If you or a family member has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or any cancer, most people would advise you to go to a center where the medical team treats a lot of patients with your type of cancer. While deciding on how and where to get treatment, dont forget to take into account your whole person.

There are many options available to help patients cope with the stressful diagnosis of cancer. The official term used to describe therapies and botanicals that are used along with traditional medical therapy is Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM). According to the National Cancer Institutes web site, a 2007 National Health Interview Survey reports about four out of ten adults use CAM therapy, with the most commonly used treatments being natural products and deep breathing exercises. In 2017, it would seem that this number would have risen significantly.

While being treated for mesothelioma it is important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. One of the ways could be meditating to help turn down the noise in your head.

According to Psychology Today, meditation is the practice of turning your attention to a single point of reference. It can involve focusing on the breath, on bodily sensations, or on a word or phrase known as a mantra. In other words, meditation means turning your attention away from distracting thoughts and focusing on the present moment.

Meditation can be done in most settings. There are many types of meditation, but they have common elements to them. Two types of meditation are concentrative meditation and mindful meditation. Concentrative meditation teaches individuals to focus on a single image, sound or mantra, or even their own breathing. In mindful meditation, the person does not focus attention on a single thing but becomes more aware of any and all thoughts, feelings, sounds or images that may pass through your mind. The point is to let them pass through and not dwell on them.

The different types of meditation have four elements a person meditating should seek: a quiet place with as few distractions as possible; a comfortable position; something to focus on, possibly an object, a special word; and an open mind- letting things go through your mind and letting them go.

Whatever therapy you decide works for you, learn about it and give it a try. You never know what alternative therapy will work for you.

Lisa Hyde-Barrett has helped ease the stress of patients and their families by offering a comforting hand. Lisa has 25 years of experience as a thoracic surgery nurse at Brigham and Womens Hospital a top 5 nationally ranked cancer hospital. Lisa works with leading nationally-recognized surgeons who specialize in mesothelioma. Through her extensive experience caring for mesothelioma patients, she is a facilitator for the patient to help them maintain control and dignity over their treatment of their disease and to assist with the patients wishes. She is passionate about helping the mesothelioma community.

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Mesothelioma Nurse Suggests Meditation as One Way to Cope With the Stress of the Disease - MesotheliomaHelp.org (blog)

By Lou Baldwin Posted April 12, 2017

Just in time for Holy Week, a new wooded meditation garden at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, featuring the Stations of the Cross, was formally blessed April 8 by Norbertine Abbot Richard Antonucci.

The stations, 15 in number including the Resurrection, are the result of 18 months of careful planning, according to Norbertine Frater James Garvey, a transitional deacon who oversaw the project.

The garden is entered through a gateway featuring a statue of the Archangel Gabriel, a patron of pilgrimage and healing and an important figure in Norbertine spirituality because ministry to the sick is part of the orders charism.

The individual stations are placed in rustic alcoves off a meandering path through a wooded area of the abbeys property. They feature images in the style of bronze images on the doors of San Zeno Basilica in Verona, Italy, which were crafted around the 12th century, just about the time St. Norbert established the Canons Regular of Premontre (Norbertines).

In the secular world St. Zeno Basilica is a pilgrimage destination and the fictional clandestine wedding site of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet as imagined by William Shakespeare.

The tree-mounted stations feature small wooden shelters in a shape mimicking Daylesford Abbey itself. They are crafted of ipe, an extremely heavy and durable hardwood from the Amazon, and could well outlast the trees in the garden. They are surmounted by the necessary cross and the numeral for each station.

The bas-relief images of the individual stations are approximately one square foot and were crafted in Ortizzi, Italy in fiberglass, a material unknown to artisans in the Middle Ages.

This beautiful but simply laid out path is a tremendous addition to the overall spiritual invitation which we as an Abbey try to afford all who come to Daylesford, said Abbot Antonucci. Walking the way of the Lord parallels so often the paths we sometimes find ourselves on.

