedish, or Circulatory massage, it is believed that Swedish actually originated from Chinese massage, (know as Tui Na today). Other cultures also have their own styles of massage, the Japanese have Shiatsu and Reiki energy work, with roots in Tendai Buddhism and Shintoism, Thai massage, hawaiian Lomi Lomi and Indian Head massage. Each culture has adapted its own style, and draws from its respective cultural and spiritual belief systems. Speaking of traditions, Healing Hands have some traditions of their own: "Every spring, since 1995, we retreat from the world of technology and hot showers and gather in a protected canyon, held in its natural state. Under century-old oaks by a bubbling creek, we are led in meditations, handcrafts, healing techniques and herbal lore. We eat delicious food, lovingly prepared. We sit at the fire and bring our voices together in song and laughter. We carry wood, water, and the need to connect."

The school's philosophy also states that holistic health doesn't ever have to be in contradiction to Western healing methods. It incorporates a variety of different modalities from differect cultures, and sees itself as a community of healing. One special element of the school is the various partnerships and participation with community organizations and events. It has participated in various triathalons and the work of many charity organizations, and the curriculum offers community service experience as well. In this way, the community at Healing Hands is a part of a larger community. Prospective students should know that in addition to the standard Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Practitioner Programs, the school offers 1700 hours of additional modalities, some of which include; Pregnancy Massage, Thai Massage, Energy Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy and even Geriatric, and Hospital based massage.

Geriatric Massage as well as Cancer Massage and other Hospital based massage are areas seeing greater integration with traditional Western medicine. For those interested in the field of Geriatric Massage, there are some fundamental adjustments to the typical Swedish massage protocol. The class taught at Healing Hands teaches about working with elderly population, and covers physiology and issues relating to aging, joint, connective tissue and other topics. A major portion of the class is completed by working directly with clients at a skilled nursing facility. Students have the opportunity to work with the same 3 or 4 client's individual needs. This type of massage is very much about learning how to manage in a hospital based environment, usually without the luxury of massage tables. Just as there are no "standard" 80-year-olds, each treatment must adapt and be flexible to the individual and the aging process, as opposed to age-based treatments.

One benefit for the elderly is simply the presence of another caring human being. It is difficult to quantify the effects and importance of this very basic aspect of human existence: the capacity and necessity for touch and presence. Holding space for the client can help with their feelings of loneliness, depression and disorientation, and can offer an overall calming effect. There is growing empirical evidence of the benefits of touch-but ultimately, touch is something that is felt and experienced. How do you put into charts or data the abstract emotional effects experienced after massage, or the increased energy or even mental clarity that you experience after a session? Massage is often about the communication between bodies, emotion, and the greater environment. One of the greatest benefits of massage lies in a deeper understanding of our bodies; it is about so much more than just a therapist putting her hands on a client-it always involves intention and listening to what the body is saying.

Published in Vision magazine
by Cindy Chen

A path to self love..

2010-11-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

When you ask people how they practice self-love, common answers that arise
are exercising, eating well, and positive thinking. However, learning to be a Holistic Heath Practitioner and taking classes in massage therapy and energy work at Healing Hands have truly made a positive impact on the way I feel about myself intellectually, physically and emotionally. Giving massages and receiving work as a client have also contributed in bringing forth more self-awareness, self-growth, and self-love than I would have ever thought possible.

My massage therapy and energy work classes have enhanced my confidence and encouraged me to trust my abilities. I have taken a variety of classes in circulatory and sports massage, traditional oriental healing techniques, anatomy, deep tissue manipulation, and energy work. Energy work, such as Reiki and Energetic Bodywork, can be described as a healing modalities that use positive energy to promote healing in your clients bodies, hearts and spirits. I truly felt supported by my teachers who enable students to realize their potential as professional healers and provide them with an environment where they can feel secure in their learning and growth process. HHP students, Nicole Krause, shares that being around her fellow students "encourages me and continues to encourage me to seek knowledge and that leads me to greater self-esteem." This process of building up each others energies is needed to create good healers.

The Holistic Health Practitioners Program has also helped me in seeing the value of taking care of my body and nurturing it more. Research has shown that massage therapy benefits the body in several different ways and assists in maintain food health. My classes have taught me to have an understanding of the structure and function of the body and have given me the opportunity to fine-tune my craft with many hours of practical experience. Since it is important to take care of your own body in order to practice massage therapy, my classes often set time aside for physical activity such as yoga, stretching, tai chi or qigong. My teachers emphasize the importance of proper body mechanics and care about our health and longevity in the field. Many of my classmates agree that their own body awareness and body image have improved as a result.

