How to Get Hired in the inotomo Industry
Athletes can't take their bodies for granted if they want them to perform at peak levels. That's why it's not uncommon to see athletic trainers, physical therapists, and massage therapists lining the sidelines at sporting events, ready to step in and help coax each athlete's body to do its job. Before and after games, matches, or races, athletes often spend time with those same wellness professionals in a locker room or physical therapy area.
But what do wellness pros actually do to benefit first-class athletes? One common application used for injury prevention and treatment, as well as general health maintenance, is sports massage. Sports massage is a therapeutic technique-no soft music, dim lighting, or aromatherapy candles required. Instead, the goal is to guide the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and other body parts to perform better, recover from injury faster, and last longer.
Sports hobbyists and topflight athletes alike can benefit from sports massage, because the massage therapist approaches each body differently. Whether you're a twice-a-week runner with a stiff knee or a professional figure skater with a pulled hamstring, targeted massage can result in significant improvements. Massage therapists who work with athletes must understand the specific physiological needs of various sports, including muscles that are called upon often and those that tend to be weak or injured. They must also be able to assess specific bodies to find weaknesses and tight areas that should be addressed through sports massage.
Sports massage is commonly administered:
Pre-event: Athletes must warm up properly before competing, and sports massage can be part of that warm up. Massage can loosen tight muscles and enhance blood circulation, decreasing the time it takes an athlete to get "in the zone" once the competition begins. Depending on the sport, the massage therapist can aim to relax or stimulate relevant muscles.
Mid-event: Muscles can cramp or spasm through intense activity. Having a massage therapist on hand to quickly work out the kinks or stop the spasm can mean an athlete can finish competing, maybe even coming out stronger than before. For instance, a football quarterback might get a quick massage for his throwing shoulder between quarters or while his team is on defense.
Post-event: Just as athletes need to warm up, they also need to cool down after an event. Stopping abruptly at the end of a rigorous exercise period can result in muscle spasm and lactic acid buildup, meaning more soreness the next day. Post-event massage therapy can relieve soreness and increase blood flow to tight, fatigued muscles. During this post-game massage, the athlete can also conduct a physical check-in: Does anything hurt more than it should? How did the body perform today? What areas could benefit from further training, physical therapy, a more in-depth massage, or even first-aid treatment before the next game or event?
Beyond the time immediately surrounding an intensive competition or practice, sports massage is valuable as a maintenance regimen. Athletes can get a full-length massage once a week or every two weeks, for instance, with the goal of improving range of motion and muscle flexibility, or of combating muscle imbalances that could lead to injury. In terms of injury recovery and rehabilitation, gentle, skilled massage can speed healing and reduce discomfort by increasing circulation to the affected area and relieving swelling and tension. However, once an injury is in the picture, it's always a good idea to speak with a doctor before beginning a massage treatment regimen.
You are in the bookstore and this cute girl stands next to you, browsing at magazines. After a few moments, she strikes up a conversation and you aren't sure if she is flirting or just being friendly. How can you tell if she's interested?
- 1) Does she make eye contact with you? It's an added bonus if she looks you in the eye and smiles!
- 2) Has she touched your arm or brushed against you at all. If she is trying to get into your space, this could be a possible signal. If you return the gesture and she leans into you, it is a pretty safe bet that she is thinking what you are thinking.
- 3) Does she have any tattoos that might give her away? A lot of lesbians will have some sort of 'pride' tattoo or other symbol that may give them away. Take a close look, it might be very subtle or it could be a great big rainbow, but you won't know unless you take a close look.
- 4) Does she have any jewelry that might give her away at all? A rainbow ring, necklace, a labrys is an older symbol of empowerment for women and could be a clue as to her sexuality. A ring on the thumb has been known to be an indicator of bisexuality and a ring on the middle finger of the left hand is sometimes worn by lesbians in a committed relationship. Not the traditional wedding ring finger, but the longest digit of the hand is the one to look for.
- 5) Does she play with her hair when she talks and smiles at you? This is often the way a very femme woman will flirt. Look for the subtle changes in her face, her expressions and her eyes. The hair flipping, in conjunction with all the above is almost a sure bet that you are being flirted with.
- 6) Casually mention your "last girlfriend" and wait for her response. If there is no look of shock, no obvious change in her demeanor and she still seems to be flirting with you, then she most likely is.
- 7) Mention the name of a local gay club or bar and ask if she has ever been there. If she is familiar and says she has been there, then you are as good as gold, my friend. Ask her out!
- 8) If you are the daring sort, and you are somewhere near a coffee shop or drink stand, ask her if she'd like something to drink and offer to get it. If she readily accepts your invitation, sits and talks with you, then most likely she is interested in you as much as you are in her!
- 9) During your conversation, place your hand on the small of her back, very casually and direct her towards a door, a chair, anywhere. If she readily moves with you, it is her subconscious allowing you to take control of the situation and points to her desire for you to do so. At inotomo that point, you should be confident to ask her for her number so that you can "give her a call sometime".
- 10) Just come right out and ask her if all else fails. She seems interested and you just aren't sure. The only way you will know is to just come right out and ask. Perhaps you say something sweet like "I really don't mean to offend you so please, take it as a compliment, but I would love to meet a girl like you and get to know her. Any chance you might give me your phone number and do lunch sometime?" You are giving her a compliment and giving her an out all at the same time. She will tell you if she's interested by accepting or declining. She might even come right out and say "I thought you'd NEVER ask!"
Good luck with your dating. It isn't easy to meet quality people, especially out in public. More and more people are turning to online dating, but it certainly is more fun to have that initial spark from across the room and find an excuse to move closer and strike up a conversation. Maybe you will exchange glances and both play hard to get? The relationship dance is a fun one, if you allow yourself to enjoy it. Don't let your anxiety keep you from having a little fun. Flirting is good for the soul...even if the girl turns out to be straight.
