Oxford School of Massage Blog

Helen Passant - Service of Remembrance

There will be a Service of Remembrance for Helen Passant at Oriel College in Oxford on Sunday 4th December 2005 at 3pm

One of our recent classes....

...with their tutor Jem Pickford.

3 Days at Blenheim

We were very pleased to be asked by the Stroke Association to take part in the Tattoo and Country Fair at Blenheim in mid July.

We were blessed (I think!) with very hot weather, and luckily the tent for massage was shady and though we had only three spots each day for three days the treatments were so popular – a mixture of seated massage, full body, back massage, feet and head massage – that our very long suffering tutors and students ended up working full time the whole day!! 

I was there for a while and it was like a desert it was so dusty, but that didn’t deter the constant stream of people.   Quite a few of our current students were there to join in the fun, and I hope they felt they learned a lot – they said they did, as they all had tutors there, Anne, Jem and Tess to supervise, though because it was so popular they didn’t get as much time as we would have liked to in order to see the other activities.

The Stroke Association were really pleased that our treatments brought in more customers for them, and Anne, as a nurse, was roped in for part of the time to take blood pressure!!   Though on her lunch break she was so tired she fell asleep under a tree!! 

The Association do brilliant work, and I think we were able to help in letting people know the benefits of massage both to prevent the stress that may lead to a stroke, and to help with people who want to regain the use of their limbs afterwards.

Though it was such hard work, everyone really enjoyed it and had a good time – they all said they would do it again, and we are already booked for next year!!    However, I think, well in advance, we will get more people in so that tutors and students can also get a good look at all the fascinating events that were going on at the same time. 

So watch this space for next years events – and others – in the meantime.

Judith Earnshaw
---

Here are some additional notes from Tess:

Willing student-victim Mike robinson and I arrived early enough to set up camp alongside the stroke association and establish a little routine for receiving the 'clients' we'd be giving massage to. This involved making sure they'd participated in some way towards learning more about stroke and having their blood pressure taken, which is one of the  contributory factors in reducing the risk of stroke. We were to make sure each client had been given a token and take names ages and the county they lived in. We had it in mind to also take a few other details so that those interested could receive from us a little fact sheet about how massage may be of help to people who'd had a stroke.  I think by the time the gates had been open for around ten minutes, it became more than obvious there was no way we'd manage paperwork aswell as deal with the constant flow of willing bodies!  the queue began snaking off into the sun and we were very aware how hot it must be for those waiting to be seen so we just dealt with people one after the other after the other! During the day we ended up having two short breaks and each time returned to find a queue waiting!  All the people we saw were grateful and inquisitive and left saying they felt better, despite  having a variety of expectations for treatment! some even turned up hoping for a cure for old injuries and or new ones gotten that day, like sunburn!!! We were originally going to share the spot with some dancers giving demonstrations of jive etc, but they danced outside and we used the space under the canvas. I actually believe there may've been riots from the public if we'd packed -up and made way for the dancing as it happens! given how keen our queues were...

Mike coped incredibly well, doing seated back and shoulder massage and enjoyed the chance to take his work out into the grateful public.  I loved the opportunity to give short treatments to so many, and used my couch, for which most people were just pleased to get off their feet for a while, so we couldn't really fail!

We were supported by the lovely girls from the stroke association, who thanked us and reminded us to take any breaks atall, and although both Mike and I were exhausted by the end, we'd definately do it again and enjoyed the day which was great fun and very rewarding!

Tess

In Memory of Helen by Wendy Tinkler

I understand that Helen's death was very sudden - a shock for everyone - but a blessing for her.  She would have hated to have been left diminished in any way, either physically or mentally.

Helen was - and is - such a beautiful lady - and dearly loved by all who knew her. I first met her at one of her two day workshops for OSM on 'care for the terminally ill and dying'.  She was just truly inspirational and we became very good friends.   After the workshop - I couldn't wait to get back to one of my lovely ladies (At Sandycroft - Wendy ran a home for elderly people - who she nursed to the end) who was dying - and put into practice what she had taught me that particular day - and of course - it worked !!

It was always planned that one day I would go to India with her to work, but obviously it wasn't meant to be.

