Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Questions and Answers

Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Questions and Answers


By

Eunice Estipona
(For those who would like to download a FREE copy see below for details)




Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Questions and Answers


By

Eunice Estipona



For my first blog for 2010, I am compiling here a few of the questions, which have been emailed to me through the years regarding the practice, the profession and business on spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness. Someone once asked me why are you wasting your time answering questions from strangers online? I believe that we become accountable for people other than ourselves. If we all can help one person a day and stop thinking about what is in it for me or what am I getting out of this o ano bang makukuha ko dito? I believe that the world would be a bit better to live in. In answering these questions, I also believe that anyone, including myself does not have a monopoly of knowledge nor I do not consider any question as irrelevant, there is nothing small about asking. I do not have all the answers so why am I doing this if not for the fame or the money? It’s because I have seen that Filipinos have big ideas, I see huge potential on what we can do only if we can be guided and I feel we have larger than life expectations. I wanted to promote the spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness industry and other allied industries and support them by raising awareness and spreading the message of wellness and well-being not only physically but in our everyday lives as well.



From here on also, I will be combining both Tagalog and English in all my blogs, for those of you who needs a full-length English version, please do not hesitate to email me at yunesa@yahoo.com



Naalala ko ang isang kuwento tungkol sa isang daga. Hayaan niyo po akong mag kuwento sandali.



May isang daga na nakakita ng crack sa wall at nakita niya na ang magsasaka at ang kanyang asawa na nagbubukas ng package.



“Humm....... ano kayang pagkain ang nasa loob nun?” Tanong ng daga sa sarili. At nung nilabas na ng magsasaka ang laman ng package nakita niyang mousetrap pala ito. Siyempre natakot at nalungkot ang daga. Kaya pag dating niya sa farmyard ng magsasaka sinabi niya sa lahat ng mga animals doon na may mousetrap sa loob ng bahay. Ang sabi ng manok, “Mr. Mouse, alam mo malaking issue yan sa iyo pero para sa akin, wala akong pakialam. Para naman sa mga mouse ang mouse trap hindi para sa aming manok.” Pagkatapos ang daga ay pumunta sa baboy at sinabi rin niyang may mousetrap nga sa loob ng bahay. Ang sabi naman ng baboy, “I am sorry little daging. Wala akong magagawa diyan. Huwag kang mag alala, isasama kita sa prayers ko” pagkatapos noon ay umalis na ang baboy. Kayat si daga ay pumunta sa baka at sinabing may mousetrap sa loob ng bahay ng farmer. At ang tugon naman ng baka ay: “Naku Pasensiya ka na. Hindi ako puwedeng makialam diyan” kaya’t malungkot na umuwi ang daga sa kaniyang silong at nagtago.



Nang gabi ring yun may narinig ang lahat na malakas na lagapak ng mousetrap at diyata’t nakahuli na ito ng kaniyang bitag? Kaya’t dali-daling pumunta ang asawa ng farmer sa mousetrap na nakitang ang nahuli pala ay napakalaking ahas. Dahil sa ang buntot lamang ng ahas ang naipit ng mousetrap nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na matuka ng ahas ang asawa ng farmer at dahil doon dinala ng madalian ng farmer ang kaniyang asawa sa ospital. Pagkagaling sa ospital habang nagpapagaling ang kanyang asawa naisipan ng farmer na ipagluto ang kaniyang asawa ng tinolang manok sapagkat maganda itong pang-palakas at pampatibay ng resistensiya. Pagdakay kinuha ng farmer ang kaniyang bolo at pumunta sa farm at kinatay ang manok para sa isang masarap na nilagang manok. Pero pagkaraan ng isang araw wala pa ring pagbabago ang kondisyon ng kaniyang asawa so maraming nagpunta na mga kapit-bahay para tumulong kaya’t pumunta ulit itong farmer sa kanyang farm para pumatay ng baboy para gawing lechon para i-serve sa mga kapit-bahay at yung iba naman ay ginawang nilagang baboy sa kaniyang misis. Ngunit lalong lumala ang kondisyon ng kanyang asawa at pagkaraan ng ilang araw ay namatay na ito. Kaya’t sa dami ng nakiramay, pinapatay niya ang baka para gawing lechong baka at ang iba naman at pocherong baka para mai-hain sa mga bisita at kamag-anak na nakiramay sa burol at libing ng kaniyang asawa. Habang si daga naman ay lungkot na lungkot sa mga kaganapang nangyari na dahil lamang sa mousetrap.



So what’s the moral lesson of the story? Hindi naapektuhan si daga di ba? So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and you think it doesn't concern you, remember ---When one of us is needs help and threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. Pag hindi maganda ang nangyayari sa isang sector ng industry ng spa, massage therapy, beauty or wellness, it affects us all. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage and help one another. Hindi tayo dapat magkibit balikat at magsabing, hindi tayo apektado dahil in the long run maapektuhan din tayo.



So even if we do not gain any financial or worldly wealth helping people (online or offline), we still do not know the extent of effect that has happened to someone else’s life. All we need is more time to consider others more than we consider ourselves.



So, without further ado, here now are a few of the questions and answers which I took the liberty of compiling, editing some grammatical errors and in order to protect their identity, I chose not to publish nor include their email addresses:



I. What is the shelf-life of massage oils before they become stale or unusable?

Actually it depends on a lot of factors, the truth is that 'aromatherapy' and essential oils are not the same as milk or bread, which follow a predictable and rapid path toward spoiling over a known period of time. The shelf life of a natural oil or essential oil are governed by its chemical stability, and anything that interferes with this stability will cause the oil to start the slow process of deterioration. It would vary depending on many external factors like the climate, the bottle from which it is stored and therefore it’s very difficult to predict the exact “shelf-life” But given an (almost) ideal temperature and humidity conditions, oils have a short shelf-life and the general rule is about one year.

II. I have been in business for 5yrs. I have great clientele base and continue to stay busy in the US and Europe. My question is with the recession here in the Philippines, what would be the best marketing venues to address? I am in 2 different phone books and on the internet. Please let me know what more i can do. As some marketing tactics I adopted and learned in America are not applicable here.

Eunice answered:

Thank you for an interesting question. But before I discuss ways to help you, I would like to ask you this: how many of your client base are still active (regular) clients of yours to date? Remember the 80/20 Rule. 80% of your business (sales) comes from 20% of your clients. So it will be more expensive for you to acquire new clients than to retain the ones you have. Compute first how much do you need a month in order to survive or make a living doing what you love to do. If your client base is not enough, you need to find ways of reaching your target market. Focus on them. Example, if you specialize in Hilot, you will have a better chance of offering it to Hotels without spas, Asian and Foreign business communities, groups and forums. Get in touch with the Presidents (or whoever is the deciding person) of these organizations and offer your services and sell your gift certificates in bulk. For your current client base, you can offer incentives and perhaps small gift items (free sea shell necklaces, key chains, ballpens, etc.- all with your logo or name and contact details on it to create branding) for those clients who has been with you through these years. Also some gifts does not have to be directly related with your business. Example, your clients would appreciate it if you can give them a gift voucher if they shop in a health store for Valentines or their birthday, you can also give a promotional free fitness hour at the gym which you can coordinate with the gym owner/manager without you having to pay for it.



These are just some of the ways, but I am sure there are a lot of ways out there.



You can join our upcoming meetups so we can also help you promote your services as well.



Hope this helps a little.



Peace,



Eunice









III. What are the financial benefits or costs of opening up a franchise spa in Asia rather than from starting from scratch and building your own spa from ground up? Is it easier to talk to the banks for a franchise there in your region? Thank you.



IV. Would you recommend franchising a well known spa or to just start a spa on our own. I have recently spoke to one franchisor and it looks like a good proposal. I was wondering what your thoughts are.



My answer to these two questions are quite similar:



Eunice replies:



Thank you for your questions and queries are all helpful.



The investment of the franchise depends on the perceived “value” or branding already made by the parent company. It will also depend on the menu of services (the more comprehensive their services = the more complex the spa operations = the more expensive the franchise fee), the area/location/country or locality. Rough estimate ranges anywhere from 1 Million Pesos to as much as 5 Million pesos with or without royalty and after sales support services. In order to attract more franchises with less capital requirements, some franchise today offer only focused services like massage therapies only, tanning, yoga or beauty regimens where the franchise fee will fall down to around 50,000 pesos and above. You will also have to consider the minimum liquid required capital which is around 40-50% of the franchise fee. You also have to consider what area are they open for franchising baka naman may name nga wala namang tao kasi sa dami ng competition within the area that you are interested in and thus will affect your ROI. There is also some minimum net worth requirement or capital requirement. Please also inspect, their franchise support system (which is very vital to both you and the parent’s company) kailangan matatag ang support system. Siyempore yung mag o-offer ng franchise will tell you all the good things you need to hear but you have to inspect. Trust but verify. Due diligence baga. Sometimes, it is safe to say that if you do not know anything regarding spa management and operations: the least financial risk, is to own a franchise BUT (the big but) there are also things that you should consider. Some useful documents you should inspect are:



Company policy manuals

SOP/Work Procedures Manual/Corporate Handbook

Customer agreements

Current by laws and articles of incorporation

Tax returns

Etc. (at marami pang iba)





A few PROS of owning a franchise:

You already have the system built ready, ROI is almost always (nearly) achievable in the time-frame the parent company designated as long as you stick with their principles, loans are also easier to get for a franchise depending on the bank and branch policies, you will also benefit from years of research, study and experience handed down to you through your franchise agreement.



