What Is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is a practice that involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body. It is mainly used to promote relaxation or increase overall wellness but can help manage health conditions. Massage therapy is found all over the world and has been used for centuries to help relieve pain.

Massages come in many different forms, each of which has a different goal in mind. While Swedish massages may focus on relieving tension in the muscles, sports massages may help athletes recover faster or reduce the risk of injury.

Duties a massage therapist can expect to perform are:

• Assessing the client檚 needs and going over their medical history
• Creating a service plan, including pressure levels, areas of focus, and more
• Performing massages using the necessary techniques and tools
• Communicating with clients to help ensure they檙e comfortable
• Keeping client records
• Keeping themselves and their work area safe and sanitary

Why Should You Become a Massage Therapist?

Over the years, the field of massage therapy has grown substantially. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 聽is expected to grow 18% through 2033. This growth rate is much faster than the average for other occupations, and it is projected to lead to over 22,000 job openings each year, on average. This kind of growth means places like salons, spas, hotels, resorts, clinics, hospitals, and other facilities will have jobs to fill, meaning work should be easy to find and keep.

Massage therapists also benefit in that they get to help people every day. Whether they are helping someone recover from an injury or just helping ease away the stresses of the day, massage therapists know that what they do helps people feel good. This aspect alone can make massage therapy a rewarding path.

Massage therapy is also a good option for people who like versatility. Because every client is different and has different needs, you won檛 get bored. In some cases, massage therapists create lasting relationships with their clients, allowing them to build a rapport.

How Long Is Massage Therapy School?

There are many reasons to consider this profession, but your journey needs to start at a massage therapy school like 黑料专区. Our curriculum is thorough and provides a mix of science and artistry to give students the tools and resources they need to excel. We even offer a student salon and spa that lets you hone your craft in a practical learning environment. Our programs take 600 course hours (Provo) or 650 course hours (Denver) to complete. We offer various class schedule options so you can find one that works for you.

Our school helps you learn everything from acupressure and massage theory to anatomy, physiology, and body systems. Youl also benefit from our experienced instructors who will teach you professional standards, ethics and business practices, and more. We strive to offer our students the best learning experience possible, which is why we also offer opportunities like trips to New York and London for Fashion Week听补苍诲 study abroad聽opportunities for students to have the experience of a lifetime.

Take Your First Step Toward Becoming a Massage Therapist

Becoming a licensed massage therapist provides plenty of enticing career options. That檚 why 黑料专区 has worked so hard to create an in-depth massage therapy school youl love. Our program provides students with more hands-on training than other beauty schools and allows them to work with high-end Aveda products.

But we don檛 just assist students in the classroom. Our financial aid聽department is committed to helping eligible students find ways to afford their education, including providing scholarships and grants, accepting private and public student loans, and offering in-house monthly financing. If you檙e interested in working toward your massage therapy license with 黑料专区, contact us听迟辞诲补测.

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Always Consult With a Professional

Never undergo a hair transformation without first consulting a professional cosmetologist! Everyone has completely different hair, all the way down to the biology of how their hair would react to different treatments. What works for Selena Gomez may not work for someone else. If you檙e not careful, you could wind up like Katy Perry who had to because it was so badly damaged! Ms. Perry still looks fantastic with her short pixie cut, but we檇 rather that you get a pixie cut because it檚 your choice and not because your hair is fried!

What the Professionals Say

We had the privilege to interview two of our outstanding instructors at Aveda Inspire Greatness Institute. Heggy Gonzalez is an instructor at our Provo campus, works in a salon, and is an Aveda Hair Color Purefessional. Ely Sanudo is an Aveda Institute alumnus who now teaches cosmetology at our Tucson location. These ladies know their stuff when it comes to hair! We interviewed them and they both came up with some excellent considerations for a successful transformation:

Hairstyle Must Match Lifestyle

Both Heggy and Ely explained that every hair transformation requires a different level of commitment and preparation. If someone already takes the time to style their hair every day and take care of it, they檙e more likely to be a good fit for a long-term, dramatic hair transformation. If someone is used to a low-maintenance style, then a high-maintenance hairstyle might not be the right fit for them. Consider the commitment you檙e willing to make for the look!

Try Before You Buy

One of the easiest ways to see if a hairstyle suits you is to try on some wigs! You can also draw your inspiration from magazines, or even try combining photos of you with pictures of the hair that you want to try! If it檚 a big transformation, it檚 a good idea to try out a new hairstyle before you commit to it, especially if it檚 a hairstyle that would take a long time to come back from if you don檛 like it. For example, if you have long hair and want to try a pixie cut, it can take a more than a year to get your length back to where it was if you don檛 like it!

Transform for the Right Reasons

Some hair transformations can be pretty dramatic and very hard to reverse, so it檚 important that you change your hairstyle for the right reasons. If you are undergoing an emotional period of your life, make sure that your transformation is one that you won檛 regret shortly after it檚 done.

Hair Grows Back, Have Fun With It!

