By Terrie Yardley-Nohr

    As I sit at my desk at work for the last time, it is a great time to reflect on what an adventure my career has been.  It was over 31 years ago that I graduated from Kaleidoscope School of Massage.  So much has happened since then.  I have been blessed with so many mentors such as Donna Zieger (owner of Kaleidoscope), the late Diana Gordon and Cherie Sohnen-Moe.   All are incredible individuals in the massage community.   I guess that I looked at my career as an adventure, something new with a lot to do.  The massage community was just getting started in Missouri and I was pleased to work with a team of people (Estaban Ruvulcaba, Jennifer Peters and Juliet Mee) on the legislation for the state.  Being involved with the AMTA at the chapter level enabled me to meet so many wonderful therapists that were dedicated to moving our profession forward.   As I moved on to the National level of the AMTA, a whole new world opened up to me.  Meeting so many wonderful therapists and educators helped educate me about the massage community and provide mentorship for me in the field. 

    During my career, I quickly realized that I could never do any of this alone.  There is always a team of people involved.  From the state and national chapters of the AMTA, to the schools such as Missouri College, Anthem and The Healing Arts Center, there is always a team of people there to help.  I thank each and every one that has been there helping and supporting along the way.

    I am not totally fading into the sunset with retirement.  I was recently offered an opportunity to write for a national magazine and there are several other projects in the works.  Feel free to friend me on Facebook to see future adventures.   I am looking forward to some travel time in the RV with the animals and friends.  And I am still serving on the Board of the Alliance of Massage Educators (AFMTE) for several years to come.  What a great group of dedicated people. 

    To the students that I have had the privilege of teaching,  Thank you.  I always learned from you and that helped to write a book and to help future students in their careers.  A student recently asked me what advice I would offer to a new therapist.  My advice would be to remember that every therapist makes an impression on the public about our profession.  We hope that it will be a positive impression of nurturing, kindness, patience, integrity and ethical behavior.  Those that came before us paved the way for a career that can be rewarding, fulfilling and wonderful.  Now you can carry on and pave the way for those that will follow you.  Take care of you and show the clients what a wonderful therapist you can be and above all else – stay ethical!!!

In peace - Terrie

    Massage Therapy offers many benefits for cancer patients.  It can greatly reduce the stress and anxiety that often arises from having cancer and can reduce or eliminate the pain of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.   Student therapists who participate in the clinic are among HAC's best, in fact, being chosen to participate in the HAC Free Cancer Clinic is considered honors status at graduation.  Being of service is part of the HAC mission and our students and graduates deliver care through Reiki and light-touch massage to clients who truly can use healing touch.  HAC has developed considerable expertise in restoring quality of life to cancer patients.

    This past Friday the Healing Arts Center graduated a group of outstanding students from the Massage Therapy Training Program.  Among them, one student stood out for his excellence.  Matthew Tarrillion received every award that the Healing Arts Center offers, plus a student scholarship from Massage Envy.