Continuing Education and Community Workshops
Total Hours: 0.00
Kinesiology: 16.00 hrs
Tuition: $210.00 • Deposit: $50.00Study the form and function of the musculoskeletal system. Learn how understanding the anatomy of movement can enhance your assessment skills and bodywork practice.
Required Book: Anatomy of Movement
Trigger Point: 16.00 hrs
Tuition: $210.00 • Deposit: $50.00Trigger Points are defined by Dr. Janet Travell as "highly irritable localized spots of exquisite tenderness in a nodule in a palpable taut band of muscle tissue." Trigger Points can cause referred pain, burning, tingling or numbness throughout the body. In this class, students will learn the techniques for locating and treating these tender spots in order to give their clients relief from pain, better circulation to affected areas and better muscle performance and range. Prerequisite for this course : Deep Tissue I
Required Book: Trigger Point Therapy Workbook
Back Neck and Shoulders: 5.00 hrs
Tuition: $85.00 • Deposit: $50.00This popular and specialized class is designed to teach students basic oil massage strokes and techniques for encouraging relaxation in the tension-prone areas of the back, neck, and shoulders. This is a perfect class for beginners or those just wanting to have fun giving mini-massages to their friends.
Required Book: None
SciatiCare: 40.00 hrs
Tuition: $660.00 • Deposit: $50.00This course provides extraordinary insight, assessment tools and hands-on techniques that increase safety and therapeutic effectiveness for every bodywork practitioner. Invaluable to working with all clientele, these teachings are of critical importance when working with clients who are injured, delicate, and in pain. Much of the adult population is affected by nerve pain or numbness symptoms in the legs, arms or elsewhere. The body is not well equipped to give adequate sensory information to prevent cumulative injury over years that causes these conditions. Once developed, ongoing aggravation tends to impede healing. People can’t feel pain signals at the time of activities that injure and aggravate, but later-after a lag-time, referred nerve symptoms escalate. Well meaning healthcare providers can unknowingly aggravate these conditions by touch pressure, moving the person, or simply by the client’s position on a table. Nerve and disc conditions are very prevalent; and professionals need to be able to recognize the symptoms, know of the hidden aggravation vulnerabilities involved, and have the basics for safe navigation in working with these clients. SciatiCare® is a unique holistic therapy that enables healing of nerve impingement conditions and spinal disc problems. SciatiCare is personalized to the specific needs for healing of each client through communicating with their body intelligence. By “reading” what the body telegraphs and “responding meaningfully”, the practitioner recruits greater communication and is guided to avoid aggravation and “dial-in” and refine the manual therapy the body needs for healing. Clients learn SciatiCare Recovery Management skills to prevent the inadvertent aggravation in daily activities that is characteristic of these conditions. This combination of customized manual therapy and client training in recovery management work together to create and maintain the conditions necessary for healing. This client-partnered approach is why SciatiCare is so effective in providing pain relief and therapeutic results. *Assess the client’s symptoms, underlying causes of injury, and vulnerability to aggravation. *Differentiate between the 3 back-strain archetypes and choose appropriate ‘counter-strain positions’ for working with the client. *Recruit the client’s body intelligence to show “where danger of aggravation is and where safety and therapeutic effectiveness is” in hands-on work. *Use unique, sophisticated manual techniques to: (1) relieve nerve pain or numbness by “milking” the nerve sheaths, (2) alleviate the muscle contraction characteristic of nerve conditions, and (3) enable healing of spinal discs. *Desensitize pressure-sensitive tissues to make them approachable to touch, resolve nerve inflammation syndromes, and restore normal neurological function. *Teach clients SciatiCare Recovery Management so they can prevent aggravation in their daily activities and maintain the conditions for healing.
Required Book: None
Taxes for Bodyworkers: 4.00 hrs
Tuition: $75.00 • Deposit: $50.00Are you considering -- or have you begun -- earning some or all of your living as a massage therapist or bodyworker? Will you be or are you self-employed? Do you work as an independent contractor? If so, even if you don't do your own taxes, you may find "Taxes 4 Bodyworkers" useful and informative. Through lecture, discussion, and group exercises, we'll explore fundamentals of tax planning and tax preparation -- and learn about allowable business expenses relevant to those of us in the bodywork professions. Come learn the difference between an expense and a deduction; the importance of separating personal and business finances; how to read and fill out relevant IRS Forms; tips for minimizing your tax liability, and more. Please note that this workshop provides information and resources only and does not convey legal advice. The instructor is an experienced massage therapist interested in helping to demystify tax preparation so that bodywork professionals can confidently manage financial aspects of being in business -- and keep as much of their gross income as possible! And yes, the course fee ($75) can be taken as an allowable business expense. To register, please call McKinnon at 510.465.3488. If you'd like more information about the workshop, call Linda Aldridge at 510.540.6897. There is a $10 materials fee due in class - payable to the instructor.
