saw this on yahoo news today, cant givr a link, so here's the report
WOW factor 100!!
A 98-year-old grandmother has been hailed Britain's oldest massage therapist as she celebrated 60 years in the profession.
Evelyn Blackburn, Britain's oldest massage therapist
Evelyn Blackburn was first granted her licence to operate in 1949 and has just renewed it with Harrow Council.
Mrs Blackburn, of Pinner, north London, has treated tens of thousands of people since a friend's sore neck prompted her to learn the techniques of massage six decades ago.
But she has kept abreast of developments, embracing alternative treatments such as cupping - made famous by celebrity enthusiast Gwyneth Paltrow - and radiesthesia, which treats people's energy or auras.
Mrs Blackburn said: "I have massaged thousands of people over the years - from mothers and grandmothers to builders and scientists. Back when I started, I used iodine-based oil called Dragon's Blood. Nowadays, I use the modern substitutes. You have to move with the times.
"I still maintain the best treatment is a pair of hands.
"I don't think anything can replace massage. I have used lots of therapies and machines, but nothing is quite as effective.
"A massage is much better than all these advertised creams to put on your face and body, although the companies making the cream wouldn't like to hear that - but it's the truth."
Mrs Blackburn used to treat up to eight people a day at the clinic where she worked in Nower Hill, Harrow, but for past 24 years has worked from home in a room adapted into a studio.
Tigress
fantastic!
Hi ST,
there is hope for you yet!
bgfl
That's amazing! Truly inspirational. 😀
That's truly inspirational and she looks amazing. That certainly gives me hope.:)
She looks fab and so healthy. an advert for massage if ever there was one!
How cool is that?!
Crikey, and I am hoping to retire from massage in the next six months because I am getting too old!!! (at 46).:D
Patchouli
Blimey..... That's a m a z i n g ! ! I want some of the juice she's on!! xx
Thanks for this. She looks so youthful!
Now that has truly inspired me.
This has reinforced an idea I have had for a long time about my retirement. I don't intend to retire - just slooooow down. As long I am healthy and have good hands, why should I retire. Retirement is often a death sentence. Working hard for 40+ years and drop dead from a heart attack just after buying that dream car, boat, campervan etc. Why not just slow down and still contribute to society? If your work (whatever it is) is inspirational and gives you energy, why stop. Sounds it's working for old Evelyn!
Does anyone else think this? Because when I mention it to other people I get a negative response. Yet the recent credit crisis has shown that interest on savings can back fire and property can devalue.
Reiki Pixie
Well said Reiki Pixie!!!
To hell with pensions and the crippling boredom of the usual retirement fixtures!!
I too plan on working till the day I die. I don't even plan on planning on financial planning and all that trying on securing a nest egg to sit in and rot!!!! We need a core group of active elders in society, wise ones, to guide the younger generations, like it was in more traditional societies of old.
Having said that, in a way I feel I will be set up for old age, by becoming an expert in my field so that I am in great demand and people pay me to give talks and workshops and everyone wants to pay small fortunes for my services!!! I got 30 years to get there!
Needless to say I too have upset many conventional people with my feelings!!!
Credit Crunch???? Bah!!
J
I am constantly subtracting and working out how many years I have to be working,feeling like I will be cast aside,making way for younger therapists.I now have a new idea.Roll on the next 50 years.:)
If I were to stay in a holistic career until I am the same age as that lady, I could be massaging for another 70 years!
I wonder does she has special techniques to protect her wrist and finger joints?
If I were to stay in a holistic career until I am the same age as that lady, I could be massaging for another 70 years!
I wonder does she has special techniques to protect her wrist and finger joints?
Low couch, using your bodyweight and forearms. Although doing more than 7 clients in a day leaves me feeling tired.
Well done to her - she looks fantastic for her age.