No hairstyle is truly permanent, so you should try new things that you might enjoy! Heggy said that If it doesn檛 work out, hair grows back so it檚 not the end of the world! Hair is meant to be styled and experimented with. It should be fun, so while transformations can be a big deal, don檛 forget that your hair can always grow back!

Prepare in Winter for a Summer Transformation

A change of hairstyle is very common between the winter and summer months. Long, dark hair tends to be more prominent during the winter, while people tend to explore warmer colors and shorter lengths in the summer. If you檙e looking to have a chic summer look, make sure you檙e talking with your stylist now in case it檚 a look that will take several months to achieve. Also make sure you檙e taking extra steps during the winter to maintain healthy hair!

Many people like to try blonde colors during the summertime. If you have naturally dark hair, get started on the transition in January through March to make sure the transformation is done in time for the summer rays. Some people can take as long as six months of visiting every month to transition from black to blonde without damaging their hair. Just keep in mind that your hair will be different shades in between your starting and end color along the way, so itl be quite the journey!

If you檙e hoping for longer locks for the summer, start the growing process as early as your cosmetologist thinks is necessary. Hair can grow at an average of half an inch a month, so if you need an extra three inches by June, make sure you stop cutting in or before January. Alternatively, if you檙e hoping to go for a much shorter cut in summer, you can try cutting your hair short in increments so that it檚 not so shocking when all of your hair is gone. Consult with your cosmetologist to determine what is best for you!

Learn the Skills for Yourself

Is the science of hair something you love? Do you enjoy problem solving with people to help them look their best? Cosmetology could be the right career for you! Contact us to learn more about what you can learn in our accredited cosmetology courses, or visit our cosmetology program page to read more!

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Every 2 minutes, a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. At Inspire Greatness, we realize this is unacceptable and it檚 our goal to:

1. Give back to survivors.
2. Raise awareness about breast cancer.
3. Help contribute to finding the cure.

Here are some of the things we do to help accomplish these goals.

Give Back

There are millions of breast cancer survivors in the United States. We want to help survivors and fighters in their journey to recovery. While we can檛 provide medical assistance, we can help them look and feel beautiful.

During the month of October, Inspire Greatness will have a Survivor Service Day. On this day, breast cancer patients and survivors can come into the salon and get complimentary services. If you檙e a patient or survivor, find out which campus is closest to you and when your Survivor Service Day is. Even if you檙e not a breast cancer patient or survivor, make sure your friends and family know. We want to give back and serve as many people as we can on our Survivor Service Day!

Raise Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month – emphasis on 渁wareness.� As more people become aware of the reach and affect of breast cancer, more people become proponents of finding the cure and being the change.

Our hope is that many of the things we do in the month of October at Inspire Greatness will do two things. First, make people more aware of breast cancer and the many ways there are for people to get involved and help. Second, help people take initiative and become part of the team that moves breast cancer research forward.

We also hope that people who come to Inspire Greatness for a service or participate in one of our Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities feel like they are contributors to the great cause.

Contribute to Finding the Cure

• Breast Cancer Awareness Hair & Makeup Show – In October Inspire Greatness will be hosting a fashion show of sorts to help raise funds to breast cancer research. This fashion show will be unlike any other you檝e ever seen. The themes for the Breast Cancer Awareness Hair & Makeup Show are inspired by the music of the 1970s and include Rock & Roll, Disco, Funk, and Punk. Hairstylists and makeup artists will be creating looks that match these themes that youl love! The proceeds from this show will go to breast cancer research, keep an eye out for your chance to buy tickets!
• Silent Auction – Silent auctions are a classic way to help raise funds for a good cause. You can attend an Inspire Greatness silent auction at a campus near you to help further the cause of ending breast cancer. Youl almost certainly be able to find a great gift to bid on. If you win, you can give the gift to a friend or treat yourself; you deserve it!
• Runway Contest – We always like to see our students show their talent. In October we let them put their talent to good use and have a Runway Contest to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. Students will create fashion show looks and let their models strut their stuff in front of a panel of judges. This event will be one you won檛 want to miss.
• Limited Edition Hand Relief Moisturizing Creme – Aveda is also a big part of fighting breast cancer and has donated almost $4 million to research. This October you will be able to buy a special edition Breast Cancer Awareness Hand Relief cream. For every bottle of cream that is purchased, Aveda will put $4 more toward cancer research. Not only will you be helping to find the cure to breast cancer, youl be helping your hands stay soft and smooth. It檚 a win win.
• Appointments for the Cure – We are so excited to be a part of such a great cause that we are even going to donate 100% of the service revenue from our clinic floor for one day to support research. Find out when the Inspire Greatness clinic nearest you is having their Appointments for the Cure day and schedule an appointment. Youl want to do it sooner than later, cause times will fill up fast!

Getting Involved

The scheduling of these events will depend on the location. To stay informed on when and where you get involved with Inspire Greatness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, follow us on social media:

Building a Brighter Future

An important part of our involvement in Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the effect that it has on our students. Our hope is that they will be inspired to become leaders in the future. We want them to be the driving force behind creating more awareness and progress for causes such as breast cancer. We want to give our students the opportunity to be integral parts of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to help give them the desire to continue being drivers for positive change.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation

You may have asked where all the proceeds from these events go. At Inspire Greatness, we are proud to give our proceeds to the . Why? Because the BCRF is the highest rated breast cancer organization in the United States. They have earned an A+ from and 4 out of 4 stars from . We love partnering up with the BCRF and are confident that our contributions are being put to great use!

