By Frank Merillat
So as I write this the holidays are passing by and we head for the New Year. It is a season for renewal in several ways. For starters it is the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one. A time to assess how we are doing and develop a plan for what is coming, just think of the tradition of New Year’s resolutions. So what are your plans for this new revolution around the sun? It does help to have a direction or goal as we continue on this journey that is our life.
We are also heading into a different type of renewal year as massage therapists, 2019 is a renewal year for our CEU credits and license renewal. Remember that you have to complete your CEU credits and be documented by CEBroker by August 31st in order to renew your license. If CEBroker has not recorded the credits you will not be allowed to complete your license renewal. It is easy to set up a free account with CEBroker where you can see what they have listed for you, just go to cebroker.com and set up your free account.
Now what is your plan to complete the required 24 credits required for license renewal? Do you have one or do you just wait and grab what is available as the deadline approaches? What would you like to learn more about, where is your growth edge, what would help build your practice? The sooner you identify what interests you and decide on a plan, the more options for classes will be available.
I know I have begun to look through the options offered through the FSM continuing education webpage and there are quite a few available. I know I am offering courses on specific head, neck, shoulder and low back work as well as chair massage, the art of presence and resistance/release work. One of my favorites is the class focusing on breath as it is so essential to our well being.
If none of these are what you are looking for, there are many more course offerings from a number of very good instructors. Does Thai massage interest you, what about hot stone massage, or Ayurvedic massage? Maybe a Craniosacral class, or how about one that focuses on research and therapeutic outcomes? Maybe working with scar tissue is of interest, or trigger points and posture, there is a course on connective tissue work and Deane Juhan will be back teaching a 3 day course on his Resistance/Release Work. These are just some of what is available locally at FSM.
There are also lots of opportunities if you want to travel. If you are like me, you receive mailers for lots of different educational opportunities offered both in Florida and nationally.
What is your plan to grow both professionally and personally in this coming year. It is time to develop your plan now. Remember that what interests you may only be offered one time or may require some planning to attend, slots may be limited or some classes require enough registrants ahead of time to make the class go. Help your provider plan by registering ahead of time rather that at the last minute, many instructors offer early registration discounts so that they know the class will happen.
In closing I wish you a wonderful time of renewal. May 2019 be good to you and may you find the growth and experience that is out there for you. Happy New Year, may it treat you well.