Most people associate the Stations of the Cross with the prayers and hymns composed by St. Alphonsus Ligouri in the 18th century, but the meditation may take many forms.

To facilitate the devotions of those who may have special intentions, laminated copies of devotions for special causes are located at the gardens entrance.

These include a Stations of the Cross prayer for children, for seniors, for widows and widowers, for the divorced and separated, for vocations, for migrants and immigrants, for 12-step recovery, for forgiveness and reconciliation, for contemporary traditional reflections, stations with psalms and stations with Pope Francis.

Deacon Jim Garvey has composed 12different themes for praying the stations, Abbot Antonucci said, adding the themes could describe the personal journeys of many of us. Im very grateful to Jim as well as to our donor whose resources allowed us to construct this spiritual path in memory of her loved one.

The entire project was made possible through a donation by Colleen DelMonte in memory of her late husband Bryan DelMonte, Frater Garvey said.

A procession winds along the wooded path of the Stations of the Cross on the Daylesford Abbey grounds during the April 8 blessing ceremony.

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Stations at Daylesford Abbey invite walking meditation on the cross - CatholicPhilly.com

A Mindfulness Meditation group taught by a Buddhist rabbi is being offered three times per month in the sanctuary at Congregation Bet Haverim, 1715 Anderson Road in Davis.

Meeting this Tuesday, April 18, and on all first and third Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m., participants begin with 10 minutes of mindfulness instruction, followed by 35 minutes of silent meditation.

Teaching, discussion and questions typically occur during the second half of the program. Pre-registration and RSVPs are not required; donations of $5 to $10 are suggested, but not required.

A more brief Welcoming the Sabbath in Silence opportunity is offered on fourth Fridays from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m., preceding Shabbat services at the synagogue. RSVPs are not necessary, and donations are not accepted for this gathering.

Led by Rabbi Seth Castleman, who trained with Jack Kornfield, founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, Calif., the group is intended for participants of all religious backgrounds or beliefs, and is appropriate for experienced meditators, as well as those new to the practice.

While influenced by Buddhist and Jewish perspectives, the themes of each gathering are universal, spanning the diversity of religious viewpoints.

It is surprisingly hard to sit with our own thoughts and feelings, Castleman said. However, spiritual traditions the world over point to this as a powerful agent of change.

The ability to remain steadfast and present in the face of hardship and suffering not only can bring peace of mind, it is the key to effective political and social change, he continued. Contemplative practice is by no means a path of complacency; quite the opposite.

Be able to observe and understand your own mind and you come to understand others, deepen your caring, and unleash your effectiveness. To paraphrase the Buddha, The mind is a powerful servant, however it can also be a tyrannical master, Castleman concluded.

Each gathering of the group usually focuses on a pre-announced theme, and several modes of exploration are employed. Teachings examine themes spiritually, psychologically and politically. Religious texts, Buddhist practices or chanting may be introduced.

The increased interest currently in our community in interfaith collaboration and recognition, that has occurred around social justice and political issues, as well as acts of hate, really lends itself to this type of contemplative practice, Castleman said.It provides a format for interfaith exploration of peace, justice and love and respect for ones neighbor, without the dogma and theology which sometimes can serve as barriers to true understanding.

Those interested in the group can join an email list providing advance details about themes, guests, suggested readings and meeting structure by contacting Castleman at [emailprotected]

Additionally, information also can be found atwww.bethaverim.org/worship/spirituality, or by callingthe Bet Haverim office at 530-758-0842.

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Meditation group meets at Congregation Bet Haverim - Davis Enterprise

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A lovely person briefly introduced this meditation to me during an interval at a conference. During our conversation she shared a little of this beautiful spiritual practice that she enjoyed herself. This meditation is connected to the seven CHAKRAS and the sounds linked with these. To practise this find a comfortable place to relax. You choose if you cross your legs or rest them on the floor. I love to do this whilst walking barefoot (which is a way to ground yourself) on grass, or along the seashore.

