Aloha Elizabeth,
You are very welcome for the cream. Am I there? Oh - how I long to be. I have a very good client who vacations to Hawaii once a year for a month and this year he was going to be on Oahu for a week. So, I asked him for a little favor. I remember the 'foot class' and the cream that we used and figured that you could share this with your class during your next 'foot' session (or you can keep it for yourself). You can even tell your students that there are a few people out there who love to have reflexology instead of a full body massage and this cream was designed for them. But I am sure that you already know that.
I guess I can give you an update of what I am doing these days. I am planning on closing down my shop. Yes, it needs to close because I have grown out of the space and can't handle the amount of clients calling. I am on the verge of signing a 3 year lease (with the option & intention to buy the building) to build a wellness spa. The spa's theme is what I have going now, a fusion of Hawaii and Thailand. This is a very large step for me and I am ready for the challenge. Having a small place for 2 years has taught me so much. I am ready to have employees and offer more than I can and do now. My products are going to be the highlight of the spa, being utilized in most services. Included with every service is a trip to the tropical scrub bar where the guest can pick out a dish of handmade sugar or salt scrub (made onsite) and they can proceed to the rainforest shower to indulge themselves. This will help the client to relax, prepare for their services and increase retail sales!
I am glad that I can share this with you and I hope that it can inspire your students. One thing I would say to anybody wanting to work for themselves is 'Never worry about the money, focus on your goals and the money will come'. I often watch many people struggle with this in our industry and their focus on worrying about money is so strong that it takes away from performing their best with their clients.

Thanks again for the amazing education. I am 'lucky' and have been blessed to have attended the best massage school in the WORLD! And I do mean that. I absolutely love what I do and am thankful everyday for the gift God gave me. It would be a shame not to use it.
Many Alohas,
Elizabeth Steffens
www.thenaturalways.com

Hi Elizabeth & Barbara,
I was recently promoted to principal therapist at the spa and want to reiterate my support for AIMHA. I am always thinking of ways to build bridges and encourage you to contact me when the need arises to work together to support AIMHA students and nurture their talent.
Best Regards,
Michael Lanzo
Michael is currently Spa Director at Mandara Spa, Hilton Hawaiian Village

Aloha,
Radical Self-Care is an important aspect that I did not expect to learn in massage school. Nonetheless, the timing of introducing this concept is amazing. I am no longer on that narrow, one-way path of life. I finally have the courage to learn about who I am and what I want. I am rediscovering myself and the road to happiness and peace that I desire. I would like to further develop my natural healing capabilities and intuition. I want to be more that just a massage “technician”. I would also like to focus on cultivating my qi and strengthening my mind. These are all aspects that are important to me not only on the level of becoming a massage therapist, but also just as a Being of this Universe. I want to be able to fully experience, appreciate, and share the true splendors of life.
Aloha,
Liane Watanabi

I wanted to let you know how grateful and thankful I am that I was able to be a part of your school, and this journey. I am even more thankful and grateful for all the wonderful friends I've met along the way. This was truly a most life opening and spiritual experience that has been so perfectly matched to what I really needed. So, I thank you for everything that you have helped me with and brought into my life. It has truly been a most wonderful experience for me.
Sommer

Coeur d'Alene Resort, Idaho
" AIMHA changed my life! It brought out the best in me! Besides great training in massage therapy, AIMHA introduced me to the spiritual aspect of massage. With the information I learned at AIMHA, I feel confident in communicating with my clients and educating them to take an active role in their own healing. During my apprenticeship I learned the skills it takes to run a clinic and now I am responsible for hiring and training the therapists for Spa Services. With these skills I know I can go anywhere and get a great job."
Kerry McKenna, LMT
Head Massage Therapist

" I feel privileged to have trained with Elizabeth Reveley and her staff at the American Institute of Massage Therapy (now doing business as Aloha Institute of Massage and Healing Arts). She is unmatched in her skills as an educator, healer and visionary. I would recommend this program without reservation."
Vance Inouye, N.D.
Phoenix, Arizona