A few CONS of owning a franchise:

You will not have the individuality, you will get stuck with the company policies and protocols, you will shell out a royalty at kung walang royalty wala ring support system ang parent company while if you have your own spa, build on its business, as years come by and expand- in the end-you might be the one franchising your idea of the spa. People will be the one paying for your franchise. The bottom line is, whatever you prefer to do, it should be in alignment with what you would like to be doing 3, 5 or 10 years from now.



Assess yourself personally, would you rather own and operate your own brand which is more difficult especially during the start-up phase? Or operate your business using other people’s idea? Or will your financial goals be met by owning a franchise or selling your own franchise?



Whatever it is, it should be all aligned to your personal goals (aside from financial goals)



Hope this answers both your questions. Be well.



Eunice



V. Ako po ay taga Albay but our friend's spa is in Naga. I have done trainings for them, but we need help in spa management and operations because spas here are under-cutting our prices, papano ba talaga ang proper pricing ng services namin?

This, is an excellent question, and I am sure marami din may ganitong katanungan so with the asker’s permission, again I posted it here. Hopefully, more people will learn and participate in.

Cultural and regional differences will always affect business, no matter what industry you are in. The spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness industry, in all corners of the world, is still considered luxury services, and are not considered (yet) health care services. Although thanks to spas that are committed to holistic and healing services, we are moving more that way- now more than ever before. However, if we are to be realistic- it will never be that way completely and therefore as spa owners vis-à-vis spa managers/supervisors- you will always be concerned with capitalism, profit margins and competitive position.

Over and under pricing can be a death trap for a new spa. Kaya nga lagi kong sinasabi HUWAG na HUWAG magkiki-pag price war because there will always be someone who will definitely go lower than what you are offering. Pag nag under price ka, you are setting your value to your clients/prospective clients agad regarding your quality and are setting a serious precedence that maybe difficult to correct in the short term. Pag nag over price ka naman, you will not have the business volume you need to survive-ultimately losing potential clients to your competitors. So anong dapat mong gawin?



To price properly, you should look at the following factors:

Case #1. What does it cost you to provide your service? (this will include the labor/wage/pay, supplies na ginamit para maibigay yung tamang serbisyo, the facility percentage cost –kung may ginamit bang equipment, etc.- at yung operational cost mo)

Just to give you a rough estimate, kung papano mag pricing:

Case #1 If your aromatherapy massage oil costs 3,000 pesos per liter (you need at least 20 - 25 ml per person so sa 1 liter, pag 20 ml ang ginagamit mong baseline you will have 50 persons sa isang litro and pag 25 ml naman ang basehan mo you will have 40 persons na gagamit sa 1 liter)

kapag 20 ml ginamit mo the product cost per massage is = 60 Pesos

kapag 25 ml naman ginamit mo the product cost per massage is = 75 Pesos

Eh product costing pa lang yan ha? Eh , magkano ang bayad sa therapist per day? If the minimum wage today in Manila, is…sabihin na nating, 350 pesos (net). And the average number of clients one therapist have in a day is sabihin na nating 3 (variable figure), therefore, you are paying your therapist 116.66 or to round it off 117 pesos per client.

So, 117 Pesos (labor cost) + 75 pesos (Cost of Goods/Product cost) = 192 Pesos per one hour massage

Therefore, 192.00 pesos ang ginagastos mo sa labor and products na ginagamit for 1 client in an hour of massage.

Eh hindi pa kasama yung operational cost mo diyan…so tell me, if you are charging just 250 pesos sa isang massage therapy service mo may kinita ka ba?



One has to give-in, mag su-suffer ang staff dahil ma u-undermine yung skills nila. Most probably sila ang babawasan mo ng sweldo (which should never be the case) or siyempre ang gagawin mo imbes na true aromatherapy oil ang gagamitin mo mineral oil na lang para maka tipid, at i-a-advertise mo pa rin na aromatherapy yun kahit hindi na kasi mabango naman. I hope you got my point. The important thing to know in pricing ALWAYS, is how much does it cost YOU (as a business owner) to deliver your service. Ito ang dapat na unang-una mong basehan. Not your competitor.



The formula should be:

Service Price= COG + Labor/Overhead + Operational costs + Profit margin



Case #2 As a trainer, I have encountered quite some few questions papano daw ba mag price ng service ang training:

As a side note, in my opinion Starbuck’s Coffee prices are too high but people are still in there fully willing to pay for what they want. They can certainly buy a cup of coffee more cheaply, but not Starbuck’s coffee. And people want their coffee. It’s the value you give to your guests/clients, not the price that is relevant.

Pero, just the same, mag costing dapat….like yung fare/gasoline mo, yung materials na gagamitin mo like manuals, rent sa building or office mo, certificates (if you will be issuing one), the duration, yung per hour na halaga mo as a professional at marami pang iba. Most of the time (hindi naman lahat), pag mahal ang binayad sa training mas maganda ang training kaysa yung maliit or walang investment. Kaya nga pag sa ibang bansa nag aral ang isang tao di ba parang wow…sikat…kasi nga alam natin na mahal yun at may value. Kasi pag walang investment on the student’s part, they will not give any importance dun sa tinuro mo, kaya yung perception natin sa industry ay mababa kasi tayo rin ang may kasalanan binababa natin masyado ang ating halaga at yung halaga natin sa profession mababa rin…..”so after ng training, mag ca-call center na lang ang mga estudyanteng natapos sa training kasi maliit naman pala ang kita dito sa industriya natin. Hindi makakabuhay. Diba? Kawawa naman.”



Bottomline is, NEVER GO INTO PRICE WAR, ASSESS FIRST YOUR FINANCIAL OPERATIONS before putting the figure of your price into your flyers and brochures, etc. So when we price, we price fair otherwise everyone in this industry will suffer.



As I would like to stress, again, the value we give to our services, reflects the value we give to our services and the industry as a whole.



2. Also you have to consider, based on your spa’s/wellness center’s/massage clinic’s financial goals for that month, quarter or year- ang question na dapat mong sagutin is- what percentage of your net revenue do you need to achieve on each service? Meron ka bang monthly budget na sinusunod? Kung wala…eh may problema tayo…dapat meron. Just get in touch with me so I can give you details.



3. What are your competitors charging for the same service? But this does not mean na dapat ka talagang gumaya sa price nila. This is just for comparison lang. If your competitors are offering free services, whenever I ask those who would consult me if it is effective, I ask them to do one simple thing for me: prove it by documents. Show me through client/financial records just how effective the service giveaway campaign has been. So far no one has been able (or willing) to do it. This huge and expensive assumption will most certainly consume time, products, and labor—all in addition to whatever marketing dollars you’re shelling out. And a darker problem usually develops in this type of business promotion: resentment on the part of employees who are forced to perform “free” services. I’ve almost never visited a spa where management and employees agree on the personal obligation or value of complimentary services. Employees often feel taken advantaged of or devalued as professionals when their talents can be doled out to the public like cheese samples in a supermarket. How good could a massage or facial be when performed by a technician who is unhappy about having to do it? The message will come across to your prospective client. Of course, there are probono services that we should offer to help others but, what we are talking about here is the business side.



The conclusion here is: Compare but set your own pricing that is commensurate to your target market and the value you give them. Even if your price is slightly higher, yet your services are better, clients will still flock to you. Know your market, know your business. Do not underprice and never overprice.



4. Once you have a comparison list of competitor pricing, how does your service compare? If you are charging more, is it warranted? Ano ang mas espesyal sa iyo kaysa sa iba? What is so unique about your massage clinic or spa that people will want to try your services out? If you are charging less find out also why. How did you come up with your service price?



Since it is January, at the start of this year, if you find yourself in a similar situation it might be a good time to make some important changes in the structure of your spa/ massage clinic or wellness business. I have a lot of things in mind pa…but I do not want to trouble you with details. I have a business worksheets CD which will help you in documenting financials and other CD's that will educate you just let me know so I can give you details. Hope to see you in our meetups so you can learn there.



Thank you and hope this helps a little.



Peace,



Eunice



VI. Noisy/ Boisterous Client?

Question:

I had some customer who like to converse to our massage therapist in the room (our room are separated by curtains, I believe that's how all massage shops are here in California), but i feel that they are also disturbing other clients next to them. I feel like telling the client to lower his voice or only converse on what the massage therapist practice. I don't know what to do or how to prevent it. Should there be step taken before the massage is performed? I really don't know what to do.



Eunice’s Answer:

Thanks again for a brilliant question.



Questions and conversations cannot be TOTALLY avoided, the therapist should be able to answer directly, succinctly and (gently) in a small tone of voice so if and when the client responds they will also mimic her/him replying in a soft tone of voice.



Also, if the client/guest is really talkative (as it is in a few cases), normally this is what I say, I would gently tell the client to "sir/ma'am ______. Don't worry I will attend to all your concerns/questions after our session at the reception area, in the meantime please try to relax so you can enjoy what you paid for" Then the therapist/practitioner can shut up. Except if the client has some urgent things to say. Or you as a therapist, have some clarifications to reply to.



