COVID-19, Travel, Three Years in Practice!

Tranquil Sole Massage

We have some updates
Dear Tranquil Sole Massage clients,

I hope this note finds you well! We are certainly in interesting times. I am enjoying being fully back to work, and I have to say that the time away made it clear how much I love what I do. 

I must let you know that I will be traveling out of state this upcoming week, leaving on Tuesday, August 11th and returning on Thursday, August 13th. I feel conflicted about the travel, but it is an event I would not miss. You see, my mom, who was 16 when she gave birth to me and spent my first 11 years mixed up with drugs, is receiving very special recognition. When she put herself through rehab, she got turned on to motorcycling. She put all of that addiction from drugs to her motorcycle. I'll never forget her first bike, a 1979 Harley-Davidson Sportster named "Piglet". She brought it right in to our trailer home the first winter to meticulously take it apart and put it back together :-) She was hooked on something positive. In the 1990's, she took her knowledge as  a Registered Nurse and her passion for motorcycling, and created a program to instruct motorcyclists how to handle the scene of an accident before help arrives. It has since gone worldwide. You can check it out at www.accidentscene.org. Well, the reason I am traveling is because her life's work is being recognized. She's being inducted in to the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame. It's a huge big deal to her, and I wouldn't miss it for anything.  I'm so proud of her! She's come a long way.
Mom
My mom, 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Inductee
and Original Bad*ss Woman :-). The real "OG".
Know that I will be taking all precautions for travel. I have some serious masks and nurse skills. I have sanitizers and knowledge. I feel like it's risky regardless. I'll be flying out and back, and the actual event involves hundreds of people eating. I am choosing to eat before the event so that I can remain masked. I will step outside to drink water. But, if you are considered more vulnerable or it just makes you uncomfortable, please feel free to cancel appointments through August and keep your distance from me. At home I will continue to keep my friend visits outdoors, pick up my groceries curbside, and mask when indoors near people who are not members of my household.
2017 work room
My tiny rental room on Keenan Street in 2017.
Now on another note... it's been three years since I opened my practice! Originally, it was Polaris Holistic Health. I envisioned providing not only massage therapy, but I had also been certified as a personal trainer and of course have my background as a registered nurse. I planned to provide personal training services, nutritional advice, and massage therapy. Before long, massage took over my schedule! And I wasn't complaining! Two years ago I resigned from my hospice nursing position in favor of massage. I also realized that my body didn't appreciate using my hands/arms/shoulders all day long and embraced ashiatsu massage, which utilizes my legs and feet :-) Three years in, I'm still completely in love with the work that I do. I rarely ever have a new client, which is really wonderful. I've enjoyed getting to know your preferences and how I can best serve you as an individual. I love being a part of your self-care. It's a real honor and one that I don't take for granted. 
Current work room
Current work space at my cozy home :-)
Regarding COVID-19 and masks, etc., they will be required for the foreseeable future. I know it's a hassle, and I truly appreciate that even those of you who don't normally wear one, wear it here. If you have specific needs or circumstances, reach out to me and I might have a solution.

My next openings are in 2021 at this point. I am only seeing 2 clients per day and intend to keep it that way. I am only offering the 90 minute session, moving away from the subscription service, and charging $100. I'll be phasing out not only subscriptions but discounts as well. In my market comparison, $100 for a 90 minute session is already quite reasonable and please understand it takes time before and after each session for cleaning. Don't even get me started on the laundry ;-)  If you currently have a 60 minute monthly session, we'll keep it that way unless you change your mind.

That was perhaps a record long note! Thanks for sticking with me.

In Deep Gratitude,
Andrea Engel, RN, LMT