Feature Interview: Neesa Johnson, Massage Therapist

Neesa Johnson, LMT.

THE USUAL UNUSUAL DISCLAIMER: I certify that the information given in this interview is correct and accurately reflects my past and current thoughts and feelings regarding the spa industry. I will notify the interviewer of any changes in mind-set, but probably not, because I totally know what I’m talking about. Like, seriously. I understand the information requested will assist the interviewer as well as the general public (who have no idea just how crazy the industry can get) in finding the right spa/massage therapist/etc. I totally give consent to have these questions blogged for all to see, and am not being held at gunpoint by the interviewer until I answer all of her questions so that she can make her deadline because she is running late with her post yet again. Honest...help me!

Karma Girl: When did you first know you wanted to become a massage therapist instead of a doctor, lawyer, or pony…Not that I’ve ever wanted to be any of those things. (Insert sneaky eye here)

Neesa Johnson: Since Hurricane Katrina. I have always said I'm a bodyworker because of the influence of my Asian body work training (Asian Bodywork, Tuina, medical Qigong, Qigong for health, acupressure, and Shiatsu).

KG: How much training did you have to do get certified, and what is your favorite modality? Did it require you to travel to the Far East and take classes from a bunch of ancient monks what live on some mountain somewhere?

NJ: I lived in the San Francisco Bay area for twenty years where the Asian population is very high. I love to give Trager and to receive meridian stretching. My training began over twenty years ago taking myofascial release CE as an Occupational Therapist. I then enrolled in 2007 my program at Blue Cliff, Metairie, so I could get licensed in LA.

KG: Have you ever held a managerial position in the spa industry? What was the best thing about the job? What was the worst? Did the service providers have to pay homage to you, and if so, why did you give up that shit? 

NJ: I was a Clinical Administrator at Old Metairie Massage Envy, then briefly at Tchoupitoulas Massage Envy. I enjoyed mentoring new LMTs. The worst was the customer complaints.

KG: What is the hardest part about being a massage therapist?

NJ: Not being able to take full days off when you work for yourself.

KG: What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you in your work as either a service provider or a manager?

NJ: When I asked a pregnant client to get on the table facing the wall. When I was about to come back into the room, I said, "Ready?" She said, "Yes." I came in, and she was naked, standing against the wall!

This is the part of the interviewing process I like to call, The Serious Three. It includes a series of three temporarily noteworthy, implausibly staid questions. You are obligated to answer them as seriously as possible:

QUESTION #1: When a client pisses you off do you tapotement the shit out of them?

No. I just go deeper.

QUESTION #2: Can I steal your BioMat? It was awesome.

Nope!

QUESTION #3: Where can my readers follow you (Facebook, Twitter, website, etc) and how do they go about booking a massage from you?

Neesa Johnson on Facebook.

And for those of you looking for a massage or to purchase a BioMat of your own, be sure to message Ms. Johnson for details.

Thank you, Neesa, for taking the time to answer these questions. I’m sure you should have no problems chewing through the ropes to make your escape.