Exploring Life & Business with Kayla Scott of Kinnect Massage and Bodywork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Scott.

Hi Kayla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a little girl, I used to tell my Dad that I wanted to be a “people helper” when I grew up. It took me 27 years to figure out what that meant for me. I received my Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science in 2018 with the intent of pursuing grad school for Physical Therapy. I worked as a physical therapy tech in several settings and the more I was immersed in the environment, I felt it wasn’t the right path for me so I started to explore other options. I went back and forth between becoming a Physician’s Assistant and Physical Therapist for years until I was tired of the hesitancy and decided to do something in the meantime which is how I became a Massage Therapist.

I chose Massage Therapy because I was looking for a way to be able to help people in my own way and be my own boss. Massage bridges the gap between western and eastern medicine and is respected by professionals on both sides. As an Indigenous woman, I was taught the importance of having a connection to the land, your culture, your higher power, your community and lastly with yourself. Having a healthy life depends on all the connections you have in this world. I prioritize human connection and genuine interactions and I cherish all of the relationships and connections I have made over the years. I’ve learned that all we have in this world is each other. Because of this, I believe caring for your body is the first step in caring for others.

I created Kinnect Massage and Bodywork because we are living in a time where everyone and everything feels disconnected. I want to be a safe place for people to escape the world and tune into their own bodies, figuring out what they need and pouring back into themselves so that they can go back into the world and take care of everything else.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a small business is always difficult in the beginning. The biggest struggle I’ve dealt with is self-doubt. Am I qualified enough? Do people actually enjoy my massages? I am still in the beginning stages but I feel that I have been making strides in the growth of my business. I am a first time business owner so learning how to market myself, navigate social media and grow my clientele have been a challenge. My business is not my primary source of income so it has been difficult managing my time while also still working my Inpatient Therapy Aide job. Through it all, I have been blessed with great support and mentors along the way and I feel that I am on the right path.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Kinnect Massage and Bodywork ?
Due to my background in therapy and injury rehabilitation, I tend to have a therapeutic approach to my massages and incorporate various modalities based on how the client is feeling that day. I have a degree in Exercise Science from Northern Arizona University and have been a physical therapy aide for the past 6 years in a sports med/ortho clinic, hospital, and inpatient acute care rehab. My goal is to help my clients enhance their mind-body connection; empowering them to take care of their bodies, leading to a more pain free life!

I charge one standard fee per session and don’t charge extra for cupping or specific modalities. I feel it is my job as your therapist to work with you to determine what is best for your body at that moment. I love cupping and will incorporate it in my sessions wherever I can as long as the client is an appropriate candidate. I am also certified in Myofascial Decompression which is a type of cup therapy that uses active mobility and engages the client in treatment. Cups are intentionally placed with a specific amount of pressure and then the client is instructed through various movements while the cups are on. Once the cups are removed, the client is instructed through more movements to re-educate the body on how it is supposed to move.

Massage is often looked at as just a “treat yourself” service but when received regularly can provide lasting effects. Massage can promote deeper sleep, improve posture, reduce stress and muscle tension, enhance exercise performance and increase circulation. I want to be a part of my clients healthcare team or regimen because massage therapy is healthcare. Down the road, I would love to work in collaboration with a personal trainer or physical therapist to help my clients feel and move their best in their bodies!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Following other massage therapists, physical therapists, personal trainers and chiropractors on Instagram allows me to get more knowledge and insight on different things. It’s important to continue learning to benefit my clients because I want to be prepared to help them the best way I can whether it’s learning new massage techniques, movements for stability and mobility, or about different medical conditions/injuries. Staying educated helps ensure my clients receive the support they need, no matter what stage of life they’re in.

Pricing:

• $85 for 60 min massage
• $140 for 90 min massage

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kinnectmassageaz.com
• Instagram: @kinnectmassageaz

Image Credits
Mya K. Scott