RE: Appearances in ITEC
This is unbelievable! Was this woman supposed to be assessing you on your abilities as a therapist or on your body/health/lifestyle? As long as you were correctly dressed, clean, with neat hair, short nails, no jewellery, she surely has no right to criticise you?
She should be told to get lost (in a polite holistic way, of course)...
RE: Appearances in ITEC
but I think you should make a complaint, she shouldn't be able to get away with saying things like that!
I agree with the above. This is discrimination and bullying and she shouldn't be allowed to get away with it... [&:]
RE: Appearances in ITEC
I am appalled!!!
How DARE she!
It is not a beauty contest it is a massage course, and you should be judged accordingly.
I also agree that as another slightly overweight person, I would feel more comfortable being massaged by someone who wasn't necessarily pencil thin!
Report her, before she upsets more people. It is really not acceptable.
Karen x
RE: Appearances in ITEC
Agree! Agree! Agree!
Report the woman to your college principal, then ITEC if you don't get an apology, then forget her. This is nasty. vicious discrimination and she shouldn't get away with it.
I agree she must have body issues herself to be so interested in yours. Unless your shape actually prevented you from getting round the bed properly (and you'd know if you couldn't reach, wouldn't you!) then it's nothing to do with her.
The only times I've seen this sort of thing be an issue was with a really petite girl who had to get up on tip toes to reach right across the back as she was working on a fixed height couch. The tutors removed a bed from the salon so she could put her own variable height bed in there for the exam so she could get the 'posture' points. Similarly for a 6' 4" guy who was bent double over the college beds.
When I did my ITEC massage it was hot weather, and the exertion and plain fear brought me out in a hot flush! The examiner asked me if I was ok and reminded me to make sure I had plenty of water after I'd finished and made a point of coming to find me to check I was ok. I missed a distinction by two points, but that was on the theory, not the practical.
So don't worry, the opinions of the body police can't wreck your results as long as you meet the clean and tidy criteria.
Good luck.
RE: Appearances in ITEC
Hi Suebee
Just have to add my opinion in response to your posting.
I was overweight when I began training for my ITEC A & P, Swedish Massage 12 years ago. Since that time I have done several ITEC and other courses. Unfortuntately, I am still overweight..... I have put loads on too! I have only had disparaging comments made from the a Tutor when I was taking my ITEC Beauty Specialist Qualification, she made a crack about 'disgusting how some women let themselves go once they have had children etc.' which was pointed at me. I have experienced a couple of comments from fellow students.
Unfortunately, you have to look your best for ITEC exams. Just get that hair tied right up, off the nape of your neck (I went to the hairdresser and got mine braided for the day. Clean well pressed clothes and nice make up. Considering it is an ITEC course and you have received good feedback from your own Tutor I am sure you look fine. As long as you give good, caring and effective massage you will pass. Just remember to focus 101% on the Client.
However, this Tutor is acting extremely unprofessionally. I am also a Tutor in Adult Education and I can only imagine that this 'fill in' Tutor is not properly trained as a teacher or to the correct level for ITEC. I really think you should complain about this, although you may want to wait till after your practical.
Can I just add a little bit from Doreen Virtue's book Earth Angels.
"Incarnated angels are overweight because they are energetically shielding themselves with fat. This is especially true amongst Incarnated angels who are massage therapists, or who are otherwise engaged in healing touch. They absorb their clients toxic emotions and their bodies blow up like water absorbing sponges.
This may be one of the reasons you have been drawn to massage don't let an unkind person sway you from what you really want to do. You will be fine, just focus, relax and enjoy it.