The "I Hate Black Friday" Sale

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are well and are taking the time to notice the abundance of things to be grateful for this season. I've been thinking about how to word this, but as you see from the subject line...I hate Black Friday. As a business owner you're taught to take advantage of those ready to spend money the day after Thanksgiving and now sadly, the night of Thanksgiving. After reading the stories this week about Kmart employees being forced to work on Thanksgiving or face termination...something just doesn't seem right anymore. Black Friday has become crazy and it always ends up being a topic of conversation at the Thanksgiving dinner table. So instead I'm showing my gratitude to you while respecting your time and reducing your stress. From NOW until CHRISTMAS EVE, all gift cards purchased online are 50% off. Click the turkey to buy a gift card now :)  Take your time shopping for the perfect gift, enjoy the season, think about which corporations or small businesses you want to give your money to. The discount is my gift to you for being a valued client. Be well! ~Andrea

Is Reiki for Me?

As some of you know, I'm a Reiki practitioner as well as a massage therapist. In fact, practicing Reiki is what led me to become a massage therapist. While doing Reiki I found that I kept wanting to move my client's arms, legs, and head. I wanted to squeeze their muscles and soft tissue to release more energy even though manual manipulation is not a part of a Reiki treatment. So I thought I should learn how to do that properly by going to massage school!

So What Exactly is Reiki?
You've probably heard of it before as more and more hospitals are using Reiki as a form of complementary care, especially for patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy. A 2008 USA Today article reported that in 2007 15% of U.S. hospitals (over 800) offered Reiki as a regular part of patient services. (Reiki.org).

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese form of energy work that balances the energy system in the body. Everyone is made up of energy...their life force, called "chi" in Chinese, or "ki" in Japanese. Practitioners of Reiki believe that when your energy becomes unable to move freely or is weakened by illness or chronic stress, it can make you feel unwell. 

How Will a Reiki Treatment Help Me?
A Reiki practitioner has been "attuned" by a Reiki Master to be able to feel where there might be a build up of energy in your body that could be causing problems for you. They do this by laying their hands either on you or right above you in different spots corresponding with your chakra system.

Think of being attuned as becoming a very clear radio station, except it's energy not music you're playing. 
Getting Reiki will help you feel balanced, clear, calm, and extremely relaxed. 
Working with energy is subtle but substantial. Even a small shift in your energy can bring about large changes in your physical body.

What Does it Feel Like to Get Reiki?
Some people feel a comforting warmth or tingling throughout their body or just on the spot that is being worked on.
Some people don't feel anything physical, but they have an emotional release. I've had clients laugh or cry without knowing why. We store emotions in our body. Emotions are also energy. If Reiki releases energy, it releases emotions. Do not feel embarrassed if you start to laugh or cry or experience any other type of emotional release. These are all positive outcomes of a Reiki treatment. 
Some people don't feel anything at all except pure relaxation. 
Some even fall asleep or reach that wonderful meditative state where the mind can relax and recharge.

What Can I Expect for My Reiki Treatment?
If this is your first treatment, come with an open mind and the desire to relax.
You will stay in your clothes throughout the treatment, but be covered with a blanket for warmth.
We will have a brief discussion before your treatment to go over any physical or emotional symptoms you might be having or anything you would like me to focus on during the treatment. 
If you have any questions, always ask them. Even if it's in the middle of your treatment.


~Andrea
www.blackbirdmassagetherapy.com
Book Your Reiki Treatment Here!

Spread the Word!: Loyalty Rewards Program

I love showing my appreciation to my clients. You keep me in business doing what I love and every time you tell a friend or loved one to come see me, I want to give something in return.

Just for being a client at Blackbird Massage Therapy, you are entered into the Loyalty Rewards Program. Here's how it works:

1. You tell someone you know how great you felt after your massage and encourage them to come visit.

2. They book an appointment and let me know that you sent them my way.

3. That same day I drop one of these babies into the mail for you.

1st referral: $10 credit
2nd referral: $10 credit
3rd referral: Free 60 minute massage (*which you can keep or give as a gift to someone else)

The best part: There is no limit to how many credits and free massages you can receive!

