Hands-on massage training given by therapist in HRN

Certified massage therapist Jennifer Knight offered her hands and time to help stressed out students in a massage workshop last night in the High Rise North Rooftop Lounge. Knight, who has been a massage therapist for about a year and a half, began the hour-long workshop by giving tips for effective massages and then demonstrated techniques on various parts of the body, from head to toe. Knight first explained that she is blind and that her handicap enhances her massaging ability. "Being blind has its advantages in two ways, being more sensitive and being less vulnerable because [my patients do not think] I am watching them," she said. While her assistant passed out her business card, Knight provided some "key" technique tips. "Listen to the person you are massaging, keep your jaw relaxed [and] stay off the spine," she said. "Reciprocate the massages, shorten finger nails, remove all jewelry, and make sure the person is resting flat on the back or the stomach." Knight then asked for a volunteer from the audience to receive a facial massage. College senior Phil Lozada stepped forward, hopped onto the table and rested on his back. "Massaging is not petting," Knight said as she rubbed her hands on his cheeks with smooth strokes and gentle rubbing techniques. Knight next performed a foot massage and then an arm massage on two other volunteers. Her final demonstration was a back massage which she performed on Lozada as well. Lozada took off his shirt and sweater and lay down on the table again. After the short demonstration using cupped hands and circular strokes, Lozada strutted back to his seat with a wide grin on his face. "That was relaxing, but I'm sorry that I only got half of a free massage," Lozada said. "It was so relaxing that I think everyone should try it at least once." Over 60 students came to the workshop, sponsored by Residential Living and Student Health Services, and most said they really enjoyed themselves. "It was a definite science," said Nursing sophomore Elizabeth Rappold. "If you rub anything, it will be helpful."

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