Western vs. Eastern

[magnumgirl]

I'm about to begin my last semester at the Swedish Institute. The curriculum teaches us both eastern and western, but for our last semester, we have the opportunity to take on advanced eastern (advanced shiatsu and more clinical evaluations) or western, which is pretty much taking everything we've learned (basic swedish + deep tissue/medical massage/assessment) and they teach us how to integrate it more in a spa setting, for like a 30, 60, 90 minute treatment. i really, REALLY enjoy shiatsu, but it's somewhat killer on my knee, and i need to get a little more in shape as far as stretching my hammies. i'm also worried i wont be able to use this as much. i do like western, but not so much deep tissue (yay for tendinitis in my thumb), and for western, i'd rather stay with more spa-ish type treatments and sports massage.
thoughts? comments? ideas?

 

[cyanosis]

Oh my! What a decision! I'm glad my school didn't offer any electives, lol. I'd be upset at having to choose one over the other! I'd be begging them to let me take both!

I guess I'd look around at options in the area, what is popular, decide which of the most visible opportunities would really grab me......then go that direction, to start. This IS just a start, for you - you'll be learning the rest of your life, and your course may change later, as you see fit. Just trust your gut and go for "it" - whatever is drawing you in more right now. You won't regret going in either direction.

Good luck!

 

[Marky]

i really, REALLY enjoy shiatsu



i do like western, but not so much deep tissue (yay for tendinitis in my thumb), and for western, i'd rather stay with more spa-ish type treatments and sports massage.
thoughts? comments? ideas?

From your comment, it sounds like you'd enjoy going with the Eastern extra info.

 

[Vikki]

When you say they'll teach you how to integrate Western techniques in a spa setting, does that mean they'll be teaching you other spa services, like scrubs, wraps, hot stone, etc? If so, that would be easy on your body, and another marketable skill.

By the way, your school sounds AWESOME!

 

[joliesoleil]

thanks for all of your help.

the school wont teach other spa techniques (wraps and scrubs,etc), they'll just give us more experience/practice in 30 minute massages, 90 minutes, or if somebody comes in looking for a medical massage for an hour, how to apply our assessment techniques and incorporate them into the session for whatever time it's supposed to be for. i guess that's good to know, but i feel that i'll get that practice anyway when i'm out and on the prowl as a massage therapist. i dont think i want to do much of the medical massage, except for maybe woking with cancer patients, and that wont include deep tissue stuff.

 

[keo1095]

Then I agree with Pueppi -- Eastern's the way to go. Ask your teacher how you can alter some of the techniques to protect your knees. I imagine other students in the class will appreciate that information as well. Also, you might want to buy some Ace Braces (sold at the drugstore) to give your knees a little extra support during the work.