Flexible Living General Information

FlexibleLiving llc.
offers several opportunity's for the beginner to the seasoned giver (body-worker) and recipient (client)

General Information

Accredited Programs, PAYA Programs

My interest with bodywork began when my oldest son at the time 17 received a medical diagnosis of degenerative spine. Because he was experiencing a lot of pain I searched out alternatives with a intention to avoid surgery. I found a massage therapist who would come out to the house to work with him. After watching her several times I decided I could learn how to preform massage. I figured what the heck I could work on him more often and for FREE. Eventually he opted for minor surgery to remove the pressure the bulging disk was causing. Hind-site 20/20 If I new then what I know now he may not of felt he required the surgery.

I did go ahead and complete a massage course (everything happens for a reason) and became licensed in the State of Michigan. During the course I became interested in teaching so I began taking courses in that direction. After a year I opened my own massage school and went through the accreditation process for the proper licensing. I was successful in attaining accreditation from NCBTMB and the State of Michigan for my 650 hour curriculum.

The first thing I discovered after teaching for six years, was about 1/4 of the students actually attained massage as a career and were working for someone else. And 1/4 used the information to work on their friends and family. Another 1/4 worked for themselves as a second job, the final 1/4 never used the information again.

The research I compiled from therapist who actually do this for a living (working for someone else) made tops $20 per hour (plus tip) with a few (very) few exceptions. Those working for themselves could make much more, but then had to pay for rent and insurance as the trade off.

It's best to know what your getting into before you begin. Is this something you would like to do for a living, full-time, part-time, to work for yourself or someone else or to work on your friends and family or maybe it would be best to receive and strengthen your own Core before moving into giving. The best way to learn is to receive the work. The easiest people to train are those who practice what they experience, they become a testimony for the practice.

We are here to meet your needs

Accredited programs for the individual who would like to do this for a living and the seasoned therapist for continuing education.

Study guides to successfully complete National or State required exams.

A Dynamic Core strengthening program for those who desire to receive.

Start your own PAYA practice become your own boss with no overhead no state or national (massage) requirements

The second thing I feel is important is what is it that you would like to do for others

I found after all my education and experience the best teacher was experience the more people I worked with the more I learned. Working with people involves many factors. My strong suits are; I am a good listener, intuitive and relate-able I have been right where my clients and students are. I enjoy practicing, therapeutically and working with someone until there is improvement. I know there will be if they desire it as I did. Do you know what your strong suits are? Write them down now read and modify the list often.

Within traditional massage scope of practice the therapist releases tension conversation is taboo. Over and over again the biggest complaint I heard from traditional massage recipients is the therapist talked to much. In my own practice I would see the same clients coming back with the same pain patterns requesting the same massage. I could see getting to the core was not what some clients desired to do. I am committed to work with people who strive and take responsibility for optimal Health and Well being. PAYA's tools allow me to achieve this in my own life so of course its enjoyable to practice.

I was blessed with Vertigo at the height of my business the school was thriving and I couldn't teach. I had to take time off and didn't know how long it would be. (very scary) I went directly to my family Doctor I left with several prescriptions. After researching I discovered these prescriptions were for antidepressants and muscle relaxers. I new I couldn't take them I new they would ultimately cause more problems as a result from taking them down the road.

I looked into Eastern medicine I found a Thai therapist who worked with me for one hour I felt so much better I started receiving two Thai massages a week. I felt a lot better after about eight sessions. After time the symptoms returned, all I could think was oh NO not this again.

I decided to learn more about Thai massage and received one on one training and started working on clients immediately. The results were amazing, the story's of relief from pain, stress, tension and injury's were the most rewarding part of the practice. Most clients symptoms would eventually return, this led me to more research.

The pain in my neck was now traveling down my arm and halfway down the left side of my body the original Thai therapist I worked with charged $80.00 an hour. I needed at least one and half hours twice a week to experience results. The results did not last so I became a seeker for relief I was lead to a Heller (Rolf) body-worker. Again the work was amazing yet when stopped the pain showed up. She was charging me $130.00 an hour. At these prices I new I had better start taking responsibility for everything in my life while letting go of everything that was not increasing results. Getting past old (false) belief systems would prove to be part of the answer. Along with some simple basics like getting enough water, sleep, exercise and fun! Live simpler while choosing to eat only nourishing foods. The bodywork did help lead me in the right direction. the consults increased my results.

I explored Eastern and Western theory's every thing from a Western counselor to an Eastern astrologer. I read all the self help books which like the bodywork treatments seemed to relieve the tension temporally. Every theory thought they had the answers, sad to admit I didn't know myself well enough to believe any different.