SONIC CHAKRA MEDITATION ROUTINE

When I first practised this meditation I started at the crown and hummed the sound mime three times. Then moved onto the Third Eye sound neem and did the same here too and so on. Since using this. I have been unable to find out any more information regarding Sonic Chakra meditation on the Internet as well as researching sites such as Amazons book and DVD section. If you have more information please contact me. http://www.TickhillClinic.com

This is an excerpt from my book to be published

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SONIC CHAKRA MEDITATION PRACTICE - Huffington Post

I have friends who suggest anything they really like doing is a meditation. When theyre not just being cute or ironic the principal they seem to rely on for this assertion is that such things as knitting, bowling, cooking, all involve concentration and at best, perhaps, an achieving of a sense of oneness with the object of their concentration. I have little argument with such an observation and indeed many of the so-called Zen arts such as tea ceremony and archery are such joining of action and attention.

But there is another kind of meditation that has no goal, no purpose other than just being. In my life this is mainly encountered on the meditation pillow. And I know it can take many forms, possibly even in knitting, bowling and cooking.

Now that Jan & I live in Long Beach, California, weve taken up walking on a near daily basis. It started out mostly as a health thing. And it remains that. But, it has something else going on about it, as well. Im thinking that something else might actually be meditation.

One must be careful, however. Its easy to get lost, to miss the real value in the practice.The difference between what might best be called concentration meditation and objectless meditation might at first seem subtle, maybe even too subtle. But its not. Our Zen ancestor Dogen Kiegen addressed this in his Genjo koan essay, where he says When the self advances toward the ten thousand things, is delusion. When the ten thousand things advance to the self, thats awakening. If we mix our self up too much into the matter, it taints our experience. If were open, many doors also open.

So, an open hearted knitting or bowling or cooking can do the trick. And, yes, walking. But, it may be a little more difficult than just sitting down, shutting up, and paying attention. Or, just walking. And here Im more thinking about how well objectless meditation works with walking.

The great Unitarian Transcendentalist Henry David Thoreaus primary spiritual discipline appears to have been sauntering. It sure looks a lot like this openness to reality that is at the heart of Zen sitting, an authentic objectless meditation practice. In his essay Walking printed in the Autumn of 1862 in the Atlantic, not long after his death was Thoreaus focused reflection on sauntering as a spiritual discipline. He also points out what comes to us when we let go of our expectations, hopes and fears.

Near the end of that essay Thoreau writes We walked in so pure and bright a light, gilding the withered grass and leaves, so softly and serenely bright, I thought I had never bathed in such a golden flood, without a ripple or a murmur to it. The west side of every wood and rising ground gleamed like the boundary of Elysium, and the sun on our backs seemed like a gentle herdsman driving us home at evening.

And at the end he sums it all up, returning to the metaphor of walking toward the Holy Land. So we saunter toward the Holy Land, till one day the sun shall shine more brightly than eer he has done, shall perchance shine into tour minds and hearts, and light up our whole lives with a great awakening light, as warm and serene and golden as on a bankside in autumn.

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When is walking Meditation? A Zen Reflection - Patheos (blog)

Janet Begley, Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers Published 2:31 p.m. ET April 11, 2017 | Updated 20 hours ago

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"I'm gaining knowledge that's allowing me to grow my own food, chemical free. We have a whole permaculture project in our backyard. It requires very little land and generates a lot of food. It's a very healthy ecosystem," said Anaie Amorim, of Boca Raton, who takes notes during a permaculture course March 26 in the Sustainable Kashi farm area on the Kashi Ashram in Sebastian.(Photo: MOLLY BARTELS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)Buy Photo

SEBASTIAN Its been almost five years since Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, the spiritual head of Kashi Ashram, died and the community is undergoing a transformation to help secure its future.

