The School of S&M

That's SHIATSU and MASSAGE. hehehe

I just finished my first week of class and it was OUTSTANDING. I learned a LOT. And I realized that I am going to need a LOT of practice before I feel comfortable putting myself out there as a professional. I am eager to try out my new skills (over and over) on family and friends when I return to Tennessee in May.

The children were well cared-for by my sister, and by Louise when my sister was gone (which was a lot). The younger kids did not call my cell phone at all, which is incredible. (At home there is a curve about 10 minutes from my house, and I can count on my phone ringing right about that time EVERY time I leave the house. No matter where I am going or how long I will be gone.) So I just decided not to call them and remind them that I was gone. I'll be gone for seven of eight weeks and there will be plenty of time for them to miss me. (In April I won't have a break at all, so I won't see them for a month unless they come down to see me.)

The School of Shiatsu and Massage is on the grounds of Harbin Springs, on the side of the mountain above California Wine Country. I took pix of the view coming down the mountain this afternoon, and hope to get them posted this weekend. Harbin Springs is a retreat facility, and community. It is owned by NACOB (New Age Church of Being) and is inhabited by aging hippies (drug free, however). Very relaxed atmosphere. The pools are hot and/or cold spring fed. There is a hot pool at 112 degrees, a cold pool at 60 degrees, and a warm pool at 97 degrees. I spent every evening dipping in and out of the hot & cold, and then soaking in the warm pool under the stars. It was magnificent. Four of my seven weeks of training will be at the School of S & M, and I am so looking forward to being there again. (The food was also wonderful. I had signed up to be just vegetarian while I was there, but the carnivore food was just too good to pass up!!)

My training was VERY intensive, but also a lot of fun. I got overwhelmed toward the end of EVERY day I was there, but I am amazed at how much I have retained. And I am not exhausted, surprisingly. I think the time to rejuvenate in the pools, along with the relaxed atmosphere, helped balance the deluge of information pouring into my brain (and body). We massaged and were massaged at least twice each day, and we spent the first three days doing it on the floor. My instructor is named Shinzo, and he is from Japan. He uses the floor for most of his work, and involves his entire body in the massage. It is amazing. I learned a lot from him.

The class group was great. We had a wonderful rapport together--eighteen students. There were EXCELLENT boundaries all around. Everyone was very supportive of EVERYONE. Not a bit of nit-picking, and NO schmoozing. It was an excellent group of people to work with. Many will be returning next week, and at least one will also be there with me for Watsu 1 & 2 in April.

Sleeping in the van was very comfortable. I left my van with my sister to haul all of my and her kids around in, and she sent her smaller van with me. It has a bed-convertible back seat, and screened side windows. She tossed in a very nice therapeutic foam mattress topper and I was VERY comfortably set up. Evidently, sleeping in the classroom was not a very sonorific experience, according to my classmates who opted for that. Lots of coming and going, I guess, and an outdoor motion-sensing light that shined in through the glass doors. Several who started out sleeping in the classroom ended up sleeping in their cars as best they could. (Others tent camped.)

Thanks again to all of you who have helped me to make this happen! I appreciate your financial support, prayers and good thoughts!

"He" only sent half of the monthly maintenance for March, but I came anyway. I couldn't let all the help from you all, and my personal efforts be thwarted by him again. I'm mostly able to stay in a place of abundance and joy about where I am, rather than restriction and fear about where I might end up! I know good things are in store for me, and I'm "hopefully curious" about the future!! Can't wait to share what I'm learning with you all!!