Hands-on Massage Class

On every second and third Wednesday of the month Jennifer Brand Spa hosts a free hands-on massage class to help massage students, and LMTs discover new techniques, improve their body mechanics, and explore the theories and philosophies of massage.

Have you ever wanted to learn new techniques without having to push through pricey pay walls? Do you feel like you have skills that could enrich the massage community? If so, this free class is for you! Join us to share, listen, and participate in this learning opportunity. This class is one of the many facets of the Discovering Hope Initiative, a support group for massage therapists. It is our goal to uplift massage therapists throughout our community so they may have a long, healthy, and prosperous career.

Hands-on Massage Class Materials

Seated Massage Therapy: What is Seated Massage? It is the process of performing a massage while seated. Simple right? Unfortunately, our industry looks down on those who sit throughout their sessions. Many see this method as lazy and disrespectful to the art. The reality is we need to use what works.  In an era when massage therapists are washing out of the industry in a rapid rate, we need to discover ways to save as many careers as we can.

The Virtues of Massage: Creative expression requires the spark of imagination.  It is an energy that pushes your pen against the paper to manifest the images of your mind’s eye.  Art may be created without instruction, education, or guidance, but some require training, practice, and support.  Massage is similar.  Some may possess the natural aptitude to provide an amazing massage experience, but most need guidance. Developing great massage skills requires a solid foundation.  This foundation is built from the cornerstones of Creativity, Empathy, and Humility.

Technique Excellence: There are many instances when an amazing massage therapist is great on the inside but has yet to discover their beautiful talents and skills. These spectacular souls need someone to guide, cultivate, and inspire them to overcome their perceived limitations, and illusory inabilities. This article explores these factors and will help you overcome them.

Ambient Awareness: Ambient Awareness is a massage modality, philosophy, and guide to create, enforce, and maintain effective personal boundaries.  The terms used are symbolic gestures to encourage the practitioner to explore how they interpret reality, to achieve harmony, and live a rewarding life.  In massage we can only give what we have.  If all we possess is bitterness it is all we can offer.  We must invest in hope, happiness, and peace if we seek to instill the same in others.

Deep Tissue Massage: What is the underlying philosophy of our Deep Tissue Massage? It is the application of pressure with the intent of releasing tension in deeper muscles structures. This is accomplished through the slow, methodical and deliberate application of pressure and techniques to encourage greater range of motion and reduce discomfort. Though the techniques are used on soft tissues the actual goal is to encourage the central nervous system to transform how it experiences touch and movement. The foundation of all Deep Tissue massages is rooted within the biopsychosocial model of pain management introduced by Dr. George Engel in 1977.

Session Elements & Principles: Massage may be judged by various elements and principles that define a quality of touch in a massage session.  These categories are Harmony, Story of Lines and Shapes, and Materiality & Texture, Value. Read this article to learn more.

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