Mia Dawson

How long have you been a licensed massage therapist?

6 years

How many hours of training do you have?

500 hours + 48 hours MLD training+ 28 hours post- surgical training + more

Why did you choose massage therapy as your career?

I chose massage therapy as a career for so many reasons, and I’m glad I did.

First off, I am a helper, I want to help, and I want to heal, not only you, but myself as well.

Massage careers are a therapeutic journey for both the client and the therapist. We experience growth in settings where safety, curiosity, and knowledge are at the forefront.

Second, I have always been fascinated with the human body; its capabilities, its mechanisms. The body is a very intricate and beautiful organism.

I enjoy the many paths massage can take you down because anything can land on our table, it’s an incubator for education.

Where did you go to school for massage?

Lauterstein-Conway Massage School

How do you describe your massage/work to others?

The first adjective I am confident in using for my work is intuitive. After several years of doing this, I feel like I have eyes in my hands.

My work is gentle, slow, and targeted. My motto is “if you’re nice to it, it’ll soften”.

I can, and will get into deeper tissues, but I don’t rush. No one, or thing likes being rushed.

What are some examples of Continuing Education you are interested in and why?

Since doing Vodder Method MLD training, and expanding in to post- surgical work, my goals with continuing education are leaning in the direction of oncology, care for viral loads, visceral manipulation, and reflexology.

What do you do to stay healthy?

Staying healthy is a huge priority to me. I take pride in making sure I feel the best I can, so that I can show up and give you the best of my work.

How do I do that? I get good sleep, I eat a well balanced diet, take the supplements and herbs that my body needs.

I do energy work, even the uncomfortable shadow work, so that I show up authentically everywhere in the world, and can be honest with people about the raw human experience.

I get outside regularly, to walk, run, swim, frolic in the flowers. I meditate, stretch, and do yoga.

I have fun, and express myself. Most importantly, I practice gratitude.

How has receiving massage affected you personally?

Receiving body work myself affects me positively in many ways. It helps bring my nervous system back down to a calmer baseline and reminds me to let go.

Which is why the feeling of safety is so important to me. We are a nervous system first before we are a meat suit.

Think about it, the nervous system tells the meat robot what to do. It’s the boss.

I am an active person, so soft tissue manipulation helps to unwind my sticky tissue.

Lastly, receiving is also a great opportunity to observe and pick up a tool (technique) from another therapist.

What do you like about working at Myo Massage?