Although followers still mourn her death, theres been a resurgence at the 80-acre community off Roseland Road along the banks of the St. Sebastian River.

"After Ma died, we didnt know if we were even going to be here, said CEO Durga Das Hutner, 51, who manages Kashis day-to-day operations. But now it feels like were being birthed anew, and its very exciting.

Hutner said the spiritual community has exploded with new visitors over the past two years.

Were seeing people coming to Kashi who are looking for afew minutes of solace from the world, she said. Sometimes, people dont even know theyre wound up or stressed, and when they come here, theyre finally able to relax and find peace. What Ma founded and created is still happening, but were able to touch many more people.

The ashram has opened up the groundsfor retreats to outside groups that share Ma Jaya and Kashis commitment of service to others. There are motivational speakers, programs designed for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorderand classes for yoga and the healing arts that use the newly renovated facilities.

We want to make a difference on the planet, Hutner said. Theres a lot of attention being paid in the world to separation; we want to make connections that bring people together.

A permaculturedemonstration site called Sustainable Kashi introduces people from across the southeastern United States to an off-grid, eco-village where food, energy, water and community are combined to form a self-maintained habitat and agricultural system modeled from natural ecosystems.

Heading up the permaculture initiative is Terry Meer, the founder of the Green Education Center in Orlando. Sustainable Kashi offers a Permaculture Design Course that attracts visitors from across the country tointensive workshops teaching methods of environmental stewardship and community-based self-reliance. The permaculture philosophy teaches the harmonious relationship between people and the earth, advocating a healthy future for both.

We have seven demonstration gardens of about 1,000 square feet, each using different styles of gardening, Meer said. The gardens can be scaled to be done in anyones backyard. But the most important crop we grow here at Sustainable Kashi is community.

"We are in a time when relationships between people and the earth are more important than ever," said Terry Meer (right), founder of the Green Education Center in Orlando, who shows students, Willie Clark (left) of Palm Bay, Emely Pfeiffer (back left), of Markdorf, Germany, and Stacey Della Femina (back right), of Sebastian, how to double-dig, or aerate, the soil March 26 during a permaculture course at the Sustainable Kashi farm area on the Kashi Ashram in Sebastian.(Photo: MOLLY BARTELS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)

In addition to the Sebastian ashram, the Kashi Church Foundation operates The River Fund, an organization founded in 1990 to coordinate and fund humanitarian activities for the hungry and homeless in Florida, Uganda and India. Locally, its Feed Everyone initiative serves people in need in Gifford and also helps supply food to local elementary schools for a backpack buddies program.

In addition, The Kashi School of Yoga operates in Sebastian and serves as a training site for a style of yoga developed by Ma Jaya called Kali Natha that interweaves the body, mind and soul. The school offers daily yoga classes as well as breath, meditation and qi gong classes for the community.

After Ma Jayas death, a committee of Kashi community members was formed to review and publish some of the written material left behind by the spiritual leader. The first book, called "Karmic Spaces," received a national independent booksellers Gold Medal Award in 2013. "First Breath, Last Breath," was released this month.

Ma Jaya left us with a legacy of her teachings, Hutner said. I think shed be enormously pleased that we are continuing to share her with the world.

Jessica Straight (left), of Orlando, and her son, Alvie Wolf, 6 months, enjoy the company of Anaie Amorim (right), of Boca Raton, and Amy Green (front left), of Orlando, on March 26 during a break from their permaculture course at the Kashi Ashram in Sebastian.(Photo: MOLLY BARTELS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)

The next five years at Kashi Ashram will continue to see more changes. There is a fundraising campaign underway called Grow Kashi, with some of the proceeds slated to upgrade facilities on campus, including the dining hall. The community uses the dining hall for its Prasad program that feeds food insecure people around the area.

