Continuing Education Class Schedule for January 2012 through March 2012

These classes may be taken as continuing education or as part of our 250- and 500-hour programs.  

MASSAGE FOR SENIORS (12 hrs) Mondays, February 6 & 13 (9 am – 4pm). This class teaches massage techniques to help improve or maintain the state of health of older persons suffering from specific age related impairments which respond to soft tissue manipulation. These include poor blood circulation, arthritis, or joint and muscle stiffness due to Parkinson’s Disease, and paralysis due to stroke. Benefits and contraindications will be taught. This class may be taught in eight hour blocks. Teaching is by lecture, demonstration and supervised practice sessions. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training or with Instructor’s permission. Instructor: Emiily Bay Cost: $180 Prepay: 2-Wk $170, 4-Wk $160.

CHAIR MASSAGE (6 hrs) Tue, Feb 7 (9 am – 4:00 pm). Seated Massage is a wonderful addition to your massage expertise and resume!.Learn the bio-mechanics of working on a massage chair or any other seated instrument to maximize client relaxation and minimize the stress on your body. Instruction includes demonstration and practice of ten and fifteen minute sequences and how to market yourself as a chair massage professional. Enjoy the benefits of being able to give an effective and truly “portable” massage to your friends, family, clients and prospective employers. Prerequisite: None. Instructor: Lucy Rush Cost: $90 Prepay: 2-Wk $85, 4-Wk $80.

MASSAGE THERAPIST PROGRAM (MASSAGE FUNDAMENTALS) (100 hr) (Weekends) Fri (eve) (6:15 pm - 10 pm), Sat & Sun ((9 am – 6 pm) Feb 10 (eve) 11, 12, 17 (eve), 18, 19, 24 (eve), 25 & 26 Mar 2 (eve), 3, 4, 10 & 11. Instructors: Keesha Standley Tim Holt, Brad Wathen. Total Cost: $1,025.

PHARMACOLOGY FOR MASSAGE THERAPISTS (6 hrs) Fri, Feb 17 (9 am – 4 pm). The student will learn about most commonly prescribed and over-the-counter pharmacological medications. Each physiological system of the body will be discussed, along with the corresponding medication used to treat the dysfunction. Students will learn how to complete a pharmacological assessment to assure client safety, and use of appropriate massage techniques. The discussions will include: how to research medications, assess the medications, implications on massage, medication interaction, contraindications, side effects, and how the medication produces its effects on the body. Special attention will be focused on pain control, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications (as these are some of the most commonly prescribed) and their side effects can greatly alter your approach to massage. Prerequisite: None. Instructor: Emily Bay Cost: $110 Prepay: 2-Wk $104, 4-Wk $99.

CRANIAL SACRAL BALANCING – UNWINDING (24 hrs) Tue, Wed & Thu, Feb 21, 22 & 23 (9am – 6pm). This class takes the gentle hands-on skills you have learned in Cranial Sacral Balancing I and applies them to work with regions of the body that hold stress and injury. This is useful, for example, in working with the kinds of musculoskeletal injuries you will encounter frequently as a massage therapist. We work in a non-forcing way with the body’s natural intelligence and self-correcting mechanisms. Major topics of the workshop are: unwinding legs and feet, arms and hands, head and neck; releasing held energy from the body; understanding the potential for working with trauma. Prerequisite: Cranial Sacral Balancing 1. Instructor: Jim Gilkeson. Cost: $330 Prepay: 2-Wk: $320, 4-Wk: $310.

ADULT CPR (4 hrs) Wed, Feb 29 (6 pm- 10 pm). Participants learn to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Plus learn and practice Adult CPR, rescue breathing, and choking rescue. Students will receive an Adult CPR Card upon successful completion of the course. This class is required for students taking the 500-Hour certification program. You may take this class at MTI as part of the 500-Hour program or at an outside facility. Prerequisite: None. Guest Instructor: Anne Wilson Cost: $40 plus ($22 materials fee).

