FLAIR FOR MASSAGE

Anna Tsankova has had a year full of wins, including two medals for the UK at The World Massage Championships. She tells Kezia Parkins about how to stand out and how to deal with failure

How big is the demand for massage at the moment?

“The massage world and wellness industry as a whole is growing massively, especially after Covid-19 as people realise how important it is to allocate time and effort for self-care and keep your body at optimum health. “Massage therapists are vital in this quest. They can transform the way the body functions – from posture to muscle tension to general wellbeing.”

Why would you encourage massage therapists to enter competitions?

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to get out of the treatment room and see what your peers are doing and offering their clients. You create a fantastic network too, which is super important. You get to meet like-minded colleagues, change a lot of views, and there is an opportunity to speak with therapists from around the world.

“During preparation for competitions, I always see an enormous growth in my skill set. You have to research, develop and design a specific protocol for the competition and that research is a brilliant boost to your existing skills.

“Working 20 years or more in the treatment room with clients is amazing but when you start preparing for a competition, you really start adding or searching for new techniques, new skills that you can demonstrate, and it’s a brilliant part of the development of a therapist.”

What advice would you give someone entering a competition for the first time?

“Always check the requirements… every competition is different and processes often differ from country to country or competition to competition. At some, innovation and creativity is highly rewarded whereas others may be more traditional. I have definitely been burnt in that way a few times.

“You should also plan and prepare for the competition months in advance, especially if you are juggling work and children. There is a lot of pressure with judges and spectators watching so your mind can go blank, but if you prepare and rehearse your protocol many times, it will be muscle memory and you can focus on your delivery and the artistry.”

What makes people stand out in a competition?

“We are all different, and therapists all have different approaches, philosophies and techniques so make sure you stay true to what you believe should be demonstrated, but also what should be created.

“Show the judges some flair, something they have never seen, and include some very visual elements. Don’t forget though that at the core there has to be benefit for the client so what you choose to demonstrate should be purposeful with a show element.”

What opportunities arise as a result of competing?

“This sort of exposure opens doors and you get noticed by different people within the industry, whether it’s a spa, a client curious to try your award-winning technique, or brands that would like to collaborate. This sort of recognition and exposure is absolutely essential and very beneficial to someone’s career.”

How do you cope if you don’t win?

“The best way is to reflect and to see how you can improve for next time. A lot of people are afraid of competitions because they might think they’re not good enough or because of the stress they bring. Others can be afraid of losing as you have talent from all over the world.

“I have experienced both winning and losing. The biggest growth I had was when I didn’t win. This was when I had a boost of motivation and I had to use all my strength to keep going.

“It made me want to demonstrate that I’m exceptionally good at what I do and prove it at the next competition. So, don’t be afraid – you either win, or you learn. This is why I continue to compete. I didn’t manage to win at the National Massage Championship at Olympia Beauty this year but I want to lead by example and show people not to be discouraged. Keep going and you will get better and better.”