Also, you can post or display a reminder/ note at the reception area, something like (you can edit them as you wish):

The spa is a place for solitude and haven (or serenity) for others, please be considerate of others using the premises. We would appreciate it if you would turn your mobile phones off or in a silent mode and lowering your voice. Thank you.



While waiting in the reception area, please turn off your cell phones or pagers and remain as quiet as possible. Massage requires that the practitioner and the client be able to focus on the massage. Noise is kept to a minimum so as to not disrupt this focus and concentration. Thank you for your cooperation.



I hope this helps a little.



Eunice

PS- I also noticed that you call them your customers instead of guests/ clients/ patrons. Perhaps we can use a more politically correct term: like guests/ clients/ patrons or patients (if in a medical spa facility).





VII. I was recently emailed a question regarding lamig and hilot. I would like to share this because this has often been the subject of dicussion among the circle of professionals/ practitioners in the field of massage. Hope we could all learn from.



Hopefully we can generate some replies too.



I took the liberty of excluding the questioner's name for his privacy. Let us just call him Mr. D:



Questioner: Mr. D

Category: Massage

Private: No



Subject: Lamig at Hangin

Question:

I know your familiar with "Lamig" and "Hangin" terms, madalas kong naririnig yan sa mga nagmamasahe specially here in the Philippines, marami daw nyan sa likod lalo na pag masakit ang likod mo. Pero others said to me hindi daw ito scientific, pinauso lang daw ito ng mga manghihilot, Now, i want to know what could be the best explanation to this at saan ba ito nagsimula, is this right or wrong? I want to know the truth, masyado na kasing kumalat ito sa larangan ng pagmamasahe.

Answer:



Hello D,



Thank you for your question.



In medical term it’s called nodules pero sa ating mga katutubong "hilot" (noun) or "manghihilot", its "lamig". Walang kaso dun wag na lang nating pag awayin ang science at traditional therapies. Both are correct in their own language dictums. Western term kasi ang nodules while eastern term ang lamig. At hindi lang kasi alam ng ating mga sinaunang mga Hilot kung paano i-explain yung origin or etymology nung words kaya parang hindi tamang gamitin ang word na lamig. But it is traditionally validated.



There are a lot of possible causes of nodules or lamig but I will just discuss yung common in relation to massage, it maybe a combination of any of the following:

1. too much stress on the muscles

2. exposure to hot and cold temperatures within short time intervals (yung bang galing ka sa init eh di siyempre open yung pores mo and then bigla kang ma-e-expose sa cold temperature (like an air-con room) papasok sa open pores yung cold air and it will be trapped inside.

3. Muscle soreness

4. Body fatigue



These are just a few but hope this helps a little.



Just let me know if there is anything more that I can help you with.



Peace,



Eunice

yunesa@yahoo.com





VIII. I recently received another question from one of our meetup friends and would like to share with all of you, below is the query:



Eunice , what is the customary tip sa Pinas for spa, last time we went my aunt castigated me, she was annoyed when i gave the therapist $20



Below was my reply to him which was edited a little (let us just call him Mr. J, to protect his privacy):



Hello Mr. J,



You have a very good question.



TIPS is an acronym for "To Insure Prompt Service" or sometimes referred to as gratuity. Your question is how much in the Philippines is an acceptable tip. It depends on the industry (because we also tip waiters, cab drivers, airport helpers, even our laundry ladies, etc) but below is my personal gratuity giving guide for any spa, massage clinic, wellness centers and similar establishments:



No gratuity for terrible service

20 to 50 pesos (approximately 1$) is cheap; only for service that is so-so

100pesos (approximately 2$) is fine ; for good service

200 pesos (approximately 4$) is wonderful; for above standard service

500 pesos (approximately 10$) is exemplary; for way above the average service

1,000pesos and up (approximately 20$) is great generosity; for highly commendable service



Of course in other countries, this might sound very minimal (as tips are generally 15 to 20% of the service price so if the service price is 50$, a client is expected to give 10$ at minimum) but then again you are asking about the Philippines. So what am I trying to arrive here then? My bottom line here is whether you are in the Philippines or anywhere else in the world for that matter, give whatever you are comfortable giving, give within your means and give out of the abundance of your heart to give. It is not the amount actually, but our attitude about giving.



Hope this helps a little.





Peace,



Eunice



IX. Ano po ba ang magiging hit na mga spa trends for the Philippine for the next two years ahead?

When it comes to being eco-friendly I think more and more spas will go for locally made products- the nearer you are to your market the better; as we all know, we are consuming more fuel and more energy purchasing imported goods than locally sourced out ones. So, less and less consumers will choose imported items. So move over imported items...



When it comes to branding- more and more people will also be mindful of how these “branded” companies treat their human resources, labor and the like. Before buying, consumers would feel good regarding buying from companies who comply with fair trade and labor. So it will be good for these branded companies to partner with socially responsible organizations within their region and outside of their respective countries. Although I think employment possibilities for Asians will tremendously increase due to an increase in demand for skilled labor in this field. The business of personalization in branding will also be a good niche.



When it comes to marketing trends and mindful spending, more and more people will recommend ONLY people they know, yung bagang alam nila yung product/service that they have tried themselves or they know the owners first -hand. People who they can associate with at levels they can afford. Ibig sabihin magiging less and less ang anonymous-ness ng isang product/service. Personalization is the key to being closer to your focused segment and be able to survive financially.



Learning labs will take a lot of shapes and forms and will also blossom into mentorships, advisory committees and groups, it might converge with the academe in the spa and wellness industry reaching more and more individuals. Maybe a learning kitchen? spa travels and escapades? online spa? perhaps the establishment of more libraries and museums which will be geared towards the past, the present and the future of this industry. The hunger for more knowledge and insider’s advice and information will definitely push for a compendium of human knowledge regarding the field of spa, massage, bodyworks, wellness, etc. whether this be digital or otherwise and will occur at an overwhelming pace and intensity.



More and more convergences and divergences will be at the forefront of our industry where those who wants to stay in business will be pushed to excel, do more for others and at the same time be economically viable. - yunesa@yahoo.com



X. I have recently received a question which I think we can all learn from so I am taking the liberty of posting it here, let us just call her Ms. B, below is her question:



Subject: Free Blowjobs



Question:

I'm a 24 year old woman and I'm a massage therapist. Although no one else knows about this, I have been giving free blowjobs to all of my male clients. Since I first gave one of my male clients a blowjob, I have been giving them to every male client that I massage. I ask the man if I can please suck his dick and that I'll do it for free. If the man says no, I tell him that I'll actually pay him money to suck his dick (I've done this several times). If he still says no, I tell him to please not tell anyone else that I offered giving him a free blowjob. If the man says yes, then I take off all his clothes and I take off all my clothes and I suck his dick until he ejaculates. After I swallow all of his cum, we put our clothes back on and that's my usual massage with a male client. I thought about if I should become some sort of sex worker but I don't wanna become a prostitute because I don't give free blowjobs for the money. I do it because I love sucking dicks and I love the smell and taste of them. And I don't have a boyfriend so I'm not cheating on anyone! I give free blowjobs to any and every male client who'll let me because I'm the type of woman who thinks that all men are hot, some are just hotter than the others. So, I'd suck off any guy. I wanna continue giving free blowjobs to every male client I get but I'm worried about what will happen if I get caught. I work at a nursing home (but I give massages in a room with lockable doors) and every man there knows that I give free blowjobs. They wink at me and I wink back and I have a sexual relationship with almost every man at the nursing home (I say almost because some men have not allowed me to suck their dicks but assured me that they won't tell anyone). Anyways, I'm pretty sure that all the men know that I'm not interested in being in a serious relationship with them. I just wanna suck their dicks and continue doing what I do. If I somehow get caught for giving free blowjobs, I know that I'll obviously get fired, but do you know if I'll go to jail for anything I've done? I've never been arrested for anything before and I don't think it's likely that I'll get caught for giving free blowjobs but I just really wanna know if I'll go to jail for something like that!





Hello Ms. B,



First, please be informed that I will in no way, judge you for what you do and what your beliefs are. So I will answer your concerns in the most caring, logical and professional manner, as I believe every individual deserves dignity and respect.



Second, I think you should re-consider doing it at the expense or under the disguise of massage therapy. Massage therapy is a decent profession NOT a perverted way of sexualizing a relationship. Technically, you are not allowed to use massage therapist as a title if you are doing something sexual other than therapeutic massage. It makes the industry look tainted and cheap. This will also hurt a lot of people trying to make a decent living out of it. With your description you are not doing massage at all. You neither mentioned about nodules, nor effleurage, petrrissage and the like.



Third, if they pay you for a massage then give them massage NOT and NEVER b__________ the one you are giving.



Fourth, what about female clients? Will you refuse massage to them even if they need it?



Fifth, not only will you lose your job but it depends on the state or country, you will be dis-barred from associations and stripped of your professional license (if you have one)...you will certainly go to jail.



Sixth, if I may add, sex should not be viewed as ugly. Sex is not about using people but as a way of showing that two people's union in love and respect sharing their body and their lives together. Sex without those is empty. After the pleasure now what? It should have a deeper meaning, deeper than reaching one's orgasm. Sex is created by God to be pleasureable so that we can enjoy it with the right person at the right time and the right place. It is not to be given to just anybody nor practiced with fear at the back of our minds because we might get caught. All in all sex is completely fulfilling if done in God's perspectives. I hope you will come to realize that. You are an honorable person, do not degrade yourself by offering b______. Men will think that you are a whore or a prostitute and as you said you don't like that. If you really don't like that at all, then stop what you are doing. It hurts you in the process and it hurts us all in the industry.



