According to the Cambridge dictionary the word appreciation means the following – “the act of recognizing or understanding that something is valuable or important”

(https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/appreciation)

One of the best working examples I have  ever witnessed happens daily at my sons’ school where they embrace and teach the ‘Tribes Agreements’ (https://tribes.com/about) The word Appreciation is one of the elements that make up this inclusive, respectful and grounding philosophy.

Every day the children take a few moments of class room time to share “Appreciation” with the other members of the class – it can be about anything or anyone. I am lucky enough to spend time on a bi weekly basis assisting in the classroom. Every time one of the kids states that they want to ‘give an appreciation’ I am struck by the absolute truth of their offering, the lucidity and ease with which they are able to express their gratitude. I have heard some amazing things from these little people.

Bearing this in mind I felt it was time to express some ‘appreciation’ to you, my students. As most of you are aware Rhythm Massage has gone through some huge shifts in the past twelve months. Everything has changed and if I am to be totally honest although it has been gruelling and very time-consuming, I feel like the changes have for the better. The student experience has been completely over hauled and the online school coupled with the new website have meant that students now have fully interactive and immersive participation even before they step in to the classroom with me.

And so right here I want to show appreciation to all of you for a number of different things.

First of all, for showing up.

The fact that you have found my website, Facebook page, MLD group, blog or made it into the classroom fills me with gratitude. I want to recognize and elucidate that I know how important time and money are to all of us. That you choose to spend some of both of those valuable resources with me is very humbling. It is an incredible feeling to be surrounded by like-minded souls who feel that I have something of value to share. Something which will make your bodywork journey a little bit easier or better. Something which you can take into your work space and really utilize. Something which will be just as good for you as it will be for your client.

The second appreciation I want to offer is to say thank you for sticking with me.

Many of you have been part of Rhythm Massage for a long time, having attended lots of classes, signed up for online courses and webinars and been active participants in the online group. So many amazing people sharing information and ideas have led to a community that is respectful, informative and fun – I could not have that without all of you who have continued to stick around after the first contact whether it be in the classroom or online.

The incredible thing is that both of these appreciations are still relevant today even after all the changes that we undertook last year. I am most proud of the digital library that students now have access to where I have housed all of the papers and relevant scientific research which I have been collecting for the past 15 years. I don’t know of any other training course that offers the wholistic support that Rhythm Massage does. You have showed up, stuck around and enhanced every step of this journey with me.

The reality is that without all of you there would be no Rhythm Massage and that fact is never lost on me.

And so just like in my son’s classroom I want to show APPRECIATION to all of you students, past and present for allowing these changes to happen smoothly, sharing the vision and helping me to create the BEST collaborative and comprehensive student experience possible.

From me to you – THANK YOU J