Sometimes it takes a situation that is not in your control to point one in the direction they want. Which is how I came to AIMHA. In December of 2002 I found myself without a job for the first time in 23 years and wondering what to do. The first thing I thought of was finally pursuing my dream of becoming a massage therapist. I can never thank Elizabeth and Barbara for all the encouragement and knowledge I have been given. They are concerned with more than just teaching us how to massage. We discover how to become the person we are each meant to be even though parts of us are repressed through today's hectic and materialistic lifestyles. Time is devoted to bettering our physical bodies and our emotional and mental states. What is wonderful about AIMHA is that everyone is also encouraged to awaken the instinctual self and the spiritual self. I believe this will help all of the students who travel through AIMHA on their educational journey to become great massage therapists and also great healers as we connect to others on a much deeper level than the physical. I am very thankful I chose this little school in beautiful Kailua and also so appreciative of all the relationships I formed with teachers and others students in Level 1.
I love you guys!!!
Jane F.
Honolulu

DEAR ELIZABETH,
I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHERE TO START. I'VE GOT TO START SOMEWHERE. I KNOW ITS HARD SOMETIMES FOR ME TO EXPRESS MYSELF IN CLASS. A LOT OF TIMES, I HAVE A LOT TO SAY, BUT, IT NEVER COMES OUT RIGHT, AND I FEEL UNEXPLAINED, AND MISUNDERSTOOD. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'VE SAID TO SUPPORT ME, WHILE IN THIS CLASS. ALL THE ADVICE AND KNOWLEDGE YOU'VE OFFERED ME AND THE EXTRA HELP AND TIME YOU'VE SPENT. I THANK YOU!! YOU'VE GUIDED ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND HELPED ME FIND THE END OF THE DARK TUNNEL. I'VE FOUND MY WAY IN THIS CRAZY WORLD, FULL OF MAZES AND PATHS TO DEAD ENDS AND CIRCLES, BUT NOW I HAVE MY LIGHT AND A NEW PATH TO MY NEXT STEP. I'VE TRAMPLED A LONG WAY TO GET HERE, AND TO FIND WHAT I WAS LOOKING AND HOPING FOR. NOW I'VE ACCOMPLISHED WHAT I'VE SET OUT TO DO. AND I CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING I SET MY MIND ON. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I VALUE THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU'VE GIVEN ME. THANK YOU! MIND, BODY, & SPIRIT!! MAHALO!!!
SINCERELY,
AMY

Hi Elizabeth, I just wanted you to know how wonderful Sunday was for me. I had such a powerful experience of my own energy with George. Actually, it was confirmation for me of my commitment to Reiki and massage. You have assembled an awesome crew of instructors and support staff. We are truly blessed to have AIMHA and yourself to launch us into this new path. I know you must question at times the wisdom of all this, but let me tell you how fulfilling it is to be a part of this class and the continuation of the energy/healing journey. Each student you have selected for this class has a special purpose in this session as well. They will all teach me something of life and living, something about my purpose and function here.
" See you Tuesday.
Love,
Jay

Hi Elizabeth,
I thought I would just drop you a line to let you know what I've been up to. Well, I went to a medical massage seminar back in March and as the classes came to an end I saw my door opening up to an entirely new adventure. Four months later I am a very happy owner of my own massage practice. The Natural Ways Medical Massage and School of Natural Therapies. I am able to sell my line of products in my place. I have a cute boutique to display everything and two treatment rooms which one is also used as a teaching room. I am renting out my space to two other therapists and I am loving every minute of it. I didn't realize how many people would be knocking down my door when I opened. It has been a wonderful experience. Not only do I enjoy the work of massage but I truly enjoy business. One thing that I have noticed is the lack of business classes within the massage industry. I am lookingforward to offering business/marketing classes in the future as well. While on vacation in California in April began to write and couldn't stop. I have begun a book on marketing for massage. I know there are a few out there but that's exactly that, there are only a few. Needless to say I am very busy but have found that turning my hobby into my work not only keeps me happy but my life stays in harmony. I have created this with the support of my husband and the encouraging words I remember back in Massage School.
Last Weekend I was in Chicago to visit with Meredith who was visting her brother who lives there. She just accepted a job In Bhutan as the spa manager for 2 years. It is so wonderful to watch people grow and become successful at what they love to do. I have been working for almost 3 years now to get where I am. Without hard work, devotion and a love for massage I would not be here. The sacrifices are abundant but the rewards are endless. I encourage all to follow their dreams and let their destinies become a reality. Thanks for a wonderful education and being my mentor,
Love.
Elizabeth S.