We had such a fun day at a Complementary medicine seminar in London a few years ago - Bridie was with us (one of the schools tutors then) - I will never forget all the laughts we had on the bus - cheeking the bus conductor - Helen led the way on that one - I think she gave him a small elephant from India!.

Our walks across Studland - when we all stayed at Jill Wolfe's house in Swanage for weekends - and one walk to St. Adhalms head - where it was blowing a gale - Helen hung on to a post - and we held on to her - to prevent her being blown over the edge.

Life was never dull with Helen - full of love and fun.  To sum Helen up - she lived a pure and simple life with an abundance of love for everybody - of which she gave freely.  We will all miss her - till we meet her again.

Wendy Tinkler

Stories from Samos

We recently received this from one of our graduates...

I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how I am getting on and to say thank you, thank you, thank you.  I have started massaging in Ormos and the massage I have been taught by you has been the most enormous success. 

My bed arrived last week and I have been the most popular person in the village ever since!  I have rented a small apartment in which to massage and have a seperate room where I shall teach pilates (when I find the time to get organised).  Before the bed arrived I had a list of people wanting massage, unfortunately some of them had to leave on Thursday so I missed them however I gave six massages from Wednesday to Saturday and on each occassion I was told the massage was by far the best they had ever received.
All of these people have received massage on many occasions, some from various places all over the world.  One lady had stayed in one of the world's top hotels and said my massage was far better than the one she received at the spa there.  She immediately booked her husband in for a massage this afternoon, to help him relax into the holiday.

My whole body aches sometimes when I have done a lot and I am eating loads, but the buzz I get from delivering a beneficial treatment is enormous and I can flop on the sofa at night and watch a film or read.  I had a day off yesterday and went to a remote beach where I just lay on the beach reading and floated about in the sea for a while letting the sea massage me!  As this is a small village I have found that within an hour of me giving a treatment everyone knows about it!  I even have local villagers on a waiting list.

Love and very best wishes.

Liz Smith xxxxxxxx

Also received this from Liz...

My massage apartment is situated next to a little  house owned by a very old, deaf man.  Last week I had several people booked in for a massage at 6.00pm which if I had thought about it is a time when all the Greeks wake from their afternoon sleep and start shouting!  On one particular evening I was massaging a lady whilst playing some soothing music when suddenly vigorous classical music started playing so loudly it drowned out my cd player.  I apologised and carried on.  The music then changed to traditional jazz which in itself is great but not really conducive to creating a tranquil atmosphere.  At the same time a pick up truck drove by selling fruit and vegetables.  The driver advertises his wares by shouting into a loudspeaker attached to the roof of his van against a background of very loud Greek music.  Then some children started playing a ball game outside in the street and by this time my client was helpless with laughter.

We carried on as she said was not at all bothered.  After a while I came to turn her over and apologised again but she replied sleepily, "I am not in the least bothered, just look at me".  It was true, she had heavy eyes and could barely speak.

Later, I enquired whether someone might talk to the man but found out that he is alone, very old, deaf and his music is his greatest and practically his only pleasure.  So now I just warn anyone who wants a massage at this time that we may be disturbed by noise!

A Weekend with Helen Passant & Co

I recall a weekend, a few years back, spent by the sea in Dorset. There were six of us – Helen P, Wendy T, Bridie D, Sue Y, Jill W, whose family holiday house we were kindly invited to & yours truly, all of us OSM graduates from the early years of the school.

Most of us had gone on to add other strings to our bows including aromatherapy, reflexology, naturopathic nutrition & spiritual healing and these we shared over the course of the weekend together with long walks & meditations; log-fire evenings & good food; and much laughter.

Especially appreciated was Helen’s gentle healing touch sequence which she had devised over her years of work with terminally ill people. I was the lucky one receiving the demonstration, feeling so nurtured and held in a safe haven, completely at peace. Walking on air and energized, yet more reflective, were some of after effects of receiving this unique touch. Not perhaps unique as a set of techniques but Helen’s own blend of seasonings made it very special.

