Center for Massage & Natural Health-Asheville, North Carolina

March 20th Career Days Event at CFMNH !

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:54:00 +0000

We hope you will join us for this fun and exciting day at the Center for Massage & Natural Health in Asheville. Our beautiful 24-acre campus is getting ready to bloom into spring! We want you to see how incredible it is here, and how wonderful our school is. Please call us to rsvp or register online at http://www.centerformassage.com today. :)

2010 Career Days at CFMNH

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A Great New Organization

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:57:00 +0000

I hope you will have a look at this. I just joined. It is free and advocates the supporting of local businesses and creating a positive economy.

March 20th Career Days Event at CFMNH

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:21:00 +0000

2010 Career Days at CFMNH

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peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:45:00 +0000

Coming up next Saturday! Register today: (828) 685-0814 or online at http://www.centerformassage.com/career-days.html

2010 Career Days at CFMNH

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Finding The Zone

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:09:00 +0000

I was watching a Bones episode the other day, a re-run from 2008 that I had seen before. It was that season's finale, and towards the end, during a very intense scene where one of the favorite characters was confessing to being an apprentice to a serial-killer/cannibal, and describing where he could be found, the scene was feathered with the visuals of the apprehension and ultimate death of the bad guy by the FBI. And while all this was intensely emotional and graphic crescendo was happening, there was incredibly beautiful background music being juxtaposed to the graphic violence, sadness, shock and truly disturbing knowledge that this favorite character was obviously being written off the show.

I had the show on my DVR, and kept repeating the final act because it was so powerful. I probably watched it a half-dozen times when I realized that what was making it so powerful was the music being played in the background. (As a side note, any film that Thomas Newman wrote the score for is powerful in this same way. I think I own all of his scores, and probably the films as well). Anyway, I got out my iPhone and tried repeatedly to Shazam the music (an application that records a snippet of music and will tell you who it is, when it was recorded, etc., and provide links to iTunes so you can purchase it if you wish). The voice over in the scene was making it hard to capture any of the pure music, and I thought I wouldn't be able to figure it out, but then, towards the end of the scene, the dialog went silent and there was just the music. This beautiful, haunting music, and Shazam gave me what I was looking for. Aerial Boundaries by Michael Hedges, circa 1984.

I, of course, instantly purchased the entire album on iTunes, as well as a couple of his other albums, and couldn't wait to have a closer listen. I Wiki'd him and learned that he was killed in a car crash in 1997, which made me even more enthralled with his work, and posted something about this piece of music on my FaceBook page.

A friend responded and said something about him playing this music on one guitar in several tunings with no overdub. I wasn't sure what that meant, but replied that I would like to have seen that. He instantly sent me a link to a recording of Michael Hedges playing Aerial Boundaries while sitting on a park bench. I watched with rapture as I saw techniques I have never seen before on a guitar. I am not a guitarist, but have a musical background, so I knew I was watching something extraordinary in his technique. It literally sounds like 3 or more guitars being played at the same time. But it is just one masterful artist and one acoustic guitar.

But there was something much more powerful then just the music he was producing as he played, and I felt it when I was watching that Bones scene over and over again. This guy was altered. What he was producing was altered. He was in a zone that has been described in many ways by many people. From a 'natural high' to 'having a spiritual experience', I don't care what you call it...this guy was altered. You can not only hear it in the music, but if you watch him play, you can tell he is not existing on our mundane plane. He is elsewhere, in some god-like space, playing this music from his very soul. His brain is not even required anymore. I know. I have had this experience before. It happens when you are so good at something and at the same time so passionate about something that your soul just takes over and you are no longer needed. I believe we become conduits at that point, and we become one with God.

I've had two such experiences before. The first was in my mid-twenties when I decided that I would become a drummer. I had purchased a small Tama trap kit, rented out a 10 x 10 storage locker and asked the drummer of my ex-boyfriend's band who I knew gave lessons if he would teach me. He agreed. He came once a week and gave me simple lessons, and taught me how to read music for drummers with beginners books. I went there every single day after work to practice.

