Today we’d like to introduce you to Betzi Stein.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Betzi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I came to massage therapy at a pivotal time in my life as I was experiencing a proverbial mid-life crisis. At age 41, I was seeking a new direction and had decided to go to acupuncture college. Midway through the program, my marriage ended and I found myself needing a way to support myself while attending school. Fellow students told me that many were able to fund their education by doing massage. I took what was intended to be a temporary hiatus from college to complete a course in Shiatsu massage, chosen since it is based on the same energy meridian system that I had been studying in acupuncture school.
To my utter surprise, massage proved to be a natural fit and I felt like I’d come home. Upon reflection, I realized that with my prior fine art educational background and BFA degree in Figurative Sculpture, my knowledge of anatomy learned in art school was perfectly suited to apply to living bodies. Ultimately for me, manipulating muscle tissue was actually more satisfying than building inanimate bodies in clay.
After completing my Shiatsu course, I concluded that my focus ought to be to acquire and become proficient with a broad range of massage skills that could provide specific help for the greatest number of conditions. I took workshops in many different massage methods and have taken well over 1000 hours of advanced course work over the years in numerous modalities including pre and post natal massage, lymphatic drainage, oncology massage, reflexology, trigger point therapy, sports massage, myofascial release, neurosoma and post surgical massage. I have studied techniques for treating fibromyalgia, TMJ, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sciatica, among others.
In addition, a spiritual meditation practice, which I’ve cultivated for many years, has allowed me to develop an ability to use energy and intuition in my healing work.
I’ve worked with people in all stages of life and health from children to people in the last moments of their life. I’ve
used my skills either alone or in combination to treat people with high levels of stress, chronic pain sufferers, pregnant and postpartum women, the elderly, athletes, injured, infirm or bedridden patients and anyone in need of TLC. My treatments are tailored to the specific needs of each client.
I have always been a solo practitioner, working one-on-one primarily out of my home with private clients as well as providing outcall services to residences, offices, hospitals and hospices and participating in various health fairs, conventions, massage parties, sporting events and doing pro bono work for various causes. I consciously chose to work this way, skin to skin, rather than starting and running a massage company or spa where I would be an administrator overseeing employees. Neither did I feel inclined to become a teacher other than mentoring occasional students one-on-one.
In April of 2017, I will celebrate 30 years in practice and my love of this work has not diminished. Several years ago, I made the decision to give up providing outcall services, leaving younger practitioners the opportunity to carry massage equipment up and down stairs and travel wherever necessary. But I’ve always been athletic and have kept myself strong and able to cope with the demands that this physical profession requires.
I see fewer clients these days and having more time has allowed me to integrate art back into my life. I now make paintings that have been inspired by and honoring of, my massage work. As my hands have always been the essential tools of healing, many of these paintings show hands giving massage as well as hands as portraits of the people to which they belong. See my artwork at www.betzistein.com and on Instagram, @betzisteincontemporaryart, Facebook, and Twitter. See also www.betzisteinmassage.com.
Education and Credentials:
California. State University, Long Beach, Emperor’s College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu Massage School of California and Santa Monica School of Massage.
Professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association and Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
Has it been a smooth road?
The most difficult period in my massage career was during the Great Recession when my robust private practice dropped off by half! I supplemented my income by doing freelance work at several massage chain locations nearby for one-quarter of my usual rate.
At this point, I also implemented what I call my Honor System Pricing model where clients could choose a rate within a certain range that they felt comfortable paying, no questions asked. I also offered a range of treatment time choices from 30 to 90 minutes. My thinking has always been that people who need the work should be able to receive it, while being honest with themselves about their financial circumstances.
Long standing and new clients alike were incredibly grateful for this option and felt comfortable raising or lowering what they could afford as their circumstances allowed, and I have made this policy a permanent part of my practice even as the economy has improved.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Betzi Stein Massage Therapy – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I think I’ve pretty much addressed this in my answers to the previous questions,
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love and appreciate most about Los Angeles is the vast array of cultural diversity and options. So much to choose from, so many things to see and experience: Art museums, galleries, music of every style, theater, film, dance, theme parks, sports teams, indoor and outdoor venues for any kind of entertainment. Beach, parks, gardens, restaurants, fashion, architecture. Anything your imagination can dream up is available here.
Least favorite thing about LA: TRAFFIC
Pricing:
- Base rate: 30 minutes $50; 60 minutes $100; 90 minutes $150
- Honor System Pricing range: 30 minutes $30 – $50; 60 minutes $55 – $100; 90 minutes $105 – $150
Contact Info:
- Address: 3640 Cardiff Ave. #211, Los Angeles 90034
- Website: www.betzisteinmassage.com www.betzistein.com
- Phone: 310 202-0474; 310 402-8818 Cell
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @betzisteincontemporaryart
- Facebook: Betzi Stein, Betzi Stein Massage Therapy, Betzi Stein Contemporary Art
- Twitter: FINEARTLOVER
- Yelp: Betzi Stein Massage Therapy
Image Credit:
Photos by Peter Asco and Betzi Stein
