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Much more than a fleeting trend, green is the wave of the future in the healing realm & beyond. Keep reading to learn how to make your massage practice more eco-friendly, one lightly treading step at a time.
by Elizabeth Barker
Photography by Aubrie Pick
Two years ago, Selena Lee decided to give her Oakland-based massage school a head-to-toe eco-makeover.
“Green is a big component of the holistic approach to health,” asserts Lee, director of the McKinnon Institute of Massage. What’s more, she adds, “massage can be a much more complete healing experience if it’s not done while you’re inhaling toxic gases.”
In addition to bringing in organic oils and organic-cotton linens, the McKinnon Institute installed energy-efficient lighting, integrated low-toxin paints and carpeting, and began using non-toxic cleaning supplies. The effect? “When people walk in, they’re blown away by the difference in energy,” says Lee. “It just feels cleaner here.”
That clean feeling should soon start to permeate massage practices everywhere, predicts Tara Grodjesk, president of Tara Spa Therapy. “We’re going to see an explosion in green,” says Grodjesk, whose company provides natural products to massage therapists. As more and more consumers begin to seek out eco-friendly services, she notes, it’s becoming “a necessity” for massage therapists to practice planet consciousness. “Massage therapy is about health and healing, so the environments themselves need to be healthy,” Grodjesk says. “And when people find a wellness center that’s aligned with their values, they’re going to be loyal to that center.”
Winning the loyalty of greenminded clients can call for a significant investment of your money and time, but Lee insists that the payoff is more than worth it. “For me, this is about peace of mind and not having to compromise my values and integrity for the sake of owning a business,” she says. “It’s also an awesome opportunity to see how all these small things can add up to make a big difference.”
Indeed, making small changes is often the smartest strategy for easing into the world of green. So if you’re not ready for an all-out overhaul of your practice, begin by upgrading to organic oils or switching to synthetic-chemical-free cleaners. And don’t forget to look beyond products in going green.
“Think about donating a percentage of your profits to helping clean up the environment,” suggests Randi Ragan, founder and owner of the Los Angeles-based GreenBliss EcoSpa. “If some of your clients’ money is going toward a good cause, people might feel more motivated to patronize your business.”
Not sure where to start? From cradle covers to compact fluorescent lightbulbs, here are your best solutions for creating a massage practice that’s healthiest for you, your clients and the planet.
Organic Oils
Choosing organic fruits and veggies isn’t the only way to nourish your body with the purest of plants. “Anything we use on the skin needs to be considered as food for the skin,” says Grodjesk. To find the most wholesome oils and lotions for your practice, start by paying close attention to product labels.
“The companies with the purest ingredients will usually tell you right up front,” says Ragan. “But if there’s not an ingredient listing on the label, you should call and check to make sure there’s no added chemicals or preservatives.”
Whenever possible, go for organic. Less likely to irritate the skin, organic lubricants are made from plants grown without the use of planet-harming pesticides. Locally harvested oils are ideal: They don’t need to be transported a great distance, which in turn cuts back fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
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American Massage Therapy Association®
