Courses > Massage

Massage means KNEAD and describes the manipulation of the soft tissue of the body with the hands. The movements can be soothing or stimulating. Massage effects the local and general lymphatic and circulatory systems, increasing superficial blood circulation and bringing blood to the skin and muscles. This alone makes you feel more awake and alive. Deep massage increases blood flow and hence heart capacity, decreases blood pressure and pulse frequency.

It has a sedative effect on the nervous system. It relieves tension. Massage improves the nutrition of the muscles and hinders fibrositis. It relaxes the voluntary muscles and helps them to maintain their best possible state of flexibility and nutrition - thus good for sporting people. Muscle fatigue is relieved. In some cultures massage is considered an important part of the daily, or at least weekly routine.

The techniques learned in this course aim to stimulate the inherent healing forces of the body in an attempt to restore the natural state of well being. Massage breaks up crystalline deposits that may impede nerve supply to certain areas in the body, restoring normal nerve stimuli, so that nature can heal.

Our school offers four structured workshops, designed to be taken as separate modules individually or as a complete course combined. The 4 hour individual workshops cover the following topics -

• The back - from neck to buttocks
• The legs and feet
• Front torso, arms and hands
• Head and face

The Beginners Workshop will offer the participant a hands-on experience and instruction in "How to give a good massage", client / practitioner ethics, an insight into the superficial anatomy of the muscular system and learning outcomes based on practical role-play.

The postgraduate Practitioners Workshop focuses entirely on identification of certain common complaints i.e. stiff neck, sore shoulders, aching feet, clogged sinus etc. and techniques to sooth and / or eliviate the discomfort felt by the client. Our focus lies not in instructing the practitioner in certain diagnostic skills, but to help the client in a practical way to overcome his or her complaint. Client education is a topic touched. However we perceive this subject worthy of being addressed in a separate workshop.

Participation in the Practitioners Workshop is subject to Recognition of Prior Learning (certificate or statement of attainment of previously attended massage courses need to be presented, as well as an assessment of the skills required as a prerequisite for attendance of the postgraduate Practitioners Workshop, alternatively participation in our Beginners Workshop, as well as basic anatomy / physiology knowledge of the musculo-skeletal system, which are also necessary prerequisites).