Seventh, last but not the least, I would like to invite you to read, download and print for FREE my article regarding Massage and Sexual Advances:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3539943/Preventing-and-Avoiding-Sexual-Advances-During-Spa-and-Massage-Sessions



I hope this will help and enlighten you.





Peace,



Eunice



XI. Is this normal in THAI massage?

hi i've been going for thai massage in a reputable place. The asian masseuse covers me properly and i am never exposed, always covered well with a towel. She leaves the room when i am changing.



But there is an instance in the massage, when i am on my back, facing front. She will PRESS and HOLD on my upper thigh just near my Genital/testicles,(while the towel is covering me) and then she releases and presses again in that area, then she moves/shakes that area while pressing it which causes my genitals to bounce around abit. This is done for couple of minutes, the genital itself is never touched.



It feels relaxing, but i was wondering if this was something legit is she trying to excite me, or is it a normal part of thai massage? The fact she's pressing/massaging close to that area.



im new to thai massage so i'm asking , i've tried other types and didn't involve such technique.



Eunice’s answer:



Thai Massage involves more stretching and range of motion techniques rather than pressing muscles and NO, its not normal but then again, if at any time, you feel uncomfortable, you are free to tell your therapist.



Also, people should consider massage as a wholesome and healthy treat NOT some profession that involves some hanky panky. Thanks to the many day spas and legitimate massage clinics and massage therapists that conduct their business professionally, eventually, the notion that massage and sexual acitivity is one and the same- will disintegrate. Hopefully, the public should be aware that although massage is intimate, it is not intended to satisfy someone's sexual apetite.



You can also read the article about Massage and Sex at this link: http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/preventing-or-avoiding-sexual-advances.html





XII. Can you suggest me some spa treatments, in particular for man ? I going to a spa next week and I need some suggestions. Manicure, pedicure, body scrub, body wrap, face treatments or whatever you think is good. What do you think ? Thanks.



If its your first time, try a Massage like Swedish Massage and Facial Therapy for Gentlemen.



XIII. What career? Spa therapy or Web developer?

I can't decide and I have two months to make a decision. I don't have any prior experience with spa therapy, but I've kept it as an option because it could get me into the work force easier. Plus, I learn about muscles, I can get healthy (being in shape is a requirement) also flexible hours. However, I am a male and it's more female dominated. My other option would be web developer/ or computer information sciences, which I'd go to community college for. I can't make up my mind. I'm 21 and I'm tired of living with my parents. I want to get out on my own.

Eunice replied:

Read books and articles regarding both careers. There are spa therapy career guides out there. Also, know what is really your passion and get into it. Follow your heart...



XIV. Do Spa microdermabrasions work?

So, im thinking about getting a spa microdermabrasion because i want to get rid of my acne scars do they actually work? And how much is it per session? And does it hurt



Eunice replied:

Depending on the depth of your scar, normally, it works if done on a regular basis (at least once or twice a month depending on your type of skin). The intensity of the treatment will also depend on the suction and abrasion procedure but generally it will only be a mild scouring of your dead skin cells. Precautionary measures should also be stated like: you should not be menstruating during the session, you should not expose yourself to sun and its rays after the procedure, if irritation occurs there should be a first aid cream to be given, if your skin feels tight afterwards use ice cold water to rinse your face and apply ice, etc.



Go to a professional and trusted medical spa/professional.



XV. Questions about massage?

1- were do they massage

2-what happens if you get and erection and you lying on your stomach that doesn't sound terribly comfortable

Eunice replies:



First, professional massage therapy only massages on areas like muscles, joints and not on private areas. Gluteal work or butt massage may also be included depending on the type of massage BUT even if gluteal techniques are used, you will still be draped properly. If this makes you feel uncomfotable you can ask your therapist not to include this. Massage therapists concentrate on areas that needs kneading to relieve pain and soar muscles and not on sensual areas so there will be a slim chance of feeling sensually aroused. But if you get an erection, professional massage therapists and technicians are trained to handle this properly. They will not feel awkward but will instead make you feel that its normal. Nothing persomal because sometimes its a physiological effect to relaxation BUT even if this is a valid reason- at any time- you can ask your therapist not to include certain areas you feel will not be comfortable with you.



Massage in itself is a pleasurable experience but not intended to sexually gratify a person.



You can also read these articles to help you in getting acquianted with massage therapy:

Do you want to know the right type of massage for you? Do you you want to know the common types of massage and how it is practiced? This article will give you the glimpse of massage therapies:

The Basics of Massage Therapy (Massage 101)

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/basics-of-massage-therapy-massage.html



Are you tired of putting up with sexually charged clients? Do you know how to handle sexual harrassment in the spa and massage therapy setting? Then this article will definitely help you:

Preventing/ Avoiding Sexual Advances during a Spa or Massage

session50 ways of Handling Client Advances

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/preventing-or-avoiding-sexual-advances.html







XVI. My 11 year old cousin wants to have a Spa themed party for her 12th birthday. Her mom and I have decided for a party person to come to her house and give the kids spa treatments. It is going to be a sleepover party and 8 children (including the birthday girl) are going. It is in December and we are having it in her basement. I have a few questions. Firstly, What games/activities/crafts can they do? Also, where can you buy cheap robes and slippers for the kids? I do live in Ontario, so Canadian stores/websites will be helpful. Thank you:) Also any other ideas would be helpful too.



Eunice replies:

Spa themed party might include:

Healthy cooking and demonstration

Back massage for 15-20 minutes each

Hair grooming sessions with the kids

Aromatherapy conconctions (just choose which oils are less harmful for the kids)

Choose a teacher who is lively, similar to a clown (?)



Visit an spa or massage place or schools for spa,massage or wellness and inquire if they can provide spa parties or spa-rties for kids.

Disposable slippers are a better choice.

Robes which can be taken home as their memorabilia or perhaps there are stores that can rent out robes for the occasion.





XVII. I received my first swedish massage last week and it went a little strange. The massgae therapist recomended that I be nude under the draping which wasn't a big deal being that it is common. What I felt was awkward was that about midway through the massage while lying on my stomach, he lifted the draping all the way up to the small of my back leaving my behind completely exposed. He then "really" massages my behind for a good five minutes. It did feel very good but they way he was doing it and the time he spent there made it seem unusual. I didn't say anything not knowing what to expect. Other than that it went well. Thoughts?



Eunice replies:

If you feel anything unusal and you feel uncomfortable with it please let the therapist know and be heard. They are professionals and they will ensure that your preferences will be honored.



There are certain massage therapies that includes butt massage but there are also some Swedish massage techniques that does not include the butt (or the gluteal area).



The bottomline here is your comfort and if anything makes you uneasy or taken advataged of then feel free to voice your concern.





XVIII. Hello. I'm very confused on what I want to do. Im a single mom and do not have a lot of time. I'm thinking about getting a degree in web design, it would take 2 years and I really don't like living in Seattle..so I'm dreading having to stay here for two more years or more. Another alternative for the time being I was thinking about is massage school. It pays very well about $60-$160 an hour and it's only a 9 month program. I've always been told I should be one. I just need to make money now..tired of struggling, but I'm more tired of living here. I'm used to sunny Florida and I moved here a year ago and I'm not liking it. Anyway, so if I can have some input on my decision that would be great. I do want to eventually pursue graphic or web design, but I need a job that is flexible and that pays in order to pursue my dreams. Thanks!



Eunice replied:



The answer lies into what would you love to do three, five or ten years from now. Being a massage therapist is also an expensive career. Would you still like working on people or perhaps put up your own massage center or even a spa? do not base your decision now on money alone. Money will come as a bonus when you enjoy first what you do.



I suggest you do a research on job outlook for both sectors: massage and web design. Which would you enjoy doing in the long-run? before plunging into any of these fields talk also to people who are already working in the area that you are interested in. Ask for advice from your close friends and family. They know you the best, so they might be able to give you an insight. Know the pros and the cons for each field.



My sister , who is naturally inclined to beauty and cosmetology, entered the field of massage- after awhile she get bored and I told her that instead of focusing on massage she should have focused on aesthetics (facials and body therapies, etc) and has shifted her focus from massage to aesthetics.



Research on your other options as well.



Last but not the least, pray that you will choose a field that is very much suited to your interests, your talents, your financial goals and being "you"...because you are unique



XIX. Does anyone have any insight on what specific questions would be asked during an interview for either or both of the above positions? My wife is really excited about her interview with a career training school and wants to be as prepared as possible.



Eunice replied:



1. number of years in the spa industry.



2. challenges you encountered on the job and how you handled it.



3. your career background- be able to discuss your previous employment experience



4. as an instructor, what do you love teaching? how patient are you?



5. expectations and salary requirements



here is also a link that can help her answer some questions: http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/suggested-interview-questions-and.html



XX. What are your opinions on Kids Spa?

Eunice replied:

It would be a great business idea.



Great place where kids can learn about wellness and taking care of their bodies as early as they can.



Fun place.



Good place to leave the kids- while you go have your spa treatment at the same place or some place else.



