Testimonial - Audrey Gomes Kolb

Audrey Kolb (l) with trainers Ankita and Pinakin Shah

"This course has been a wonderful learning experience. Ankita has a wealth of knowledge that she happily shares. I would recommend this course to anyone who has a passion for wellness therapies." J

Audrey Gomes Kolb,

Dubai

Reflexology (Pro)

(18/07/2011)

10 Tips to Become a Successful Therapist (Part II)

In Part I of this blog post, we spoke of the first 5 important tips to be a successful therapist. Choose your trainer wisely, be genuine, be professional, learn by experience and hygiene and responsibility. Let us continue to the next 5 guidelines that will help you down your career path. 

6. Learn to Market Yourself – Learn the tricks of the trade, keep your eyes open for opportunities and be creative in marketing yourself. If possible undergo training in communication and marketing in the industry. Your trainer may be able to help you with it.

7. Exercise Mindfulness – Each client will have a unique response to your therapies. Remember their responses for future reference. Notice their reactions during the therapy and change your techniques accordingly. Anticipate the need of the client and they will appreciate your thoughtfulness. More than anything else, people need to feel cared about. A therapist and client relationship should be a professional but caring one. Be empathetic towards the client and mould the techniques accordingly. Avoid being mechanical just because you do the therapies day-in-day-out. Understand that you are healing a person, not just treating them for the sake of earning money.

8. Challenge yourself – Monotonous work does make the mind dull, but you should keep the interest alive in the job. Read, research, take refresher courses and keep learning. Remain updated of the latest developments on the industry and health.

9. Network – Attend conferences and workshops and participate in discussions on social media. It not only helps increase your knowledge base, but also is useful to increase business. Do not consider others as competitors. They are all in this field because they want to heal people. Keeping this in mind, if you maintain good, honest relations with others, they are sure to reciprocate. Friends in the same field can help and guide each other out in times of need.

10. The Power is in your hands – Whether you are a hired therapist, freelancer, spa/ salon owner or even learning a therapy just for the sake of hobby, the power to uplift yourself is in your own hands. There are abundant opportunities out there to learn, grow and diversify. Do not allow yourself to become lax and follow what everyone else in the industry is doing. Be original and pour your heart and soul in everything you do.

Writer: Mr. Pinakin Shah, Founder & Trainer at Pristine Senses Academy

To learn more about Pinakin Shah's Pristine Senses Academy, click here.

10 Tips to Become a Successful Therapist (Part I)

Whether you are an employer or employee or working on a freelance basis, there are some qualities that make an exceptional therapist of you. Read on if you want to stand out of the crowd and make a sure and happy future of yourself.

1. Choose your trainer wisely – For an aspiring therapist, there is nothing worse than a ill-informed teacher. Half-baked knowledge will only make half-baked therapists who have no idea what they are doing. A trainer should be one who is always ready to answer questions, is available to you during and even after your course is over to share experiences, questions and guidance. Enrolling for a course may not be cheap, but it is a very good investment. However, like with every investment, be careful to do your homework and check if the course you are joining for is in your best interest. Read online reviews, meet the trainers beforehand, ask as many questions as you like, study the body language of the trainer and judge his / her genuineness. Take your time to decide and once you do, have full faith in your teacher.

2. Be genuine – Be honest in your interaction with your client. Do not take the client for granted. They can be even more informed and experienced than you and can make out how genuine you are. If they are happy with you, they will spread the word among family and friends and help you increase your business.

3. Be professional – If working in a spa / salon, there is no question of being unprofessional or casual. You must follow the rules of the trade, even when your boss is not looking. However, the problem arises when one is working as an individual or hobby. Many things are taken for granted. However, you can be different if you have a professional attitude. Not just the way you communicate with the client, but also your preparations, equipment, planning, etc. can be innovative and professional. For example, when going on house-calls or treating clients at your own home, keep a portable stereo with soothing music to create a mood and ambiance. Add some interesting twists or complementary additions to your therapy.