The question for us now is can we make a bigger impact? Hutner said. What Ma founded is still happening but for those of us who were here with Ma Jaya, its almost like a spiritual growing up.

Where: 11155 Roseland Road, Sebastian Tours: Guided tours throughout Kashis 80-acre community are offered on Interfaith Saturdays at 3 p.m. and can be reserved in advance by calling 772-589-1403. Marketplace: A monthly marketplace featuring a buffet lunch takes place on the second Sunday of each month from October through April. Information: To make a donation or learn about additional giving opportunities, visitwww.Kashi.org.

Read or Share this story: http://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/indian-river-county/2017/04/11/kashi-ashram-diversifying-ensure-its-survival/99274072/

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Kashi Ashram diversifying to ensure its survival | Photos - TCPalm

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Videos National 6500kg laddu offered in Surat's Atal Ashram Deccan Herald A 6500kg laddu was offered to Lord Hanuman on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on Tuesday in Gujarat's Atal Ashram in Surat. Hanuman Jayanti 2017 was celebrated on April 11 and if priests and other astrologers were to be believed yesterday's ... Surat's Atal Ashram offers 6500 kg laddu to Hanuman temple on Hanuman JayantiFinancial Express Bhopal: Grand procession to 'Sundarkand'... Hanuman Jayanti celebration witnesses allFree Press Journal all 115 news articles »

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Videos National 6500kg laddu offered in Surat's Atal Ashram - Deccan Herald

I didnt know heat until I came to India. I was packing for a three-week trip and thought it reasonable to slip in a sweatshirt among the summery pants and loose, light shirts. Oh, my New Englanders folly. As I sit here writing this at 6:30 in the evening, the temperature has dipped to a pleasant 95 from the oppressive 104 that it reached at midday, and my sweatshirt remains safely stowed at the bottom of my luggage, having yet to make an appearance. Earlier in the day, while we were out with the rest of the crew shooting in a village, the water we brought turned to the temperature of tea.

My mom is an associate producer at Galen Films, operated by Len and Georgia Morris in Vineyard Haven, and the company was hired by a nonprofit based in Delhi called Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) to shoot an eight-minute documentary on their Bal Ashram, or boys home. BBA takes boys to Bal Ashram whom they have rescued from factories, stone quarries, and other places that employ child labor. Once there, theyre given an education, access to therapy, and the chance to play and have a childhood.

The ashram is about a five-hour ride from Delhi, on a stretch of highway that would test the nerves of even the most fearless daredevil. Drivers dart in and out of traffic and tailgate with inches to spare. Long-haul trucks careen down the highway without regard to the direction of traffic, and cows peruse the median, looking for a spare bit of grass to munch on. I find myself trying to rediscover any religion I may have let lapse and praying for my life.

Upon arriving at Bal Ashram whole and intact, we realized that there was more here than an eight-minute video, and any time that we expected to set aside for sightseeing in the nearby city of Jaipur was quickly eaten up.

They keep the boys on a rigorous schedule that runs from 5 am to 10 pm, and includes activities such as yoga, chores, and classes. There are about 57 boys living on campus, all of whom are former street children or child laborers. They look like happy, normal kids, and barring some visible scars, theres nothing in their behavior to suggest what they have been through. We have three weeks to document life at the ashram and hear the boys stories. As few Americans have extensive knowledge about day-to-day life in India, especially in rural villages, we decided that we needed to give the viewer context of that as well.

I expected India to be a world entirely opposite from Marthas Vineyard, and in many ways it is. There are houses that make up the villages that were intended to be grand homes. Money ran out, however, and the upper floors are unfinished, with metal support bars reaching up into the sky, holes where the roofs should be, and piles of old concrete lying on the dirt floor.

People live in the ground levels while trying to keep the dirt out of the blue barrels of water distributed by the government. Goats, pigs, and stray dogs root through piles of trash, and sewage runs along the sides of the street. Its a shocking comparison between these homes and even the most modest houses on Marthas Vineyard.

