— Main points
- City Lit catches up with Alison Bradby to find out more about how she got into Massage.
We offer a variety of courses in massage and complimentary therapies ranging from beginners to advanced and professional ITEC courses.
Q: Could you tell us a little about your background, and what led you to train in massage?
A: Having spent 27 years working in training and development, and latter running a small but successful animal feed business at the same time. My life changed dramatically in 2014 when I was made redundant from my training manager job.
At the same time my business started to face a series of challenges which I stubbornly refused to defeat me, taking on a part time job as a receptionist in a Myofascial Release practice. What an epiphany! Seeing the amazing results the therapists achieved, often in one session, was simply incredible. I was inspired, and suddenly I knew what I wanted to do.
I spoke to my boss who immediately offered me a job if I could qualify, so I closed my business (sad but long overdue) and researched where I could train for a level 3 massage qualification - the requisite I needed to be able to access the specialist Myofascial Release courses.
This is when I found City Lit. Being an impatient kind of girl, I was delighted to find I could fast-rack ITEC level 3 Swedish Massage and applied immediately. Once I had completed the application process, I suddenly found myself on the opposite side of the flip chart!
Q: What do you enjoy the most about working in massage and/or complementary therapies?
A: I absolutely LOVE the people I treat, and my job is so varied.
In an average day I might treat an athlete with an injury, a pensioner with a bad back, a new-born baby, someone experiencing PTSD, and someone who just needs an hour to chill out and leave the real world with all its stresses and strains outside for a while.
It’s so exciting and rewarding to meet and treat all kinds of people, from all walks of life.
Q: What courses have you taken, and what skills, knowledge and experience did you gain through your studies?
A: I studied ITEC level 3 Swedish Massage at City Lit and gained not only masses of knowledge in anatomy, physiology and practical massage skills, but also a huge amount of confidence in handling not only the body itself, but also the minds of the people I worked with.
Q: What did you enjoy the most about training with City Lit?
A: Our tutor Farrah was incredibly knowledgeable as well as humorous, and this combination made for a great learning experience.
Q: What are you doing now after completing your training?
A: I’m working in a specialist Myofascial Release practise, with a keen interest in scar work.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: To continue to develop my skills, particularly addressing the mind-body connection.
Q: What advice would you offer to anyone interested in training in this area?
A: Just go for it! You won’t regret it.