My education at healing Hands has been extremely beneficial to me emotionally. Energy work has been shown to successfully help people overcome fear, deal with their grief, and release intense emotions. In my Energetic Bodywork class, I was challenged to confront my inaccurate beliefs about myself. One assignment was to create my "dream book" in which I made a collage of everything I wanted in life. Everything in the book has miraculously come to fruition.

Taking time to get massage shows that you have respect for your mind, body and soul. For a client, massage reduces mental stress, improves concentration, and encourages calm thinking and creativity. Physically, it reduces muscle tension, increases circulation, improves posture, and strengthens the immune system. Massage also benefits a persons emotional health. Receiving massage enables us to receive love and teaches us that others can nurture us despite any of our perceived imperfections. A client of mine who makes time in her busy schedule to get regular massages says that the bodywork improves her general well being and spirit ans is a peaceful escape to sync her mind and body. She adds that massages are available and can be tailored to anybody, from all walks of life, no matter what their own individual reasons for needing or wanting one.

As a practitioner, you learn how to give love through your work and that, in turn fuels the love I have for myself. Raina Colvin , a Healing Hands Instructor, shares " I am more accepting of myself. I have found that showing others respect and honor to myself helps them to see the value in themselves." One of the Healing Hands School's Founder and Director, states, "Your client is never just a pile of muscle and bones on your massage table; they bring to your table everything, truly everything, that has ever happened to them; the sum if their life is on your table, under your hands. In order to teach this kind of reverence, our faculty and staff must constantly engender respect and dignity in our deliberations with each other, with our students and with the healing community.

The physics of muscle stress are important to understand, but a true healer must also heal emotions. In order to hold that space for your client, you must channel love through your work. Such energy is used in all people who practise massage, from a tender wife working on her husbands neck for a few moments to a professional who helps athletes recover from a hard game. In order to channel that love in our work, we must have respect and love for our work, and more importantly, for our self.

Through all of my education at Healing Hands, I have learned so much more about self-love than I ever expected. Having the experiences of being a practitioner and being a client have taught me how to love and care for others. It has also taught me how to treat my own mind, body, and spirit with respect. HHP students Aimee Porter says "Being able to have goods self-esteem and acceptance of yourself is key to being a good massage therapist. We need to be able to love ourselves!"

A Letter from a Client to a Student

2009-08-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

My husband and I went in for 10 minute chair massages and were amazed by the results. We are cyclists, swimmers, and runners (daily). The therapist's expertise and knowledge of sports-related issues was amazing (we've enjoyed massages from here to Thailand). Also, I'm 6-months pregnant and I had been enduring constant sciatic nerve issues for 2 weeks (pain that took my breath away). Joe expertly went to work.

It's been two days and I haven't felt a bit of pain. Not a bad use of $10 and ten minutes! (The therapist that worked with us was named Joe Weiner.) We will most certainly return!

Holistic Massage Therapy Student Reviews Receiving Work from Neha

2008-09-24T16:04:00.000-07:00

PERSONAL NOTES on the experience of ROLFING & NSP 09/15/08

During the ROLFING treatment by NEHA:
While being worked on my left foot, I had a new experience:

My brain/mind (?) was completely relax, almost like in the state of meditation,
But difference was that my head/ mind (?) was mysteriously connected with my foot, in a sense, it was a connection NOT via flash or bone or fascia- nothing physical.

Also head and foot were felt not “physical” or “material”
(There was something but it was nether the shape of the foot nor the shape of the head)
There was complete peace in head and there a kind of “pain” in the foot. But it did not bother

It was all together different than the way we usually feel our body.
And it was wonderful (I would like to live in that state all the time!!!)

Right after the treatment (2hrs)

I saw my body shoulder griddle was unwound (it was twisted and tilted before)
My body seemed more balance
It was less difficult to bend down

By the time I reached home in 15 minutes, I realized ( I knew it but this time it was not just mental knowledge) that I was holding lots of tension on facial muscles( after the injury that happened few weeks ago) and as I became aware, that tension was suddenly released. My face seemed more calm and so also the mind.

Public Clinic Days Coming Up!

2008-09-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

The Summer quarter of Massage Therapy classes are finishing up in Escondido and Laguna Hills. Our Public Clinic Days present a great opportunity for students, family and friends to experience different massage therapy modalities. If you would like experience Deep Tissue Manipulations in Laguna Hills, call the office to get put on Public Clinic Day list. Call
760 746-9364; 800 355-6463

New Job Opportunities Posted on Board

2008-09-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hello Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Students and Graduates!
Healing Hands School of Holistic Health posts new jobs for certified Massage Therapists and Holistic Health Practitioners in both the Laguna Hills and the Escondido classrooms. We typically post 2-5 new listings per week. Please check the Job Board!

Great Day at Body World!

