The weather is supposed to be in the low 60s in Birmingham, AL this weekend for our Ashiatsu class. What a welcome reprieve from the snow, ice, below freezing temps in Cincinnati! There's still time to join us in class. Call me at 513-238-0970 or email fredettemassage@icloud.com.

I have been blogging on Google but have been neglecting this one! As you may have seen, effective April 1, 2009, our Barefoot Basics course will be $595. We have not had a price increase in 5  years, and the founder felt it was time to do so.

Despite the tough economic times that many of us face, I do believe that, even with the new price, it's a great deal. We never have more than 8 people in class. Oftentimes I teach 3 or 4. You can't ask for more individualized attention than that!

Well, it's been a long time since I posted. We just got back from a long vacation starting in Pigeon Forge, TN, where the kids loved the go carts! We had an eventful week traveling through the Smoky Mountains, where Elijah (who's 6) bonked his head on a boulder, and I got promptly thereafter stung by a hornet. While spending the week at Edisto Island, SC, Therese (who's 5) and I got stung by a jellyfish. She's currently having to start on antibiotics and steriods to stave off the ensuing infection.

Ending up for 2 days in Asheville, NC, we visited the amazing Biltmore, with it's 250 rooms and 7 storey high dining room. Wow.

Back to work, I'm getting ready to head out to Denver on Tuesday to teach Basics and Anterior, then the same classes here at the end of the month. Advanced classes are next month, as well as a possible gig in Texas. We shall see! :)

I've added the following dates for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy classes:

September 18, Anterior-Sidelying
September 20-21, Deepfeet 2
September 22, Fusion-Blend

October 23-25, Barefoot Basics
October 26, Anterior/Side-Lying

December 11-13, Barefoot Basics
December 14, Anterior/Side-Lying

Please join us in one of the classes! Mary-Claire

Bamboo-Fusion classes are going like blockbusters here in Cincinnati! I've added a new class, scheduled for September 8-9, which is a Monday and Tuesday. Two people have already contacted me with interest, so it's time to sign up! My email address is fredettemassage@fuse.net, or you can call me at 513.238.0970. I also have a contact link at the top of this page.

I've got class scheduled in Dallas for Barefoot Basics on July 17-19 with Anterior/Side-Lying following immediately afterward on July 20. Deposits are due by July 2, and we need 8 therapists in order to hold class. I'd really like to head out that way to teach, but I can't unless you sign up for class! Give me a call at 513.238.0970, email at fredettemassage@fuse.net or check out the contact link at the top of this website!

I have a new domain name, www.affinitymassages.com, that'll also link to this website. My new client specific cards will show this website name.

I'm also thinking of doing a client referral program--maybe $$ off his/her 3rd massage. They would have cards they would have hole punched, like at a hair salon.

Finally, I'm happy to offer instant gift certificates online. They're the perfect gift for Mothers' Day (May 11), Fathers' Day (June 15). Or if you happen to be in Australia or New Zealand, you'll send them a gift on September 15. Of course, Mothering Sunday in the U.K. was March 2 this year, so you'll have to wait until March 22 of 2009 to give her a lovely gift for that purpose.

Being a mother myself, I'd be happy to receive a gift certificate for massage any day of the week, even if it was 12 days after my birthday.

Of course, only you will know when it's appropriate to by a gift for your anniversary, spouse's birthday, graduation, etc. The great thing about massage gift certificates is that they're non fattening and they make the recipient feel so darn good...