| Schedule | Program | Materials | Attendance | Expectations | Course Outline | Application |
Put Your Hands in Our Hands Dear Prospective Student, Thank you for your interest in learning massage at Wellness Massage Institute. Ours is the most established and comprehensive program in the area with 17 years of students graduated and working in spas, chiropractic offices, physical therapy businesses, and private practice. The school’s dynamic 500-hour curriculum includes training in anatomy and physiology as well as effective manual techniques that build solid, comprehensive skills. Our focus is on therapeutic massage, so our training includes two forms of Deep Tissue Therapy as well as Swedish, Shiatsu, Reflexology and some pregnancy techniques. Massage benefits the structure and physiology of the whole body, not just the muscles. As clients become more aware of how stress shows up in their physical body, massage therapists become catalysts for holistic improvements in their lives. It is incredibly rewarding work. We look forward to providing you with a tour of our building on Main Street and answering any questions as you decide if massage training is in your future. We understand that you have a choice of schools and are confident that our professional and compassionate approach will make our 10-month course your gateway to a rewarding new career. (802) 527-1601 Our faculty is comprised of nationally licensed instructors with 28 years of combined bodywork experience. Our teachers have maintained thriving practices while regularly honing their own skills through continuing education. This experience and education translates to better training and more efficient learning for students new to the art and science of bodywork. SCHEDULE DATES: January 7, 2009 to October 28, 2009 TIMES: Mondays 3:00 - 7:30 pm (every other starting Jan. 5) Wednesdays 3:00 - 7:30 pm Saturdays 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (every other starting Jan. 17) OR DATES: January 8, 2009 to December 17, 2009 TIMES: Thursdays 8:30 am - 3:00 pm COST - $5000 Tuition is paid monthly. VSAC will offer grant assistance for those who qualify. Call for an application: 1–800–642–3177. Don’t be fooled by our cost of tuition. We are cheaper than any other school but not because our program is less. We provide students with a solid education but believe that it should be affordable by everyone. Students are also given a discount for any continuing education course that we offer. Students are also welcome to come back and review their skills in any other class and continuing education course for free. Our goal is to help therapists grow as they build their practices. PROGRAM We have three programs available. Our September program is a 10-month program that meets Wednesdays and every other Saturday. This program is taught by three different instructors who provide a variety of theories on how to treat the body. You will also need to complete 30 internship hours by the end of the class. Those internship hours will consist of onsite massage for other businesses, at athletic events or at fund raising activities. The remainder of the hours will be internship hours done in our office working on our clients. We will set all of those up for you and each has its teaching benefits. When we go onsite we will teach you different types of massage to treat people, fully clothed, on a table or in a chair. In our office you will work on clients who are very experienced with body work. These clients are able to give constructive feedback and we are able to discuss treatment plans with you before you begin. Our student clinic isn’t a way to make money for our school it is to provide another learning tool for students. Our January program is a 12-month program that meets on Thursdays. This program is primarily taught by one instructor. Having the class once a week allows some students more time to practice and study without compromising other obligations. In this program students will need to complete 50 hours of internship, as well as meet on three weekends throughout the year. The internship hours will be the same as described above. We are also offering a 10-month evening class starting in January, which runs like our September class. See schedule information above. MATERIALS Students will need to purchase a three-ring binder, writing utensils, small tip markers, three sets of twin size sheets, two hand towels and a massage table. Markers – we use the Anatomy Coloring Book as a resource for learning about the body. You will need markers for coloring this book. Fine tip sharpies are best and the more you can get the better. Sheets – we suggest flannel that you can buy anywhere. Massage warehouse does have some but you might find them on sale at any department store. If you find them for fifteen dollars or less then stock up. Massage Tables – the tables must be purchased by our school. We buy our tables from Custom Craftworks and have been for ten years. They build beautiful, quality tables and give us a discount that we extend to you. The tables range in price from $400 up. There are competitors who make cheaper tables but the quality of those tables is compromised. We will contact you two weeks before class to place the orders. Books – all of the books required for class are included in the price of tuition. They will be distributed on the first day of class. Oils – you will be given your first bottle of oil and face lotion. You may purchase any oils/creams/lotions on your own. ATTENDANCE Students are allowed 4 absences throughout the program. If absences are a problem then students will be expected to make up the class time in scheduled review sessions. The cost of those sessions is $50/session. Attendance is vital for success therefore we take absences very seriously. If a student is chronically absent or late then a meeting will be held with the instructors and the student. We will evaluate the situation and status in class. We reserve the right to withdraw a student from the class in such cases. EXPECTATIONS & EVALUATIONS Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the information in Anatomy & Physiology I and II by written examination. Students will also be tested on Oriental medicine, pathologies, business practices, ethics and professionalism. These tests are not designed to trick students; they are designed to help students retain the most important topics being discussed. With licensed instructors we are able to teach to any learning style. We will help you succeed if the will is there. Students are also evaluated at least four times throughout their program. These evaluations are done by the instructors. Students perform a massage treatment on the instructor and are then evaluated on the effectiveness of the treatment. Students will need to schedule at least five hours a week on practicing massage outside of class. This practice is very important in learning the sequences that are taught, in learning how to work using proper body mechanics, and how to really feel the body. Practice does make perfect. Students will also need time to color and study for the anatomy portion of the class. This time can be a few hours for some and many hours for others. Your commitment for success will pay off in the end. We will try to help you learn study techniques so that this portion doesn’t take over your life. Students are expected to receive two professional massage treatments before class begins. In fact, this is a perfect way to evaluate whichschool is a good fit for you. Go to each school to see their facility, talk to other therapists, feel what you will learn. COURSE OUTLINE A. Swedish Massage Techniques – 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. B. Anatomy & Physiology I – Knowing the skeletal system as well as the muscular system is very important in treating clients. This class will provide you with the knowledge of the skeletal system, over 100 muscles and the joints that are formed by the two systems. C. Anatomy & Physiology II – 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. D. Deep Tissue Myofascial Therapy – 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. This work is the most dramatic work you’ll do. Our practice has eight massage therapists who specialize in this form of massage and we are all very busy because of its effectiveness. E. Shiatsu – 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. F. Introduction to Reflexology – Students are given a brief instruction of reflexology techniques and a treatment plan. G. Introduction to 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. H. Pathology – 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. I. 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. J. Clinical – 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. K. Business Practices/ Ethics/ Marketing – 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. L. National Examination – Some time is spent on learning about the National exam. Each student is given an examination booklet with sample questions to show students what to expect. STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE FOR 500 HOURS OF MASSAGE AND WILL QUALIFY FOR THE NCBTMB EXAMINATION. Our program is a 500-hour intensive program in therapeutic massage. Many schools teach a longer program but we feel, like the National Board does, that a 500 hour program gives you a strong base to succeed anywhere. Once in practice you will grow as a therapist and then you can choose what new modalities will help you in building your practice. We look forward to sharing our knowledge and love of body work with you. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Name: Date: Address: (H) Phone: Cell Phone: (W) Phone: Email address: Date of Birth: Gender: Male Female Class preferred: Please answer the following questions as completely as possible on a separate sheet of paper if needed. Return this application with a $200 nonrefundable deposit to hold a spot in the class. 1. What is your reason for choosing to become a massage therapist? 2. Other than high school, explain any other education/training that you have received. 3. Have you ever received a professional massage treatment? 4. What do you currently do for work? Do you see any difficulties in completing the class expectations as well as your employment expectations? 5. Do you have any physical problems that may prevent you from doing this kind of work. |