Even with this level of poverty, there is beauty in these villages. Young women dress in tunics and loose pants made from the brightest colors, with scarves to cover their heads when the sun begins to bake the air. Older women wear saris with vibrant colors and shiny embroidery. They hang pictures of Hindu gods over their doors, and sometimes there is ornate stonework on the outside walls.

At one point, I went off with the driver to explore the village we were in and shoot aspects of daily life. There is a culture of hospitality in India, and everyone was incredibly welcoming. Almost immediately I was surrounded by a crowd of people showing me around and inviting me into their homes. Even though they couldnt speak English or I Hindi, they made sure to express hospitality, and I can only hope that I was able to show how grateful I was.

The people at the ashram extended their hospitality to us as well. Every day for lunch and dinner we were served potatoes, dal (a kind of lentil paste), rice, and a vegetable. After about two weeks, one of the cameramen we met in Delhi confided in us that the kitchen made the potatoes especially for us because they thought thats what Americans liked to eat; all the while we were thinking that it was normal Indian cuisine.

India has shown me how little I know, from technical things such as what makes a good shot, and how surprisingly difficult it is to hold a video camera steady, to peoples different ways of life. With a population of over a billion people in India, there are a lot of differences.

There are aspects of India that are beautiful and light, but there are also things that are dark and full of decay. Children are trafficked through learn and earn scams, where traffickers set up fake programs for parents to send their children to, to make money and get an education; once the kids are sent away, theyre forced into bonded labor. But then there are spontaneous dance parties that erupt in the middle of the street with a truck blaring music. There are the people who work at BBA and the people who run the factories they raid. One thing is for sure, it will take more than three weeks to understand this place.

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Passage to India - Martha's Vineyard Times

By Nicole Chavannes

NSU is a unique and lively campus, but that doesnt mean Sharks cant band together and take an afternoon to explore the South Florida area even if that just means finding a quaint place to study.

When youre searching for a trendy spot to read, study, spend time with friends or even fly solo, look no further than Atelier3: Coffee Bar & Shop. Located in downtown Hollywood, Atelier3 is a larger-than-it-looks coffee shop that somehow feels simultaneously cluttered and spacious.

The outside of the building, like many of the buildings in downtown Hollywood, features a large colorful mural that juxtaposes harsh black and white stripes with soft floral pastels. Similarly, when you step inside, it feels like the perfect cross between your artistic friends dream flat in New York and your grandmothers cozy living room. The dcor is a mix of contemporary and traditional styles. Once you walk down the hall past the ivy-covered wall youll find the counter to order food and drinks. The menu features caf staples, like lattes and croissants, and some non-traditional additions, like empanadas and cortaditos.

From Monday to Thursday, Atelier3 is a quiet place to grab coffee and lounge in the living room atmosphere the shop creates. Low, relaxing music of varying genres plays in the background and different forms of artwork cover the walls. Littered with eclectic furniture including anything from coffee tables made of artfully arranged crates to traditional loveseats the coffee shop has comfortable seating for any purpose.

Looking to pass the time with your friends? The large bistro tables available are ideal. If youd prefer a more intimate setting, there are cozy chairs arranged in pairs throughout the caf. The stage is a good option when you are by yourself. When not in use for entertainment, it has several armchairs perfect for reading a good book or even writing your own.

On Fridays and Saturdays, Atelier3 is open later and hosts events like open mic nights, live performances, art shows and musical improv nights. Gone are the cozy armchairs that normally inhabit the stage. Instead, youll find either the featured artist of the night or the patrons partaking in the open mic night.

Whether youre looking for a place to study that gets your creative juices flowing or you want to unwind with some local artistry and music, Atelier3 is the place to go. For more information, visit Atelier3s Facebook page: facebook.com/3atelier.