Thank You for What You Do!: Special Community Rates

Blackbird offers special community rates for the following groups:

First Responders (police, firefighters, EMTs)  

$50 / 60-minute treatment   $75 / 90-minute treatment

Armed Forces/Veterans

$50 / 60-minute treatment   $75 / 90-minute treatment

                                       

Teachers 

$50 / 60-minute treatment   $75 / 90-minute treatment

Nurses (RNs, LPNs, & CNAs)

$50 / 60-minute treatment   $75 / 90-minute treatment

                 

               

Licensed Massage Therapists

50% off all treatments

Book now at www.blackbirdmassagetherapy.com !

Why You Shouldn't Give Me a Tip: Blackbird's Gratuity Policy

I'm lucky enough to own my business, which means I set my prices. I don't have to give a large percentage to the owner of a salon or spa and I don't get paid minimum wage and hope my tips supplement my income.

I've set my prices to what I believe my time, knowledge, and skills are worth.

*Click Here for Treatment Price List*

While I appreciate your kindness and generosity of offering more than what's expected, I would encourage you to save the gratuity and put it towards your next treatment. I want you to be able to enjoy massage frequently and if you're on a tight budget, those tips will add up to an extra treatment for you to enjoy. Or you can buy one for a friend!

I understand that giving a tip is your way of saying "thank you...I feel amazing" and while I love hearing that you feel better after a massage, instead of giving me more of your money, tell a friend how great you feel! Write a review on Yelp, on Blackbird's Facebook page, or just email me one I can share.

Maternity Leave Starting April 1st

Are we all ready for spring to arrive? I know I am!

I hope you're all taking care of your shovel shoulders and lifting with your knees, not your back :)

If you need to work out those winter activity kinks, I've got the heated table, warm towels, and hot stones ready to ease those aches and pains!

However, I'm only going to be available for the month of March because I'm going on maternity leave starting April 1st.



Don't worry, Blackbird will be up and running again this summer and I'll let you know when you can start booking online again.

Until then, feel free to book your March appointment and I hope to see you soon! xx

Black Friday Special!!

There's been a lot of action happening at Blackbird recently so I apologize for not keeping up with the blog!  I hope you are all happy, healthy, and not getting too stressed about the upcoming holidays. I have a Black Friday deal that will take all of your worries away, but before we talk about that I wanted to give you a little update. 

We finished up a very successful season at King Richards Faire at the end of October. Thank you so much to all of you who came by for chair massages or just to say hello.

                                                    

I'm also very happy to announce that my husband and I are expecting our own baby Blackbird in the spring! :) We are very excited and I plan on seeing my clients as long as I can so keep making appointments.

The last bit of good news I have is about Black Friday! I know some of you still get out there at the crack of dawn to find the great deals, but you can do it all from the comfort of home when you buy a Blackbird Instant Gift Certificate for your friends and loved ones. 

As a special Black Friday only bonus, you will receive a $25.00 instant gift card for yourself with any purchase!! A great gift for them and a little treat for yourself :)

Now remember, this deal is only for Black Friday so click HERE on Friday and you're good to go! 

I'll be sending reminders out on Blackbird's Facebook page so if you haven't already, like us on Facebook!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families and remember to stop and take note of what you are truly thankful for this year.

Happy Holidays!

~Andrea

The $3.00 Massage You Don't Know About

Summer is winding down, school is almost back in session, and the cooler weather will be coming...but the fun's not over yet! If you want to spend as much time as possible enjoying the summer and not dealing with aching muscles check out my $3 self care tip.

                                                 

A tube of tennis balls costs $3.00 and tennis balls can break up your knots.

Nearly all of my clients say at some point during their massage, "I'm full of knots" or "Is that a knot?" when I touch a sensitive spot in their muscle. Then the next question is, "What exactly is a knot?"

