Why
I became a massage therapist
Why is massage so important? Sure, it’s nice to feel
relaxed every once and a while. But that’s not what got me
hooked on massage. It found its way into my life in a brief
moment that turned out to be one of the most significant.
I have had an interest in body work since I was in my
teens. I would have an occasional massage, and I took yoga
classes. In college, I discovered the benefits of Pilates
and, when I graduated from the University of Miami in 2002,
I decided to become a certified Pilates instructor.
It was a month before I was to take my Pilates exam, in
February 2003. I had spend about a year and 500 hours
preparing for the exam, learning the theory and exercises.
I was on my way to teach a Pilates class, driving along a
major highway. A car crossed over the median and hit my
driver’s side while I was going 50 mph. The driver missed
hitting my door head on by inches, which perhaps saved my
life, or at least saved me from greater injury. I was taken
by ambulance to the hospital. By sheer luck (or by grace of
a higher power), I sustained no broken bones. However, I
was very sore and could not move very easily for a good
week after the accident. I managed to take the Pilates exam
and passed. I had several massages immediately after the
accident for pain management. I thought I was ok.
Three months went by, and the reality of the damage set in:
I was getting repeated pain in my neck, and my right hip
was locking up, so much that I couldn’t walk at times. This
was very scary for me, an otherwise healthy 23 year old. At
that time, the owner of the gym where I was teaching
suggested I go see a chiropractor. The chiropractor not
only gave me adjustments, but had a regimen of electrical
muscle stimulation, therapy from odd-looking machines – and
– most importantly, massage, lots of massage. It took me a
few months, but my hip and neck improved greatly, and I
continued to go in for regular adjustments and massage. I
taught Pilates classes part time as well as working a full
time job.
During this time, my regular massage therapist introduced
me to thai massage, something in which I immediately became
fascinated. The idea of assisted yoga stretching was
amazing. The results spoke for themselves – I felt more
energetic and mobile after the session.
Moving to Orlando in 2005, I continued teaching Pilates and
took Ashtanga yoga classes every week. I found a classical
Pilates studio to be trained on the machines weekly. I
worked a full time jobs in the arts (the field in which I’d
earned a degree).
It was at a weekend thai yoga workshop in 2006 that I
realized how much I loved body work. There was so much more
I wanted to learn. Whenever I worked with a client,
teaching Pilates or practicing my new thai massage
knowledge, I felt at peace. I knew that this was what I was
supposed to be doing with my life.
It took me almost two years of indecision and financial
planning but in 2008 I enrolled in massage school. I
graduated 6 months later and earned my license in October
of 2008. School was not just about academic growth – this
was personal growth, learning more about my body and mind
than I’d ever imagined.
I am still learning. I continue to take Pilates and yoga,
and have explored Qi Gong and other eastern healing
modalities. I am still learning the thai massage techniques
and plan to further my professional training. I still get
regular massages and chiropractic treatment, as well as
acupuncture. These holistic healing techniques have helped
me so much, that all I can ask is that I am able to help
others to find relief from pain and stress. Massage, for
me, is a way of life – and a way to a better life.
Emily Neale Doyle, MA# 54674
October 2009