Atelier3: Coffee Bar & Shop

1901 Harrison Street

Hollywood, Florida

Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Price Range: $3-$12

Caption: From Monday to Thursday, Atelier3 is a quiet place to grab coffee and lounge in the living room atmosphere the shop creates.

Credit: N. Chavannes

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Places to 'gill' out: Atelier3 - The Current - The Student-Run Newspaper of Nova Southeastern University. (satire) (registration)

As a massage therapist, you sell every day. What do you sell? You sell your time, expertise and ability to identify and respond to clients needs. If you dont expand your sales into retail products, you will miss a valuable opportunity to better support clients while making more money.

During the California Gold Rush, it wasnt the people panning for gold who made the fortunes, says massage-business expert Irene Diamond, R.T. It was the smart retailers selling shovels, pans and blue jeans.

When you choose to add retailing to your business model, you add a higher level of customer service as well as increase your bank account, she said.

Here, Diamond and fellow business expert Cherie Sohnen-Moe give you 11 reasons to offer retail in your massage practice.

Product sales are a natural extension of the standard of care associated with massage therapy. Clients expect you to have more knowledge than they do about products and assume you will carry the best ones. They will trust your recommendations, especially for products used in the session.

2. Retail Sales Add Value to Sessions

You will increase the benefits your clients receive during massage by using appropriate products in the treatment, then offering those items for sale. Value is also added when you create packages in which you use specific products in a session and the client takes home those products.

Stock a small selection of products that solve clients needs. By researching and choosing products and brands you feel are best for them, clients can buy from you with confidenceand when you make it easy for them to walk out your door with items they need, you simplify their lives.

If a client purchases an item at a store without your assistance, she is on her own. It is less confusing for you to show her when and how to use it. Personalized hand-holding is great customer service and builds client loyalty.

Clients appreciate the convenience of purchasing from you. You save them time when they dont have to make a special trip, spend hours researching online, or wait for an item to be delivered.

Most clients would rather purchase directly from you, their trusted practitioner, than from an impersonal company. Plus, some are willing to pay a slight premium for the convenience.

Passive revenue is income generated from sources that are not dependent on your time. You may sell products as an add-on at the time of payment or as stand-alones, either in your physical location or online.

Youve heard of making money while you sleep, right? This is how you do it. Offer your products for sale on your website to increase passive revenue and engage clients with your brand between sessions.

As a massage therapist, you have access to many professional-grade products that arent available to the general publicthey must be purchased by a practitioner and then sold to the client.

When clients use a product at home, it reminds them of the treatment they receivedwhich may inspire them to book another session.

This is particularly effective when the product is used in the treatment, such as a topical, essential oil, hot/cold pack or even the music played.

If you stock a branded product line, people can often find your business listing on the main website for that line, if the site has a where-to-buy search feature. This will expose your practice to potential new clients.

Speaking with people about a product can provide a natural segue into discussing massage services.

If you ask clients what products they would like you to carry, you gain a deeper understanding of their needs.

Some might want you to sell healthy snacks; others may prefer heat or ice packs, relaxing music or topical analgesics.

Carrying a unique selection of productschosen with your dream clients in mindsets you apart from the competition. When you offer clients a product they cant get elsewhere, you become the go-to place to buy it.

When a clients session ends, his needs do not. What could you sell that supports his wellness at home, in his car, at his office or while traveling?

Retailing products such as a sleep pillow or self-massage tool can provide him between-session benefits.

Attend a free MASSAGE Magazine webinar, Retail Mastery for the Holidays and throughout the Year, presented by Cherie Sohnen-Moe, on Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. EST.

Irene Diamond, R.T., is the founder of Active Myofascial TherapyThe Diamond Method and creator of the Successful Massage Therapist online resource. Cherie Sohnen-Moe is a business coach, international workshop leader and author of several books, including Business Mastery, Present Yourself Powerfully and The Art of Teaching.

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11 Things You Don't Know about Retail Sales - Massage Magazine