Shanti Sun Volume 1 | Page 10

GREEN MAS“Massaging Green is not necessarily registering with a “green” firm for some extra fee or what agency or group you belong to but in your daily practices. Most people agree the environment needs our help. From greenhouse emissions to holes in the ozone to melting polar ice caps to dumping crude oil in our waters, we’re learning more and more about the consequences of not being good environmental stewards—as well as what it’ll cost us, both today and for generations to come. More now than ever before, our cultural consciousness is shifting toward environmental protection. Due to the escalating effects of global warming, the rising cost of fuel and the growing number of those suffering from environmental sensitivities, more people are interested in living their lives in an environmentally friendly way. While there is no universal standard for eco-friendliness, body workers adhering to green concepts will do their part in helping the environment and will attract clients wishing to do the same. Accordingly, it is the global collection of eco-friendly efforts that will secure a healthful future for our planet. Massage Therapy is a growing business around the world. This industry has tripled over the last 10 years and is expected to continue to grow. Some massage practitioners are finding that there chosen profession can help reduce negative environmental impact. Green massage therapy is a growing niche within the industry. Many clients are already highly ecoconscious, and very curious in learning on how they can be more “GREEN”. Massage therapists are in a good position to improve the eco-consciousness of less knowledgeable customers. Once a massage business is established, there are many ways that the massage practitioner can go green. One, is to use organic cotton linens. Cotton is one of the thirstiest crops in the world. Despite this, it is often grown in semi-arid regions such as Central Asia, where irrigation for cotton fields is one of the primary causes of the destruction of the Aral Sea. Cotton is also one of the most chemical intensive crops to grow, consuming an estimated 22% of all insecticides sprayed annually around the world.