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Episode 42: Enhancing Therapy Skills: TMJ, Myofascial Work, and Pelvis Alignment with Marnie Matyus

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Discover how embracing innovative massage techniques can rejuvenate your therapy career and bring profound healing to your clients. Join Julie Alexander, host of the Handcrafted Therapy Podcast, as she delves into the art and science of therapeutic bodywork with guest Marnie Matyus. In this episode, Marnie shares her fascinating journey from corporate instruction to becoming a sought-after instructor of transformative massage courses. You’ll learn about the life-changing potential of classes on TMJ disorder, somatic bodywork, myofascial techniques, and more. 

Explore how Marnie’s gentle, intuitive approach to intraoral and fascial massage transforms client experiences, inducing both physical relief and emotional release. This compelling discussion also highlights the power of investing in yourself through continuous education and practices like self-care and receiving bodywork. 

Whether you’re a seasoned therapist looking to innovate your practice, or newly licensed and eager to expand your skillset, this episode offers valuable insights into the holistic power of bodywork. Discover the exciting future of therapeutic massage and the vital role emotional and somatic understanding play in client healing. Tune in to be inspired and empowered to elevate your massage therapy practice. 

In this episode, Julie and Marni discuss:  

  • Strategies for students, including physical readiness and open-minded learning. 
  • The role of ongoing learning in revitalizing massage therapy practices. 
  • Facilitating Emotional Release in Somatic Bodywork 
  • Somatic Bodywork Techniques Introduction 
  • Class details on somatic bodywork benefits for clients and practitioners. 
  • Importance of myofascial techniques in massage therapy practice. 
  • Understanding Pelvis Alignment 
  • Comprehensive Cervical Spine Techniques 

Classes mentioned:

Exciting Line-Up of Classes

  1. TMJ Disorder Class (April 27): Marni highlights the importance of mastering intraoral work softly and safely. This class focuses not just on external techniques but dives deep into the subtleties of the temporomandibular joint, promising profound client relief.
  2. Introduction to Somatic Bodywork (May 25): Exploring the realm of emotional and physical sensations, this class is designed to teach therapists how to hold space for clients’ emotional releases during sessions, tying into the importance of somatic bodywork.
  3. Myofascial Work (September 13-14): Expand your toolkit with exquisite myofascial techniques. Marni’s approach focuses on gentle, yet effective methods that encourage full-body unwinds without exceeding pain thresholds.
  4. Pelvis Realignment (October 26): Center your practice around the body’s core. This class teaches crucial techniques for aligning the pelvis, an oft-overlooked yet central aspect of bodywork that can alleviate pain and balance the body effectively.
  5. Cervical Spine Mastery (November 9): Culminating Marni’s extensive knowledge, this class focuses on non-invasive techniques to provide cervical spine relief, echoing her lifelong expertise in relieving neck pain.

Timestamps

00:00 Inspiring Classes at Pan Crafted 

04:20 “Importance of Rest and Openness” 

07:14 Invest in Yourself 

11:28 Gentle Lateral Pterygoid Release Techniques 

16:09 Somatic Bodywork for Emotional Healing 

20:08 Mindful Body Awareness Therapy 

21:12 Somatic Bodywork Techniques Overview 

27:19 “Guide to Somatic Bodywork Success” 

30:04 Self-Forgiveness in Therapy 

32:25 “Intuitive Bodywork: Focused Energy Unwinds” 

36:15 Gentle Pelvic Alignment Techniques 

39:53 Massage-Chiropractor Collaboration Benefits 

43:31 Gentle Myofascial Therapy Benefits 

48:09 Innovative Massage School Experience 

50:57 Therapist Growth Lab by John James 


More About Marni Matyus

Visit Kekino’s Website 

My work has evolved in ways I never could have imagined. This is how I currently describe my job: I am a bodyworker/manual therapist My specialties are chronic pain, anxiety, trauma, disassociation, migraines, TMJD, neck pain, car accidents – especially whiplash and recovery from serious injury, neurological conditions, long covid. I often help people who are stuck in fight/flight and help them to stay in a more calm/grounded/regulated state. I have a lot of experience treating trauma victims and often work collaboratively with other health care providers. My training is in cranio-sacral therapy, somato-emotional release, medical massage, myofascial release, visceral manipulation, lymphatic drainage, orthopedic and osteopathic techniques, naturopathy, herbology, reiki, meditation, theta healing, I’m licensed as a massage therapist and massage therapy instructor with a certification in corrective exercise. I practice instrument assisted lymphatic drainage (Lymphstar Pro) as well as manual lymph drainage and a variety of manual therapy modalities. I teach classes for massage therapists in myofascial release, back pain, pelvic alignment, cupping, reflexology, cranio-sacral therapy, reiki/energy work, TMJ, trauma, and more. I often treat people who have suffered for years or those whose doctors can find no real answers for the source of their pain. I treat anyone who can benefit from my unique skill set. Most often I see stressed moms, postnatal, prenatal, people who spend too much time at a desk, elderly, frail, and those with complicated medical conditions or who are otherwise too sensitive for regular massage. My touch is deep when necessary, but I find that the most profound healing often comes from the lightest touch – highly focused and intentional. It is almost always gentle and pain free. I coach clients in shadow work, nutrition, natural health, non-toxic lifestyle, meditation, pain management, healing trauma that presents as chronic pain and/or limiting beliefs, movement, learning to feel, feminine embodiment, emotional regulation.   


