Tiara L Catey LMT @ Center for Balance

It has been twelve years since I started my career as a massage therapist. I am amazed at the influence that massage has had on my own character and personal growth. Initially, my practice was mostly concerned with pain relief, and increasing mobility. It became more evident that the benefit of relaxation was at least as, if not more important than, pain management. I could see that when one was able to have a full-body massage, their nervous system would begin to quiet and a space would be created for healing since the whole person was being nurtured. It was as though through relaxation, the body was activating its own healing processes. I was just a facilitator to one's own healing capacities! I was beginning to have a greater and deeper understanding and appreciation for massage. It dawned on me that massage was sacred in nature. I believe this was a cultivation of my own spiritual maturity as well as the willingness of my clients to be as engaged as I was in the unfoldment of their healing processes. What was happening was subtle. The massage sessions could be, and usually were, silent, with a minimum of talking. The massage room became a safe haven for a client to have whatever experience they wanted to emotionally express. Sometimes it was a quiet sanctuary. Other times, it could be filled with laughter and sharing of stories ... or tears. The massage experience took on a richer, textural quality for me. All the while, physical issues were being addressed - aching backs and stiff necks and such. There seemed to be a correlation between emotion and physical pain. So, I began to experience massage as having more profound qualities than I had initially pondered. Massage was healing the receivers at a deeper level than just the physical one. This was important because those other levels impact the health of their physical bodies. I could see that massage had the ability to connect people to themselves at a multitude of levels - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Massage continues to provoke a sense of wonder from me at its richness, diversity, and utility. Massage is a mind, body and spirit experience. I nurture people's spirits as well as their bodies. I consider myself a spiritual bodyworker, beyond a massage therapist. It isn't something that has to be spoken or a philosophy to be discussed. The session is about nurturing and compassion. All the while, physical pain is released as more joy fills its place. It has been an exquisitely rewarding profession to be involved in. I'm exciting about the continued exploration, especially the deeper healing work that I am engaging in with Lomilomi and Cherokee Bodywork. This career has been a blessing to me.

In 1997, I graduated from the Swedish Institute of Health Sciences in New York City, the oldest established massage school in the country. The curriculum emphasized a strong foundation in Western massage as well as Shiatsu, a form of Eastern bodywork. I have had continuing education training in aromatherapy, Lomilomi, Shiatsu, Cherokee Bodywork, Healing Touch, Reiki, CranioSacral, prenatal massage, neuromuscular therapy, and the intuitive arts. I am a Professional member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. I am a Nationally Certified massage therapist. I'm licensed in Florida and New York.