Trends show that younger and younger generations are going to spas. So it would be another good opportunity for investors.



XXI. My father put this profession sort of down this one lady told me massage therapy was looked at as a dirty job! and not only that my father told me his friend said that this lady was doing massage therapy and he proceeded to laugh and said it was a dirty job as well! my father smirked and said well just research it and I kind of felt discouraged is massage therapy really a dirty intimate job with lots of negative in it or is it a rewarding career? I don't know I seen the curriculum for massage therapy and it seemed to me that it looked very interesting and inspiring and I would love to help my family with all of there backs? soo should I feel down about this or what give me some suggestions you guys before i go ahead and plunge some money and go to school helpppppp!



Eunice replies:

Gone are the days that massage therapy is viewed as something just for sex or pleasure. It is now being integrated into health and wellness as a whole. Its a noble profession but of course, it has its bad image so we have to professionalize it. It's not a dirty job. Any work can be dirty if you will use it to harm people. Even a doctor can be dirty if they do not stick to their oath. Massage therapist should not be looked down because its an life honoring job. It's also lucrative and interesting. Wait till you see the curriculum which will include: Anatomy and Physiology, CPR and First Aid, Microbiology, Parasitoloy and Virology, etc. It is not easy, but its worth it. Go to a respectable and reputable spa or massage therapy center and observe carefully what the therapists do. It will give you a glimpse of how they work. You can also buy a book by Steve Capellini entitled Massage Therapy Career Guide.



XXII. Hi, I want to become a massage therapist in the future and I had some questions for you.

1. What college did you go to and why?

2. What classes did you take that allowed you to become a massage therapist? Were they hard?

3. Where are you currently working?

4. Do you enjoy being a massage therapist?

5. How much is your salary?

6. How many years did you attend college?

7. Is it easy to find a job as a massage therapist?



Number 6 is optional because some people feel sensitive about talking about that with a total stranger.



Thank you for your time!



Eunice replied:

I started out as a massage therapist. I will try to answer your questions one by one:

1. What college did you go to and why? Actually, it depends where would you like to concentrate: massage only or spa therapies also. I attended some of my massage modalities in Thailand. Its cheaper there instead of enrolling in the US at the same time, I think when learning about Thai massage, I would rather learn it from a Thai and when I want to learn Balinese massage- go to Bali, Indonesia, when you want to learn hilot- you come here in the Philippines. It really depends on the type of massage or spa therapy that you would like to concentrate on.

2. What classes did you take that allowed you to become a massage therapist? Were they hard? Expect that, most of your subjects will be about health and science subjects like: Anatomy and Physiology, Hygiene and Sanitation, Microbiology and Parasitology, First aid, etc. You have to check the state law what are required in your state as well as check the school's curriculum. If you are interested in a school, visit them and learn more about what subjects and workshops/seminars they offer.

3. Where are you currently working? I am now currently working as a spa consultant and wellness speaker

4. Do you enjoy being a massage therapist? Yes. Actually, it depends on your inclination, there is nothing wrong with being a massage therapist but my interest is more into coaching, mentoring, teaching and stuffs like that so I decided to put up my own consulting firm.

5. How much is your salary? It depends also on where you would like to work. Is it a cruise ship, resort spa or private practice? Generally, you should be making 1USD per minute of your work.

6. How many years did you attend college? Before entering the wellness field, I was a medical technologist (4 years in college) but it also depends. In most states, you will need anywhere from 200-500 hours, even 1,000 hours. Know your state laws regarding massage therapy.

7. Is it easy to find a job as a massage therapist? yes and no-depends on your qualifications and your location or the location you want to work.







My last advice would be- in a form of a question- what would you love doing even if you were not paid, you will still pursue that dream role?



Answer that and you will have your dream career.



Peace be with you



yunesa@yahoo.com





XXIII. I have gone for several massages before, and I wonder if it is always necessary for the towel to be on? I always wear briefs or shorts on anyway, and I find the towel often to be too warm or a nuisance. I guess my question is: does the towel always needs be on, or is it for the dignity of the patient?



Thanks





Eunice answered:



Most massage therapies require towels and drapes. Its generally used for propriety purposes. That is the reason why spas that I recently have put up, instead of towels (which are thick and warm) if you are in a venue or climate that is already warm in itself, we have improvised something like a "sarong" or a massage cloth, which is cool to touch. Also, if you can request your massage therapist to take the towel off and it is not against their policies, you can have it your way.



XXIV. lately, i have been thinking about going to get a massage but i am not really sure what kind i should get. i am just wanting something that will be really relaxing and make me feel refreshed afterwards. which kind do you think i should get? also i was wondering if draping is required while receiving a massage. i dont know if the rules vary by country or state, or at all; i live in texas though. i would prefer to not be covered. would that be weird to ask for in a massage? one more thing....what should i do in the event of an erection? should i tell the therapist or keep it to myself? thanks for you help.



Eunice answered:



Hi Aaron,



Thank you for your question. Different States/countries have different regulations in massage but normally you will be covered during the whole session except the parts that are being worked on. So expect to be draped but not to the point of being uncomfortable. Tell your massage therapist your preferences so they can adjust, if possible.

If its your first time, I would suggest you try a Swedish type of massage, if after the session you feel that you need a stronger and heavy prssured type then that is the time you experiement on other forms of massage or bodywork.

As a norm, you should NOT have any erection during a massage therapy BUT there are certin ocassions that we, as therapists, encounter that. In this event, just ignore it. We as therapists, consider that, nothing sensual but its the body's physiological reaction. Massage therapy is purely for therapeutic purposes thus the word "therapy". Gone are the days that it is viewed as something only for red light districts. Thus, the proliferation of credible spas.

If I may add, you can also ask for the menu of services at the reception area of the massage center or spa and ask them what they would like to recommend as sometimes they have other name other than what is generically called Swedish massage.



Anyway, hope you'll get to enjoy the session and feel rejuvenated afterwards. Let me know if there are other things I can help you with or to give me some feedback on your session.



Spa-fully,



Eunice



XXV. Hello,



I am studying an ITEC in Anatomy & Physiology and Holistic Massage and am about to start my first case study. I have been practising on family and friends for the last 3 months since I began the course and in that time some interesting questions have arisen. One of them being from a friend who has a ten month old baby and recently asked me how the expulsion of toxins throughout the body during massage might effect her breast milk in any way? She was slightly concerned about it as she is a very conscientious mother. I wondered if you might have any knowledge about this?



Thanks for your help



Catherine





Eunice replied:



Hello Catherine,



Thank you for your query and congratulations on choosing massage therapy as your career.



Regarding your question, Massage Therapy/Aromatherapy generally expel toxins through the skin and urine (kidneys). I do not think it will in anyway affect breast feeding as the mammary glands (breasts) are not an excretory organ.



I hope this helps a little.



Eunice

yunesa@yahoo.com







====================================================================================



The first informational blog regarding spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness with a focus on the Philippines. Eunice’s blog and updates are found in this link www.yunesa.blogspot.com



Some articles written by Eunice, which you can view, read, download and print for FREE. Just click on the links:



What term should really be used?

Client, Patient, Customer, At Iba Pa

Masseur, Massagist, Massage Therapist, At Iba Pa

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/03/client-patient-customer-at-iba-pa.html





Is the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry included in the Top Businesses to start in these times of global financial challenges? Find out in this article so you can adopt and perhaps change your business into profitable ones:

Top Businesses to Start in Uncertain Times/Sluggish Economy

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/top-businesses-to-start-in-uncertain.html



If you are an employer these are the things you should ask, or if you are a prospective applicant, job seeker or someone who interviews people, this article can help you answer and ask/probe questions:

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/suggested-interview-questions-and.html



Are you a smart boss, staff or employee? This article will give secrets on how to become a Smartest Spa, Massage Therapist/Practitioner.

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/smartest-spa-massage-therapist-ang.html



Do you want to know the right type of massage for you? Do you you want to know the common types of massage and how it is practiced? This article will give you the glimpse of massage therapies locally and abroad:

The Basics of Massage Therapy (Massage 101)

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/basics-of-massage-therapy-massage.html



Do you want to know how much capital you need to start your own spa, massage clinic or wellness center? Do you want to know what it is like being a spa owner? Do you want to be (really) prepared before you shell out money into putting up your own spa, massage clinic or wellness center? Do you want to know what steps you have to take before putting up your own business in this field?

How to Start, Begin or Open a Spa, Massage Clinic or Wellness Center

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/organizing-opening-starting-putting-up.html



Are you tired of putting up with sexually charged clients? Do you know how to handle sexual harassment in the spa and massage therapy setting? Then this article will definitely help you:

Preventing/ Avoiding Sexual Advances during a Spa or Massage

session50 ways of Handling Client Advances

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/preventing-or-avoiding-sexual-advances.html



Do you want to know about Hilot, Dagdagay and other indigenous therapies of the Philippines? If yes, then read on!