Connect with Julie Alexander and Handcrafted Therapy Join our email list

To learn more about Julie Alexander, LMT, and Handcrafted Therapy Events and Wellness Center, head over to www.handcraftedtherapy.com 

Join the Handcrafted Therapy Facebook community  Or the Handcrafted Therapy YouTube channel:

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Episode 39: Unlocking the Secrets to a Successful Massage Therapy Practice with Cindy Slack

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In this episode, Cindy Slack shares her journey in the massage therapy industry, beginning in 1999. She discusses how she navigated the challenges of starting out when massage therapy was less popular and the limited options for employment pushed her towards becoming a business owner. Cindy introduces her innovative software solutions, Body Work Buddy and Body Work Media, which help massage therapists with online scheduling, client management, and social media content automation. Throughout the episode, Cindy emphasizes the importance of organization, continual learning, and maintaining a balance between practicing massage and managing the business side of things.

In this episode, Julie and Cindy discuss: 

  • Successful massage therapy practice  
  • BodyWorkBuddy online scheduling tool  
  • Marketing tips for massage therapists  
  • Innovative social media strategies  
  • Continuous learning in massage therapy 

Timestamps: 

00:00 Introduction 

01:07 Early Career Challenges 

02:32 Becoming a Business Owner 

06:30 Developing BodyWorkBuddy 

09:15 BodyWork Media and Social Media Tips 

17:05 The Importance of Continuous Learning 

22:03 Community and Mentorship 

29:25 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up 


More about Cindy Slack 

Learn more about www.bodyworkmedia.com    

Check out www.bodyworkbuddy.com 

Free 90 Day Content Calendar

I’ve been a massage therapist since 1999. I still maintain a private practice today, specializing in ashiatsu. In 2009, I co-founded Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, and have spent the last 14 years helping massage therapists run their business smoothly and effortlessly with simple-to-use tech for online scheduling and practice management. My latest adventure is a merging of my tech expertise, tools, and marketing experience gained from both my private massage practice and massage software business to create the seamless digital marketing tool of Bodywork Media which includes automated social media posts for massage therapists. 


Connect with Julie Alexander and Handcrafted Therapy Join our email list

To learn more about Julie Alexander, LMT, and Handcrafted Therapy Events and Wellness Center, head over to www.handcraftedtherapy.com 

Join the Handcrafted Therapy Facebook community  Or the Handcrafted Therapy YouTube channel:

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Episode 35: Building a Successful Massage Business with Valarie Karpiel

In this episode of the Handcrafted Therapy Podcast, host Julie Alexander interviews Valerie Karpiel, a massage therapist and business owner in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Valerie discusses her transition from education to massage therapy, her rapid rise in the industry, and her unique approach to combining therapeutic and relaxation massage techniques.

They explore Valerie’s recent accomplishments, including becoming the president of the AMTA Board for Wyoming and her experience competing in the massage championship. The discussion also covers effective business and marketing strategies, the significance of community in the massage industry, and Valerie’s plans to expand and share her knowledge through workshops and mentorships.

 In this episode, Julie and Valerie discuss:

  • Massage business marketing tips
  • Buying and managing spas
  • Challenges managing independent contractors
  • Tailoring services to local clientele

TIMESTAMPS

[01:32] Valerie’s Journey into Massage Therapy

[03:58] Discovering the Migraine Miracle

[08:46] Transition to Wyoming and Business Ownership

[17:21] Managing Independent Contractors

[22:59] Marketing Strategies for Massage Therapists

[24:39] The Importance of Location in Marketing

[25:29] Face-to-Face Marketing Strategies

[27:17] The Power of Free Massages

[33:34] Referral Programs and Networking

[36:44] Volunteering and Community Building

[41:40] Massage Competitions: Pros and Cons


About Valerie

To learn more about Valerie Karpiel head over to

www.massageprofessionalsjh.com AND

www.massagepros-lodge.com

You can also follow Valerie on Instagram @massageprosjh and on Facebook: @MassageProfessionalsJH

Covid LMT graduate, worked in franchises and spa settings in the metroplex. started my 1st practice in Mansfield. Received my MTI and CEP licenses. Dec 2022 purchased Massage Professionals of Jackson Hole. Spring 2023 competed in Massage Championships (brought home the gold) January 2024 opened 2nd location (Massage Professionals at The Lodge) May 2024 elected President for Wyoming chapter AMTA.


Connect with Julie Alexander and Handcrafted Therapy Join our email list

To learn more about Julie Alexander, LMT, and Handcrafted Therapy Events and Wellness Center, head over to www.handcraftedtherapy.com 

Join the Handcrafted Therapy Facebook community  Or the Handcrafted Therapy YouTube channel: