John Heneres is just one of several students currently enrolled in Bodymechanics School of Myotherapy and Massage in Vancouver Washington. John opens up about his life, his passion and his plans for the future. When I asked John what made him decide to pursue a career in Massage Therapy, It wasn’t just the words he spoke but the passion in his voice that convinced me that he was fulfilling a life long dream. Growing up in the Phillipians, John has always possessed the gift of touch, through massage he was able to give relief to family members and friends even before deciding to make a career out of it.
It wasn’t until John was prompted by his best friend and Mentor to pursue missionary work in Washington State, that he found Bodymechanics and a career in massage as a very real possibility for his future. As soon as he set foot in Washington State he felt a sense of peace, saying that, “being in Washington just felt right.” Though John loves missionary work, it isn’t always enough to pay the bills and provide for his family. It was only after a few setbacks that his friend reminded him of how skilled he was in massage, and that massage therapy might be the perfect fit for him, while also allowing him to provide a better life for his family. After his friends prompting, John decided to take a leap of faith and go for it!
John is currently about half way through the program and loves everything about it—from the teachers, to the curriculum, to the hands-on experience. John shares his favorite part about being in Massage School saying, “The teachers are very relational and open; they are always willing to share their excitement and passion with the students. I was never the best learner, in the typical classroom setting, and going back to school in my 30’s can be scary. Having the teachers be intentional, excited and willing to help me understand is a game changer when it comes to learning new things later in life.”
Being a kinesthetic learner, John says that the hands-on experience in the classroom is so important for learning and absorbing the information. “The curriculum is put together in such a way that makes it easy to absorb and the information is layered in such a way that you revisit it multiple times throughout the course and it builds on itself.”
John is currently juggling school while working as a Chiropractic Assistant and finding time for his family and ministry as well. Though John is not yet licensed, he is able to assist the Chiropractor at his job, where he learns different techniques, charting and develop plans for clients. John says its a very treatment-oriented practice and that he might continue to work with them after he becomes licensed, while developing his own practice as well. John enjoys deep tissue massage, as well as relaxation techniques, finding them both to be beneficial and necessary for optimal health. When considering the benefits of massage and what it means to him, John says that the great thing about massage is that it is very holistic in the relief that it brings, and that’s just what John hopes to bring to his clients: Holistic, whole-body wellness. “I want to bring my clients physical relief in their bodies, but give them the space needed to leave them with whole body healing, bringing their focus inward, rather than just in their body.” John desires to Minister to the heart, by showing his clients love and compassion as he facilitates their healing. “Massage takes Ministry work to a whole new level, because it speaks to the body, heart and spirit of the person. The beautiful thing about massage is how connected it is to health, but also psychology, emotions, and the mental well being that we are in so much need for in this world. Massage is a great way to show love physically, mentally and emotionally.” John continues to work towards his life long dream of being a Licensed Massage Therapist, and is set to graduate next Summer 2023.
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