Getting ready

Time is flying and in a little over two weeks I will be hopping on a plane bound for Thailand. There is so much left to do and not a lot of time to do it in!

Most of my Christmas shopping is done and wrapped so now I am focusing on wrapping up everything at the clinic and shopping for the things I need for my trip. There isn't a lot to bring, really. Most of the guides I've read and people I've talked to say not to pack much as almost everything is available there and for much cheaper. I'm bringing a backpack, not a suitcase and travelling light.

From the top of my head I will need to pick up: toiletries, medications, a journal/notebook, sunscreen, bug spray, good hiking boots, lightweight clothing, knapsack and some waterproofing for my travel documents and passport. I need to pick up my passport as well - its at the Thai Embassy downtown along with my travel visa. I'm trying to learn a few basic Thai words so I can at least get around when I arrive. I figure I will have lots of time on the flight there to study as well. I've already booked my seat (window-hopefully bulkhead) and have my buckwheat travel pillow for the plane as well as for my 7 weeks in Thailand, I can't live without my buckwheat anymore!  I'm almost there and just working on wrapping up everything at the clinic. Lots to do but it is so worth it all, I'm so grateful for this opportunity and can hardly believe it is actually happening!

Who will massage me when you're gone??

So... what to do when your Massage Therapist goes away for awhile?

It happens - and has happened to many of us. You get used to a Massage Therapist and then they go away for awhile, sometimes forever. Whether it be for continuing education like myself, to have a baby, or because of illness, sometimes RMT's need to take some time off and they often worry about what will happen to their clients while they are away. When you spend so much time taking care of someone you want to make sure that they continue to be taken care of in your absence. Thankfully at Swansea Massage Clinic there are 6 other RMT's that can do just that. Each is unique in their own way even though we all have the same Massage Therapy training we have all taken different courses, pursued different interests and have different styles. Having a massage from a different RMT is like having a different style of massage. Perhaps one day you feel like a Dylan, maybe another day you feel like a Luz! We are all trained to treat you safely, effectively and professionally and are only here to help.

Get to know the Swansea Massage Clinic RMT Family:

 Melanie McIvor, RMT

Melanie has been with us pretty much from the beginning! She was the first RMT we hired and had just come back from B.C. looking to work in Toronto for a year and then travel. Thankfully for us (and for you!) life intervened and Melanie is still with us almost 3 years later and now full time. She has 10 years of experience behind her along with a passion for prenatal, postnatal and infant massage and a love of seaweed and SeaFlora that is hard to match! Perhaps it's those west coast roots... Melanie is also  a big fan of TMJ work and is known for her deep elbow work as much as her relaxing treatments.

Additional training in: Suikodo(TM), Myofascial, Hot Stone, Thai Herbal, Thai Facial, Infant Massage, SeaFlora & Aromatherapy.
Available: Tuesday - Saturday (Tues, Wed, Friday 4-8 - Thurs. 12-8 - Sat. 10-6)

Paul Koziolek, RMT

Paul and I go way back to the good ol' Kikkawa College days! When we needed someone for Saturdays Paul jumped in and has been helping our clients ever since. Known for his deeper work, jolly nature and passion for Massage Therapy Paul quickly became a favourite go-to-guy at the clinic. He has a passion for injuries whether sports or work related, always asking "How can I help?" and has extensive prenatal and MVA experience. He has left our clinic for greater endeavours but will be covering one of my shifts while I am away. Get him while you can!

Additional training in: Suikodo(TM), Myofascial, Hot/Cold Stone, SeaFlora & Aromatherapy.
Available: Tuesdays 12-8 (To be confirmed)

Luz Tello de Garcia, RMT

Luz "Lucia" means "light" in Spanish and that is exactly what this special lady brings to our clinic. Originally from Mexico, we are happy to say Luz has been with us for almost 2 years and is a well loved member of our clinic by both staff and clients. She particularly enjoys prenatal and trigger point massage and has training in many different modalities. Her goal in treatment is to minimize pain, bring balance to the body and provide relaxation. She is well known for helping with all three!


Additional training in: Hot Stone, Thai Herbal, Thai Facial, Bamboo Massage, SeaFlora & Aromatherapy
Available: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 12-8pm

 Katherine Greig, RMT 

Katherine also found her way from Vancouver to our clinic and we are very happy she did! For some reason we still don't have a photo up of her despite the fact she has been with us for a year... She is our pixie - with short blonde hair and a quiet demeanour. Katherine now works for us full time and will be covering my Saturday shift while I am away. She recently completed training in Craniosacral Therapy and is eager to try out her new skills. Known for her uncanny ability to relax those around her, Katherine is a creative and nurturing soul as well as a dedicated Massage Therapist. 

Additional training in: Craniosacral, SeaFlora & Aromatherapy. 

Available: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 12-8pm  -  Saturday 10-6pm, Sunday 11-6pm. 

Michele Heslop, RMT

Michele is a caring and conscientious therapist who has been with us for just over a year. I don't get to work with her as often as I'd like as we are on opposite schedules, but I've always been impressed with Michele and her happy clients are a testament to that as well. She is known for her clinical treatments, detailed home care exercises and deep as well as relaxing touch. Easy going, absolute professional who has been a great addition to our team.


Additional training in: SeaFlora & Aromatherapy
Available: Sundays 11-6pm & Mondays 12-8pm

Oliver  Stubbs, RMT

I've known Oliver since high school (ESA) and bumped into him years later where I learned he was interested in Massage Therapy. He is a trained Yoga & Meditation instructor and taught a meditation course in our clinic in our very first year! Oliver has studied Suikodo(TM) with two of my own mentors, John MacIntosh, RMT, ND and Mitsuki Kikkawa, RMT, CST. And oddly enough, he was the one who recommended Melanie to us years back. Small world! Oliver is a world traveller and an excellent therapist who is known for his clinical work and detailed home care. With his background in yoga & meditation he is a well balanced therapist who just took on 2 more days at our clinic!

Additional training in: Suikodo(TM), myofascial release
Available: Friday 12-8pm - Saturday 10-6pm & Sunday 11-6pm


So... even if you really only want to see me, if you have an emergency and need to get in you know there are RMT's that can help, in the same great place. We are never offended btw if you decide to switch between therapists. We want you to find the right fit and are happy when you are. Many of our clients have seen every RMT in the clinic and have a hard time choosing! So please, choose the time, day and therapist that works best for YOU. Feel free to email me about my personal recommendation, if you are already a client of mine and I know your preferred treatment style and availability I can definitely point you in the right direction - dylanmcewenrmt@gmail.com

and if you can't make up your mind you can always ask.....


Beverly Gordon, My Mother & Co-Owner of Swansea Massage Clinic

She has had a massage from every RMT in the house and has a knack for finding the right fit! Just give her a general idea of what you are looking for and she will match you up. Beverly is also studying to become an Aromatherapist and can do a custom aromatherapy blend at your request. Talk to her for more information or email swansearmt@yahoo.ca

Available Saturday - Wednesday Business Hours.

My very first blog!

Hello!

My name is Dylan McEwen and I'm an RMT living and practicing in Toronto, ON. On January 3rd 2012 I will be going to Thailand to study traditional Thai Massage for 5 weeks in Chiang Mai. The main reason I started this blog was so I could stay in touch with all of my clients, friends and family while I am away on this great adventure. I will be writing and posting photos of all of my experiences so you can follow me everywhere I go! I'm also hoping to do as much research on massage practices in Thailand to compare to our massage industry in Canada. I've already looked up quite a few interesting places and am looking forward to visiting, asking questions and experiencing the differences first hand. Already on the list are a women's prison that teaches Thai massage as part of the rehabilitation process as well as many government programs that teach Thai massage to give residents the ability to earn income as well as help their own families with disabilities and discomforts. I'm also very curious about the herbal steam baths around the country that cater to post-natal women and their newborn babies - using medicinal herbs as well as steam to strengthen the babies immune system while healing and nourishing the new Mother. I have a lot to learn from the Thai people and will try and soak up as much knowledge as my brain can stand in the short time I am away.

I cannot remember the first time I was introduced to Thai Massage but my first training experience was through ICT Kikkawa College as part of my 2200 hour Massage Therapy Program. It was a 40 hour elective course on top of the usual curiculum and was taught by Alois Nikodym RMT. I have to say that hands down it was the most fun I had in the two years I was in school. I loved every minute of the course and it shaped my massage practice dramatically - I use techniques I learned that week in almost every massage I have performed since and it has helped to shape the RMT I am today. Since then I have taken additional training in Thai Hot Stem Body & Facial Massage through Whole Body Healing in Barrie with Dana Pharant RMT for a total of 24 additional training hours. Over the years I have worked hard to perfect the skills I learned in these 3 courses but feel that I have gone as far as I can with the knowledge I have been taught. I have dreamed about going to Thailand to study in more depth and direct from the source for years and finally it is happening!! I couldn't be happier or more excited!

About my course:

I will be away for a total of 7 weeks - 5 of which will be spent studying traditional Thai massage at TMC (Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai) http://www.tmcschool.com/ . This course is recognized by the CMTO (College of Massage Therapists of Ontario) and accredited through the Thai Government. I was hoping to take the Teacher Training as well but will be unable to be away from my practice for such a long duration. Perhaps in a few years I will be able to return and complete the training. I will still be sharing my knowledge with my fellow RMT's as much as I can in the meantime and using my new skills in my personal practice as well. I will be taking their Intensive Professional Thai Massage 150 Hour Program which is detailed below:

Intensive Professional Thai Massage 150 Hour Program (i5)
This is the first 5 weeks of Teacher Training GCT 300 Hour Program.

The main objectives of student taking I5 program are:

A:         Be able to perform good quality Thai massage professionally.

B:         Lay strong foundation to return to continue for GCT teacher training program.

The i5 program will enable students to perform Thai massage safely and effectively. Thus the graduate will be able to offer Thai massage service to the public. The curriculum is approved by the Thai Ministry of Education for Intensive Professional Thai Massage 150 hour program.
For a Thai citizen this program will qualify the graduate to apply for skill testing with the Labor Department for the certificate of Thai massage therapist and able to apply to work aboard.

The curriculum contains Comprehensive of Thai Massage 90 hour; internship massage to prepare students for real life situation; massage special need i.e. senior guests and special children at their centers; understanding blockages and how to release them.

TMC Mission and Philosophy: 

Preserve the ancient art of Thai Massage in the original format. Produce better understanding of the traditional Thai Massage for interested learners. Provide safe and good quality Thai Massage and related massage courses to the general public from around the world. Present advanced educational opportunities in Thai Massage to serious beginner learners, massage - body workers and related health field practitioners, to become Thai Massage professionals and teachers. Promote international acceptances and awareness of Thai Massage as an honorable massage knowledge for good health of body and mind in an academic field.  This is the first post of many and I will be adding more information as I get ready for my trip. Please join my mailing list and follow me in my great adventure! Once I get back to Canada I will continue this blog - sharing my thoughts on Massage Therapy, my profession, techniques, thoughts and any inspirations that come my way.  Stay tuned! and thank you for reading :)  Dylan McEwen, RMT