Ahhh massage bliss....

It is Tuesday night, and I was the first official recipient of our apartment's "Massage Schedule". I received a 90 minute relaxation massage from Heidi. I am quite relaxed which is why I decided to write this blog post, so I could share the bliss. :) (I'd post a picture of my post-massage hair, but I wouldn't want to take over Jess' role in posting incriminating pictures of me.)

The past three days have been quite interesting.....Sunday, we hosted the class potluck. It was quite fun to have 12 people (including us) gathered in our apartment to eat things a delicious as homemade salsa, bruscetta, salmon ball, veggie noodle soup, tuna-rice-Gouda-veggie salad, veggie lasagne, turkey curry, Reese's ice cream pie drinks and spinach salad (which came a bit late so was enjoyed for lunch the next day). Of course, the potluck wrapped up with a fashion show of the new boots from Saturday, and Heidi showing people how to access the blogs. Overall, a nice opportunity to connect outside of talking about horses' clavicles (or not), intrinsic muscles, target markets and being on our the leading learning edge regarding equine massage.

Monday was a day of Anatomy and Equine Massage, it was great to be back working with the horses. They seem to really appreciate us being there -- and I really appreciate them, too. This week we are learning techniques that free up parts of the horse to help him (mostly geldings, it seems) move better. It is fun to watch the reactions we get, as the horse stands (most of the time) and we are working on them. Here is an image of Partner flipping his tounge around as Laura worked on his shoulder. She and I worked on Richochette first, who was very friendly but hard to keep his attention, at first, and then Partner -- who was really ready for a massage!

Today we continued working with the horses, and practicing these and other techniques to free up the front end. Although we didn't get to work on as many horses, it was great to have Sarah and Casey's feedback as we were doing the work. This picture that Heidi of me working on Pawnee shows how we are working all around the horse's front end. Gradually, are putting techniques into our "tool box" so that we can use them at appropriate times on appropriate clients (horses.) After the massage, when they got back to their paddock, most of the horses practiced good self-care, by drinking lots of water. :) This picture just seemed so peaceful and relaxed -- for both the horses and the therapists.

In the afternoon, we worked with Rick at his ranch, and continued to work on ground work. We are using both direct and indirect feel, and he showed us some of the work that he is doing with one of his horses -- to ask him to step on the first step, but not the second. Rick is really an excellent horseman and teacher. It is great when he shares parts of his experience as it relates to the content that we are also studying. He seems to walk the talk about learning -- as both a teacher and a learner, with people and with horses.

Tomorrow I may not post, as there won't be many pictures -- we will be in the classroom for both morning and afternoon. That will give us a break from the sunscreen slathering, and time to think and learn about lots of other interesting things. In the meantime, I have been thinking alot about the phrase, "...the release is the reward...." That is what I keep in mind as I handle many different horses, and am trying to get better at consider the horse's perspective, and reward him for doing what I ask, before he goes on to the next thought. Are there times and places that this applies to you? How and when? I'd love to read your responses!

(By the way, thanks for voting in the poll! If you haven't voted, it is open for a few more days!)