Massage Therapy Schools in Nevada

on Thursday, April 30, 2009

Massage therapy schools in Nevada can train you for a successful career in massage therapy in as little as seven months. Some schools teach several different types of massage therapy, while others focus on just one, specific type of massage. Massage schools are often located in vocational schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges and universities, as well as some institutions that specialize only in the training of professional massage therapy.

Nationally accredited massage therapy schools in Nevada are a good choice for the serious student, as they assure a complete and thorough education in massage therapy techniques and skills. Massage schools can vary greatly in the techniques and training that they offer. By researching various massage therapies before choosing a school, you can zero in on the right massage training that will satisfy your individual interests and career goals.

Many massage therapy schools in Nevada offer training in the traditional Western forms of massage that focus on physical healing. Others offer training in Eastern forms of massage therapy that emphasize a holistic approach - considering the mind, body, and spirit of the client. Still others combine Western and Eastern forms of massage to specialize in the advanced healing methods of massage therapies. Students may be exposed to training in Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, craniosacral therapy, infant or maternity massage, Reiki, Shiatsu, reflexology, or even advanced specialties, such as acupuncture or chiropractic.

After graduation, you may begin your career as a massage therapist in medical offices, hospitals, healthcare clinics, rehabilitation clinics, nursing homes, health and wellness centers, geriatric centers, athletic clubs, resorts, spas, cruise ships, or in private practice. Many massage schools help students transition from school to employment by providing job placement programs for graduates and alumni. Most will also offer financial aid services to help students obtain an education in massage therapy.

In summation, massage therapy schools in Nevada are eager to help you prepare for a successful career, through education and practical experience. After graduation, you can expect to earn an excellent income in one of the fastest growing healthcare fields in the world. Jobs are just waiting to be filled in various areas of healing massage therapy, so take that first step and enroll in a massage therapy school in Nevada today!

To learn more about Massage Therapy Schools in Nevada and even Online Massage Therapy Schools, search our site for more in-depth information and resources.

Weight Loss | It's in Your Head

on Saturday, April 4, 2009

When you truly consider the weight-loss process, the battle waged is mostly in your mind. “Should I eat the corn muffin with butter or would it be better for me to have margarine or better yet, have jelly? What am I doing eating this muffin anyway? It’s so caloric and filled with saturated fat. I’m such a pig. I have absolutely zero willpower.” It’s no wonder you’ll eat that muffin with the butter and slather jelly on top to quiet that negative self-talk.

What you need more than a diet is a way to shift those negative self-defeating thoughts to more adaptive, positive self-statements. As with most things worth doing, this requires a bit of practice. First, become aware when you’re using a negative statement, then determine what about that thought is faulty and finally, replace it with a self-defense response or coping thought. In the corn muffin example, instead of listening to “I’m such a pig” which clearly mislabels who you are, respond with “Pigs are animals and I am human. I don’t have to be perfect.”

Many people cannot change their eating habits until they change their thoughts about food, eating and drinking. By shedding “distorted” thoughts and replacing them with productive ones, eating habits can be changed. It is possible to rid yourself from many self-critical thoughts, but like any ingrained habit, it takes vigor and vigilance to change. Here are some other thinking distortions to challenge:

Shoulds. Should statements are more about other people’s values, not ones chosen by the person who wants to lose weight. Additionally, should statements reflect an attempt by the dieter to motivate herself without really believing in the value. Better to determine what works for you. “I will eat up to two Hershey kisses daily and thoroughly enjoy them.”

All-or-Nothing. This kind of reasoning is the foundation for perfectionism. An all-or-nothing individual views the world as black or white. Since there is no allowance for gray areas, the behavior is either perfect or a failure. “I’ve ruined my diet by eating all that pizza. I can’t stay on a diet and I’ll just always be fat.” Maybe the problem does not arise from the behavior… maybe the problem is with the diet that does not allow for pizza. “I do not want to give pizza up for the rest of my life, so what I need is a way to include pizza in my diet without feeling like a failure. Let me try having a salad (dressing on the side) before the pizza to take the edge off my hunger.”

Good Foods/ Bad Foods. If the truth be told, foods do not misbehave. Foods are not good or bad. While it is true that some foods have more nutrients or are more fiber-dense than others, all foods can be enjoyed. How we think about food colors what we eat and how much we eat. If a food is labeled as bad (such as fries), then for many individuals that food is taboo. When one eventually succumbs to eating the forbidden, French fries, bingeing may result. Rather than continue with dichotomous thinking of good food/bad food, shift to allow space for all foods you like without judgement. Instead of “I ate those fries which are so bad for me” to “I really enjoyed that small portion of fries. They really satisfied me.”

Body Distortions. Rather than dwelling on how fat or thin you think your body is, it is extremely helpful to view your body in terms of what it can do for you. For example, when you look in the mirror, instead of zooming in on your stomach which “looks five months pregnant, although your last baby was nine years ago” tell yourself “my body has given life” or “my body enables me to go where I want to and allows me to have fun.”

The conversations that are going on inside your head cannot be stopped. However, what you can do is to be aware of negative self-talk and understand that it has little to do with actual reality. When you believe this, you can respond to the critical voice with a more objective, coping thought. Although negative thoughts may not be stopped entirely, they can be quieted by listening to your compassionate, caring voice. In much the same way you would sympathize and listen to a close friend, listen to yourself. Be your own best friend and chances are you’ll have greater weight loss success.