After a month of frustration, trying to separate all four of my limbs and get them to do entirely different things at the same time (you think patting your head and rubbing your tummy is hard....), my drums were stolen. I arrived to nothing but a tuning key lying on the floor. I was crushed. I had wondered if it wasn't a sign that it wasn't supposed to be. But then I realized that I had insured them. And for quite a bit more than they were worth. So, when I got the insurance check, I promptly went and bought another kit...this time a Yamaha Custom Power Tour kit in shiny Piano Black with 4 Tom Toms, a full round of Zildian cymbals. It was massive. And it was beautiful. And I needed more space and this time it needed to be secure. So I rented a 30 x 30 climate controlled space on the upper floor of the same facility where nobody could see me and unless they were ridiculously determined, they could not steal them again.

I continued my lessons every week and practiced every day. I continued to struggle to separate my limbs and read the music and produce rhythms that made sense and eventually did so with about as much success as I had a s a violinist, which I studied through High School. I could play decently, carrying a tune, or a beat in this case, but I never made the instrument sing from my soul. I was always 3rd chair in the orchestra, even after years of playing, and I suspected it would be the same for my drumming career.

Nevertheless, I continued playing, every day, when after about a year, something happened. I was alone practicing, waiting for my teacher to come. I was working on some more complex rhythms that involved breaking into thirds bars that were written in 4/4 time, and involving all of the drums in this massive kit. I kept going and going, and all of a sudden, I wasn't thinking anymore. All my limbs seemed to be independent of me, of my brain, of the music I was reading...and I went somewhere else as this music poured through me like waves from an ocean that I could not see. I was altered.

As I continued from this trance-like state, the door swung open and my teacher walked in. His eyes got huge and his jaw dropped, and he just stood there. I stopped playing. He said to me that he thought I had someone else up here playing my drums. He said he could teach me no more, that I needed to play with other musicians and turn around and left. I don't know who was more dumbfounded.

Shortly afterwards, I moved to Europe and never saw my drums again. I tried to ship them, but some were lost, some damaged, and my life had changed direction. But I do not regret a moment of this experience. I found something I may not have found otherwise. I found a zone, a place that is indescribable and beautiful, and a place where I was not necessary. I also learned that I could have been a drummer, probably even a famous one. But I didn't care about that. What I cared about was the spiritual realm I visited.

The second experience I had was as a massage therapist. I had been practicing energy work for years before I went for a formal training in Chinese Medicine and massage therapy in the early 90's. I was naturally good as a massage therapist, and was told from the very start that it was the best work my clients had ever received. So I felt confident in my technical abilities. I continued my studies across the country, and one teacher spoke of the work of a therapist become like a dance. She vaguely described what sounded like the experience I had that day while playing my drums. She had my full attention as I wanted to return to this place again. I asked her how long it took her to feel what she was trying to describe, and she said it happened after about 1000 massages.

Ugh. 1000 massages. First of all, I'll probably never do that many. Second, I'm sure I can achieve the nirvana I seek way before that. But the days went on, and I continued to practice. And my clients loved my work, and continually complimented it, returning again and again. I new I was good. My technique combined so many elements, like my limbs all paying different beats at the same time, and my clients loved it. I was always conscious of my touch, of my client, of my surroundings, of my carefully selected music and my professionalism. On all accounts, I was an exceptional therapists, and could have continued to thrive in that profession very happily.

Then one day, years into my practice, something happened. I was at my studio working on a client that I had seen many times. Everything was the same. The space, the sounds, the client with the myriad of health problems seeking relief and advise. But as I worked, something shifted. I stopped thinking, and I stopped feeling my limbs. They had once again become detached from my brain. I knew that I was not in charge anymore. The words of that instructor from years before rang in my ears like a whisper from God himself. I was altered. I kept going and going, and when the session was over, I quietly left the room.

My client came out, not saying a word, but she was altered too. I could see it in her eyes. She quietly scheduled another appointment, handed me $50 bucks and left. I quickly got out my calculator to estimate how many sessions I had done up to that date, and there it was...a number very close to 1000. That teacher was right, and although she described the experience as a 'dance', I knew what she was trying to describe. And she was right. I was in 'the zone'. That beautiful, mystical place where I am not necessary. A place where I am nothing but a conduit and God flows through me like the music that flows through Michael Hedges in Aerial Boundaries. His song could have been called "No Boundaries" and been more fitting.