A Wee-bit of Philippine Indigenous Therapies with a Focus on Hilot

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/wee-bit-of-philippine-indigenous.html



Rules and Regulations on How to Become a Licensed Massage Therapist in the Philippines through the help of the Department of Health, here is the new update:

How to Be a Licensed Massage Therapist in the Philippines

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-be-licensed-massage-therapist.html



Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Assessment

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/licensure-certification-accreditation.html



On anti-aging and Physical Appearances

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/02/on-anti-aging-and-physical-appearances.html



How to renew a Massage Therapy License in the Philippines:

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/05/license-renewal-for-massage-therapy-in.html



If you want to be updated of spa, massage and wellness activities and events or be a part of a support group

What is Meetup all about?

http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/06/everybodys-meetup-dito-po-sa-atin.html





The most comprehensive resource and information guide on the list of training centers, magazines, publications, books and literatures both local and international are all available in the book, “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Guide and Career Book”. The First Book on Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Book and Career Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book (this has the most comprehensive list of training centers in the Philippines and abroad with tips from professionals and employment opportunities, legal laws and regulations, list of employment agencies, how to choose a trainer, and information that you need in order to succeed in this industry and before you shell out money for your tuition or training, there are a lot of ways you can grab a copy of this valuable information para hindi ka mag sayang ng time and money enrolling in trainings you do not even need. This book will give you the information to start right in the industry with secrets you should know and being able to find your rainbow in the wonderful world of massage, spa and wellness.

1. You can order it online via www.Amazon.com at 34.95$

2. You can order it via a Kindle device at $7.99

3. You can order an e-book copy through my blog at www.yunesa.blogspot.com at $19.95

4. You can also get a copy from National Bookstores nationwide at P799Pesos

5. For locals only, you can order it from me at local discounted rates with free delivery at 900Pesos (via LBC or FEDEX Air 21. Anywhere in the Philippines. Please allow 1-5 working days



If you are looking for a career opportunity, not just a job in the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry, this book is a must read.



Also, CD's included in the kit for spa management, practice and operations available:



The Spa and Wellness Business- Understanding the Basics (PowerPoint format)

Seven Deadly Mistakes to Avoid as a Spa Owner and Practitioner in the Spa Wellness Business (PowerPoint format)

Spa, Massage and Facial Therapies 101 (The Basics) (PowerPoint format)

Business Worksheets for Spa and Massage Business in the Philippines (Excel and Word format/program includes all the financial worksheets you need in computing for your operational cost, etc.)



This article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.meetup.com/philippinemassagetherapy

These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book



If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from www.Amazon.com or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com.



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Everybody's Meetup: Dito Po Sa Atin

Everybody’s Meetup: Dito Po sa Atin
By yunesa


It is wonderful to find people with similar likes and interests. It is more wonderful to be able to meetup or meet eye to eye individuals whom you have exchanged emails with and communicate only via text, YM and online. Napakabuti na nagsasama-sama, nagkakatipo-tipon at nagkakaroon tayo ng pagdadaupang-palad especially during meetups. Bakit ba kailangang may mga organisasyon? May mga asosasyon? May mga committees? May mga pagsasama-sama? May mga teams? May mga groups? May mga meetups? Dahil lang ba wala tayong magawa? Or we need to show off to others? For popularity’s sake? To promote our products and services lang ba? Bakit tayo nagbibigay ng ating time, effort at pawis. sa mga bagay na ito? Bakit may meetup? Bakit usong-uso ang mga social networking even online? Merong Friendster. Merong Multiply. May Twitter. Yahoo Groups. Facebook. MySpace. At marami pang iba. Marapat na ang bawat isa ay makibahagi sa pagbuo ng mga pagsasama-sama na ang mission, vision, culture, goals and objectives ay iisa. When we join any kind of group, bear in mind that we are joining to contribute to a larger view and context than us. Hindi lang para makapag-promote ng business or i-advance ang ating career but ang pangunahing layunin ng bawat pag join natin sa isang group or even meetup ay para tulungan ang industry where we are involved at tulungan ang mga taong may mga katanungan at pasanin in the area involved. For example, kung may gusto tayong itanong or help regarding spa, massage, wellness or even in the realm of business and entrepreneurship- walang tinatanggihan o kinakampihan ang meet-up maliban na lang kung may mga masasamang elemento na gustong mag-promote ng hatred, violence or any business or product that involves something na hindi naman nakakabuti sa general health at environment. We are non-partisan. Hindi tayo nag jo-join para manggulo instead, we are joining because we want to help or receive help and learn from others. We should engage in a group to give relief, care and shelter. Hindi yung habang lamalaki at lumalawak eh nagiging mapanghusga, mapagmapuri at mapagmataas ang group. We need a revolutionary approach to helping and learning from each other. Dapat everything that we do eh yung nagtuturo tayo ng bagong pag-asa, pagbabagong-loob at pag-iisip. We do not need too much fighting, quarreling and division amongst ourselves kasi there is too much war going on sa mundo natin at palagay niyo ba na wise maki-halo pa tayo sa ganun? Almost nothing will sap your energy and passion faster than being with people you do not trust or respect or do not trust you or respect you in return. Enduring a place with toxic relationship is truly suicide and no one will care when you need help or start to go down. Nakakapagod yung ganung relationship. But a group that connects you with people you genuinely like, respect and admire is an enormous gift. A group like this will push you further and inspire you to be your best. Tama na at tigilan na ang crab mentality, ang tsismis at tuligsaan. Hindi na dapat ang ganyang uri ng mga character and attitude. Wala namang malinis talaga. Wala ni isa sa atin ang walang kasalanan. Palagay niyo ba ang pagkakalugmok sa putikan ng isang tao ay wala tayong kinalaman doon? Meron din one way or the other. We affect each other directly man or indirectly. Kaya pag nagrereklamo at nagsasabi tayo ng masama sa isang tao, tayo man ay nababahiran ng kasamaan. Like attracts like remember? Kaya nga we should bless instead of curse kasi nga yung masamang sinasabi natin regarding a person ay bumabalik din sa atin. We should forgive kasi hindi natin alam kung kelan tayo naman ang mangangailangan ng forgiveness. We should love even those people who are un-loveable and those who do not deserve it. Mahirap gawin pero yun ang dapat gawin.

Of course, the truth is, we cannot please everybody. May mangilan-ngilan na kahit anong gawin natin eh hindi talaga ma-ple-please. We cannot address every issue or concerns of everybody, siyempre, we are humans. Marami pa talagang dapat i-improve at gawin. Yung mga taong hanap ng hanap ng butas para masiraan tayo ng loob pero hindi naman gagawin yung mga ginagawa natin eh dapat hindi na pinapakinggan yan. Sa meetup you will feel refreshed dahil ang ma-me-meetup mo dito eh generally mapagtanggap ng walang patakaran, maamo, banayad, mabubuti at mga kaibigan… eh anong kasiyahan ang aabutin mo kung tsini-tsimis ka ng iyong kapwa? Mas mahigpit pa tayo sa Diyos. Ito na nga napapahirapan na ng husto ang tao, lumuluha, duguan- dapat mapahinga na dahil sa judgment ng tao at usig ng budhi. I-ju-judge pa natin at tutuligsain. Every meetup natutuwa ako na napapahinga ang tao mula sa takot na mapag-usapan, takot na matsismis at takot na maintriga. Sa meetup hindi na natin kailangang magbalat kayo at magsuot ng maskara, itago ang nakaraan at itago ang mga sugat dahil hindi yan pinaguusapan sa meetup. No back-stabbing, nasty gossip or mind games involved. Merong mapayapang relasyon na dapat maging modelong relasyon ng bawat isa online and offline. Of course everyone has different styles, methodologies at different personalities but we should accept our differences. Basta hindi lang yung nakakasira sa kapwa at dapat hindi nakakasira sa general peace and order of the group. I am grateful for everyone because 99% of the time, every time na aalis ng meetup ang bawat isa ang bunga nun is magaan ang loob at naging masaya, mapayapa, tahimik at panatag dahil lahat naman tayo gusto ng payapang buhay at pakikipagkaibigan.

You will find different people of various persuasions in diverse places especially online. Different personalities. Different characters. How do you deal with each one? Some suggestions:
People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of having hidden agenda. Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds, think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but only follow top dogs. Fight for some underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed over night. Build anyway.

