This month in our graduate spotlight we feature Cindy Black, licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist, who graduated from the Florida School of Massage in 1990. Cindy is the founder of Meridian Massage Institute, which offers practical workshops, certifications, and lectures that integrate Western scientific thought with Chinese Medical Theory. Classes are held in St. Petersburg, FL, during the winter, and in Ithaca, NY, in the summer. Cindy offers in-person and online courses for massage therapists, acupuncturists, and other hands-on professionals. She took a moment with us recently to answer some questions about how FSM has played a role in her success. Q: What were you doing for work before your FSM training? I went to college for health education and yet felt sure I didn’t want to teach in the public school system. So I went to work as a substance abuse counselor right out of school. After experiencing my first massage I began sending all of my clients to receive massage. I realized licensed massage therapists have the ability to work for themselves and that perhaps that would be a good choice for me. I didn’t have to work for anyone else. This was very appealing. Q: What was it about the FSM experience that inspired you to do what you do now? At FSM I learned about creative education models that helped the students understand the way they learned best. I became inspired and realized I not only was learning the skills to do massage but that I had found an avenue for being a health educator. Q: FSM follows a “self-empowerment” model – how did this model affect your learning experience and the choices you made after graduation? I learned there is a lot of intelligence in the human body. I was really moved by the Shiatsu training I received and had an early interest in Chinese Medicine. After owning the Finger Lakes School of Massage for ten years, where I further developed my love of teaching, I went to acupuncture school. This continued the integration of everything I learned as a therapist and educator. Q: Tell us about your new institute. While in acupuncture school I kept thinking, “I wish I had known this while I was in massage school.” After graduating I continued to study the Asian healing arts and eventually my practice developed into hands-on bodywork within the framework of Chinese Medicine. In trying to describe my work to students, clients and colleagues, the most accurate name for my work is Meridian Massage. It has been a natural progression through 23 years of study and private practice to form the Meridian Massage Institute. Q: Can anyone come to your school? My classes are designed for experienced hands-on therapists and acupuncturists. Essentially, I teach Chinese Medicine to Massage Therapists and Massage to Acupuncturists. The foundation of my program is working with the natural wisdom of the human body and spirit through bodywork education and this is what I experienced for the first time at the Florida School of Massage. Q: Do you have any advice for alumni or prospective students? I’ve always heard that our answers are within ourselves. Massage Therapy is an excellent avenue for going within and feeling – listening – finding those answers. As FSM taught me, I am the best person to know what is best for me and you are the best person to know what is best for you. So my advice is to listen deeply to yourself and surround yourself with those who encourage and support the unique unfolding of your life. For a current class listing or more information, visit MeridianMassageInstitute.com
