News from the School of Massage & Bodywork

School of Massage & Bodywork at KCHA

Welcome to the e-newsletter from the School of Massage & Bodywork at Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts. We hope to keep you informed about the School and share the latest news and upcoming important dates.

Market Yourself and Your Massage Business

To make money you have to spend money - that is a common phrase heard from marketing experts. However, there are additional ways to grow your business without reaching (too deep) into your wallet. Here are a few reminders:

Mailing lists - keep accurate lists of clients, prospects, networking associates and individuals in related fields.
Postcards - postcards are inexpensive, easy to produce, and stick out among the other forms of mail received in mailboxes
Informational fliers - these can be about modalities that you offer that your client has never tried. Hand the informational flier to your client at the end of his/her session. The point is to give your client another reason to see you.
Business cards - pass these out to your waiter/waitress at a restaurant you frequent; your drycleaner; your hair stylist. This is an easy way network and promote yourself.
Phone calls - check in with clients you haven't seen in a while. Leave a message if you get their voicemail.
Frequent buyer cards - Give your clients a reward for their loyalty. An example is to offer five massage visits and he/she will get a free 30 minutes to add to their next session.
Gift certificates - the profit isn't generated necessarily from the sale of the certificate but from the subsequent sessions.
Ask for feedback from clients and implement their feedback
Attend expos, sporting events and health fairs - pass out business cards or offer chair massage.

Yoga and Tai Chi Classes held at KCHA

Did you know that community education courses like tai chi and yoga are held regularly at the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts?

Tai chi differs from other forms of exercise in several respects. The movements are usually circular and never forced, the muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, the joints are not fully extended or bent, and connective tissues are not stretched. Warm-up exercises and cool-down exercises precede and follow each tai chi practice. Phyllis Thayer is the instructor. She was certified in 2008 and is currently teaching at the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts on:

Mondays beginning May 24 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Cost: $64 for 8 weeks, or $10 per class for drop-ins. Please wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes such as walking shoes.

Yoga is a wonderful tool for supporting awareness and wellness in the body, mind and heart. It allows you to connect to subtleties in the physical body which can be used to support proper body mechanics and alignment in all walks of life. Taught by Gina Greene, a C.M.T. of 8 years, this beginner to level one class encourages you to honor your body, listen to your inner wisdom and to enjoy the flow of your body in movement. This is an on-going class that is easy to join. Class is held on:

Tuesdays, 5:30 - 7 p.m. Cost: $60 for 6 weeks, or $12 per class for drop-ins.

Reservations for tai chi and yoga are preferred, 373-0910.

Next Class Session
student

Orientation will be on
May 26 and June 23 (attend just one of those orientation dates) for the next session of daytime classes. The class session begins June 28 with classes held on Mondays and Wednesdays,
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

One of the first steps in becoming a student is to attend one of our free Massage as a Profession workshops. These are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month from
6 - 8 p.m. You can learn about our program, speak with instructors and students, as well as receive a tour of the building. We end each workshop by offering a neck and shoulders massage. Interested in attending?

Call (269) 373-0910 or email us at

admissions@kcha.com.

Upcoming Massage as a Profession Workshops:
May 19, June 2 or 16
6 - 8 p.m.

If you are unable to attend a Massage as a Profession workshop we can arrange a personal tour at a time that's convenient for you. Just call Admissions Director Kim Merkel at

(269) 373-0910 or send

e-mail to kmerkel@kcha.com. We want you to

get to know us in person. The School of Massage & Bodywork offers a hands-on program, after all, and it's important for prospective students to really feel what goes on here.

Graduate Profile

Maureen Lewandowski, CMT

As a special education teacher, Maureen Lewandowski, CMT, has found the massage skills she learned at the School of Massage & Bodywork to be very influential and meaningful for her students, as well as their families. "Massage makes a difference in the lives of my students and helps them interact better with their families," relayed Lewandowski. "Every week I use the acupressure techniques I learned while in school to help stop the seizures my students experience."

Lewandowski is employed at the Van Buren Intermediate School District where she works with severely and multiply impaired students. She also offers massage therapy part-time at Kerry Mark Salon & Day Spa in South Haven. "Helping others and making a difference is what motivates me - I enjoy helping people to be able to use their bodies for what they need to do," said Lewandwoski.

When asked why she chose to attend the School of Massage & Bodywork, Lewandowski said, "I wanted an established school that was focused on making sure students really learned the techniques. I learned because it is a hands-on learning environment that offers lots of practice." She added, "What I learned can not be taught via YouTube. Only seasoned instructors teach at the School of Massage & Bodywork.

Maureen Lewandowski

Visit SolSpring at KCHA for professional services: therapeutic massage, spa services, cleansing services, acupuncture, chiropractic care, naturopathic care and products from the store. Don't forget about gift certificates for friends & family - they make a perfect gift! Visit www.solspring.net for more information or call to set up an appointment at (269) 373-1000.

If you are interested in meeting with us about enrolling in an upcoming class session, make an appointment by calling (269) 373-0910 or via email at: admissions@kcha.com. You can also find more information at our web site, www.kcha.com.