Shortly after that experience, I started my own massage school and had to leave my practice and my clients to run the school. I return to that zone from time to time, usually at my computer in a state of what some might call 'mania' as I pound out a new website, or idea, or plan or vision for the future. But I know clearly when I am altered, and it is during those times that I know my life is none of my business and I am doing another kind of work. Work that does not require my brain, but only uses me as a vessel to accomplish something that is beyond my technical abilities. When I go there, I just let go completely until it is time to return. Then, after, when I look at it, whatever it is, and know that everything is okay.

Michael Hedges (1954-1997), Aerial Boundaries Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P9mmZyGb4s

Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:07:00 +0000

Music I would want to do massage to, all day long (give or receive). What an incredible artist. Just watching him gives me goosebumps.

Pregnancy Massage Workshop February 19-21, 2010

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:42:00 +0000

Pregnancy Massage in the Wise Woman Tradition

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Next Career Days Event: Saturday, February 20th!

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:37:00 +0000

2010 Career Days at CFMNH

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Reiki I&Ii

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:36:00 +0000

THIS WEEKEND!

Reiki I&Ii

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Education Tax Deductions for 2009 Returns

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:37:00 +0000

Education Tax Credits, Deductions & Forms
It's Tax time again! Did you attend CFMNH for your massage school education? You may be eligible for significant tax credits and deductions.

If you attend CFMNH's massage school or continuing education workshops, you may be entitled to significant tax credits and tax deductions.

CFMNH's accreitation is approved by the United States Department of Education which means you are eligible to take advantage of any available tax credits and/or deducations.

Here is a list of important and valuable links to the Internal Revenue Service and the N.C. Department of Revenue. Please download all relevant forms and include them with your tax return if you qualify for these tax credits and/or deductions.

Please consult with your tax professional about these tax deductions before filing to make sure you qualify.

important links
Special IRS Web Section Highlights Back-to-School Tax Breaks; New $2,500 College Credit Available (American Opportunity Credit)

More on the American Opportunity Credit: Education Tax Breaks

IRS Form 8863: Education Credits (American Opportunity, Hope, and Lifetime Learning Credits) for your 2009 Tax Return

Five Ways to Offset Education Costs IRS TAX TIPS for 2010

Esalen Massage January 8-10, 2010

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:22:00 +0000

24 NCBTMB Approved CEs

Esalen Massage

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Tuition as low as $5333 after Pell Grant and Scholarships!

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:35:00 +0000

2010 Massage School Postcard

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New Slideshow Presentation on YouTube

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:44:00 +0000

We have a wonderful new slideshow of our massage school on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBX8O02wc00 I hope you will visit it, and please leave your comments and sent to your friends. We'd love to hear from you!

Happy New Year to you all!
Peggy

2010 Continuing Education Calendar Postcard

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:51:00 +0000

2010 Ce Postcard

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Reiki I&II at CFMNH!

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:20:00 +0000

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Reiki I&Ii

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New Massage School Classes Start This Week!

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:01:00 +0000

At the Center for Massage & Natural Health in Asheville, North Carolina, a new massage school class started this week. We are extremely pleased with our enrollment for this class as 35 bright and excited new massage school students begin their new careers in the healing arts and sciences.

This is a landmark class for CFMNH. We have survived a very tough economy where many can no longer afford to go to school, and many more who would have come through a Sallie Mae loan can do so no longer as Sallie Mae quit lending. We are extremely fortunate that we are COMTA accredited and approved through the U.S. Department of Education to offer Federal Financial Aid, including Pell Grants to our students, making it possible for them to obtain higher education and wonderful new careers.

Throughout 2009, CFMNH has made generous scholarship contributions for all of our students, including $1500.00 Economic Stimulus Scholarships, $500.00 Introduction to Massage Workshop Scholarships, various work-trade scholarships and significant pre-payment discounts. All together, we have contributed over $100,000.00 in scholarship funds for our students and made it possible for them to come to the school of their choice...our school.

