Posted by Jennifer Shaw on Thu, Feb 11, 2010 @ 10:00 AM
Interview courtesy of Heartland
Randy Cummins has had a private massage therapy practice in Chicago, Illinois for over 20 years, and has taught massage continuing education workshops at Lauterstein-Conway Massage School for nearly as long.
His expertise, humor and perspective have helped thousands of massage school students and practicing massage therapists access the deepest principles of massage therapy.
Part One of this interview discusses the emergence of the massage movement in Chicago, and also Randy's story - how he came to massage therapy (3:56). Culture and history of bodywork come up, too (7:47).
In Part Two, Randy Cummins talks about the types of massage (0:41-3:05, throughout) and the importance of the individual and massage therapy treatment (3:06).
Part Three talks about how to organize a massage therapy session depending on the day, the client and the evolution of the "place" the client and therapist are in. Whether it is changing the music, actively listening or working instinctively, every massage session is different. (0:00-3:00). Catch a mention of David Lauterstein, too! (4:50).
Bliss out.
Posted by Jennifer Shaw on Fri, Oct 09, 2009 @ 03:50 PM
by Randy Cummins, LM.T, MTI, AOBTA Certified Instructor, NCBTMB Provider
The evolution of a bodyworker is a continuing process, one of learning and unlearning. In honoring ourselves, our clients, and our profession, we must come to the realization of "beginners mind" with every new session. In considering any one body part for study, we as therapists, must hold to the truth that all is connected. Any one part can affect not only the physical, but also the energetic and emotional aspects of the whole person.
As body workers, we deal with varying degrees of success, with these common pain and tension patterns. The question we should start asking ourselves is why, after addressing the affected areas, does the condition sometimes persist, and in some cases, escalate? Our rote response usually lends itself to believing that the client is still repeating the same action, or they are not doing their stretching or strengthening exercises.
Perhaps, in truth, the key lies in the fact that we are, in many cases, addressing only the symptoms, and not the root of the problems. Here we must consider what everyone from Lao Tzu to Wilhelm Reich has recognized as some of the deeper, underlying casual factors of physical pain and postural distortion. They recognize that persistent problems may point to energetic restriction and emotional holding from past, unresolved trauma and their lasting effects on not only our physical body but also on our sense of self and the world around us.
Thai-Shiatsu Integrative Body Work addresses these deep, causal factors by combining Eastern and Western modalities; by using anatomically-driven myo-fascial work; along with Thai-Shiatsu stretches and acupressure point stimulation.
The time has come to move out of our heads, out of merely analytical and limited concepts, into working with our entire being to fully restore wholeness and a wondrous experience of health for the client.
The integrative bodywork training Thai-Shiatsu for Shoulder Tension brings the shoulder area into focus as an opportunity to address not only the physical imbalances, but also the "frozen history" or emotional/energetic patterns that are commonly held in the surrounding soft tissue and its accompanying fascia.
Randall A. Cummins, L.M.T., M.T.I., A.O.B.T.A. Cert. Instructor, NCBTMB Provider. In his 25 year career, Randy has had the privilege of being on the teaching faculty of The Chicago School of Massage Therapy the New School, and The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School. Along with providing trainings throughout the United States and Caribbean, he maintains a private massage practice in both Chicago and Austin, Texas. A respected practitioner and instructor in many forms of therapy, Randy's expertise, humor and wisdom will help you open to the possibilities of self and client.
Posted by Jennifer Shaw on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 @ 12:16 PM
Often times, remaining mindful during multiple 90-minute massage sessions is difficult, but massage therapists who are able to apply advanced massage modality techniques will find even the most basic Swedish massage session easier and more rewarding to perform.
For example, massage therapists can utilize Chinese medicine's Four Pillars of Examination, often used in Asian Bodywork therapies, to remain mindful durning a long stretch of massage sessions.
First Things First
What is Asian Bodywork? The American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia says, "Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) is the treatment of the human body, mind and spirit, including the electromagnetic or energetic field which surrounds, infuses and brings that body to life, by using pressure and/or manipulation."
Four Pillars of Examination
The Chinese Four Pillars of examination are often used as a method of assessment and evaluation in Asian Bodywork modalities, but they can also be applied in a massage therapist's everyday Swedish massage or deep tissue practice as a way to remain mindful during a session.
- Observation: See what is in front of you and understand the implications of it.
- Listening: Take in and process information with an open mind and without judgment.
- Asking: Ask questions to clarify your observations and interpretations as well as help you design your session to meet the needs of each individual.
- Touching: Mindfully approach you session and apply compassionate technique.
The American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia says, "In Asian Bodywork, assessments are based primarily on Chinese Medicine parameters relating to the balance and circulation of the Five Essential Substances: Qi, Jing, Shen, Xue, Jin-ye."
What other advanced modality techniques can you use in your daily practice to make you a more effective massage therapist?
Posted by Jennifer Shaw on Thu, Feb 19, 2009 @ 11:49 PM
By Randall Cummins, LMT, MTI
The Asian Bodywork Program currently being presented at TLC, is an opportunity for the therapist and client alike to benefit from the integration of Thai style and Shiatsu massage.
Instructors Cindy Anderson and Randy Cummins bring years of experience teaching applied techniques concerning the physical and energetic needs of the body. Teaching massage in the Shoshin Shiatsu style, Anderson and Cummins gather the free-flow movement of the elements themselves into a complete and comprehensive routine that instills integrity and openness back into the recipient's body/mind awareness.
By learning a series of transitional stretches and clinical applications that address the client's entire body, the therapist will find this unique modality useful in spas, chiropractic offices, rehab centers and on its own as a preventative health care regime.
Taught traditionally, this unique series of applied techniques is performed on the floor, table or chair, bringing a perspective that heightens the therapists own use of breath and body mechanics, while lending support to the client in a compassionate manner.
Inclusion of the 3,000 year-old base knowledge of Shiatsu (acupressure) and traditional Chinese medicine theory into the Thai movement allows the session to more readily reveal the causal and underlying factors of common and chronic imbalances of the body. These two theories shine a light on the awareness of self through the functioning of the organ systems, the importance of diet, emotional balance, and seasonal change.
In these current times of global transition it becomes necessary for massage therapy to embrace modalities that will expand the therapist's awareness, improve on their current practice and more readily connect them to their own internal and external environments.
Lauterstein-Conway Massage School would like to know what you think. Have you taken the Asian Bodywork Program? How has it affected your practice?