<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Bull CIty Soles, LLC]]></title><description><![CDATA[Durham, NC studio for Barefoot Massage, Rolfing SI, infrared sauna, cold plunge, and Ashiatsu training for massage therapists.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/wellness-blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:25:53 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.bullcitysoles.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Before You Book: Policies &#38; Studio Etiquette at Bull City Soles]]></title><description><![CDATA[A quick guide to arriving early, staying mindful in a multi-therapist studio, booking securely, deposits, reminders, cancellations, and what happens if you’re running late.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/before-you-book-policies-studio-etiquette</link><guid isPermaLink="false">695540a8fbc9403dda732427</guid><category><![CDATA[For Clients (Wellness Insights)]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 13:29:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_7f143a51b4f8453da37ee3b50d57f68d~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Is Ashiatsu Massage? A Therapist’s Guide to Barefoot Massage Training]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ashiatsu is a form of barefoot massage where the therapist uses their feet instead of their hands to do the massage. Click here to read more]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/what-is-ashiatsu-massage-training-therapists</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f7be8eb4ca0be13487d11c</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2020 00:52:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_cbc0ef90c26640d08435c03fc73580e7~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Building a Successful Bodywork Career: 4 Pillars That Matter More Than Talent]]></title><description><![CDATA[After 30+ years in bodywork, I’ve learned that long-term success in massage therapy isn’t about certifications alone. These four pillars—results, reliability, reputation, and respect—build sustainable careers.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/successful-massage-therapy-career</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a42d4c4c19ca7d97f2bf7ae</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:15:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_b629487cda45473f88786a752aa5cd9e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Helps Therapists Work Longer and Hurt Less]]></title><description><![CDATA[After 34 years in practice, discover how Ashiatsu barefoot massage helped me reduce strain, avoid burnout, and build a more sustainable massage career.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/ashiatsu-barefoot-massage-career-longevity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0de7109209fbd4f4f23213</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 25 May 2026 01:09:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_319518ce47c54f0f8570820bc59f5f05~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Your Massage Shouldn’t Be the Same Every Time]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your body changes from session to session, and your massage should too. Learn why customized massage, barefoot massage, hands-on work, and communication all matter at Bull City Soles in Durham, NC.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/why-your-massage-shouldnt-be-the-same-every-time</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f8e5a1a09b06483d3e0a3a</guid><category><![CDATA[For Clients (Wellness Insights)]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 19:34:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_cd53c7aae29e43d794dfd6f20642df71~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Modalities vs. Outcomes: Where Does Barefoot Massage Fit?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Massage menus often confuse clients by focusing on modalities instead of results. Learn how barefoot massage fits into an outcome-based approach and how to simplify your services.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/outcome-based-massage-vs-modalities-barefoot-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d3b655954483bc0387c975</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:35:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_c5aec8318ab24fd8878096b7c11631df~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Do So Many Therapists Learn Barefoot Massage, Then Never Use It?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Many massage therapists learn barefoot massage, but never fully bring it into practice. Here’s why experienced therapists often struggle, and what gets in the way.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/why-therapists-learn-barefoot-massage-but-dont-use-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d3f127072d140cb95c0d5b</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:39:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_4eb7a39efbaf4289abc64757e8e5fd5e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_686,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Close Your Eyes, Follow Your Sole | Barefoot Massage Training Tips]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’ve trained with me, you’ve heard it: “Look up.” In barefoot massage training, constantly watching your feet limits your alignment, endurance, and sensitivity. This post explores why proprioception matters, how to build trust in your feet, and how better body mechanics improve everything from pressure to confidence.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/close-your-eyes-follow-your-sole-barefoot-massage-training</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a5b7002b1318a24852990b</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:26:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_c1f885dffcb7480aad7f3e38cc7bce1f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dissociation by Design: What Is Your Studio Teaching Your Clients?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your treatment room design affects more than aesthetics. Is your space encouraging sleep, or creating space for embodied presence?]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/massage-studio-design-client-engagement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699c7a4793dc5be36fd4f095</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 02:11:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_c4b856c98e5149f88bb05e5cd7c95e34~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Customer Service in Massage Therapy  (Part 2): Pressure, Boundaries &#38; Client Retention]]></title><description><![CDATA[Customer service isn’t separate from your hands-on work. It’s what makes your work more effective. When clients feel safe, respected, and supported, they come back, refer others, and learn to trust you over time.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/customer-service-in-massage-therapy-part-2-pressure-boundaries-retention-habits</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6976759ae611fcb487935c4e</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 21:49:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_9e4466e5f29148f9aa9439af9a128446~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rolfing® SI in Durham, NC: Understanding the Rolfing 10 Series®]]></title><description><![CDATA[Rolfing® isn’t just another type of bodywork. It’s a participatory Structural Integration process that helps the body organize itself more efficiently in gravity, while increasing awareness of movement, posture, and the choices we make every day.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/rolfing-in-durham-nc-understanding-the-rolfing-10-series</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698bf4f95ce248ef4487e79f</guid><category><![CDATA[For Clients (Wellness Insights)]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:00:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_53d6f0a4cdc54ee0afc6b518ef2213da~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Elevating Your Massage &#38; Bodywork Practice: The Importance of Customer Service (Part 1)]]></title><description><![CDATA[In hands-on work like massage therapy or structural bodywork, customer service is more than just words. It’s about what clients actually feel.