A knot, or an adhesion, is an abnormal joining of your muscle tissue or fascia ( the connective tissue surrounding your muscles). Knots can form if you don't use the muscle often, if you use it too often, or as a result of the muscle trying to repair itself after an injury. If you have an adhesion, the muscle cells will have a hard time absorbing nutrients and might stay in a contracted state which causes the pain your are feeling.

Massage can break up these adhesions and get the muscle back to a healthy state--which means you feel A LOT better! However, if it's the middle of the night and you have a knot in your back that's keeping you up, break out the tennis balls!

Place the ball in a tube sock and hold onto the end of the sock as you lean up against a wall with the tennis ball right where you need it. Roll against it and make sure you work the surrounding area (you might feel pain in one place but the knot could be above, below, or around that area).
If you have plantar fasciitis, roll your feet over the balls to break up adhesions on the bottom of your foot.

Give it a try and let me know if it works for you. Or if you have any other self-care tips you'd like to share, I'd love to know!
We all have adhesions...that's just what happens when we use or don't use our muscles, but if you know why it happens and how to fix it, you're on the road to whole body health :)

King Richard's Faire!

Hello Friends!

 

I can't believe it's July already! I hope all of you are getting to the beach, having cookouts with friends and family, and making
the time to take care of yourself.

June was exciting and busy for Blackbird. I worked with some new clients that have never had massage before (and really enjoyed it!) and I provided chair massage for a few large corporations in the area. However the most exciting thing to happen was.....

Being given the opportunity to work with King Richards Faire in Carver!!! Blackbird will have it's own booth at the faire and I'll be there every weekend from August 31-October 20 providing chair massage to guests.  Click on the picture to go to their website.



If you've never visited King Richard's Faire, go! It's fun for the whole family and be sure to stop by the Blackbird booth for a chair massage or just to say hi! I've been attending this medieval faire with my family since I was child so I'm very excited to be working with them this fall.

I'm also going to be starting my blog series answering popular questions from clients such as:

What exactly is a knot?
Should I ice or use heat?
I enjoy running but how can I treat shin splints?
Should I drink a lot of water after a massage?

If you have any questions about massage, self care, or how to treat minor aches and pains, feel free to email me or ask them on Blackbird's Facebook page (link below). I'm here to help.

Hope your July is full of fun. Stay cool and I hope to see you soon!

~Andrea

Welcome to Blackbird!

"All your life...you were only waiting for this moment to arise."  ~The Beatles

Many people ask me how I chose the name Blackbird Massage Therapy. There are two reasons really: Blackbird is my favorite song by my favorite band--The Beatles and I have a strong affinity for crows and ravens. They seem to show up at important times in my life and crows symbolize your ability to manifest your fate, which is what I believe I'm doing by opening my own massage practice.

A year ago, I left the corporate world with the determination to find my passion again and do what I was meant to do. I believe I found that and I'm so happy that my first month with Blackbird was a success.

In May I had my grand opening, met and worked with some wonderful, new clients, provided chair massage to my old colleagues and for some other corporate clients. I also had a photo shoot at the office and got some great shots! Here are just a few of them:

 

May was exciting...and a bit scary...to say the least. I never pictured myself as the 'entrepreneur' type, but I have a lot of support from the people most important to me and my reason for getting into the massage business is simple: I want to help you feel better! Whether you just need to zone out for an hour and have a little "me" time or you're dealing with a chronic ache or pain and need relief--I'm here to help.

 

Thank you for those that have booked appointments and those that are taking advantage of the referral card program. If you don't know about that awesome program, here's more information: 

 

 

*Referral Program*

 

At the end of your first treatment you will receive 3 gift cards (1/2 hours) to give to friends or family.

 

Every time I get one of those cards back from someone you referred, you get a free 1/2 hour gift card.

 

Just my way of saying thanks for the word of mouth and to be able to see you often! :)

 

 

June is shaping up to be a great month and I hope to see all of you very soon. Enjoy the summer weather, be safe, spend time with the ones you love, and make sure you take time for you!

 

 

~Andrea