Required Book: none
Body Mechanics for Bodyworkers: 6.00 hrs
Tuition: $100.00 • Deposit: $50.00This class is designed for practitioners who find themselves in pain during or after giving a session, feel tired after giving a session, or simply want to improve the way they work. Better body mechanics can also help practitioners apply greater pressure for 'deeper work' and can increase their work efficiency and vitality, enabling them to see more clients.
Required Book: None
Facilitated Stretching: 7.00 hrs
Tuition: $115.00 • Deposit: $50.00Learn and practice three different methods of stretching to use with your clients: passive, resistive, and active isolated stretching. We will review the physiological principles behind stretching, stretching benefits, and strategies for helping clients adopt stretching as part of their lifestyle. You'll have lots of hands-on practice. Wear loose comfortable clothing.
Required Book: None
Couples Massage: 6.00 hrs
Tuition: $100.00 • Deposit: $50.00In this class, you and your partner will learn how to effectively and caringly massage each other. Different strokes will be taught and attention will be given to stance, presence, and listening to your partner. This is a wonderful class for couples to learn to skillfully touch and share with their companion. $100.00 per person. No Prior Experience Needed.
Required Book: None
Thai II: 24.00 hrs
Tuition: $395.00 • Deposit: $50.00Thai massage or Nuad Bo Rarn, is a 3,500 year old bodywork form. It combines aspects of yoga, deep stretching, reflexology, energy work, and Acupressure in a uniquely Thai blend of flowing, rhythmic movement. It is done on a floor mat which allows for the most effective use of the therapist's body weight in transmission of energy for a highly therapeutic effect. Pressure is given to energy lines and points and a great variety of stretching movements are performed.
Thai massage typically begins in supine position, beginning at the feet and working upwards. Therapeutically, this balances energy from upper body and head and induces a state of deep relaxation. Work on the legs is beneficial for low-back tension as the supine position supports the back during the massage.
Each class begins with gentle yoga practice to warm up and ground the practitioner emotionally and physically. Students will also participate in Wai Khru, a tradtional chant to the founder of Thai Massage which evokes the spiritual connection between giver and receiver.
Expanding on skills established in the Thai I section of the class, the Thai II section will explore three body positions: seated, side-lying, and prone to allow the practitioner to choose the most effective and comfortable positions. As advanced stretching positions are introduced, emphasis will be placed on proper body mechanics, moving from the center, and coordination of movement with breath.
Required Book: Thai Massage by Richard Gold
Reiki I: 12.00 hrs
Tuition: $200.00 • Deposit: $50.00You will receive instruction in the energy technique of Reiki, First Degree; how to treat imbalances in self and others as well as how to use it as a preventative method and transformational practice. Reiki is easy to learn and is received through clothing. Students will exchange treatments. No previous experience necessary. $8 Reiki Manual fee due first day - payable to teacher.
Required Book: Reiki Manual
Abdominal Massage : 10.00 hrs
Tuition: $165.00 • Deposit: $50.00Abdominal Massage or CNT is a holistic approach to massage, developed long ago in China. It was originally used by Taoist monks to help detoxify, strengthen, and refine their bodies. CNT practitioners work mainly on the abdomen with deep, soft and gentle touch, to train the internal organs to work more efficiently. All of the bodies systems are addressed: digestion, respiration, lymph, nervous, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, skeletomuscular, and the acupunction meridian system (Chi). CNT can restructure and strengthen the body by working on the visceral structures, helping the organs to work better, and correcting postural problems. Non-processed emotional charges are stored partly in our digestive system and CNT can assist the emotional life to unfold and clarify.
Required Book: None
Hospice: 14.00 hrs
Tuition: $230.00 • Deposit: $50.00The intention of this course is to is to give an introduction on integrating massage into hospice care. Students will learn: the principals of hospice care, the role of massage in providing comfort, how to function as a member of a health care team, standard precautions for hands-on care, how to adapt massage modalities for physically and emotionally fragile clients, comfort strategies for working with clients in beds, pillow positions for client comfort, everflowing stroking technique and more insight into personal feelings about death and dying.