4. Learn by Experience – A trainer can only teach you the techniques and share their own experiences. However, real learning happens when you have experienced for yourself. So make sure the course you join allows you to have enough practical experience to gain confidence. Before beginning commercially, treat your family, friends and relatives for free. Get as much feedback and learning from them as possible. This will increase your field experience and confidence.

5. Hygiene and responsibility – Hygiene is extremely important not just for the client but also for your own health. Make sure you use sanitized equipment, sanitize your hands, keep your nails short and make sure that the client is not suffering from any infections or other disease that can be transmitted. It is your responsibility to ensure the client is fit for treatment and to see that no disease is spread to other clients through you. Explain patiently to the client the reason you have to refuse them in such cases. They will only respect the decision, understanding that you care about your clients’ safety.

(To be continued...)

Writer: Mr. Pinakin Shah, Founder and Trainer at Pristine Senses Academy

To learn more about Pinakin Shah's Pristine Senses Academy . Click Here

Testimonial - Mr. Chirag & Mrs. Nikky Bhatia

Mr. Chirag Bhatia with Mr. Pinakin Shah

"Earlier I thought, massage is about knowing the right strokes and techniques. But at Pristine I understood that KNOWLEDGE is most important.

Through very comprehensive theory classes we accumulated lot of knowledge and in regular practicals we mastered the techniques.

TODAY I FEEL CONFIDENT.

Mr. Pinakin Shah and Ms. Ankita Shah have asked us to come back whenever we have any doubts. This leaves us with a very comfortable and relaxed feeling that they are always there to back us.

To sum it up : IT'S AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO LEARN MASSAGE."

- Mr. Chirag Bhatia

03.11.2012

Reflexology (Pro), 

Swedish Massage, Balinese Massage, 

Body Scrubs & Body Wraps

Ms. Ankita Shah with Mrs. Nikky Bhatia

"We came here to learn the program and are walking out as experts. I like the professional approach Pristine followed.

After visiting a couple of spas I realized that what I have learnt at Pristine is much more professional and ideal. I would rate Pristine as one of the best places to learn such healing therapies."

- Mrs. Nikky Bhatia

03.11.2012

Reflexology (Pro), 

Swedish Massage, Balinese Massage, 

Body Scrubs & Body Wraps

Testimonial - Vaman Kamat & Lalit Bane

Mr. Lalit Bane (l) and Mr. Vaman Kamat (r)

 "For a commerce graduate like me who has very little understanding, the teachings here were really helpful to make my fundas clear. The precision and dedication with which things are taught here is really commendable and a great help to all students to become effective therapist. We were taught like a child being taught in his own house - with a lot of zeal, enthusiasm, love and urge to make us grow. Thank you very much for all the help and sharing."  

- Mr. Vaman R. Kamat

13.10.2012

Reflexology (Pro)

"The course was very good. There was enough practice and I got to learn a lot. Anatomy and Physiology was very good and easy to understand."

- Mr. Lalit Bane

13.10.2012

Reflexology (Pro)

Testimonial - Tony Ilett (Swedish & Balinese Massage)

"I initially saw the advertisement for the Pristine Senses Academy online, I emailed for information and was impressed with the prompt response.  An interview was arranged and myself and my wife attended. The interview was conducted by Mr. Shah and his daughter Ankita (both tutors at Pristine Senses)  we were very impressed with the professionalism of both of them. I already had previous experience with Anatomy and Physiology and bodywork techniques, so after an initial discussion a package was arranged that took into account my previous experience.  

Instructors Ms. Ankita (l) and Mr. Pinakin Shah (r)
with Mr. Tony Ilett (c) and his wife.

The training sessions were one to one with either Mr. Shah or Ankita. The environment was very clean, hygienic and relaxing. On my first day I was given a pack that consisted of a handbook on Swedish massage (I was also given a handbook for when I did the Balinese massage course), notebook, etc. The techniques taught were very thorough and was explained at a good pace. With each session I was encouraged to get a helper that was of varying sizes and shapes so as to aid my massage experience. I think it was nice that my learning was incorporated into giving the helper a nice, relaxing massage.  While I was being taught the lights were dimmed and soothing music was played, this also served to relax me in giving this massage.  