It comes through in your first impression, how your space helps clients relax, and how you explain what you notice without making them feel broken. It’s also in how you help them off the table so they leave feeling better organized than when they arrived.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/customer-service-massage-therapy-part-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69766700e611fcb487933e8b</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:49:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_440b72a19bd44e43a1be4f412c8c574b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Healthy Feet, Stronger Body: How to Improve Foot Health for Whole-Body Wellness]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your feet work hard every day, but they often get overlooked. If you have low back pain, tight hips, or tired legs at the end of the day, your feet might be a part of the equation more than you realize.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/how-to-improve-foot-health-for-whole-body-wellness</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697ccc155d5080524e81047a</guid><category><![CDATA[For Clients (Wellness Insights)]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:07:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_8a3c0ac99dfb4e8aa5e4fe1b5fdb4357~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When It’s Time to Let Go: The Hard Truth About Firing Massage Clients]]></title><description><![CDATA[Letting a client go can feel scary—especially while you’re building your business—but it creates space for clients who truly fit. Here’s when and how to do it professionally.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/firing-massage-client</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6967ae6ef1ba376a5bc2d058</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 25 Jan 2026 21:31:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_89f221c87a3e487395cffa45533938b3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Stress, Sleep, and Movement Are Connected: A Guide to Whole-Body Wellness]]></title><description><![CDATA[At Bull City Soles, we understand that your body isn't made up of separate, isolated systems—it functions as one interconnected whole. ]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/how-stress-sleep-and-movement-impact-whole-body-wellness</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69691b5e28df29fb20b2f3ed</guid><category><![CDATA[For Clients (Wellness Insights)]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 18 Jan 2026 14:00:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_3523aaec5a2a4f7391a04dd4bb05ef4c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Facilitator, Not Savior: A Bodyworker’s Guide to Boundaries, Burnout, and the Long Game]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s be honest—when a client acts like you’re the only person who can help them, a little part of you goes, “Awwww.” And another little part goes, “Yep. That’s right.”  But here’s the thing: being put on a pedestal can turn into a burden fast—because suddenly their progress feels like your responsibility.
And it’s not.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/massage-therapist-boundaries-burnout-client-expectations</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6945a8fc66bb3987f68b241f</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:00:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_44527a594d7461652d7641~mv2_d_3969_2646_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Your Schedule Is Your Livelihood: Navigating Cancellations and Boundaries as a Massage Therapist]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the biggest differences between being self-employed and working as an employee is how missed appointments affect your income. For massage therapists, cancellations and no-shows don't just disrupt a schedule—they directly impact our livelihood.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/your-schedule-is-your-livelihood</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6945a556bb31a2c9401a6f93</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:00:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_880c7b78f2784cb48e182e145a301663~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[“But Is She YOU?” — What Clients Need to Know About Bodywork, Boundaries, and Real Results]]></title><description><![CDATA[Each therapist brings a unique combination of experience, training, intuition, and even personal life experience to the table. That’s especially true when we’re talking about something as deep and individualized as Rolfing® Structural Integration.]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/but-is-she-you-massage-vs-structural-integration</link><guid isPermaLink="false">693c6a7642832d49aeba3820</guid><category><![CDATA[For Clients (Wellness Insights)]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:01:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_305166aec4e64f86a9c47086f78fbf17~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What You Learn in Massage Therapy School: 5 Essentials Every Massage Therapist Needs to Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[Are you considering a career as a massage therapist?  In my most-read blog,  How to become a massage therapist in NC , I break down, step by step, the process of becoming licensed in North Carolina. However, before you enroll in massage therapy school, let's discuss what you will learn . Spoiler alert: it's more than just giving relaxing massages. Whether you're making a career change or exploring a passion for helping others, here are five core areas massage therapy school will teach you—and...]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/what-you-learn-in-massage-therapy-school</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691a8af676759c02a865fb01</guid><category><![CDATA[For Therapists (CE / Training)]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:04:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/527c4e_2621d03819c643fe8621be9663373192~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Post-Surgery or PT Not Working? How Infrared Sauna &#38; Cold Plunge Can Help Break the Inflammation Cycle]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you've recently had surgery or have been faithfully going to physical therapy but still feel stuck in your recovery, you're not alone. Many people reach a frustrating plateau where progress slows or stops altogether. ]]></description><link>https://www.bullcitysoles.com/post/post-surgery-recovery-sauna-cold-plunge-durham</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692de7b249588118cb9a303a</guid><category><![CDATA[For Clients (Wellness Insights)]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:38:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_134fdd6885f445a194cb61c6b5b75202~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Julie Marciniak</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>