Required Book: None
Myofascial Release: 14.00 hrs
Tuition: $230.00 • Deposit: $50.00Myofascial Release and Muscle Energy Techniques was developed by osteopaths and East European physical therapists. This course embodies many of the major developments in cutting edge bodywork techniques. The class allows you to move away from confrontational pain management techniques and enhances the effects of neuromuscular trigger point techniques as well as by addressing the whole body. This modality can achieve breakthroughs in chronic myofascial pain cases. In addition, you will understand how M.E.T. (Muscle Energy Techniques) interrelate in reinforcing ease of movement and pain free mobilization permanently.
Required Book: None
Reiki II: 12.00 hrs
Tuition: $200.00 • Deposit: $50.00Second Degree Reiki is available to anyone who has completed the First Degree. Second Degree is comprised of techniques to intensify the effect of Reiki sessions - a highly effective absentee healing technique as well as a technique for dealing with emotional and mental problems. Handbook is additional fee payable to teacher on first day of class
Required Book: None
Carpal Tunnel: 6.00 hrs
Tuition: $100.00 • Deposit: $50.00Learn to work effectively with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, one of the most common repetitive stress workplace injuries. Anatomy of the carpal tunnel and related structures will be covered. Strategies for working with this injury will include techniques for working with the arm, hand, shoulder, neck, and upper back. Ergonomics and proper body mechanics will also be discussed.
Required Book: None
Hot Stone II: 14.00 hrs
Tuition: $230.00 • Deposit: $50.00Combine relaxation with therapeutic work in relationship to the use of hot stones. Explore the use of both hot and cold stones in full body sessions, enhance deep tissue work, work with meridians, integrate the use of stones into other modalities. This class is intended to open creative pathways into the use of stones in many areas of your bodywork practice.
Required Book: None
Intro to Esalen: 7.00 hrs
Tuition: $115.00 • Deposit: $50.00Esalen Massage is presented as a form of somatic learning and a meditation for both giver and receiver. Supervised hands-on practice sessions are balanced with lectures and demonstrations, movement classes, and experiential exercises in anatomy, grounding, centering, breath awareness, body process, self-care, ethics, and business practices. Special attention will be given to fostering a supportive environment so that learning can easily occur and a blend between technique, intuition, and creativity can be achieved. This training is for students new to bodywork as well as for practitioners seeking to add the Esalen approach to their work.
Required Book: None
Lymph Drainage: 16.00 hrs
Tuition: $250.00 • Deposit: $50.00Lymph Drainage is an extraordinary body movement technique that focuses on the congestion and restricted areas of the Lymphatic System. Congestion of the lymph nodes, Lymphoid tissue, and the lymph glands is the cause of many of our illnesses. This class teaches how to help clients release stored up toxins using hands-on techniques that give amazing results. You'll also learn other strategies for cleansing and strengthening this system.
Required Book: Milady's Guide to Lymph Drainage Massage
Going Deeper: 32.00 hrs
Tuition: $495.00 • Deposit: $50.00This four day course will provide you with the skills to smoothly integrate your specific deep tissue and myofascial release skills into a fluid full body massage. This course is designed for experienced deep tissue therapists who are comfortable working with the layers of the body, with good body mechanics, and the use of all the different tools. You will learn: Communication skills to educate your clients on the advantages of deep tissue massage and myofascial release to deal in detail with specific areas of their bodies; evaluation techniques and session planning for a smooth and integrated massage to leave your clients feeling the benefits of deep work; clear anatomical and physiological protocols to connect all parts of the body into a fluid massage style; draping suggestions to utilize different body positioning;and options for tying together the massage to leave your clients feeling relaxed and energized.
Required Book: None
Advanced Esalen: 32.00 hrs
Tuition: $550.00 • Deposit: $50.00Advanced Esalen with Char Pias and Oliver Bailey.
Required Book: course reader
Lymph Drainage II: 16.00 hrs
Tuition: $250.00 • Deposit: $50.00This course will review contraindications and basic principles of LDM, then expand into detailed patterns of lymph drainage on head, face and neck. Location of lymph nodes on head, face and neck Indications: Wellness massage and medical massage Demonstration and practice of LDM massage to head, face and neck
Required Book: Milady's Guide to Lymph Drainage Massage
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