We are not out of the woods yet, economically, but all indications are that we will not only survive, but thrive in our beautiful community, and we could not have done it without all of you, your ongoing support and dedication to this incredible profession, and without the endless love and dedication of our amazing faculty and staff.

Please stay tuned for some really exciting news about our school as we plan for the future of CFMNH! It is going to be an amazing year and a joyous journey!

Love and Peace,
Peggy

Peggy Huff
President/Executive Director
Center for Massage & Natural Health

Website: http://www.centerformassage.com
Blog: http://blog.centerformassage.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Asheville-NC/Center-for-Massage-Natural-Health/60815835812?ref=ts

Esalen Massage Workshops at CFMNH!

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:14:00 +0000

Esalen Massage

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2010 Reflexology Aromatherapy Workshop

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:47:00 +0000

2010 Reflexology Aromatherapy Workshop

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2010 Continuing Education Workshops Now Posted!

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:22:00 +0000

We have just posted our brand new 2010 Continuing Education Workshops for massage therapists! We have many new and exciting workshops to choose from this year, including Esalen Massage, all the way from Big Sur, California!

As always, we offer our workshops with FREE Professional Ethics, as well as options to make it an Educational Retreat Vacation, right here in Asheville, NC. You can enjoy an all-inclusive experience that includes beautiful private or semi-private accommodations at our campus Retreat Center and all your meals. You can even extend your stay and explore the area for a few days!

Please visit our website for a complete listing of our upcoming workshops and register online TODAY!

NEW: 2010 Career Days at CFMNH

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:36:00 +0000

I would be honored to have you join us for this new and exciting event at CFMNH in Asheville! Many blessings to you all.

2010 Career Days at CFMNH

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The Difference A Day Can Make

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:11:00 +0000

I have not blogged in a little while. I have been so busy working to keep my little school afloat during extremely tough economic times. With Sallie Mae's decision to quit lending to students of small massage schools like mine to the catastrophic global economy, it is not a small miracle that we are still here. Enrollment numbers dropped drastically for a couple of our classes, but even that did not stop us. I poured my life savings into my school with the faith that we would survive and find new ways to bring in new students for the education and experience they wanted and deserved.

Last March, when I learned that Sallie Mae would quit lending, I launched a campaign to become a full-fledged Title IV school. I was able to achieve this because the school is already accredited, which is one of the qualifications for application. Becoming a Title IV school means that we can accept students through Federal financial aid, including Pell grants, Stafford Loans and other great financial options for students. The task was costly, both monetarily and physically. Just the extensive financial audits took a period of weeks, and the detailed data and paperwork that was required was astounding. But we persevered, and last July, we were granted our Title IV school approval.

Since July, we also launched a fully automated on-line Virtual Financial Aid Office to handle the entire Financial Aid process for our students. While our dedicated staff provide general guidance as our students go through this process, we have an entire company working for us to do all the actual processing of the applications and they are responsible for the packaging of loans and grants for our students, and makes sure they receive the best possible combination of Federal Financial Aid.

We have seen a tremendous upturn in our admissions applications and enrollments for our Fall class. Our Winter class is two-thirds full already, and we still have many weeks to continue to receive applications. Our maximum capacity for our Winter class is 64 (2 classes of 32). Based on the data we are seeing, we will easily have waiting lists for our classes next year. So, if you are reading this, and planning on attending our program, please submit your application early.

It is amazing how the universe works. When the economy and banking industry collapsed, it was imminent that we would collapse right along with them. So many business and schools have. But it didn't happen this way. With the right heart and the right intentions, intuition played a big part in the decision to go out on a limb and risk everything to survive, and survive we did. The school has never had a brighter outlook, better energy or a more enthusiastic team of talented staff members. They were fighting for their life and well being just as much as I was. And as a whole, we all made it.

I am grateful to God, to my amazing staff and to my keen instincts that we survived this crisis, and look into the future with hope, determination and pride knowing we will be able to continue to send wonderful new healing-arts practitioners out into the world and make it a better place for everyone they touch.

2009-2010 Massage School Catalog Supplement

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:31:00 +0000

Calendars, Financial Aid, Scholarships and much more!

