My intention is to facilitate mindful participation in inspiring, sense engaging experiences in an environment that promotes relaxed alertness and communication.
I am developing an integrated approach to yoga and massage called Bodyworker Yoga. This approach facilitates holistic self care through yoga, meditation, and mindful touch. Personal practice is the core of this approach as participants explore the fundamentals of mindful self care through breath, posture, movement and touch. Participants experience enhanced personal wellness as well as enhanced professional performance through simultaneous self care and client care. This approach is based on mindfulness principles that enhance the delivery of any healing modality or technique.
The Bodyworker Yoga approach contributes to personal growth and professional development in the fields of yoga and massage. Licensed massage therapists and yoga teachers seeking personal and professional growth through continuing education benefit, as well as non-professionals seeking personal growth through yoga, meditation and massage. Trainings are appropriate for all levels of experience with yoga and massage, from beginners to long time practitioners.
Colleagues have advised that the process to become a massage continuing education provider is lengthy, but worth it. I am in the process of applying for NCBTMB Approved Provider status for massage continuing education. Once approved, participants in workshops I offer will receive state and nationally approved continuing education necessary for professional growth and massage license renewal.
I am registered with the Yoga Alliance as E-RYT 200. The E stands for Experienced with at least 1000 hours of teaching time. This designation recognizes me as a Yoga Alliance approved provider of yoga teacher training and continuing education.
If you are on my email list, I can keep you posted on upcoming workshops. For now I offer private yoga and massage sessions and massage coaching and mentoring.
Massage Coaching and Mentoring
For massage therapists, investing in one on one and/or small group coaching and mentoring from practicing professionals can be an important component of professional development. What distinguishes coaching and mentoring from continuing education classes is that sessions are focused on the learner's goals and pace, rather than the curriculum's.
The first step for a massage therapist seeking coaching/mentoring is to gain clarity about learning goals. It is important to draft a written goals, expectation and intended outcomes. The next step is to seek out practicing professionals who have expertise in an area you want to learn about. Interview professionals. Get a professional massage. Find a balance between personalities and principles. You don’t want to be in a coaching relationship that has too much friction, but then you also don’t want one that is uninspiring.
Before beginning coaching sessions, I ask participants to provide me with their written learning goals. With these desired outcomes in mind, I can prepare activities, practices, and exercises specific to the goals. However, the map is not the territory. Sessions will evolve real time to track the learner's leading edge. As the relationship develops, so will trust which allows for greater depth and expansiveness of learning and understanding.
About Coaching and Mentoring with Leela
I offer massage coaching and mentoring for amateurs, recent massage school graduates, and licensed massage therapists. The experience I've had as a learner in focused coaching sessions in which my own individual needs and goals were addressed has helped prepare me for role of mentor. My focus is on helping you meet your needs and goals. My big picture approach to massage is facilitating sessions that are mutually beneficial for practitioners and clients. Specifically, I specialize in coaching:
- How to listen to self and clients
- Breathing that is centering, relaxing, energizing
- Self care through yoga stretches for you and your clients
- Client positioning for effective treatments that are easy on the therapist's body
- Effective body mechanics based on yoga principles that can help you feel rejuvenated rather than depleted after giving massage
- Preparation for and delivery of deep tissue treatments that feel great
- Use of forearms, elbows, fists in ways that are effective and feel great to the client and save the therapist's hands for detail work
- Joint mobilization techniques to restore flexibility and range of motion
Please contact me for more information.
Namaste
Namaste
