The 200-hour Massage Technician course is the foundation course that gives the student basic massage skills to become a successful massage therapist. Our Level I Massage Technician Program combines classroom hours and an Internship in our Student clinic to provide a comprehensive, 100% supervised program.

Our training prepares students with the essential skills of holistic massage by emphasizing principals, skills, and direct experience. A core instructor, supporting instructors, and graduate student assistants present our three-month curriculum as an integral whole. Students are guided into the experience and understanding of energy movement, anatomy, physiology, process skills, bodywork techniques and professional standards. With each class, the student's capacity to effect a healing response grows as they develop essential skills of grounding, centering, compassion and presence.

These qualities of being have the capacity to bring awareness to the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels of being. In the context of massage, the recipient may experience deep emotional or energetic release and reconnect with their innate vitality, peace and wholeness. Our program includes a retreat, allowing nature to become a teacher in intuitive sensory perception. Students deepen their sensing skills through trust walks, blindfolded massage, and shared bodywork. Each of our class groups has formed genuine friendships and bonds in an authentic and caring community.

Instructional Goals:

To empower students to take charge of their personal wellness and to facilitate relaxation and vitality in others through the regular practice of The Four Essential Methods: gentle movement, massage, deep breathing and deep relaxation.

Learning Outcomes:

For each of sections below, students will be able to:

Body Systems, Vital Organs

1. Name, locate and explain the major functions of:
   
   • the respiratory, integumentary, nervous, circulatory, lymphatic, digestive, urinary, skeletal and muscular systems
     
2. Explain the therapeutic benefits of massage, specific to the body systems.

Holistic Massage

1. Give a one-hour holistic massage with oil that blends:
   
   1. Five basic strokes of Swedish massage: effleurage, petrissage, vibration, friction and percussion
   2. Compression
   3. Subtle Energy Balance
      
2. Communicate and clarify with the client.
   
   1. Client/therapist exchange
   2. Professional boundaries and draping
   3. Client expectations
   4. Contraindications
   5. Session intent
   6. Self care suggestions
   7. Closure

Self-Care

1. Practice Energy Exercises that develop:
   
   1. Effective body mechanics and center line movement in the context of massage
   2. The capacity to center themselves prior to, during and following a massage
      
2. Understand principles of health and healing:
   
   1. To view disease or trauma as an opportunity for growth and healing
   2. To view health building as a personal responsibility that can be supported through choices in diet, exercise, bodywork, meditation, fresh air, rest and positive attitude as a process of listening and opening to the deeper messages of the soul or non-conscious mind

MASSAGE TECHNICIAN CLOCK HOURS

Level I Core Course - The completion of Level I and practicum is required for this course. Our core course covers the fundamentals of Holistic Massage. Our emphasis is hands on experience grounded in movement skills, basic anatomy and personal process.

Successful graduates will receive a 200-hour certificate of completion, which complies with the minimum local business license requirements. Graduates are prepared for private practice as a massage technician.

LEVEL I BREAKDOWN

*Level I clinics must be received BEFORE your class begins giving in clinics – no charge – as available, on a limited basis, no more than one per student.   We encourage you to schedule early.  Level II clinics are on a first come, first served, as available basis – no charge. Private sessions may be with current SBBTI Instructor OR with any professional LMT that you know and wish to receive from – cost will vary.

Students may begin their clinical internship in the clinics upon approval of their instructor. Students are welcome to attend as many clinics per week as are offered. Students are welcome to postpone starting their internship until after the completion of their classes if their schedule requires them to do so, providing they inform the office in advance and complete all course requirements within six months of start of class.