Today, I experienced a wonderfully relaxing full-body massage from a student at TAFE NSW! I could have stayed on that massage bed forever—haha.
It was purely by chance that I met this student studying Beauty Therapy. She needed someone to practice her massage skills on and to fill the clinical hours required for her course. I happily volunteered.
I visited the TAFE NSW Ultimo campus today for the massage. TAFE NSW (Technical and Further Education New South Wales) is a leading provider of vocational education and training in Australia.
The Ultimo Campus, one of its largest and most well-known, is conveniently located just a five-minute walk from Central Station in the heart of Sydney.
This campus is renowned for its strong industry connections, offering students real-world training and work placement opportunities. The beauty therapy students practicing their massage skills on people like me, and then receiving feedback, really get a taste of the real world.
I wasn't sure what to expect at first. When I walked in, it all made sense. The room was huge, with multiple beds and desks. It was clearly a learning environment. Each bed could be enclosed with black curtains hung from rails on the ceiling, ensuring privacy. There were many other students practicing their massage skills on people. Despite the meditative music playing through the speakers, you could still hear people talking and moving around. It wasn’t like a private clinic where you would be the only one in a quiet room. However, I didn’t mind at all. That was part of the deal. I was just happy to get a free massage!
A full-body massage offers numerous benefits that enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Physically, it helps to relax muscles, alleviate tension, improve circulation, relieve pain, increase flexibility, and promote detoxification, which contributes to healthier skin and overall bodily function. Mentally, a massage reduces stress, enhances mental clarity, and promotes better sleep by lowering cortisol levels and encouraging relaxation. Emotionally, it boosts mood by increasing endorphins and serotonin, fostering emotional balance, and reducing anxiety and depression. Regular massages can also strengthen the immune system and provide valuable time for personal relaxation and self-care, ultimately contributing to a better quality of life.
This experience reminded me of the times I used to get a regular massage every week when I was dancing professionally. It was a preventative measure to take care of my body. Back then, I also had a deal with a massage student at a very affordable rate. It was a win-win situation: she needed someone to practice on and complete her course, and I got a good massage without breaking the bank. Although I was working full-time as a professional dancer, a weekly massage at regular prices would have been too expensive.
After my massage, I searched online to see if other places offer similar opportunities. It turns out there are plenty of places where students offer massages. You can simply Google 'student massage near me.' I found one near me in Meadowbank that offers a 50-minute student massage for $30. Not bad, right?
Lately, I’ve been focused on 'health investment'—spending money on healthier food instead of cheaper options.
I now always buy organic eggs and milk over conventional ones. I remember a doctor on YouTube saying it's better to invest in exercise and good food rather than paying hospital bills when it's too late. I couldn’t agree more.
No one wants to get old and sick. Aging is inevitable, but maintaining good health is something we can strive for. Like meditating for a healthier and happier mind, and exercising and eating well for a healthy body. While getting a massage at an expensive clinic can be costly, finding alternative ways, like student massages, is a great option.
The most important thing is that health is wealth.
What could be a better investment than your health, right? This student massage made me realize that I should incorporate massages back into my routine for my well-being. I hadn’t had a massage since I stopped dancing full-time and thought I didn’t need it much. But now, I think it would be beneficial to get one every now and then for my health!
How were you able to book into the Ultimo student clinic? I can't find it when I google for some reason
Really agree with investing in healthy food. Makes such a difference.