There are numerous modalities that a massage therapist can learn to enhance their skill set and massage practice. By offering a choice of electives, we ensure that students can pursue a variety of coursework and hands-on techniques that truly interest them. In addition to the mandatory weekends (Swedish Massage, Foundations of Medical Massage, Myofascial Release, and Business, Ethics & Practice Management), students choose four additional weekend based electives.
These workshops are open to students, graduates, practicing massage therapists, and the general public (for those sections that don’t require any kind of certification or licensure). Most of the instructors for these sessions teach in our certification programs, with all having extensive training and experience their subject area.
Chair Massage
A massage that can be done anywhere, students will learn to give clients a relaxing yet invigorating pick-me-up while they remain fully clothed. Learn the many ways it can increase your massage practice, either as an introduction to massage or as a portable marketing tool. Chair Massage is typically accupressure-based, utilizing a special chair in which the client sits facing toward the cushions, exposing the head, shoulders, neck, arms, back, and hips. ITM has brand new massage chairs shipped in specifically for this weekend, and students may purchase them at the end of the weekend at a discount.
Event Sports Massage
Learn specific event-related massage to work on athletes and non-athletes at sporting events. By using these specific massage techniques along with stretching, students will help athletes, and aspiring athletes, achieve their maximum performance, recover more quickly from an event, and reduce potential injury. Students will also learn to market these techniques to athletes, thereby increasing their client base.
Foot Reflexology
Foot Reflexology is a system of applying non-invasive pressure to certain points on the feet. It is based on the same theories that stem from traditional Chinese medicine, such as acupressure, and has been used for over 5,000 years to activate healing and stress reduction within the body. Reflexology is considered to be a gentle and holistic healing technique that aims to treat the individual as a whole, in order to induce a state of balance and harmony in body, mind and spirit.
It is widely believed that there are reflex areas on the feet corresponding to all the parts of the body including major organs. Students will learn a brief history of reflexology, as well as procedural guidelines and appropriate warm-up techniques. They will also learn how to work 9 different body systems as they relate to the reflex points on the feet (to achieve a therapeutic response), and a reflexology routine to work the feet both efficiently and effectively.
Introduction to Oriental Bodywork
This course will explain the basic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which form the basis for most Eastern modalities of bodywork. Concepts such as Yin/Yang, Five Element Theory, and the meridian system will be explained. The student will also be taught some basic acupressure techniques. This class is comprised of equal parts lecture and practical hands-on experience.
Reiki I
Reiki is a Japanese word meaning "universal life energy". It is a form of massage therapy that originated in Tibet and has been practiced for over 2,500 years. A non-invasive and non-manipulative hands-on energy treatment, its aim is to help the healing process by relieving blockages in the physical, mental and emotional states. It is believed that Reiki can relieve pain, boost the immune system and relieve acute problems. Students learning this energy form will be attuned to the universal life force and learn the hand positions needed to work on themselves and others.
Applied Energetic Techniques
Learn how to incorporate working with the human energy field during massage to reduce pain and enhance health. This will be a hands-on class where energetic techniques such as pain drain, chakra balancing and dispersal and tonifying methods will be taught.
Introduction to Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the inhalation and/or bodily application of essential oils from aromatic plants. Its application is designed to relax, balance, rejuvenate, restore or enhance the mind, body, and spirit. These essential oils are extracted from many parts of the plant such as the flower, leaf, bark, root, etc. and is believed to strengthen the self-healing processes by indirect stimulation of the immune system. Aromatherapy is a non-invasive, non-toxic, and pleasurable way to enhance lives. Students will learn the practical applications of different aromatherapy blends and their uses in massage therapy along with learning how to physically blend the oils themselves.
Pregnancy Massage
Along with the many joys that come with expecting a child, a mother-to-be may be coping with fatigue, other normal physical discomforts, and hormonal changes. On an emotional level, they may also feel worried, anxious, and/or stressed about pregnancy, childbirth, and the many demands of motherhood itself. These are all normal concerns, joys and transitions, and luckily, massage therapy can be an incredible help in this circumstance. There are both mental and physical benefits for the pregnant mother to receive this hands-on treatment, as massage not only provides the physical relief needed to reduce stress, but also helps establish a mental and emotional sense of well being.
In this class, students will learn the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy throughout each trimester, safety issues and contraindications to massage, how to position your client for comfort and safety, develop a one hour side-lying routine with emphasis on proper draping techniques, positional release techniques that alleviate some minor discomforts of pregnancy, and marketing techniques to attract clientele.
Continue To Admissions