COURSE OUTLINE
What you will learn during our program
1) Swedish Massage Techniques – 100 hours: Swedish massage provides the base for any massage program. Swedish is a series of strokes applied to the body with oil. There are many different forms of Swedish massage. Our approach is to teach a sequence of performing those strokes. We believe in giving a relaxing treatment that will also be therapeutic.
2) Anatomy & Physiology I/Kinesiology – 120 hours: Knowing the skeletal system as well as the muscular system are very important in treating clients. This class will provide you with knowledge of the skeletal system, over 100 muscles, and the joints that are formed by the two systems. Understanding the primary movement a muscle performs is very important in understanding injuries and tensions, so we will spend a lot of time assessing that movement.
3) Anatomy & Physiology II – 90 hours: Many people are aware of the benefits of massage on the muscles, but what they don’t know is how it affects the rest of the body. This class provides the knowledge of ten other systems of the body and how massage directly affects them. Students learn how to treat the whole body not just what’s on the surface. Students should also have the knowledge to communicate these benefits to clients in helping them to achieve wellness.
4)Deep Tissue Myofascial Therapy/Kinesiology –90 hours: Many people think that deep tissue massage means pain. Deep tissue isn’t supposed to be painful; it is supposed to be relieving. This class teaches students how to work individual muscles in a variety of ways to help these muscles release. Students are taught to work the tendon areas, the muscle belly, and to work with movement of the muscle. We will assess range of motion and perform movement techniques to lengthen muscle fibers that will help the muscle perform efficiently. This work is the most dramatic work you’ll do. Our practice has massage therapists who specialize in this form of massage, and they are all very busy because of its effectiveness.
5) Shiatsu – 70 hours: The body is composed of twelve meridians that run in different lines along the body. In shiatsu, students learn how to treat these meridians and specific points along those meridians to balance energy. Each meridian is associated with an organ of the body and can be governed by our physical stress, emotions, exercise habits, and diet. Students are taught to look at the areas of imbalance and treat them to achieve balance. Study of the five elements, chakras, and feng shui are also a part of this class
6) Introduction to Reflexology – 6 hours: Students are given brief instruction of reflexology techniques and a treatment plan.
7) Prenatal Massage – Students will learn the contraindications of massage during pregnancy as well as the benefits to prenatal massage. All therapists will have a pregnant client at some point in their career; knowing how to treat them is an invaluable gift.
8) Pathology – 63 hours: As massage becomes a way to treat the body and prevent illness, we are becoming more aware of its benefits. We are also becoming more aware of the times where massage may become a detriment. This course teaches well over 100 pathologies. Students will learn about the disease, if massage is appropriate, and what precautions to take.
9) Onsite Massage – Students will learn techniques for chair and table massage. This type of massage is done over clothing and can be done in any setting. Onsite massage is a great way to introduce people to massage.
10) Clinical – 100 hours: Here students hone in on their skills. Students work on each other and in our clinic. Students are able to evaluate a client, design a treatment plan, and discuss the results with us.
11) Business Practices/ Ethics/ Marketing – 34 hours: Learning how to run a massage business is just as important as learning the strokes of massage. Students will learn the top ten steps for success and the top ten mistakes that people make. Students will create a business plan which includes marketing techniques. Students will also learn record keeping strategies and tax preparation. Lastly, students will learn the ethics of massage. This is taught year-long but emphasized again here.
12) Cupping – Students will learn the ancient method of fire cupping that is still used by many acupuncturists today. As massage therapists, we use cupping techniques to release adhesions and relieve tight fascia.
13) CPR/First Aid – We bring in a licensed instructor to teach CPR/First Aid to our students. Students will leave with a 2-year certificate and must continue to re-certify on their own.
14) Hydrotherapy – 27 hours: Students will learn the uses of multiple hot/cold therapies. The benefits and contraindications of using hydrotherapy techniques will be discussed at length. We will also talk about how to blend these therapies with many other modalities.
15) Thai Massage – 50 hours: Students will learn a method of movement and stretching that is done with the client fully clothed on a table. Thai massage is a progressive form of stretching similar to yoga that opens up deep tight muscles.
16) Reiki I – 8 hours: We bring in a Reiki master to attune students to the universal life energy, helping prepare them for treating others. We discuss energy and the importance of putting a barrier between them and their clients from any negative releases. Reiki is also a modality that has little to no contraindications so is valuable in allowing therapists to touch anyone.