Ang meetup ay para sa lahat, hindi namimili or nagtatangi. Walang patakarang pagtanggap as long as “tao” kang mag-join, alam mo at least mag email at gusto mong mag-add ng value to the lives of others. You are most welcome. Walang outcast. Even if you cannot afford to attend a meetup, as long as there is a sponsor, pwede ka naman mag-attend. Walang hinaharang sa pinto. Nung mga unang mga meetup nga lahat yun for free but we would like people also to take responsibility for their learning and experience kaya we are charging nominal fees na. Up to now, we do not charge anything to join online. Pagkakaibigan at pagsasamahan yan ang laging na e-experience natin every meetup. Gawing madali at huwag pahirapan ang pag-join sa group yan ang layunin din ng meetup. We support other similar groups that are sensible, ethical and moral and follow government rules and regulations. We support individuals who are doing business responsibly. We have to see to it that everybody is adding to the value of one another. We are not too strict or stringent. Hindi rin tayo too formal na kulang na lang magkaroon tayo ng bulak sa ilong at makiramay hehehe….but at least decent. Hindi tayo maselan sa mga malilitt na bagay dahil may pananagutan tayo sa bawat isa na makapagbigay ng tuwa at kapahingahan. Paano tayo makakapagpasaya at makakapagpahinga sa sinuman kung ang grupo ay parang pulis at intelligence network sumbungan dito sumbungan doon, tsismis dito tsismis doon, parang may inspector palagi, kailangan pumasa sa quality control, parang sanidad at quarantine. Kaya yung mga nagsusumbong at nag-re-reklamo laban sa isang tao, grupo at iba pa kapag kinakausap ako ang lagi kong sinasabi ay kausapin niyo ang taong iyon directly. As much as possible it should be between the two of them only. It’s their own private matter. Whether that be a personal or professional issue. Ang dinidibdib kong trabaho sa meetup eh yung pwede nating gawing mga activities at mag-isip ng mga paraan na kayang abutin ng aking kakayahan para lahat ay makinabang especially online. Hindi tayo nandito para humusga, kumampi at hinding-hindi ako pwedeng manggatong. Patuloy akong magle-lecture, sasagot sa mga emails, mag o-organize ng meetup, mananalangin at aasa na ang pinaka-mabuti ay mangyayari. Somehow in these times of fleeting relationships and false friendships, everything has been reduced to the bottom line of winning. It has stopped being about new ideas to create camaraderie, to help people and has taken on the identity of winning at the cost of impugning anyone not on our side. Paano mapapahinga at magkakaroon ng kasiyahan ang isang mag jo-join sa isang meetup or group kung puro espiyahan, sumbatan, manmanan, husgahan, tsismisan, imbestigahan at litisan? Walang mapapahinga pag ganito ang nangyari. Hindi ito dapat mangyari. Dapat laging mas mahalaga ang future kaya hindi dapat na mag-away at magkaroon ng division because the world is small. Why will you want to hurt someone if you will also hurt yourself in the process? One way or the other, magkikita-kita rin tayo- eh anong gagawin natin pag ganun ang nangyari? Magiiwasan? Mag de-dead-ma-han? Parang wala tayong nakita o naka-salubong, ang hirap ng ganung sitwasyon di ba? Life is short to waste on too much politicking and back-biting. Ang liit-liit kaya ng mundo. On the other hand, tama na siguro yung pagtanggap ng pagkakamali and surrender ourselves to restoration. Laging mas mahalaga yung darating pa at may pag-asa pa. Marapat lamang na maging mahigpit tayo sa sarili ngunit maluwag sa iba. Pagibabawin natin ang pag-ibig at paguunawaan. May mga pagkakataon talaga na nagkakamali o nagkukulang ang tao siyempre tao lang tayo eh pero hindi naman din dapat maging reason ito na maging wala tayong paki-alam kung nakakasakit na tayo sa kapwa.

Some parts of our mission here on Earth are shared by all human beings. Example, we were sent here to bring in more gratitude, more kindness, forgiveness and more love into the world. We share this mission with each other because the task is too large to be accomplished by just one individual.

When joining any meetup or any group for that matter, we become accountable to people other than ourselves. Ang meetup ay parang basketball at volleyball. Meetup is a team sport- it has always been. No one particular person even myself is a hero, because everybody is. Walang hero dito. You are the hero here at meetup hindi ako. Ako lang ang taga-organize. YOU compose meetup. This is not my group. This is your group, your team, your family. Walang kami-kami dito sa meetup lahat ay tayo. Tayong lahat ay both kapamilya at kapuso. Hehehe……Divorce and annulment is not an option. Dahil marami pa tayong dapat i-accomplish, dapat i-improve, dapat bigyan ng pansin at dapat gawin, we are not interested in politicking but in helping increase your value, everyone’s value whether that means through a meetup under the tree, inside the mall, a lunch or through seminars and workshops. With this being said, I am sharing an email forwarded to me by my good friend and colleague Brian Stone, from NY regarding the Five lessons to make you think about the way we treat people. 1 - First Important Lesson – The Cleaning Lady.During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz.. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?'Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times.. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. 'Absolutely,' said the professor.. 'In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. 2. - Second Important Lesson – Who’s whoOne night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s.. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached..It read:'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away.... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.'Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole. 3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve. In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked.'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins.'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies... You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition. 5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts... Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then hisface grew pale and his smile faded.He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away?'.Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister ALL of his blood in order to save her but he had chosen to save her anyway.'Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody's watching.' In the book, “Only the Real Matters”, by Francis Kong (p. 163) he said that in the US, “immigrants from other Asian countries have prospered because of the creation of their business federations and chambers. Groups like the American and Japanese Chambers of Commerce with its Korean and Chinese counterparts have sought the improvements of the lives of their overseas workers who, in turn, are committed to their organizations. What about the Filipino community? According to his story, it was observed by his friend that, every time three Filipinos gathered together, there would be five varying opinions. Debates and arguments would ensue and there would never be any agreements. Nothing would be resolved. Everybody wants to be the leader and only a few want to be followers. Little wonder the Filipinos in America, one of the biggest and most talented minorities, have hardly made a dent. They have so much, yet accomplished so little. Today, we see the Chinese own the food and noodle shops, the Koreans own the grocery shops; the Japanese own the electronics shop; and the Filipinos shop in all these shops.”

This story of our countrymen in America is tragic but it need not happen to us. We really have to put an end to this. In Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but consider others better than yourself and regard each other as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own interests, but also for the interests of others. The bottom-line is to exemplify ang halimbawa ng Diyos, ang kanyang standards at katuruan even in our careers and relationships with people. We should all be better NOT bitter- dito po sa atin. This is the way we do things here at meetup. This is the way we are. Para pare-pareho tayong gumaling, lumakas, bumata J, sumaya at nagtutulungan sa paglalakbay sa buhay na ito.

yunesa@yahoo.com

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This article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.meetup.com/philippinemassagetherapy
These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book

A list of training centers, magazines, publications, books and literatures both local and international are all available in the book, “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Guide and Career Book”. You can order it online via http://www.amazon.com/ or for local Philippine orders, email yunesa@yahoo.com. If you are looking for a career opportunity, not just a job in the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry, this book is a must read.
If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from http://www.amazon.com/ or for local Philippine residents from all National Bookstores and PowerBooks nationwide, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com.

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The Smartest Spa/ Massage Therapist (Ang Pinaka Matalinong Spa / Massage Therapist)

The Smartest Massage/ Spa Therapist
(Ang Pinaka-Matalinong Massage/ Spa Therapist)
By
Eunice
yunesa@yahoo.com


I would like to share a story about four people flying in a small airline plane going for a vacation. Itong small airline plane na ito has four passengers inside: may pilot, may minister and two young women, one of whom graduated on top of her class as a summa cum laude in a prestigious massage and spa school.

As they were flying, the pilot turned to his three passengers and said, “We are having engine trouble, I have a bad news and worse news, which would you like to hear first?” They all agreed to the bad news first. “The bad news is”, the pilot continued “we are having mechanical trouble, the plane’s going down and we will surely crash. The worse news is we only have three parachutes in the cabin and there are four of us”.

The pilot started to reason out “I have a wife and two small children, I am sorry but I am going to have to take one parachute” and without any hesitation, he grabbed one of the parachutes and jumped out of the plane.

The summa cum laude, immediately spoke, “I have been voted the graduate most likely to succeed in my spa school and have been honored as top of my class. I am sorry but I might be the one to come up with a cure for fibromyalgia through massage, who knows? I might even be the one to solve the economic problems of the industry.” With that said, the top graduate grabbed the second parachute and jumped.

The minister then spoke and said to the remaining young woman, who unusually remained calm, “Young lady, you take the last parachute, I have made my peace with God and I am willing to go down with the plane and die. Now take the last parachute and go before it’s too late.”

“Relax, Reverend” replied the young woman, “the top graduate, the one voted most likely to succeed jumped out of the plane with my knapsack. We have two parachutes left for the two of us.”

Lesson? A lot of young people think they are pretty smart especially if they came from reputable schools with high honors and adulation from people. But what they do not understand is that in this industry as in all the others, many things are to be learned, not in the massage table or in the spa lecture rooms but in the streets called life especially in the work place.

Like the top graduate, these smart people as they see themselves, jump out into the world without parachutes. They think they know it all, and they start pushing their way around to the point of hurting people and they will soon crash….because what they have is only a knapsack and not a real parachute.
It is okay if we are passionate at what we do, but if we, the younger generations started criticizing older generations or people just to impress others on how brilliant or talented we are, or we act on impulse at hindi tayo nagiisip bago magsalita then we start to recklessly hurt other people. In the long term, we are also hurting ourselves. Because believe it or not, the value we give to other people, is the value we give to ourselves. So relax and take it easy…..

Take time to study, analyze, keep your opinion to yourself, sabi nga sa isang lumang kasabihan na ang latang walang laman, pagulungin mo sa lansangan mas maingay pa daw sa batingaw (there is an old saying that an empty can sounds the loudest). Be tactful in saying things and pray before you react. Although siyempre minsan talaga gustong gusto mo ng mag react di ba? (Of course, sometimes you cannot help but react or defend yourself) As humans, we would always choose the way which has the least resistance. Sometimes, ito yung pag sasalita ng walang pakundangan kaya nga minsan mas gusto ko yung nag susulat kasi I can erase and edit eh yung salita? Pag nasabi mo na hindi mo na maibabalik. (Sometimes these are the words that we hurl to another person and sometimes, it is better to write because when you write something you can erase and edit while a hurtful word cannot be taken back). Kaya mas masakit sa aking palagay yung salitang isinulat or idinaan sa letter kasi may time pa tayong mag isip isip bago natin matapos ito di ba at magbago ng isip? BUT of course, if done in good taste, we should be open for a little nudge or reminder. Mas maganda siguro kung love letters ang sinusulat natin sa kapwa…hehe….(It would be better if we can write instead a love letter….)

