The Holistic Academy for Healing is a small school located in the Sierra Nevada foothills just northeast of Sacramento California. The school has a reputation in the alternative medicine community as being one of the best schools for those wanting to learn holistic medicine. The school also offers courses on massage therapy. Students learn a variety of massage techniques, including Swedish, Myofacial, Deep Tissue, Acupressure and others.
The school was founded in 1994 by Ella Fiske after her and her husband immigrated from Norway. Ella was a master of the holistic healing arts and had studied extensively in Europe and Asia. The school struggled for several years. It originally only offered massage therapy courses, but as her school became more successful she added holistic medicine to the course offering. Eventually it started getting a reputation as being the place for an alternative education in the healing arts. With its location in a fairly liberal hippie town, students began to flock there. The school has moved twice to accommodate the increase in programs offered and students interested in learning. Ella, now in her early 70's still teaches regularly various classes and tries to help students in any way she can.
The current cohort of massage therapy students was nearly done with their course work. The group of 24 students had completed 34 weeks of instruction and had just to take their final exams to graduate.
One student, Allison Dempsey couldn't wait. She was anxious to be done and start working. At 20, Allison was the youngest student in the class. There were quite a few older people in the group. People who were changing careers or wanted to expand their knowledge. The oldest was a hippie looking man well in his 60's.
Allison was a cute petite girl. Standing 5-1 and weighing all of 110 pounds with long brown hair and olive skin. She caught the eye of all the men. She had plenty of volunteers wanting to practice various massage techniques. But she was engaged and worked mainly with the other female students. She just didn't think it was a good idea to have men touching her like that. Sometimes it couldn't be avoided, but she limited it as much as possible. Much to the male student's dismay.
She had graduated high school two years ago and had no idea what to do after. She thought about being a hair stylist, but that just didn't interest her. She considered getting a job as a secretary or office assistant but she couldn't type very well and no one was hiring. She worked briefly for the grocery store near her house but the manager was a creep who constantly flirted with her and was always trying to touching her in some way. She had to get away from him and quit after a couple of weeks. Allison was getting depressed when she happened to see an ad for the Holistic Academy in a small free newspaper that was distributed in her town. Immediately it caught her attention.
She has always had a desire to help people. She didn't have the grades to become a nurse or a doctor but a massage therapist was definitely something she could do. And fortunately for her the Academy was only an hour drive from her home. She went home and excitedly told her mom. Her mom was supportive but the biggest hurdle was the cost. Allison and her mom didn't have the money for the tuition. Saddened with her dreams seemingly being lost the solution came when her fiancé Mike suggested she get a student loan.
Allison went to the bank the next day with Mike and applied for the loan. It took a almost two weeks but the bank approved her loan. She was going to be a massage therapist! She celebrated with her mom and Mike by going out to dinner. Later that evening her and Mike went to for a drive and made love in his car.
Her and Mike had been a couple since the 10th grade. He was a good looking young man with an average build. He was smart and funny and was going to the junior college in their home town to become a HVAC technician. His uncle was one and he made good money. With Allison settling on a career, they could get married soon. Life was looking good for the young couple.
Allison sat nervously in the classroom waiting to take her written final exam. She had studied hard and knew the material. But she wasn't a great test taker and she was feeling anxious. The test was handled out and she looked at the first question.
"What is the primary action of the quadricep muscles?"
Allison scanned the answers. She breathed a sigh of relief and marked what she knew was the correct answer.
B. Extension of the leg at the knee and flexion of the hip.
More relaxed now that she had the first answer done, she quickly completed the 99 other questions and turned in the test. Due to the number of students and the length of the test the practical exam was split into two days. Allison was in the first group. She then had her practical exam right after the written exam.
After a brief break she was led into a room with a massage table. On the table was a volunteer test subject. A towel covering their body. A test proctor was also in the room.