Did I say six of us? I’ve left out a very important member of the group, the one who lengthened our walks and was the source of much of our laughter. Murphy. How could I forget the young, black, handsome & mischievous Murphy – who ate just about anything he could fit in his mouth? “I can’t find a sock, has anyone seen a red sock?” said Helen ”I left them in the sitting room last night and now there’s only one” Strange appetites Newfoundland’s have!!

Anne Freeman

Case Studies, Models & Animals!

Many of our students go on to study osteopathy, chiropractic, physiotherapy, and find the massage experience absolutely invaluable as part of their eventual practice.    We also get osteopathic and chiropractic students studying massage alongside their studies, though I must admit this is quite a commitment as both courses are heavy going with practical treatments and studywise.

If people in the general community are lucky they get to be used as case studies for our massage students – one of our present students Debbie Murphy – is studying both massage and osteopathy at the same time, and people are very lucky to be case studies for her !!!    With many people studying one therapy alongside another can take from each other, but with osteopathy and chiropractic (providing you have the time – this is very heavy going and you need understanding friends and family) these seem to complement each other.

Debbie tells me that her puppy – a springador (cross between a springer spaniel and a Labrador) gains enormously from her practicing both !!

Does anyone else have a dog, horse, cat etc etc. who benefits from massage treatment – let us know if so? Especially if you have some particularly good results. We have offers of being a model sometimes from osteopathic students – so let us know if you would like this.

Welcome to Ros

Everyone at OSM had been wondering how we could ever replace Helen Passant on the course she has been doing for us, Massage and Cancer, alongside Susan Lindenbaum.  Then it suddenly dawned on us that Rose Wise (now Ros Wray), who worked with Helen for years in the nursing profession would be just about the only person who could take her place.

Ros was one of Helens closest friends and her daughter Cecilia was Helens Goddaughter, though she feels she can never take Helens place, she has agreed to do this for us, and is fulfilling that role in Helens memory this coming September 24th. In her own way, and through her own special experience, she has a great deal to give, and we will look forward to welcoming her as one of the schools tutors.

Helen Passant

The very sad news that Helen Passant, one of the schools tutors, has died of a stroke, will have reached many people by now.  Her funeral is on Thursday May 19th at Mary Magdalene Church, central Oxford.   It is very likely that there will be a memorial service for her at Christchurch cathedral hopefully, and we will keep you posted about this here.

Many people have been telling me little anecdotes and stories about Helen, who was so very much loved in the community, and I thought it would be good to have some ‘memories of Helen’ space here – so if any of you have some stories and memories of her, please do send them in or place a comment on this post.

I knew Helen for many years, and she has run courses for the school almost since it begun, so it is difficult to think of life without her.   I first met her nearly twenty years ago when she was a nurse – her ward was like no other – for her elderly patients, there was colour, warmth and friendship, with a wonderful aroma of essential oils in the air.   She and I were part of a small committee with Alex Gatherer, Kim Jobst, Edward Baldwyn and Chris Saunders, all working towards making complementary medicine more acceptable, we met monthly at the John Radcliffe.

Her courses ‘nourished the soul’ which was how one of our tutors and friends put it – for anyone in contact with Helen, that is exactly how they felt.

Judith Earnshaw

The MAST 50/50 Club

The MAST Foundation was set up in 2002 by Judith Earnshaw and her late husband John, out of recognition of the very special benefits which massage and related therapies bring to those with serious or terminal illness.

Massage not only helps ease physical pain and stress, but the touch of another caring human being can create an invaluable sense of contact and support to those coping with serious illness.

Therapists working with The MAST Foundation are all qualified practitioners, committed to providing the special level of care and support required in this particular area. Since The MAST Foundation was first set up, we have been overwhelmed by the amount of enthusiasm and support we have received - from therapists wanting to offer their skills, to people with an illness who may not otherwise have access to massage, to those in the general community who believe in the value of the work.

50/50 Club
We invite you to join our 50/50 Club for just £12 per year (just £1 per month) to help raise funds for the Foundation.  You will then be included in a monthly draw which will provide prizes amounting to half of the total money raised.  (This could mean a £30 first prize, or more, depending on funds raised.) Please email mast@osmoxford.co.uk to request an application form.