Belonging Matters

The Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, reminds us that brighter days are ahead. The growing light after the Winter Solstice on December 21 offers hope, reassurance during times of challenge, and the promise of better times. Nature’s cycles remind us of the importance of staying connected to the world around us as we gather for celebrations that foster togetherness while inspiring unity and optimism.

For all of us at KCHA, we welcome time to rest, restore, and reconnect, while celebrating a year of immense growth and change, and looking forward to a new year filled with new possibilities.

Please join us in celebrating a successful workshop with Mark Duval, LMT,  an opportunity to serve our community, and KCHA student, Mikaela Moran. You will also find our quick tips for managing end-of-year stress worth exploring. 

As always, KCHA’s Student and Intern Clinics remain open and ready to support your wellness. We’ve included a link to our booking page at the end of the newsletter. 

Hello, I’m Mikaea, a current student at KCHA.    Choosing massage as my career took some time to come to, but now that I’m here, I definitely realize I’m in the right place. I’ve always cared deeply about people and felt called to help everyone. 

Traditional school never really worked out for me, and I was working a job that was draining my energy daily. I knew I needed a big change. As I looked deeply within, I realized I had been giving my loved ones massages all the time. So, why not look into massage school? And that’s also how I found KCHA. 

Once I read about the school, I knew it was where I wanted to be. The primary value my practice is rooted in is equality of care. With me, no one has to worry about judgment, as I firmly believe everyone deserves the same level of care, no matter who they are, and that everyone can benefit from massage.

My experience so far at KCHA has been nothing short of amazing. Everyone is so accommodating and supportive, and it really feels like a true community full of love for one another and for everyone else. From the moment I came in, I felt welcome and at home. I’ve made friends who will last a lifetime, and I’ve gained education from leaders I will always look up to. I never feel any judgment from anyone and am constantly reminded that I’m in a safe place. I’m really looking forward to continuing my education and learning everything I can about massage.

The November 15 course led by Mark Duval, LMT, a bodyworker with 35 years of experience using applied Myofascial Release (MFR) techniques to resolve chronic pain, proved enormously informative for all participants.

The course focused on assessment and evaluation skills, including visual assessment of alignment, palpation for mobility versus immobility, and functional muscle testing and range of motion (ROM). And, by the end of the day, participants left with the skills to address chronic pain, restore function and alignment, and “recession-proof” their practices by securing referrals from various medical professionals.

We look forward to partnering with Mark again. In the meantime, you can learn more about him here. 

Every year, WMU hosts a Turkey Trot 5k run and 5k walk the weekend before Thanksgiving. Organizers invited KCHA to be a sponsor by offering free post-event sports massage to runners and walkers. 

As one of our Pathologies and Adaptations class’s key focus areas, learning to work with different populations, working with these athletes proves a perfect fit. Four of our current students and one graduate, who returned to gain more practice working with athletes, participated in this year’s event. 

Our overseer, Chris Secor, worked with the students to ensure things ran very smoothly. KCHA co-owner and instructor, Val Erlandson, participated in the run and received an amazing massage from Nicole!  

We look forward to continuing to support our students and community in similar capacities in the future!

For many of us, December can prove an enormously stressful month. Traveling or having guests, hosting or attending events, disrupted schedules, interactions with challenging people, financial strain, all on top of an unrealistic expectation that this time of year should be fun!  

One of the best things we can do as we enter this potentially busy month is to plan ahead. By anticipating stressors and using clear, supportive strategies and structures, we can navigate this month with greater ease, and even a bit of grace.

These structures may include: Eating, hydrating, and sleeping well, taking breaks, sipping a hot beverage, listening to music, dancing, or reading.

Praying, meditating, journaling, or taking a bath.

Listing your gratitudes with the alphabet or getting a massage.

Welcome the holiday season with the gift of a massage for yourself or a loved one.  

Whether you’re looking to relieve stress, ease muscle tension, or recharge, regular massage can help you embrace the season with renewed energy and well-being.   

A massage at Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts is a perfect gift to give or receive. As students near the end of their training and new graduates hone their skills, they are ready to provide massage for the public.

Check the Booking Site for more details!“

Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.” — John Boswellhele

As we continue to consciously reconcile the past, choose gratitude in the present, and prepare for the future, may we gift ourselves with gentle kindness.