Is my business Innovative? Or am I simply feeling my way through it?
I’ve been known for being innovative and bringing new ideas to ancient wisdom. Massage therapy and manual soft-tissue manipulation is nothing new. Understanding it through the lens of pain science, evidence-informed, and a little bit of magic is unique to me and my gathering of knowledge. Business and operations is no different. I travel somewhat often and have my toe on the pulse of what’s happening in the massage industry at large. You could say I know more about what’s going on in the world of massage than I do here in St. Louis, MO.
I bring a lot of what I love back to the city I love. I also sit with and allow my intuition to guide what I feel is right.
That’s what has led to many of the shifts that I have made in my company over the years. If you’ve been with me for a long time, you’ve seen me expand and contract and shift and update. I feel connected to the collective in ways that I do my best to bring forward to deliver the best massage with supportive services and products so that you can best learn about your body to relieve stress and live your best life. In some ways, I’m more than a massage therapist with various credentials and courses under my belt. I’m a mix bag of all things health and wellness.
Today I wanted to share a couple of random stories that paint that picture for you.
Recently, I had someone cancel their session with me fairly last minute. While this is not ideal and it puts pressure on other areas, it’s also part of working with people. I’ve really come to a place of having so much compassion and grace for these situations. I have 4 kids and I hope I never loose that understanding of the challenges it is to have young kids. The culture isn’t set up to support or provide for young families like mine and I want to make sure I always remember that.
The person that cancelled went on a trip with her kids for an extended weekend. It was within my 48 hour cancellation policy. I didn’t charge the fee.
I’ll never know if that’s true or if they are lying–but does it really matter? That’s not my concern or issue to figure out. I do believe that what we “put out into the world, we receive back.” I really want people to spend their time with family on an extended weekend without the pressure of paying a fee they may struggle to pay. I don’t know this persons situation to know whether they would struggle or not, but again that’s not my concern. I used the time to catch up on projects that I missed because my own kids were sick the week prior.
My policy is in place to ensure someone doesn’t trample on my generosity. But at the end of the day, I want my clients to want to be here. If they are strained by being there, am I really providing anything of value to either one of us??
Our culture has really placed a strain on all of us whether we feel it explicitly or not.
Marketing and client generation has been something I’ve grappled with for as long as I can remember. In the before times, I pushed myself in ways that felt “normal” yet not right in my soul.
The moment that something feels scarce or pressured, I want to opt out. Is this me getting old? Or the effects of late-stage capitalism? Will we ever know for sure? I try to remember this when I’m talking to my clients or potential clients. I want you to feel expanded and nourished while you’re here. That is my main goal.
On instagram, I follow an account that offers courses in health and wellness. She does such a great job of allowing you to feel complete and full of sureness when you click “buy.” It almost makes me want to buy her course just because I feel safe and sure about doing so. That’s what I hope to sow with my own clients. However, I do book up in advance and you do need to plan in effort to be on my table–which feels different then that scarcity thing.
If you haven’t been to see me in awhile, I’ve been changing–softening. Stepping into my feminine and it feel so good. So cozy and so supportive of myself. And I’ve seen how that will broaden my ability to care and tend to you.
Why am I sharing all of this with you?
Because I feel it’s important to know who you’re working with before you walk into my studio. Because I’m aware of the power dynamics at play that effect a therapeutic relationship. I want you to feel safe and held by the container we create.
I probably want to work with you. And hopefully you want to work with me. I believe we can find a way to make that work. And I still have expenses and children to feed. It’s a delicate balance I’m always dancing. And also why I offer other options to receive therapeutics at different price points. I truly think that’s a key to not loosing my mind or putting immense pressure on myself or my clients. Helping you live better is why I’m here. And if you’re like me, you feel the incongruence of our current cultures relationship with commerce. It feels bold to put out messages like this one and why? Because it goes against what is typical.
I have some new offerings for 2024:
Inner world exploration -Meditation, Inquiry, Conversation. Locate yourself and find access to your center. <virtual or in person>
Book Club – Starting off 2024 is Call of the Wild: How We Heal Trauma, Awaken Our Own Power, and Use It for Good by Kimberly Ann Johnson <Virtual or in person>
Mother Circle In person and Mother Circle Virtual 
Some of the same offerings but still good:
The Roll Method – Self -Massage tools to use at home. To Schedule.
Hot Ashi Add to your current session or stand alone. To Schedule.
Partner Massage – For the non-professional. Learn to use your feet at home to massage your partner.
I’m an anatomy enthusiast and a science lover. I’m constantly seeking the bridge between data and spirituality and I find beauty in the function of the human body.
I not only want to create a soothing space for you to relax but help you learn more about your body to live your best self. 
I book up in advance but it’s worth the time you wait to see me. I do look forward to seeing you on my table soon.
With Gratitude,
Sara Newberry, LMT
