Why Become a Massage Therapist?
We may be a bit biased, but we think being a massage therapist is the best job in the world.
Over the years we have had students join us to train as massage therapists for a whole host of reason. Most are looking for a skill that they can work flexible hours around their current jobs and work/family commitments, some want to add it as a skill that supports their current work, some are looking for a whole new career change and redirection and a few, just want to learn for fun or to help care for a loved one.
The beauty of this work is that there are so many options open and available to you. In fact, very few skills and trades enable you to have such a wide variety of options when it comes to the how you work. Furthermore, you get to do something that makes people feel better, less stressed and reduces pain, so it’s a win win all around.
If you are just at the start of your massage journey then the big question for you is, why? Why do YOU want to explore becoming a massage therapist?
It doesn’t have to be deep or profound! In fact the reason I first became a massage therapist was purely practical - I had a love of yoga and travelling and simply wanted a skill that I could take anywhere in the world that I knew was universal and most of all, paid a good hourly wage. That was it. I didn’t have dreams of helping or healing, you could even say my motivations were pretty selfish! Little did I know, but I would fall in love with it and it would reshape my entire life.
And yes, it did allow me to travel the world, support my yoga teaching and did in fact pay me a great hourly wage.
Massage Training UK’s Top 10 Reasons to Become a Massage Therapist
It’s pretty hard to narrow this down to 10 because there are so many reasons but here we go, and in no particular order…
Time Freedom - The main reason students join us for training is in the search of a better work life balance. Time in this one precious life is limited and more and more of us want to be able to do something meaningful, that also allows us to spend time with our loved ones and pursue our passions. Working as a massage therapist can achieve this, especially if you are working for yourself as your higher hourly rate means you can potentially work far less hours for the same pay as your employed 9 to 5.
Time Flexibility - An add on to having time freedom is, flexibility. Want Tuesday afternoons off to go to your favourite fitness class? You can do that. Know you are more of a night owl than a morning person and fancy starting work at 11am and finishing later? You can do that! Want to take a three week dream vacation and not have to ask permission? That’s that best. Never want to work a Monday ever again? Go for it!
Be Your Own Boss - Call the shots, create what ever your heart desires and have limitless possibilities? Yes please. I wont sugar coat it, being the boss isn’t always easy. In fact it is hard work at times! But, it is hugely rewarding and you are always working towards your own success, not someone else’s.
AI Will Never Steal Your Job - There is NOTHING, that can replace the magic and healing properties of human touch and connection. As a species, we are communal and thrive with connection and community, something that is becoming rarer in the age of technology. Trust me, people are actively searching for it and massage therapists are the front line.
Helping Others - Of course, one of the best reasons to become a massage therapist is you get to be of help and be in service of others. And not just help in an aches and pains kind of way, you may well be the absolute highlight of someone’s week, the thing they have been holding on to and looking forward to the most during a stressful time. Being the space for someone to come and feel safe and able to relax, escape and unwind is an honour to hold. This, is the main reason that people become massage therapists and it is what keeps you working for years to come.
Variety of Work Possibilities - On training we chat about all the different ways you can work as a massage therapist and everyone is always shocked by the breadth of how far they can take this career. You are not limited to hotel spas or working from home, there is a whole world of opportunities out there! From private yachts sailing around the Caribbean, working at festivals, being the in house therapist on a yoga or fitness retreat, having a clinic at your local gym, your own yurt at your local glamping site, visiting swanky holiday homes, working on charity events, cruise ships, working in care homes or Palliative care - there are so many more options available to you than you first think.
Unlock Your Creativity - From designing your dream studio environment to creating bespoke treatments that flow with the seasons, or themes of wellbeing, you can make and create a service that reflects both your skills and your passions.
You Will Always Be Learning - When it comes to the human mind and body, it is safe to say you will forever be a student. And personally, this is one of my favourite parts of being a massage therapist! Every client that walks through your door has the potential to teach you, inspire you to expand your knowledge and challenge you to adapt and evolve. Of course there are also an almost endless array of courses and training’s that you can take too. Maybe you want to specialise in a certain style, or add in some new moves to freshen up your flow, become an Ayurvedic massage therapist or, you just love learning.
It is the Perfect ‘Up Skill’ - Yoga teachers, Pilates instructors and PT’s, I am looking at you here. Becoming a massage therapist not only has the potential to add an (very lucrative) income stream to your health and wellbeing offerings, but it also will expand your knowledge and give you an even greater understanding of the human body and biomechanics of movement, health and healing. We have had lots of yoga teacher join us on training that say they feel their teaching and understanding has improved dramatically since they started massaging.
Be Part of an Amazing Community - Community is why we run our Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapy training as a residential course. I have lived in and worked in the wellbeing and yoga world for all of my adult life and I can promise, the massage community is the most genuine, caring and supportive of them all. The old fashioned days of gatekeeping are becoming less and less, making way for a generation of professionals that lift each other up, share knowledge and support each others ventures unlike any other sector in the industry. It is a JOY to see and privilege to be a part of. And if you are reading this and are still of the mind set that ‘sharing ain’t caring’, you are the one missing out while we all thrive, together.