Meet Dave Young

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dave Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dave, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

On a whim, just hoping for an interesting vacation, I attended a week long massage retreat in Hawaii. At the time, I was not a massage therapist and had no plans to become one. But the retreat changed my life and I felt called to study the art of massage. The more experience I have with massage, the more I am intrigued by it. I think we often underestimate the healing power of human touch and how beneficial it can be both physically and emotionally. When I see massage blessing the lives of those I work with, how can I not view what I do as an essential component of my life’s purpose?

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

A massage should never be “just a massage.” Your body is the most sacred thing you have. It deserves to be treated with the utmost respect. Unless a client is asking to be treated for a specific ailment or condition, my perception is that massage can be too clinical–too technical. On the contrary, if it is done right, it can be a spiritual experience, something that awakens an inner knowing. Rather than being clinical, It can be a mindful journey full of healing and renewal.

A few things that I like to focus on are tempo and direction. In regard to tempo, I think many massage therapists make the mistake of going too fast, with brisk strokes and hurried motions. My style of massage is slow and measured. Unhurried massage helps the mind to slow down and be present in every moment. Slowing down sends a message to the body that every inch of you is important. It is a completely different experience compared to the fast paced world we live in.

The other element is direction. I avoid having a rigid routine in which the massage is strictly scripted. Instead, I want to learn to listen to your body and give it what it needs independent of a preconceived agenda. Of course, a massage should have enough structure to cohesively work the entire body. But I try to massage more by intuition than by a routine. I want to learn to listen with my hands and what I feel my client’s body needs. Massage is not a mass produced-conveyor belt type of product. Every massage with every client is different and customized to the needs of the individual. Even the same client will never have the exact experience in a subsequent session because we each arrive as different people than we were before. We’ll each be experiencing different emotions and different physical conditions. Thus, each massage is unique and individual.

The style I use is a little different as well. My style is a unique blend of Swedish and Sacred Lomi, which is rooted in the practice of “Temple Style” Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage. Sacred Lomi is known for flowing, circular runs that nurture and embrace, clearing out the old patterns and awakening the divine in the physical being. The body is far from fragmented. Rather than compartmentalizing the body and working on one section at a time, I use longer, full body strokes, which can be more integrating and grounding, treating the body as a complete form.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

It may sound cliche, but you can’t be afraid to change your direction. I didn’t start my massage career until I was in my mid fifties. On paper, it doesn’t make sense. Why would anyone consider a new profession if you’re already well established with a long standing career? I think we allow ourselves to move through life doing things out of habit, or based simply on tradition. Who said that you can’t try something new? In my opinion, it is never too late to start the rock band you always knew was in you, or finally produce the novel you’ve been writing in your head for years. We are agents with agency and can choose the direction of our own lives.

Second, be curious about those around you. It is so easy to get wrapped up in ourselves to the point that we don’t see the talent and experience of those we interact with. It is in networking and connecting with others that we are able to grow. I can’t massage by myself. It is an experience that requires both a therapist and a client. It is an experience of both giving and receiving. If I’m not part of a community or group, I would never have any clients. Learning to communicate and relate with others is the first step in learning how to work with others. Get good at giving and receiving socially with those around you. Your success depends upon it.

Lastly, be grateful. We live in a world that if full of miracles and blessings. Our bodies are a miracle. Our lives are a miracle. Be grateful for every breath, every touch. I think massage has enhanced the gratitude I feel for my own body and helped me see the beauty in everybody and every body.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

When you’re a massage therapist, you’re in the service industry, where collaborating with others is key. I am lucky to have several solid collaborations that have been great for my business. Frankly, I can’t see how a massage therapist can be successful without the synergy that comes from partnering with other businesses and individuals to work together. In regard to marketing, I find that it is almost a waste of time and money to advertise. Massage is such a personal thing that your best clients always come from referrals. Collaborating with existing clients is huge.

Collaborating with other holistic providers is also helpful. My massage business is located inside a facility called Skincare, with several expert estheticians. These estheticians serve a loyal clientele who are serious about self-care. It is easy for their clients to book with me because I am associated with with other providers who they trust.

Collaborating with other massage therapists and artists is also a thing. I offer a four-handed massage with another therapist who has been in the industry for over 20 years. Together, our four-handed massage session is a luxury that we both make noise about. When the other therapist mentions our service, her message is shared with a network that is largely outside my own. It is a great way to introduce what I do to new clients. I also offer a massage with live music where I partner with a female vocalist who plays guitar. Together, we offer a VIP experience that I don’t see offered anywhere else. The collaboration is beneficial to both of us since my clients become aware of her music and her fans become aware of my massage. It is a win-win.

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Cliff Gull / Photopia Studios

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