Coming Together

Not only is Breast Cancer Awareness Month a good time to get active in a good cause, but it gives us an opportunity to connect with the communities where we have campuses. We want to be a valuable member of the Denver, Phoenix, Tucson, and Provo communities. We want to add value and give back to these communities. We hope that during Breast Cancer Awareness Month we can do that.

Join Us

We are excited about everything we have going on in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We hope that you can join us in our mission to give back, raise awareness, and contribute!

The post Breast Cancer Awareness Month With Inspire Greatness appeared first on Inspire Greatness.

Ayurveda focuses on balance of the three doshas: Vata (air/infinity energy), Pitta (fire/water energy) and Kapha (water/earth energy). Each of us has a blend of all three of the doshas that govern our mind, body and soul (being). Some of us have more Vata energy so we experience more air and infinity qualities like being cold, dry, quick in movement, enjoy change, have high energy and have a lighter, thinner body frame.

Vata doshas also exhibit dry hair and skin, usually show more nervous energy and have active, restless and creative minds. Vata’s can also be inconsistent and unreliable. Those who have more Pitta energy show more fire/water qualities like being determined, strong leadership, strong focus and sustainable energy. Pitta’s usually have an athletic build, have sensitive skin and have a higher body temperature. They are natural leaders and inspire easily but can also have high tempers and get angry easily. Kapha’s are considered the most fortunate in Ayurveda because they are less likely to become ill and are able to stay in balance more so than the other doshas. Kapha’s usually have thick, lustrous skin, hair and nails. They tend to carry more weight and move slower. Kapha’s are methodical thinkers, loyal and trustworthy.

The doshas also represent the three seasons in Ayurveda and govern certain times of the day:

Kapha season = mid-January to mid-May
Pitta season = mid-May to mid-September
Vata season = mid-September to mid-January

Kapha time = 6 am to 10 am / 6 pm to 10 pm
Pitta time = 10 am to 2 pm / 10 pm to 2 am
Vata time = 2 am to 6 am / 2 pm to 6 pm

Currently we are in Kapha season so no matter what our dominant dosha is, we all experience the elements of water and earth this time of year: slow, thick, heavy, dense, cold and fluid. This is the time of year to slow down, catch our breath and reflect inward more. It’s a time to eat heavier and nourishing meals, rest more often and take time to enjoy life.聽There’s a delicate balance to drawing in the richness of Kapha energy to soothe and nourish without becoming too sluggish, tired or withdrawn. Daily rituals involving beauty and wellness will help to ensure there’s balance during this time of year.

Kapha daily rituals:

• rise between 2 – 6 am, waking after 6 am is Kapha energy so it’s more difficult to wake up during heavier, slow energy
• start with morning stretches, yoga, exercise or meditation to get the body and mind moving and unstuck
• take pride in self-grooming with hair, skin and aroma – use only natural ingredients and non-synthetics so as not to add more toxins to the body
• dry brush to help boost skin circulation, remove dead skin cells, and increase skin elasticity
• drink two glasses of warm water with lemon or apple cider vinegar to help purify the body of toxins
• enjoy a simple yet hearty breakfast every morning between 6 – 10 am
• make lunch the biggest meal of the day between 10 am – 2 pm
• enjoy time to be creative and inspired
• take time to tune-in and appreciate life
• eat a simple dinner before 7 pm and allow time for the body to digest and rest before bed
• minimize TV and screen time, especially before bed

Too much聽Kapha energy can increase feelings of depression, withdrawal and disconnection. To balance the winter blues, it’s important to stay on routine and make the effort to be social and stay active. There’s less sun energy this time of year so it’s also important to enjoy sunshine by being outdoors when possible as well as increase Vitamin D3 intake. This is a great time to indulge in personal stress-relieving rituals like massage, facials, and play with new hair styles or makeup.

Coming soon to Aveda is the new Beautifying Radiance Polish – the perfect balancing solution during kapha season. This rich and luxurious body scrub will slough away dry skin cells and stimulate skin’s circulation, creating a nourished and beautiful glow.

Aveda’s services are rooted in Ayurveda and use the principles of this healing system to create balance through the products and services. Experience an Elemental Nature spa treatment that is customized to your current dosha or elemental nature of earth, water, fire, air or infinity. For more information about rituals and Aveda products visit www.aveda.com or check out the book Aveda Rituals, by Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda.

Prepared by Alicia Parks Christus for Inspire Greatness Institutes. Alicia is the marketing team lead at Aveda Institute Denver and a certified yoga instructor. She teaches Ayurveda and yoga classes and has led Ayurvedic wellness programs and yoga teacher trainings. For more information email achristus@avedadenver.com or follow along @aliciaraeyoga.

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