The Thai body-worker tried to convince me it was because I had a broken heart. (found out later she was the one with a broken heart) The Heller (Rolf) therapist thought it was because of something that occurred when I was in the womb. ( hum wonder what her mother did when she was pregnant that she was aware of ). The Western counselor insisted I was blocking something from my past that was to scary for me to remember and that I needed anger management. (WHAT). I did attend a anger management weekend. I left there angry that the only way I could get through the weekend was to show them anger. (CRAZY) and yes I paid for this. (turned out my counselor was having an affair with one of the class mates and walked out during a session because of her own anger issues) By now I'm throwing my hands up in the air!. So what the heck I looked into a Eastern astrologer who predicted my future and told me my strengths and weaknesses everything from what and who I was suppose to like and not like. ( If it was only that simple ((He would be rich)) He was convinced I brought this archetype into this life from a previous life and if I did not clear it up I would take it into the next. (REALLY) as if I don't have enough to think about. The acupuncturist believed it was because my DNA was earth and I was not able to let go of things. (glad I didn't hold onto that one). My religious friends believed it was because I had not excepted Christ as my savour. (My mother would approve when she was alive. (I wish I could talk to her now )) My Buddhist friends believed I did not spend enough time meditating and I needed to join a yoga class. No wonder my head was spinning! I tried the beginner yoga classes I quickly discovered I prefer to practice alone or one on one, as I get stronger I may enjoy a group. I know for myself working in groups involves group energy wasn't ready or looking for that. I do believe acupuncture (without all the theory's) would help if I hadn't been so bound up. From my research acupuncture originally was used by monks on monks those who chose to eat healthy who had a strong spiritual base, who's thoughts were pure maybe I can pick this up down the road. (lol) or may not.

The best thing I ever did for myself was step away from all the theory's and stuck with actual scientific facts. Like if I eat more fruits and veggies, get enough sleep and exercise, drink more water, pinpoint my thought patterns I automatically feel better. (Everything I was avoiding). I stopped paying people for their projections. I became present in my own life and began to quite my mind, I stopped trying to figure it all out and blaming others for my lack of awareness. I surrendered to the present moment. The funny thing is once I did this I discovered just how easy it is, that I was the one responsible for it being easy or difficult. I left the past and the future alone and became grateful for this moment. I believe the tension I was feeling in my body was created from years of compensating for a broken foot and rib, poor diet and attitude. These symptoms are what lead me to where I am today. I am grateful for the body-work as it relaxed and opened me in ways I could not do for myself. Allowing me the relief I was searching for so I could move foreword. As I began to feel better I noticed I made better choices for myself. (In every area of my life.) I was able to get a glimpse of the Truth. I discovered I already had all my answers right within me and when I chose to search outside myself I became instantly confused, by the perceptions and theory's of who and what "others believed" me to be.

Currently I use labels which I apply to myself and let others define who they are. I am a unique individual of the whole, I am kind, caring, compassionate, giving, confident, loving, supportive, inspiring and enjoy being of service, I understand that all my needs are met all of the time. The one thing that helped me to see the Truth which catapulted me into awareness, is, when other people are judging me or labeling me they are really talking about themselves. The flip side of this powerful tool is, when I am judging or labeling others I quickly remind myself to look in the mirror. To first take the plank out of my own eye, so I can see clearly to remove the speck from my brother's and sister's eyes. Which brings me to Jesus I love Jesus I find his teachings to be very useful they align my thoughts with Grace, Wisdom, Truth and Faith. This is what makes him my savour!I I choose to Walk With Jesus Buddha and many others right here on earth I apply there simple Truths as reminders to every moment. I notice the more I apply these truths the more natural it becomes.

I discovered I enjoy working with people who desire to strengthen all area's of their lives as I do. I learn from my experience ( what works for me) what to look for, how to listen and when to give positive feedback. Essentially the receiver has to have a desire for change to take responsibility for everything in their lives. And the giver job is to allow them the space to do so. This occurs in their time not ours. The giver is trained to be patient to relay encouragement via suggestions as to how to begin taking responsibility for progress without beating them up. I'm always amazed when I tell someone they are a good person and they try to convince me otherwise.

PAYA is a four step program incorporating all of the above modalities minus theory's unless based on fact or scientific data. I use these programs every day and I continue to get stronger I am grateful for that. The stronger I become I recognise that everything I choose increases. If you find this program is a fit for you I'd be happy to have you join the community I am glad you are here! as community (support) is essential. We are all a part of the whole what I believe for you I also believe for myself.

Results speak for themselves the price is keep reasonable for sessions I'd like to know who decided an hour and a half worth of work should cost over $100 I believe these prices were set at the spa level where you are paying for the location, view and perks. Mainstream obviously can not afford this that is why we turn to drugs for relief. PAYA givers charges $50 (cash) or $75 (check or credit) for an hour and half session receivers see results and can purchase packages that bring the cost down even lower. Tipping had been removed, I have been on the receiving end I never new what to give. I felt the work I was receiving should not be determined by my last tip (what I could afford). So no tipping if someone would like to leave something extra they can leave a donation under the givers name, donations are applied to the Giver they are required to offer the work to someone who may not be able to receive it otherwise.

PAYA givers are certified through approved programs and must complete the proper steps before actively Giving. Everyone can give or receive no previous experience required. Start right where you are today. To find out more about Workshops or receiving Sessions Go here

Give ~ Receive, Teach ~ Learn, Inspire ~ Inspired

Look around make yourself at home

Kind Regards