Before I started running my own company, providing massage therapy and other alternative medicine treatment, I had to face different challenges and take major risks. Moreover, I had to overcome my own problems with health and become courageous enough to look into the depth of my heart to see what I really wanted to do in my life.
One of the first such challenging periods of my life started in the late September of 2004, when I got a work contract in the UK for an Industrial Project Management Company. I was very proud about working there, because it was a privilege for me as a native of an ex-communist country, Romania. Still, I was unaware then that my entire professional direction was just about to change. Despite high salary and possibly bright future career, I felt that something was not right in my life. I was going on with my work doing the best I could, but at the same time, I started to look for something more that could fill what I was missing.
My search ended with an advertising for opening presentation at an institute of the Chinese traditional medicine in London. I felt that I should be there and so I went to the event and absorbed all the information presented there. It seemed familiar to me, and I recalled my childhood with my great-grandmother, who used to do cupping. By this technique, she used to heal people from different trauma and illnesses. These memories made me remember her words: “You should be a doctor, you should help people!”
That was a very distinct moment, crucial for my career, as I understood then that I needed to change my professional direction. I felt that I had to continue her mission. I did not know then where to pursue this dream, as in Romania the field of alternative medicine treatment was not very developed. Moreover, I knew that my family would not be happy about my decision. Telling them about it was a major challenge for me, as after successful work in the UK there I was again – in Romania with no work, a little money from the UK and no idea where to start.
My little victory motivated me to find more information about the ways of coping with stress. One day at a local library, I found information about meditation in movement – Tai Chi. Months later when I was back in Romania it was the first path that I started to follow. Living in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, I had an opportunity to apply to a special program for massage therapist. I had money only for the first semester and it was a very difficult choice for me, but I decided to follow the program. In two weeks, I was already working as a massage therapist in a Spa. I believe that once you are on the right path, all the doors are open for you.
I was finally happy. I had good professors from the sport medicine college, and I did not stop on the knowledge that I accumulated in class. I became a seeker: when I heard about any technique related to massage, exercise or other alternative therapy, I was there. I wanted to know more and more information to help my clients. The best reward for me were people leaving with a smile on their face.
After one year of studying, the manager of Ubisoft Romania offered me to work for their employees. Soon afterwards, I opened my own company and signed contracts with other companies. After working with different clients, I saw that often massage was not enough for reaching a healthy posture. I started to do group exercise with my clients, using yoga and other approaches. I saw that it was not enough, and soon my own health problems again helped me to develop further.
I had a sport accident when I was 13 and I never treated it properly. There were certain pain episodes in my back I overcame with massage or acupuncture. I coped with this until all this treatment stopped working. I went to the doctor who diagnosed me with double hernia of disc and told me that if I did not do surgery I would be paralyzed. It encouraged me to do nucleoplasty, Bowenwork, and many exercises. As a result, I feel great, no surgery, and no pain in 7 years. I am still grateful for this difficult experience, as now I know exactly what a patient with such pain is going through.
Coming in America 5 years ago was another challenge for me. Nevertheless, I succeeded to start over again and opened Bio Balance Therapy Company where I provided massage therapy and other alternative medicine treatment collaborating with physical therapies clinics. I am eager to continue studying to do the best I can to make people’s lives better. The beauty of how the perfect system of human body works mesmerizes me all the time. Additionally, I would like to make my contribution into the study of Bowenwork and showing that it really deserves attention.