2009 2010 Catalog Supplement

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Virtual Financial Aid Office: State-Of-The-Art Technology

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:44:00 +0000

I love technology. I always have. The more automated and streamlined something can become, the happier and more secure I am, as a consumer and as a business owner.

As a business owner, this week I will be unveiling our new Virtual Financial Aid Office for our staff and students. This virtual office will enable students from around the globe to apply for Federal Financial Aid to come to our massage school in Asheville. Unlike traditional college financial aid offices, one does not need an appointment, nor does one need to stand in line for hours waiting for their turn with the financial aid counselor to help them with the process.

At CFMNH, we have opted to use technology to make the process of applying for Federal Financial Aid a much easier and fully automated experience. And our students will have the ability to correspond with our Financial Aid Representative via email, and receive a response to any questions within 24 hours.

If a student does not have a computer, they are always welcome to come in and use ours after they have applied for admission into our school.

As a consumer, I LOVE being able to handle all my needs and affairs online. I can sit in my pajamas with a cup of coffee (as I am doing this moment!) and take care of all the many details of my life without ever having to go anywhere but the local market or restaurants when I don't feel like cooking. So, for me, having something like a Virtual Financial Aid Office to go to, rather than having to travel, wait in lines, go back and forth if I don't have all the information I need to complete the application, wait for counselors to put together financial packages for me...I am a very happy girl.

I know our students will benefit greatly in the CFMNH's innovative and state-of-the-art virtual world while they prepare to come to school here. Our Virtual Financial Aid Office will help bring them one step closer to achieving their educational and career dreams!

Posted by Peggy M. Huff, President/Executive Director
Center for Massage & Natural Health-Asheville, North Carolina
Website: http://www.centerformassage.com
Blog: http://blog.centerformassage.com

We Are On Our Way to FFA

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:16:00 +0000

After years many years of work and dedication to my massage school, and after the long journey to becoming COMTA Accredited, we have spent the last months applying to become a Title IV school. We were formally approved last week, and will be receiving our school code number in the next day or so.

Today, my staff and I will take a road trip to visit with a consultant who will create a seamless and completely virtual Financial Aid Office for our school in which our students will be able to process every aspect of their entire Federal Financial Aid applications.

Our own Financial Aid Specialist will provide all the information our students need to begin this process, and our new Virtual Financial Aid Office, along with its very human administrator will guide you through the rest of the way, all from the comfort of your own computer (our ours, if you do not have one.)

This promises to be one of the most exciting career days for me as we enter this brand new world of FFA, and a turning point for so many students who want to come to our school. It is my intention that our new Financial Aid Office will be completely ready to begin accepting students who need FFA this coming Monday. And after nearly 12 years of working and refining and perfecting and building my beautiful massage school, I am ready.

I will let you know the minute we are ready to accept your FFA applications. Until then, many blessings.

Peggy

Posted by Peggy M. Huff, President/Executive Director
Center for Massage & Natural Health-Asheville, North Carolina
Website: http://www.centerformassage.com
Blog: http://blog.centerformassage.com
Tweeter: http://www.tweeter.com/MassageSchools.com

CFMNH Receives Title IV Approval!

peggy@centerformassage.com (Peggy M. Huff) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:56:00 +0000

The Center for Massage & Natural Health of Asheville, North Carolina has received notification that it has been approved to offer Federal Financial Aid, including Pell Grants to our students!

Asheville, NC –July 15, 2009 – CFMNH's massage school is excited to announce that it has been approved to offer financial aid to our students. We will be providing detailed information in the coming days about how you can apply for Financial Aid.

This exciting announcement comes after working very hard for many years to become a COMTA accredited massage school, and now to be able to open the door to education for so many people who want to come to school here, but could not afford the tuition. We have made it possible for many deserving people to acquire their massage school education at one of the most desirable massage schools in the country.

Please visit our Financial Aid page for up-to-date information on beginning your financial aid application today. We are so grateful and excited to assist you in achieving your educational dreams.

Posted by Peggy M. Huff, President/Executive Director
Center for Massage & Natural Health-Asheville, North Carolina
Website: http://www.centerformassage.com
Blog: http://blog.centerformassage.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MassageSchools