MEDICAL MASSAGE – LOW BACK PAIN (8 hrs) Mon, Mar 5 (9 am – 6 pm). Anatomy of the lower back will be reviewed and we will learn application of orthopedic medical evaluation tests for nerve involvement as well as technique. Be as effective as possible for clients with low back pain. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training. Instructor: Marty Morales Cost: $120 Prepay: 2-Wk $115, 4-Wk $110

MEDICAL MASSAGE – SPRAINED ANKLE & KNEE (8 hrs) Tue, Mar 6 (9 am – 6 pm). Anatomy of the knee/lower leg/ankle will be reviewed and we will learn application of orthopedic medical evaluation tests as well as technique. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training. Instructor: Marty Morales Cost: $120 Prepay: 2-Wk $115, 4-Wk $110

MEDICAL MASSAGE – THORACIC OUTLET (8 hrs) Wed, Mar 7 (9 am – 6 pm). Anatomy of the shoulder and neck will be reviewed. Learn application of orthopedic medical evaluation tests for Thoracic outlet as well as technique. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training Instructor: Marty Morales COST $120 Prepay: 2-Wk $115, 4-Wk $110

MEDICAL MASSAGE – WHIPLASH AND NECK WORK (8 hrs) Thu, Mar 8 (9 am – 6 pm). This class explores the mechanics of whiplash, the anatomy of the neck/upper back and how massage can effectively address the signs and symptoms of “whiplash.” You will learn orthopedic tests for nerve involvement, RPM testing for specific muscles, and application and integration of several modalities in the treatment of this condition. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training Instructor: Marty Morales Cost: $120 Prepay: 2-Wk $115, 4-Wk $110

BODY MECHANICS FOR OPTIMAL BODYWORK (8 hrs) Fri. Mar 9 (9 am – 6 pm). Know the smart way to use your body in order to produce safe, effective, and efficient bodywork. This workshop will: Cover the principles required for effective massage and bodywork; Demonstrate applications of the principles on all major body parts; Allow the student to practice in class under direct supervision; Include tips on self-care in and outside your massage practice. Prerequisite: None Instructor: Marty Morales Cost: $120 Prepay: 2-Wk $115, 4-Wk $110.

REIKI I (8 hrs) Mon, Mar 12 (9am – 6pm). This workshop will introduce students to Reiki (pronounced “Ray-Key”) and the human energy system. Reiki is a universal life energy that can be used to balance the chakras and smooth the aura. Learn about this unique energy, see how to channel and focus this energy for healing on many different levels for yourself and your clients. Receive the first level attunement allowing you to channel the Reiki energy. Explore the history and uses of Reiki in the East and West. Learn to balance the chakras using this energy. Explore the Mind-Body connections as they relate to Reiki. Prerequisite: None. Instructor: Ellen Asherah Cost: $120. Prepay: 2-Wk $115, 4-Wk $110.

MASSAGE THERAPIST PROGRAM (100 hr) Day Program. Tue, Wed & Thu (9 am - 6 pm), March 13 through April 5. Instructors: Keesha Standley Tim Holt, Brad Wathen, Emily Bay. Total Cost: $1,025.

ACUPRESSURE REFLEXOLOGY- Energies of the Feet, Hands, and Ears (24 hrs) Friday, Saturday & Sunday, March 16, 17 & 18 (9 am – 6 pm) Your entire body can be mapped in your ear, hand and foot. Working with these areas is a powerful way to assess energy flow and to stimulate the body’s ability to heal. The class explores a variety of techniques from traditional Chinese massage with an emphasis on keeping the practitioner’s hands healthy. The course includes meridian, reflex, and acu-point location and contributes to the student’s understanding of assessment. Prerequisite: None. Instructor: Kathleen Davis. Cost: $330 Prepay: 2-Wk: $320, 4-Wk: $310

ACUPRESSURE FOR THE CHAKRAS (8 hrs) Monday, March 19 (9 am – 6 pm) Energetic touch to bring balance to the Wheels of Life Force along centerline. Each chakra relates to a particular aspect of our development. Learn to recognize the feel of balanced mobility in the chakras and ways to work with them to increase overall vitality. $11 text required. Prerequisite: None. Instructor: Kathleen Davis. Cost: $120 Prepay: 2-Wk $115, 4-Wk $110

NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY-VISCERAL MASSAGE (16 hrs) Saturday & Sunday, March 24 & 25 (9 am – 6 pm) The internal organs or viscera have great impact on the function of the muscles. Trigger points can fire from muscle to muscle, muscle to organ, or organ to organ, organ to muscle. When we work on the muscles and the problems keep coming back, perhaps it is due to trigger points firing from organs to muscles. Learn how to recognize this phenomenon, and how to work the organs to relieve the spiral of dysfunction. Breaking the cycle of repeating symptoms will help them regain health and wellness. This is a Neuromuscular Therapy class. Prerequisite: Recommend 40 hrs of neuromuscular classes or with instructor’s permission. Instructor: Venice Sullivan Cost: $224 Prepay: 2-Wk $215, 4-Wk $205

ANATOMY & KINESIOLOGY (25 hrs) (21 in class + 4 lab/homework) Mon, Mar 26, Fri, March 30 & Mon, April 2 (9 am – 5 pm). This class will focus on muscle and bone anatomy as it relates to movement of the human body.  Freedom of musculoskeletal movement is essential for optimal health.  Injury, chronic movement patterns and inactivity are just a few causes of musculoskeletal dysfunction.  We will examine the primary/secondary movers of the body in activities of daily living, work and sports related movement patterns.  Knowledge of insertion/origins and primary/secondary actions of muscles will aid us in the assessment of restrictions within the musculoskeletal system.  Not knowing what muscles cause what movements OR where these muscles are located within the body, puts us at a disadvantage when working with clients to gain optimal movement patterns. Prerequisite: None. Instructor: Steve DeHart Cost: $340 Prepay: 2-Wk $330, 4-Wk $320.

LYMPHATIC MASSAGE (20 hrs) Fri (eve), March 30 (6 pm – 10 pm) Sat & Sun, Mar 31 & April 1 (9 am – 6 pm) In this class you will learn how to palpate and effectively stimulate the lymphatic system with a light touch. The techniques shown will help you to individualize your clients‟ sessions to address areas of edema and scar tissue as well as give support to detoxification and decongestion goals. Lymphatic massage is especially useful when applied to general respiratory conditions, abdominal discomforts, sprains and post-operative recovery. This class includes foundation al theory, hands-on practice of lymphatic techniques, the opportunity to integrate the techniques into your signature massage and a discussion of how to apply your new skills in specific postoperative situations, including cosmetic surgery. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage. Instructor: Lucy Rush Cost: $280 Prepay: 2-Wk $270, 4-Wk $260

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR BODYWORKERS (50 hrs) (32 in class hrs – 18 lab hrs). Mon, Tues, Wed & Thu, Apr 9, 10, 11 & 12 (9 am – 6 pm). This class is an in depth study of the organ systems of the body and their specific functions. The class will help you learn to “see” into the body and be more effective as a therapeutic practitioner. This class is taught system by system and covers the chemical and structural process of the body and the physiological effects of your massage strokes. Your understanding of the functioning of the human body will be enhanced and it is an important class for message therapists looking to take the National Certification Exam. This is a lecture class. Prerequisite: None. Instructor: Angel Stork Cost: $475 Prepay: 2-Wk $450, 4-Wk $425.

NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY -CRANIAL DECOMPRESSION (16 hrs) Saturday & Sunday, April 14 & 15 (9 am – 6 pm). Learn effective techniques to normalize the soft-tissue components of structural imbalances in the cranium. Analyze cranial distortions that cause structural changes down the entire body. Look at scoliosis as an adaptation process designed by the body to maintain structural balance. This class examines soft-tissue causes of scoliotic patterns, how torsion and structural imbalances in the cranium, jaw, shoulders, pelvis and feet contribute to these patterns. This is a Neuromuscular Therapy class. Prerequisite: recommended 40 hrs of neuromuscular classes or with instructor’s permission. Instructor: Venice Sullivan Cost: $224 Prepay: 2-Wk $215, 4-Wk $205.