In the massage and spa business industry, I also learned that there is a time for everything Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. There is a time to speak and correct. Naniniwala ka ba na ang Diyos ang author ng time? (Do you believe that God is the author of time?) Siyempre, if you believe that God is the author of time, then you would trust him for the right time wouldn’t you? God is never a second too early or a second too late. God is always right on time because He is perfect.

I remember that when Fortune Magazine asked the Chief Executive Officers of many Fortune 500 companies what they consider the most important qualities for hiring and promoting their staff. Do you know what the unanimous answer was? Its their attitude especially of integrity and trustworthiness. Hindi pinag uusapan kung saan ka grumaduate (we are not talking here where you graduated). It is not your technical skills, knowledge, education and work experience that matters. But the good-old fashioned attitude. The qualities that God wants us to emulate from Him.

After more than eight years in this industry, I have come to realize that an inexperienced worker with a track record of loving his work and impeccable attitude of work ethics is much more preferable than a brilliant employee who graduated with high honors from a top university with questionable ethics. If I were to choose only one, I would rather hire for the attitude rather than the credentials.

Ang problema lang sa work ethics and attitude (the problem with work ethics and attitude)…..is that there is no school for them. The only thing we can do to achieve that is to surrender our lives to Christ and let Him lead our way. Even management experts agree that your attitude towards your work, determines the outcome of your work. Our attitude determines our future.

We would often encounter classified ads that says they are looking for someone with a bachelor’s degree, someone who graduated from well-known universities, with pleasing personality, a Licensed or Certified Massage/ Spa Therapist, hard-working, talented, ambitious, proficient in oral and written English and so on and so forth. Although these are very good qualities, no doubt about that, but they are not the most important qualities to look for. Mas maganda kung meron ka ng magagandang credentials mabuti ka pang tao. Talagang nakaka bless. Double blessing ika nga. Believe me, we need more of those people today more than ever before. I think if attitude and values are stressed more in our massage and spa schools today, less and less problems will be faced by spa owners and operators regarding staff attitude and lesser incidences of back biting, rumor mongering and lower percentage of staff turn-over. Because everyone will be looking out for each other’s benefit and not to each his own.

In Japan, managers and supervisors are not hired based on their education, abilities or skills. They were hired based on their mutual obligation to teach and train their staff. So Japanese managers devote 20-30% of their time developing the potential of their staff. If we are neglecting to look into the applicant’s passion to learn, to teach what he/she knows to the staff, we will have stunted growth in our spa, massage clinic or wellness center. Training should not stop with skills. It is a continuous process. If we will only train people in skills, the result is a pool of graduates who are bright, very good with massage and spa skills and educated in theory but who are individualistic, selfish, unable or unwilling to be a team player. Gusto lagi kanya-kanya. Para sa kanila…. Akin, ako…yun ang mahalaga…..(For them, I, me and myself are what is important). The hard truth is, kaya nagkakagulo sa spa dahil ang daming ayaw mag patalo. (That is why the spa human resources sometimes experiences chaos because nobody wants to give way). Everyone wants to have his or her own way.

The height of achievement in Japan is for the manager or supervisor is the promotion of his/her staff to a position higher than his/hers. Take note ha….higher than the manager or supervisor. There is a special ceremony pa nga to celebrate the occasion, and the celebration’s center of attention is not the one who got promoted but the supervisor or manager that made the promotion possible. There is a spirit of self-sacrifice at work within the framework of the corporate organization.

Ang totoong leader is someone who is willing to share their knowledge to develop people to the point of letting others surpass him in knowledge and ability. Effective leadership is always being a servant first and it does not come for just a year or two. It comes with years and years of persistence and hard work and believing in yourself and your people. One day at a time. The fruit of one’s labor does not come only after two months or a year, it comes in years and even decades of persistence. So there is still a lot to learn and to accomplish out there and we have only scratched the tip of the iceberg. We have to be sure we are hanging on to a parachute not a knapsack.

We know already that we are an effective servant if we are willing, at any moment, to receive from others and to learn from others.
Are we helping because we want to get something? Are we are helping even if we are not getting any monetary rewards? It is always a pleasure to give than to receive. But, we cannot give what we don’t have so we have to cultivate ourselves first before others. Even in an emergency inside an airplane, one should place the oxygen mask first to himself/herself before placing the other oxygen mask to a child di ba? Simply because you cannot help another person if you, yourself are also helpless.

When we also did or said something, we should be quick to apologize. It is said that the three most neglected words and the difficult things to say are: I am sorry, I love you and Thank you. So let us start practicing to use them more.
We are not perfect but we can make a difference.

To conclude, here is a song that I found very timely from Noel Cabangon (or is that a K?) entitled Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino (I am a Good Filipino):

AKOY ISANG MABUTING PILIPINO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARW551VzUFw
Akoy isang mabuting Pilipino (I am a good Filipino citizen)Minamahal ko ang bayan ko ( I love my country)Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin (I accomplish my duties and responsibilities) Sinusunod ko ang kanyang mga alituntunin (I follow my country’s rules and regulations)Tumatawid ako sa tamang tawiran (I would cross in the correct pedestrian lane)Sumasakay ako sa tamang sakayan (I would ride and alight in the correct spot)Pumipila’t di nakikipag-unahan (I would line up and will not get ahead of others who are already in line)At di ako siga-siga sa lansangan (I am not a street bully)Nagbaba’t nagsasakay ako sa tamang sakayan (I alight my passengers in the right place)Di nakahambalang parang walang pakialam (I do not just stop anywhere I want as if I do not care)Pinagbibigyan ko'ng mga tumatawid sa kalsada (I would always give way to pedestrians)Humihinto ako pag ang ilaw ay pula (I would stop when the red lights are on)Pagkat akoy isang mabuting Pilipino (Because I am a good Filipino citizen)Minamahal ko ang bayan ko (I love my country)Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin (I accomplish my duties and responsibilities) Sinusunod ko ang kaniyang mga alituntunin (I follow my country’s rules and regulations)Di ako nangongotong o nagbibigay ng lagay (I do not accept or give bribes)
Ticket lang ang tinatanggap ko’t binibigay (Only traffic tickets are given and accepted by me)Akoy nakatayo dun mismo sa kanto (I stand right in the corner)At di nagtatago sa ilalim ng puno (And I do not hide under the tree)Di ako nagkakalat ng basura sa lansangan (I do not throw trash in the streets)Di bumubuga ng usok ang aking sasakyan (My automobile does not emit smoke and polluntants)Inaayos kong mga kalat sa basurahan (I throw trash in the trash can)Inaalagaan kong aking kapaligiran (I take care of my environment)Pagkat akoy isang mabuting Pilipino (because I am a good Filipino citizen)Minamahal ko ang bayan ko (I love my country)Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin (I accomplish my duties and responsibilities) Sinusunod ko ang kaniyang mga alituntunin (I follow my country’s rules and regulations)Lagi akong nakikinig sa aking mga magulang (I listen to my parents)Kaya't pag-aaral ay aking pinagbubutihan (So I study hard)Di ako gumagamit ng bawal na gamot (I do not use prohibited drugs)O kaya’y tumatambay at sa eskwela’t di pumapasok (nor do I wander around and not go to school)Pinagtatanggol ko ang aking karangalan (I uphold my honor)Pagkat ito lamang ang tangi kong kayamanan (Because this is my only wealth)Di ko binebenta ang aking kinabukasan (I do not sell my future)Ang boto koy pinahahalagahan (I give importance to my vote)Pagkat akoy isang mabuting Pilipino (because I am a good Filipino citizen)Minamahal ko ang bayan ko (I love my country)Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin (I accomplish my duties and responsibilities) Sinusunod ko ang kaniyang mga alituntunin (I follow my country’s rules and regulations)Akoy isang tapat at totoong lingkod ng bayan (I am an honest and true servant of the people)Pabor o lagay ay di ko pinapayagan (I do not allow special favors and bribes)Tapat ang serbisyo ko sa mamamayan (I practice honesty in serving my fellowmen)Di ko binubulsa ang pera ng bayan (I am not corrupt and do not place the money of the people in my pocket)Pinagtatanggol ko ang mamamayang Pilipino (I defend my fellow Filipino)Mga karapatan nila’y kinikilala ko (I acknowledge and uplift their rights)Ginagalang ko ang aking kapwa tao (I respect my fellowmen)Pinaglalaban kong dangal ng bayan ko (I defend the honor of my country)Pagkat akoy isang mabuting Pilipino (because I am a good Filipino citizen)Minamahal ko ang bayan ko (I love my country)Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin (I accomplish my duties and responsibilities) Sinusunod ko ang kaniyang mga alituntunin (I follow my country’s rules and regulations)
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Attitude…. It’s an everyday thing, don’t you think?

A list of magazines, publications, books and literatures both local and international are all available in the book, “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Guide and Career Book”. You can order it online via http://www.amazon.com/ or for local Philippine orders, email yunesa@yahoo.com. If you are looking for a career opportunity, not just a job in the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry, this book is a must read.

This article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.meetup.com/philippinemassagetherapy
These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book
If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from http://www.amazon.com/ or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com.

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