2008-09-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

Healing Hands School just had a great field trip to the Body Exhibit. Several massage therapy and holistic health students from both Escondido and Laguna Hills, met instructors JR and Denise for a very informative and visually stunning day examining the intricacies of the human form.

We Love Your Photos!

2008-09-10T12:39:00.001-07:00

We are starting to recieve photos from both Escondido and Laguna Hills classrooms! We love them! Keep sending those Massage Therapy class or Holistic Health Practitioner photos to: contactus@healinghansschool.com

Client comments on Public Clinic Day

2008-09-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

A client who came to recieve Tui Na Acupressure Massage on student Clinic Public Day in Escondido wrote "Excellent Technique!Great pressure points, loving energy. [Student] Asked good questions. Overall very good experience.I felt great!"

we want your Healing Hands School of Holistic Health photos!!!

2008-09-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Healers!
We would love for you to email your Healing Hands photos to us. Do you have any photos of your Escondido or Laguna Hills massage classes, the Marathon, your Public Day or any other Healing Hands School photo that you would like to share with us? Please email to: contactus@healinghandsschool.com
Thank you so much!!!

Hand massage tips

2008-04-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

Letters from our students. Thank you!

2008-04-15T22:43:00.000-07:00

Teachers, share your comments!

2008-04-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

Share your Experience of Healing Hands

2008-04-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

Hello Healers,

Please share your feelings and stories of your massage training with other therapists and eager learners.

Hello Healers

2008-04-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

This bright, green spring we celebrate and recognize three areas of great accomplishment.

First, please review our Spring class offerings. Shana Lipner will teach 2 Herbal Healing segments, Cynthia will offer Hot Stone Massage and Chris Harmon will teach Thai Massage. Denise Fultz’ course in Geriatric Massage will bring students to work with our elderly population in a nursing facility. In Apri,l we once again have the sublime opportunity to gather in an undeveloped canyon to retreat from modern conveniences and heal together under ancient oaks beside the giggling creak. We are proud to offer such a variety of modalities and grateful to our healing community for continued contributions of knowledge and expertise.

Secondly, we celebrate our most recent Holistic Health Practitioner graduates! Congratulations Karen Gamal, Lisa Pattison, Heather VanRoekel, Micheala Craig, and Kathryn Burns. It has been a pleasure to learn and laugh with you. We thank you for choosing Healing Hands for your earnest focus on the skills of the healing arts. May your path be full of health, happiness and growth.

And thirdly, let us recognize two very important members of the Healing Hands staff. From our faculty of gifted and dedicated healers, Danielle Frager Weaver has been chosen as our Teacher of the Year. Danielle has been part of the Massage Technician teaching staff since 2002. Danielle’s clear style of communication is the perfect compliment for the beginning Massage Technician student. Her strength of spirit and her commitment to the profession of Massage Therapy are an inspiration for the new student. Congratulations Danielle! Thank you for your continued commitment to the healing arts. May your strength of spirit bring you many more years of heartfelt, compassionate guidance to many more Healing Hands students.

We also recognize one of the most beloved members of the Healing Hands staff. Spring of 1998 marks the 10 year anniversary of Annie Heffner joining the office staff. When she came to inquire about a receptionist position, Paula was 9 months pregnant. In these past 10 years, we have seen Annie interact with literally thousands of students, teachers, staff, vendors, administrators, helpers, and allies. Annie’s kindheartedness is a deep and abiding bedrock always treating people with kindness, dignity and respect. Her steadfast love of humanity is the paradigm structure for which all healing work is the underlying fabric. We are honored to have been able to bask in Annie’s goodness for these 10 years, and look forward to a rich future of right livelihood in an environment of mutual cooperation and peaceful diligence.

When Martin Luther King described the use of non-violent resistance for social change, he taught that the first step to action was an internal change within the resistor; for the resistor to be effective he had to change self-pity to self respect. In order to appeal to the humanity in the oppressor, he must feel his own dignity. When Rosa Parks was asked why she refused to move to the back of the bus, she said:” It was a matter of dignity.”

The office staff is often asked to explain how Healing Hands is different from other massage schools One of our main focus points is to teach that the recipient of the bodywork session must always be treated with the utmost of respect and dignity; that the recipient is never just a pile of muscles and bones on your massage table, they bring to your table everything, truly everything, that has ever happened to them; the sum total their life is on your table, under your hands. In order to teach this kind of reverence, our faculty and staff must constantly engender respect and dignity in our deliberations with each other, with our students, and with the healing community. Danielle’s clear communication in the classroom and the kindness in Annie’s voice exemplify the kind of respect that Martin Luther King described when he said:

“We have a glorious opportunity to inject a new love into the veins of our civilization. The end is the creation of a beloved community. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of man.”

In Peace,

Paula, Neha, and all of us Healing Hand