Course Offerings

Basic Swedish massage strokes including effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration, tapotement and touch without movement will be the topics of illustration and class discussion. This class includes theory, history, benefits, and contraindications of massage therapy. Through in-class demonstration and supervised practice, students will be exposed to proper draping, use of oils and working with breath and body movements relating to themselves and their clients. 

This course has two main components. The Internship, a class favorite, and Student Clinic, a client favorite. Along with Swedish Massage, students study and perform manual therapy approaches that address specific tissues and organ systems of enhanced healing on a holistic level. Understanding the essentials of the effects that various massage techniques have and how to apply them will reveal the greatest therapeutic benefit in each individual case. As part of each massage and technique class, each student will use hands on application along with feedback to give and reciprocate massage therapy. 

Customized session options will be decided on and implemented by the student to maximize client benefits. Combination options may include Swedish massage, foot reflexology, hydrotherapy, heated stone therapy, aromatherapy, breathing techniques, acupressure, music, and specificity to physical problem areas. A deeper insight into caring for special populations is unlocked and nurtured.

Anatomy, Physiology,Kinesiology, Zoologik Clay Anatomy Lab, Pathology and Ethics

The feet contain a map of the body. There are numerous reflexes found in the feet, each relating to a specific organ or part of the body. History and theory are integrated with proper techniques for applying appropriate pressure to specific reflex points which are modeled to encourage students to create and display a complete foot reflexology treatment. 

Heated stone therapy involves the use of smooth basalt stones, heated to a therapeutic temperature in water, used in conjunction with a full body massage. The addition of heated stones adds greater benefits for healing and relaxation. 

Chair massages are timed and designed to be concise. They are taught using a sequenced routine derived from traditional massage techniques, customized for specific body regions, and conducted in specially designed massage chairs. Students gain hands-on experience, including practicing these timed techniques and demonstrating equipment assembly, sanitization, and disassembly during visits to neighboring local businesses. 

Students receive a brief introduction to sports massage techniques that are designed to enhance performance, prevent injury, and assist in recovery. This course includes stretching, range of motion and joint mobilization techniques that can be combined with therapeutic massage.

In this introductory course, bodywork is done as the student stretches the individual through yoga-like poses. Students hone their passive stretching skills while the recipient is positioned on a floor yoga mat wearing loose clothing. Deep static and rhythmic pressure application is considerably beneficial for spinal health, joint mobility, deep core muscle stretching and general relaxation of body and mind.

Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic use of water. The students will experience firsthand a variety of water treatments.  

Aromatherapy refers to the therapeutic use of essential oils to help ease or treat 

a wide range of physical and emotional conditions. Studies have shown that smell is one of the most powerful senses. Students discover how smell can trigger emotions and memory. Each student designs an essential oil blend in this course.

Interactive scenarios, peer-to-peer learning, role playing, and hands-on life-saving techniques are taught by experts in this elective class to prepare students for emergency situations. This training is conducted during normal class hours and will result in certification, when earned, that is valid for two years.

This course focuses on laying the foundation for a solid understanding of fundamental business skills, including effective communication. Students gain insights into various aspects of initiating and managing a massage therapy practice, encompassing legal requirements, business plan development, accounting practices, documentation procedures, historical context, and maintaining professional integrity. 

Our emotions affect our bodies and can store emotional “memories”. During massage sessions, emotions may surface. Understanding and utilizing guided breathwork to assist clients in the healing process of emotional release is a helpful tool. Each student participates in facilitating as well as receiving breathwork sessions.