"Hello the practical exam will consist of 6 different scenarios involving different muscle groups and techniques. You have 20 minutes to complete each task. Are you ready to begin your practical exam?" The proctor asked. Allison nodded silently.
"Very well, scenario one, please demonstrate on the subject how to properly massage the muscles of the rotator cuff using deep tissue technique. Please verbalize the location of each muscle and it's primary action, and common reasons for pain and discomfort in the muscle."
Allison thought for a moment and gathered her thoughts. She then went to work on the test subject and performed the task as best she could. The proctor scribbled notes as she did. Once she had completed the task the proctor then gave her another test with a different muscle group and technique. Allison again completed the task. This went on for an hour as each of the techniques she had learned was tested on various muscle groups. By the end Allison's hands were aching. She left the testing area and met some other of her classmates that had finished their test. Everyone looked exhausted and anxious.
"So, how did you do?" Asked Helen a mid thirties woman who was the top of the class.
"I don't know. I think I did good on the written test but the practical was tough. I think I confused a couple of muscles and I forgot a few other things but I think my massage techniques were good. But we'll see." Allison answered.
Several others chimed in and the consensus was that they felt the practical was tough. There was a palpable sense of uncertainty amongst then class. The classmates talked for a while longer and eventually they began leaving. Their test results would be given to them tomorrow.
Allison started to head her car when she remembered that she had left her backpack in the class room. She went back into the classroom to get it. She entered the classroom and saw that it was empty except her classmate Jerry was still there studying. He was taking his practical tomorrow. Jerry was the oldest student in the class at 66 and was an old school hippie. His graying hair pulled back into a ponytail and always sporting a tie dye shirt over his pot belly He was the dad of the class. Always there with friendly advice and hugs. He definitely liked to hug.
Jerry looked up when Allison entered the class room. His eyes lit up. Jerry had watched her closely the entire time at school. He had wanted to be her partner several times. Wanted to get his hands on her hot little body. Unfortunately, she always found other partners. "Hey kiddo! How'd did your practical test go?"
"Oh hey Jerry, I think I did pretty good. It was long and they definitely challenge you, but yeah I think I did ok."
"That's wonderful Allison, you're going to be a great massage therapist."
"Ahh thank you, I hope so. Can't wait to get working! That way me and my fiancé can get married and start a family. How are you feeling about your test tomorrow?"
"Ugh. Not good. I'm so stressed! I never been good at remembering things and all these muscle groups and what action they perform. Ahhhh! It's to much. I think there is a good chance I'm gonna fail the practical."
"Oh you'll be fine. You know this stuff. It'll come to you when you take the test. You'll be fine Jerry!"
A big smiles came across Jerry's face and he walked over to her and gave her a big hug. "Thanks kiddo, I appreciate the confidence. Just wish I felt the same." He continued to hug Allison.
Allison cringed at first when he hugged her. He was always trying to hug her or put his arm around her. He kinda creeped her out. But she hugged him back. He was a nice man. He reminded her of her grandfather. She really did hope he does well on his test.
While hugging her Jerry suddenly got an idea. "Just wish I could practice a little more on some of these muscle groups and techniques." He said looking sad.
Allison being the kind and caring person she was took the bait. She didn't need to be home anytime soon. She could help Jerry study.
Allison broke the hug. "Hey you know I've got nothing going on for a while, I can help you study if you want." She offered.
Jerry looked at her happily. "Would you? Oh that would be great! I definitely need the help! Thank you!"
"No problem, I'm happy to help you Jerry. What do you want to go over? You want to go over muscles or techniques or something else?"
Jerry looked at her for a moment, a gleam came into his eyes. "Well you know what would help me the most would be you letting me practice finding the muscles and doing the massage techniques on you. I mean if that's ok." He said softly, almost sadly.
Say yes!, Say yes! Say yes!
Allison paused for a moment. She got goose bumps and the hair stood up on her arms. She didn't think he would ask her to be a subject to practice on. She was about to say that she would rather not do that.