REIKI 2 (8 hrs) Mon, Apr 16 (9 am – 6 pm). This workshop will continue the learning from the Reiki 1 class and will include distance healing, mental and emotional healing. We’ll have a deeper discussion of the human energy field and how it relates to disease. We’ll take a closer look at judgments and limiting beliefs and learn how to reframe them for ourselves and our clients. We will continue our exploration of sound, vibration, intent and entrainment with an expanded Reiki toning circle. Students will be attuned to two additional symbols and mantras. Please bring set of sheets and some crayons or colored markers. Prerequisite: Reiki I. Instructor: Ellen Aherah Cost: $120. Prepay: 2-Wk $115, 4-Wk $110.

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE – Advanced Access (12 hrs) Wed & Thurs, April 18 & 19 (9 am – 4 pm). This workshop will focus on deep tissue massage methods in the side lying position. There are many clients who are unable to lie in the prone or supine position due to chronic lumbar pain, pregnancy, respiratory problems, or chronic sinus congestion. The easy access to deeper musculature which the side lying position affords also makes this position a first choice for orthopedic massage and sports massage. Having confidence working with this position is essential for more therapeutic bodywork. We will teach proper bolstering and draping. We will teach massage techniques for the neck, shoulder, lumbar region, and the extremities. Some of these will be with oil/lotion and some will be dry techniques. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training. Instructor: Tim Holt Cost: $180 Prepay: 2-Wk $170, 4-Wk $160.

ACUPRESSURE-TUI NA (30 hrs) Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday, April 20, 21, 22, & 23 (9 am – 5:30 pm). Learn the ancient art of Chinese meridian massage. This is an active style that includes moving muscles, joints, and bones. Excellent for adding to your sports massage and increasingly popular in spas. Tui Na is an adaptable style, appropriate for a full range of clients. You will learn the pathways of Chi and a variety of hand movements (sho fa) with which to work the meridians. Additionally, we will work through a full session pattern allowing ample time to get comfortable with the techniques. Prerequisite: None. Instructor: Kathleen Davis. Cost: $430 Prepay: 2-Wk $420, 4-Wk $410.

HOT STONE MASSAGE (20 hrs) Tues & Wed April 24, 25 (10 am – 6 pm) & Thu 26 (10 am – 5 pm). Stone Massage is becoming increasingly popular in spas and resorts, as well as in private practice. It provides the deep therapeutic benefits of heat therapy. It is an excellent modality for work with injury recovery as well as offering deeper stress-relieving benefits. Stone Massage provides a rest for the therapist’s hands while delivering the full benefits of deeper massage to the client with minimal discomfort. This class will cover methods of heating, using and caring for your stones. Contraindications, benefits will be taught. Take your relaxation massage to a new level; utilize the therapeutic benefits of heat and save your hands. Please bring a large bath towel, 2 handtowels & a set of twin size sheets. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training. Instructor: Lea Wildflower Cost: $280 Prepay: 2-Wk $270, 4-Wk $260.

NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY – TMJ (16 hrs) Sat & Sun April 28, 29 (9 am – 6 pm). Location to be announced. Learn to unravel TMJ problems. Understand the correlation between TMJ and the pelvis. Learn to identify and to palpate all muscles affecting TMJ, and how to address TMJ pain. Prerequisite: 40 hrs Neuromuscular Therapy and with instructor’s permission. Instructor: Venice Sullivan Cost: $224 Prepay: 2-Wk $215, 4-Wk $205.

BOWEN THERAPY (22 hrs) Fri, April 27 (9 am – 6 pm), Sat, April 28 (9 am – 6 pm), and Sun, April 29 (9 am – 3 pm). The beginning seminar in Bowen Therapy teaches the widely popular Australian Techniques. Over the Three-Day period, the Basic Bowen moves are presented in a hands-on atmosphere where students participation is encouraged. Emphasis is placed on reading the body, and learning how Bowen's philosophy is individualized to each client. Students receive a manual written by Bowen Therapy Training, Inc., and a 22 - hour merit diploma is awarded at the end of the class. This is a prerequisite for certification and Advanced Bowen Therapy Training Seminars. Instructor: Peter Fuller Cost: $750.

For classes scheduled beyond these classes please click here or see current class schedule link on home page.