Oliviatsu bowler is a unique guide I created from my experience as a professional tenpin bowler and body worker-therapist to help bowlers improve performance by addressing the body, mind and spirit. My approach allows a bowler's body to feel more relaxed and flexible, the mind more alert and open and the spirit more peaceful and lifted. Together with my tailored instructions, I ease a bowler into and through thelearning process based on my love of bowling and Oliviatsu.

     I was twenty-one when I first started bowling. Twenty years later I took my first bowling lesson. Now, thirty-six years later, I practice three to five times a week, bowl competitively in amateur and professional tournaments, attend bowling camps and strive to become regional player of the year in the Professional Women's Bowling Association. These efforts are a result of years attending many bowling camps and continuing education courses. Today, bowlers have grown accustomed to multi-media presentations rather than the traditional approach to bowling lessons. Studies have shown that one reason many new league bowlers quit is they don't see any improvement in their games. Each league bowler represents between $400 and $500 per year to a center when you consider lineage, practice, snack bar and other revenue (USA Coach, 2003). If just a handful of bowlers quit because they don't improve, this is a significant financial impact on the business. Fortunately, I found a unique way to optimize the learning process through the benefits of Oliviatsu along with my approach to bowling lessons. This paper will: (1) explain how Oliviatsu evolved, (2) describe how Oliviatsu meets the needs of the bowler's body and spirit, (3) demonstrate how my bowling instructions meet the needs of the bowler's mind, and (4) show various marketing strategies for Oliviatsu bowler.

Oliviatsu

     Oliviatsu is a blend of various alternative therapies I combined to make into my own. Originally, I started with the basic Swedish massage program. This type of therapy mainly works with the muscles and soft tissue to relax the nerves, improve circulation and relieve joint pain and stiffness. I learned how to position my body properly when applying massage, how to use appropriate strokes to knead (petrissage), glide (effleurage) or pat (tapotement) the body and how to drape men and women properly while giving a full body massage. Swedish massage is normally performed on a massage table where the client is undressed, and massage oil or cream is applied.

     Zen shiatsu is a meditative form of Japanese healing arts where meditation allows for my intuition to assist in directing the treatment. This therapy works with the body's energy to relieve stress, improve range of motion and increase joint flexibility. Pressure points are gently pressed with thumbs, palms, elbows and knees. Shiatsu is normally performed on a futon on the floor while the client wears loose fitting, comfortable clothes.

     Reflexology involves the ears, hands and feet. Pressure is applied to reflex points that correspond to each area of the body. Reflexology helps to relax and relieve stress and pain in the body. (See Reflexology Pictures A and B)

     Thai yoga massage works with the muscles, stretches the body and tonifies energy lines. This therapy is performed on a mat on the floor while the client wears loose fitting, comfortable clothes.

     Reiki is a form of energy therapy that addresses the energy centers (chakras) of the body. This therapy involves the placing on of hands, visualization and meditative practices. Reiki can be done on a massage table or in a chair. Reiki benefits include increased awareness, creativity, vitality, energy and more. Clients wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes.

     Together I integrated various principles of each therapy to make into my own style of body work that culminates into Swedish massage, reflexology, Thai yoga massage, Reiki and shiatsu with Olivia — Oliviatsu.

Body and Spirit

     A bowler can expect a new experience when he or she comes for an Oliviatsu session to help improve bowling performance. I use stretches to place the client in different positions. The prone or facedown position allows the bowler to feel less exposed so they can relax. This is the best position for deep, penetrative work on the back meridians and acupressure points on the sacrum. The back, sacrum and back of the legs are areas that are usually very stiff and inflexible for most bowlers.

     The supine or face-up position is versatile and restful for the bowler. The limbs can be rotated and moved into many positions, almost every meridian can be treated, and supine is the easiest position to give and receive stretches and rotations. The bowler's range of motion is increased when working in this position.

     Side position is the most comfortable position for the bowler, especially if the bowler has neck or lower back problems. This position allows me to work the shoulder joint thoroughly, since the arm can be rotated fully into all positions. Deep work into the side of the hip joint is permitted in this position. The shoulders and hip joints are areas where bowlers need particular attention if they want to be able to swing their arms and bend their knees to repeat shots consistently.

     The sitting position offers great scope for work on the neck and shoulders since arms, shoulders and head can be supported, rotated and stretched. In this position a bowler can be made aware of the natural potential for uprightness and movement in their torso. This awareness helps to remind bowlers of their athletic body position in their stance and movement to the line.

     Stretches are used to open up and adjust the bowler's physical framework. As the neck is gently pulled and elongated, the bowler can feel the tension release from the neck and shoulder area. The legs feel lengthened as each one is delicately and slowly extended. The shoulders become elastic as the scapula is cradled and gently opened with circular stretches that end with the arm resting away from the body. Neck waves from side to side and neck rolls from the bottom of the shoulders to the base of the neck, both in slow motion, open up and loosen all tight, tense muscles and nerves. Stretches increase a bowler's flexibility enabling him/her to make a balanced, accurate shot without fear of injury.

