Meet my 2002 barefoot massage room

My first barefoot massage room, circa autumn 2002. Because I have low ceilings (7.5'!)  and no electric table means my table was at 19”.

No wall at the head of the table means I couldn't lean back to do seated work,  so I improvised with my mom’s 1940’s high chair /stool.

I loved the sunshine and plants-the room has windows that open on 3 of the 4 walls. I miss having fresh air and a gentle breeze in my massage room. 

One of these days, I'm going to knock a hole in the wall of my current massage training / barefoot massage room and put in a window that opens. I'm sure that'll be cheap. 😉

Visit Massage Momentum if you're a massage therapist, will ya?

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Hey! I'm Mary-Claire. I love shoes, which is ironic since I work barefoot 👣. Platforms are my current fave, but boots are a close second. Since I have to keep my feet healthy and mobile, it's important to wear good quality shoes. : Take care of your feet! They literally carry you through the day. : #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining #footcare @centerforbarefootmassage @thecompassionatetouch #cincinnati

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 23, 2019 at 8:45am PDT

This is me maybe a week before I delivered our last baby (#8!). 

I recently worked on a friend of mine who's 6 months pregnant. 

You know what I love about doing pregnancy massage? 

Pregnant women loved being touched. (Except in labor. She might kill you.) I have found that the expectant mom is alway uber grateful for having been tended to for an hour or so, especially when they get to nap.

I remember how it was when I was pregnant, especially with twins. My husband was not comfortable massaging me, so he happily sent me to a pregnancy massage specialist every other week in the last trimester.

The problem with this is that it's expensive! It's worth it, but it IS expensive.

Men need to learn how to massage their pregnant ladies.

Just sayin'.

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Why I love to teach barefoot massage... 👣 If you're an LMT, come join us for our comfortable, effective deep tissue Barefoot Massage classes. I teach in Cincinnati. : : #cincinnati #barefootmassage #massagece #massageclass #ashiatsu #ashiatsutraing @centerforbarefootmassage #fasciashi

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 21, 2019 at 11:44am PDT

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Massive shoutout 📢 to my husband, who not only impeccably folds my 👣massage linens and towels but always keeps them stocked for me. PLUS he carries the laundry basket out to the car 🚙 when it's heavy. 🥰 (Yes, the shelf is crooked. It came with the holes drilled wrong. 🙈) : #laundry #massagelife #massagetherapistlife #linens #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining #cincinnati #mthealthy #massage #massagetherapy #neverending #neverendinglaundry

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 22, 2019 at 2:23pm PDT

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Heat + barefoot massage = Hot Ashi. This class is the first of its kind, and I am so excited to share this with barefoot therapists. 🔥 Heat amplifies compression-it's effective and feels amazing! : I'm adding a class to the calendar at the request of a therapist who is flying in from Alaska. Mark you calendars 📆 for September 22 - Hot Ashi in Cincinnati! : #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining #hotashi #motherearthpilows @centerforbarefootmassage @midwestmassagetrainingcenter

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 20, 2019 at 4:16am PDT

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Representing my friend Erin's barefoot biz in Colorado Springs, @caminomassagetherapy . If you're in the area, go get a barefoot 👣 massage at her light and airy studio. Or learn barefoot massage there-she teaches, too! : #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining #fasciashi @centerforbarefootmassage #coloradosprings #cincinnati @barefootmassagetrainingco

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 22, 2019 at 3:04am PDT

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While the hands certainly have their place in massage (and life!) A lot of people think that the feet feel better for deep tissue massage. : 👣 The surface of the foot is broader. Combine that with gravity, and you have comfortable, effective deep tissue massage. : #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining #cincinnati @centerforbarefootmassage #fasciashi #deeptissue #deeptissuemassage #sportsmassage #postworkoutrecovery

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 18, 2019 at 4:14am PDT

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I am not the smartest or the most talented at anything. But what I am is a hard worker, because I think that with a little talent and a lot of hard work, you can accomplish your dreams. : After 17 years, I am not the "best" barefoot 👣massage therapist, but work at it and keep learning and practicing. All it takes is practice, willingness to be better, to learn from your mistakes. : Go get ?em, tiger. 😊 : #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining #learn #hardwork #massage #massagece #center4barefootmassage #fasciashi #improve @centerforbarefootmassage

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 19, 2019 at 4:27am PDT

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Well, I guess I'll stay at the office, do some computer work, and wait for Noah and his Ark. 🌊 ⛈ : #storm #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining @centerforbarefootmassage