Learning at the Pristine Senses Academy was an enjoyable and very relaxing experience, both tutors were easily approachable and more than willing to explain things.  Me and my wife would sit afterwards and have lunch with the entire staff or have chai. I would certainly recommend learning at the Academy, it is very professionally run, all correspondence was replied to immediately with either a phone call or email. By the end of my course me and my wife felt like part of the family. Even though I passed my courses Mr. Shah told me that if at anytime I was unsure of anything or needed advice that I should contact him immediately and would even give me another session free. I will shortly go back to the UK and look forward to putting into practice what I have learned here. I wish all at Pristine Senses Academy every success in their endeavors. God Bless.".

Tony Ilett,

U.K.

Swedish & Balinese Massage Therapy

(11/10/2012)

Reflexology and Reiki for PCOS

The exact cause of Polycystic Ovarian Symdrome (PCOS/ PCOD) is not clearly known, although it is linked to hormonal imbalance. In PCOS, the ovaries contain multiple cysts which produce excess masculine hormone. This results in many symptoms like excess hair on the body, irregular menstrual cycle, infertility, overweight, Diabetes and Hypertension.

The condition as well as its medical treatment is emotionally harrowing for the patient as they have to undergo many hormonal treatments to conceive or even to reduce their symptoms. Alternative Healing Therapies like Foot Reflexology and Reiki help complement the treatments, help reduce side effects of medication as well as in some cases (based on claims of patients and practitioners) even help in curing the disease.

Reflexology for PCOS

Traditional Foot Reflexology involves stimulating areas on the feet that correspond to specific organ systems of the body. It is believed that all diseases are caused by an imbalance in energy flow of the body which is also affected by accumulation of toxins. This imbalance can be due to many reasons but one major reason is stress.

Many ladies who have received reflexology therapy around the world have claimed that Reflexology has helped them overcome the symptoms of PCOS and even helped them conceive. Reflexology focusing on the Endocrine System, helps regulate hormone levels in the body.

In fact, a pilot study conducted in Denmark by The Triangle Fertility Clinic and Forenede DanskeZoneterapeuter shows that Reflexology showed significant effect on:

•     Regulating the menstrual cycle.
•     Reducing the number of follicles in the Ovaries.

Irregular menstrual cycle and increased follicles in Ovaries are two out of three major symptoms of PCOS.

A well known Reflexologist in Devon, Jane Holt, has many clients who claim that Reflexology has helped them conceive.

Although the effects of Reflexology on PCOS and hormone balance in the body still requires further scientific and medical study, many people who have undergone the treatment claim effectiveness of the therapy. As is the case with most alternative / complementary therapies, it is always difficult to tell whether it was only the therapy or a combination of medicine, therapy and other lifestyle factors that helps cure a particular disease.

However, since Reflexology is a completely non-invasive therapy, it is worth trying the treatment on a regular basis.

Reiki for PCOS

Reiki has proven to be very effective for swellings, pain and emotional turmoil. It helps heal a person on all levels- physical, emotional and spiritual. It consists of positive healing energy of the universe passing from the therapist via the hands to the patient. Reiki is generally given on the Chakras of the body but is also given on a specific affected area.

Women suffering from PCOS undergo hormone therapy and many other invasive medical therapies that can be prove to be emotionally taxing. Medical practitioners do not have the time to counsel each patient for what they go through emotionally. This is where Reiki comes in. Through personal experience we have found that in any disease, Reiki provides a certain will power, strength and faith that are required to face the situation. The relaxation resulting from Reiki is “Out of this world,” in the words of many of our clients. Those who are anxious, stressed and undergoing rigorous medical treatment have trouble sleeping and Reiki helps in enhancing sleep and mind and body relaxation.

There are mixed claims of patients in regards to Reiki. Some say it helped cure them of PCOS while others say it did not cure them but helped relax and reduce the symptoms. However, again, Reiki is not a religious practice, nor is it invasive. Even those who did not believe in it, start having some faith in the therapy after experiencing its effects first-hand.

Writer:

Ankita Shah

Reflexologist, Reiki Master, Yoga Teacher

Director & Trainer

Pristine Senses Academy

www.pristinesenses.net