     Oliviatsu creates a feeling of deep relaxation as well as a renewed vitality by working along the energy pathways (meridians) of the body. This technique involves using supportive pressure, touching on specific acupressure points and re-balancing the body's energy. As the bowler's inner vitality increases, so too does the bowler's overall sense of well being along with the body's natural ability to deal with stress and illness. The bowler has greater movement and vibrancy, the physical comfort and emotional ease work to enrich the bowler's health on all levels. Oliviatsu is a genuine preventative therapy as well as a real pleasure to receive at any time. (See Meridians Body C)

The Mind

     Psychological skills training is the systematic and consistent practice of mental skills. A bowler needs to know the strengths and weaknesses of their mental skills to be effective. A simplified, three-part psychological questionnaire from The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook is used to assess the skills needed to bowl better.

      The first step in reducing stress is to become aware of the major sources of stress in a bowler's life. Part A lists twelve possible life events in which a bowler indicates if the experience happened to him/her within the last year. Part B contains seventeen life events in which the bowler determines the number of times each experience happened to them within the last two years. A bowler's total score is used to determine the amount of change a bowler experiences. The more change a bowler has, the harder they should work to reduce stress. Part C relates to a symptom checklist that tells a bowler about how they respond to stress. A bowler rates their stress-related symptoms for the degree of discomfort using a ten-point scale. Based on the answers to the questionnaire, short, simple relaxation and stress reduction techniques that directly address the particular problem areas are given out to practice at home. The symptoms that are addressed include anxiety, hostility, resentment, fears, headaches, insomnia, sleeping difficulties, physical weakness and more. Techniques for dealing with these symptoms include progressive relaxation, breathing, meditation, thought stopping, assertiveness training, nutrition and exercise. Some techniques will be more helpful to particular bowlers than others. As a result of this variety of choices, a bowler will be better equipped mentally to deal with differing bowling situations more efficiently. (See Stress Test D)

Marketing Strategies

     I can be located in several ways when a bowler is ready to take lessons. One way is through the various web sites — Bofish.net, Bowl.com and Oliviatsu.com. Each address offers something different Bofish.net introduces a bowler to Oliviatsu, its benefits, pricing, newsletters and contact information. Bowl.com allows bowlers to search for a certified coach in his/her area. Oliviatsu.com is my personal web site that explains the benefits, policies and prices for an Oliviatsu session.

     Other ways I can be located are through my brochures, business cards, fliers and free newsletters that I personally designed. A colorfully illustrated brochure contains information about the benefits of Oliviatsu. It covers preparation, procedure, training, development and pricing. My artistic business cards capture a snap shot of the brochure with color photos, contact information, credentials, Oliviatsu benefits and preparation. My bowling business cards identify me as a USA Bowling Silver Level instructor, Dick Ritger Academy Level I instructor, member of the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) and Women's All-Star Association (WASA) Champion. Fliers contain periodic sale announcements that serve as introductory offers to save the bowler money as well as allow the bowler to feel the beauty of a session before making a commitment. I publish my own newsletter, Feel Good News, every two months to educate bowlers about the benefits of Oliviatsu.

     As a certified coach and instructor, I provide detailed information about my credentials and accomplishments. My bowling resume' lists affiliations, training and development, educational achievements and interests. For example, I have been a member of the Professional Women's Bowling Association (formerly, Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour) since 1993. I have been a registered, certified instructor and coach with the Dick Ritger Bowling Academy and USA Bowling since 1992. An accomplishment that I am especially proud of is winning the Women's All-Star Association high roller Deptford, New Jersey senior open on March 29,2003.

     I inform bowlers about bowling and Oliviatsu with published articles. "Zen Shiatsu is Power; in Bowling too," published in the Woodlawn Villager in May 2001 explains about the effects of Oliviatsu on a bowler. "The Effects of Zen Shiatsu," published in the Natural Alternative in the July/August 2000 issue talks about the effects of Oliviatsu. (See Resume and Articles)

Oliviatsu Bowler

     A person becomes an Oliviatsu bowler by using Oliviatsu and my unique bowling instructions as a complete package. Bowling instructions start after a bowler fills out the application that includes highlights of a progressive series of clinics that start with skill drills to give a bowler a good foundation. The first clinic works on a free pendulum swing, a perfect release and balance and good leverage. The second skill drill clinic starts with a review of clinic one, correct stance, proper push away and consistent timing. From the skill drills a bowler moves on to the science and knowledge clinics. The third clinic starts with a review of clinic two, how to adjust to get the ball into the pocket, how to use a personal number and how to play lines and angles. The fourth clinic starts with a review of clinic three, how to make spares with the 3-6-9 system and how to consistently make corner pin spares. This loosely structured clinic is tailored for the individual needs of each bowler. As the lessons progress, Oliviatsu should be taken in combination with the training to facilitate the learning process.

     After learning about me and my program through the web and other forms of publication, a bowler should be very comfortable with me, and what a bowler can expect from the Oliviatsu Bowler guide. Bowlers can be assured that if they invest time and effort in Oliviatsu and perfecting their bowling skills, they will see an improvement in their performance. This will reward the bowler's body, mind and spirit.