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 17, 2019 at 5:02pm PDT

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.... I'm often asked by #students if we can feel the same with our feet as we can with our hands. ...... The simple answer is NOT AT FIRST! But, after their training and TONS of practice, eventually YES. ...... If you lost your eyesight today and needed to learn to read by brail, it would take time, patience and practice. At the beginning the wee bumps under your fingers would just feel like a mess. Over time, slow consistent movement you would soon learn a rhythm, pattern and then fluid reading would come. ....... Barefoot massage is the same. The topography if your body ( bones, joint & soft tissue ) at the beginning feels like you are riding a human wave of flesh. (That sounds terrible doesn't it😂) ....... Once you have practiced, practiced, practiced (and you know your anatomy) you will begin to differentiate between structure (bones), joints, muscles ligaments and tendons. You WILL begin to feel the fiber directions, the topography of the bones and the origination and insertion points of soft tissue. ........ However.... IF YOU DONT KNOW YOUR ANATOMY.... you had better start reviewing and relearning the $#!+! If you don't know it, it's gonna be tough and for F-sakes, you won't know what the heck you are trying to change or accomplish! AND YOU COULD HURT SOMEONE OR YOURSELF. ........ Here at @barefoot.space, @ny.barefoot.massage & @centerforbarefootmassage we want you to take the time and effort to be one of the best. We want you to take time to educate your clients, to ensure them that intact not only can you feel what is under your feet, but you know what is under your feet. ....... #training at @centerforbarefootmassage will be life changing♥️ DO IT! .... #continuingeducation #ncbtmb #barefoot #518 #fascia #fasciashi #movement #stretchtherapy #ncbtmb #amta #anatomytrains #educateyourself #alwayslearning #barefootmassage #barefootmassagetraining #ashiatsu #center4barefootmassage #monday #cincinnati

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 17, 2019 at 6:12am PDT

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A barefoot massage therapist will do a better job than you will. 😉Give your dad a 👣massage for Father's Day. Inspired by @denverdeeep : #cincinnati #cincinnatimassage #deeptissuemassage #ashiatsuworkshops #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining @centerforbarefootmassage

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 15, 2019 at 9:37am PDT

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When you spend your non barefoot massagin' time working on @centerforbarefootmassage new Pro membership site and write so many notes that you run out of room on the paper. ✏️ It's gonna be amazing! 🔥 : #membership #pro #massage #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #cincinnati #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining #learn #anatomy #anatomyandphysiology #palpate #marketing @stumclaren

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 14, 2019 at 11:16am PDT

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Who's ready for advanced 👣barefoot massage? I LOVE this stuff! : This is Jeni @texasashiatsu -we were recording for our membership site. Because class is just your STARTING point! : : #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining @centerforbarefootmassage #deeptissue #deeptissuemassage #cincinnati

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 11, 2019 at 1:45pm PDT

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Yesterday, I had a new client who had received a fair amount of Barefoot Massage both not far from me and also in Texas. : The therapist who worked on him in town likes to do Barefoot Massage but has other interests and specialties. : When he was telling me this, I knew I could blow him away with my skills. And I did. : Because what really matters when you learn barefoot massage is that you take your clients' feedback and you improve. You take more classes, practice, and improve. : If you are a good massage therapist and you love ❤️ to do barefoot massage, you can be amazing at it. 👣 : This is why we call it a "massage practice." : : #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining #practice #progress #continuingeducation #barefootmassageclass #cincinnati

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 13, 2019 at 5:13am PDT

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Which way is my inferior foot moving? 👣 Take our advanced class and find out for yourself.😉 : : #advancedbarefootmassage #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining @centerforbarefootmassage #fasciashi #deeptissue #deeptissuetherapy #sportsmassage #sportsrecovery #cincinnati

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 12, 2019 at 10:51am PDT

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A benefit of 👣 teaching is being able to mentor other therapists, to lead by example, and to help others grow. Thank YOU, Ashley @socalbarefootmassagetraining for keeping me on my game! : : @centerforbarefootmassage #fasciashi #ashiatsuworkshops #deeptissuemassage #barefootmassagetraining #continuingeducation #ashiatsutraining #mentor #massage #massagelife #massageteacher

A post shared by Ashiatsu Classes (@ashiatsuclasses) on Jun 10, 2019 at 12:33pm PDT