A Summer of Rest

“THIS A WONDERFUL DAY. I'VE NEVER SEEN THIS ONE BEFORE." MAYA ANGELOU

Hello Friends,

What a busy summer it’s been. I’m feeling (a little) badly about neglecting this blog for the past few weeks, but the rest and relaxation – and time with my family – I’ve been able to take has been such a blessing. I hope you’ll forgive the lapse in communication!

In just one short month, Balance Massage School of Vermont will be opening its doors to a new group of explorers. I’m so excited about the coming year – and I’ll say a bit more about that in just a minute. But before I go any further, I want to say - for what’s probably the millionth time - how profoundly and deeply grateful I am for my first graduating class of (now certified!) massage therapists.

So many times this past month I’ve stood quietly in the classroom thinking back on those first few weeks of school. I had so much to share, so much excitement around teaching others about this beautiful and ancient and sacred profession. And I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive and caring and intuitive group of students. You’ll probably never know how many times you carried me through difficult days. You taught me so much about myself, and you helped me become a better listener, teacher, and person. I am so grateful for all of you.

I am also so very grateful for the love and support of my family. How many times they rearranged their lives and schedules (and dinner plans!) just to give me the space, time, and freedom I needed to prepare lesson plans or just recharge after a long day. Opening Balance Massage School was a longtime dream of mine, and without their unconditional love and support, it never could have come to fruition. My love and appreciation for Don and my two beautiful boys is – literally – off the charts.

As I sat on our deck the other evening – watching the sky turn pink and then purple – it really hit me how deeply I’ve needed these past few weeks of rest. And as the warm summer night gathered around me and the sounds of late July sang softly in the background, again this feeling of gratitude – for my clients, my students, my family, and this profession I’ve chosen – just swept over me. So many times over the past year I have thought and spoken and written about the power of touch, and the healing that springs from it. I realize now how equally powerful and healing is the feeling - and expression - of gratitude.

But now it is early August, and as I look ahead to the coming year and my incoming class of students, I can hardly contain my joy and excitement. Knowing the growth, knowledge of self, empathy for others, and deep peace these students will experience – as well as the massage techniques and understanding of the human body they will acquire – I can’t help but smile. I am humbled by their courage and their decision to take this journey with me, and I am counting the days until we gather in the classroom for our first lesson. And by the way – we still have one or two openings left. If you’ve ever thought about massage therapy as a career or a lifestyle, please call or drop me a note. It’s not too late to join us.

I wish all of you a peaceful and relaxing end to summer, and I hope you will check back here soon…I can’t wait to begin sharing with you what I know will be an exciting and special second year at Balance Massage School of Vermont!

With Much Love,
Steph