Massage school or bust!

Hello! My name is Andrea, some folks call me Drea, and I am raising money to head back to school! Massage school to be exact!

About 10 years ago I started working in the healing arts. It all started in a Unity church in Charleston, South Carolina with a wonderful woman named Chrys Franks. This is where I was first introduced to healing work through the practice of reiki. I began learning about all the ways we can assist our bodies in becoming healthier and stronger. Then, about 2 years ago, I started thinking about how I could expand my healing work and build on the learning I had already begun. I also recognized that there were two other modalities besides reiki that had helped me in my own healing and that I was interested in pursuing. They were chiropractic work and therapeutic massage. 

You see, I have a spinal curvature referred to as hyperkyphosis, or in layman's terms, hunchback. I also have scoliosis and between these two spinal issues I have chronic pain but with the help of massage and chiropractic work I continue to be able to do the things I love including farming, biking, hiking and many other physical activities. Without these modalities and reiki I honestly think I would be disabled by now. I realized my life's calling includes helping others with chronic pain realize that their suffering can be reduced to a manageable level that allows them to live full lives doing the activities they love best, whether that be gardening, playing with their children or grandchildren or simply enjoying a walk in the sunshine. 

I evaluated my options and realized that cracking people's bones wasn't really my cup of tea but that massage seemed to come naturally to me. I have even had a couple folks ask if they could book an appointment or hire me at their retreat center! I felt like these moments helped open my eyes to the fact that I needed more training in order to pursue this path. The money I raise will assist with books, tuition and traveling expenses to my school here in Vermont. I start school the second week of September of this year! This has all happened so quickly but I have faith that this is the right path for me so I am asking for you to help in any way you can! I would be so grateful for any and all contributions to this cause! 

Ultimately, I hope that this education is one step closer to my greatest dream, to co-create a healing center where people from all walks of life can come to find a safe, healing and rejuvenating place in nature to be well in their bodies, minds and spirits. I hope through this work I can help spread healing energy out into the world. I really appreciate any positivity, words of encouragement and/or monetary gifts and prayers towards this dream. Thank you!