Deep Tissue Massage Classes Hands on Healing Institute Massage School Los Angeles

Deep Tissue Fundamentals

Instructor: Eloise Albrecht

6 Hours $99

Class description:

This introductory day to the Deep Tissue series could be taken by anyone to help expand awareness of how to make your massage into a moving meditation, and will also teach you how to deliver deeper work safely, right now, no matter what you know about anatomy.

Deep Tissue Massage is a vague term. Some people use it only to mean “Push Harder”. As presented at HHI, DT massage includes knowledge of various techniques, knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology, and an expanded awareness of who, what and how you are touching.

The physical techniques presented and blended into a whole include Neuromuscular Re-Education, Myofascial plane hold and stretch, Trigger Point Release, and Positional Release - and a little awareness of Oriental meridian pathways. The combination of all of these techniques allows the therapist to shift from accessing the client on a neurological basis to a structural basis – back and forth. The point is to work as efficiently as possible, saving the therapists’ energy and body, while keeping the work delicious feeling while addressing specific healing issues for the client.

In the Fundamentals class, during the morning we will talk about present-centered awareness, holding a transformative and safe space, and boundaries and emotion surfacing on the table. There is a handout of specific verbal techniques for dealing with emotional responses to bodywork. We will also talk about the nerve reflex arc and the statement “Pain is an opinion.”

In the afternoon, we first will do some simple exercises to show you that you already have the perceptual tools to go deeper into the body, once you recognize what they are. Then we will get out tables and do some really specific body mechanics education, and learn the “warm-up” palpation for deep work, and how to use more of your body to safely deliver more pressure. The work that we do in the afternoon will help you deliver deeper pressure to the people you work on right now

Required materials: Please bring a set of sheets, Biotone Massage Cream (No oil, please! And rarely do other lotions have enough ‘grip’). Wear loose shorts and sleeveless tops so that we can spend more time working and less time changing clothes.

Prerequisite for: All Deep Tissue classes

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For all Deep Tissue Classes

Instructor: Eloise Albrecht

Class description:

In the four Deep Tissue sections, we learn how to access the specific structures we learned about in Kinesiology/Anatomy, and how to relate those structures to the whole. First we learn how to touch individual muscles and how to access individual muscle fibers -and then we start the more interesting work of how to palpate to discover the relations between muscles, to find out why it hurts instead of only where it hurts.

There are different reasons for muscular dysfunction, and therefore different techniques to address problems. Sometimes it is scar tissue, or a neurological feedback loop, or a whole-body holding pattern. What makes this class different from many deep tissue classes is not only do you learn to apply more pressure when needed without hurting yourself or your client, but to feel more specifically where the problems are by sharpening your attention so that you can start recognizing the different types of myofascial dysfunction. Then you will learn specific techniques, tricks and avenues into the musculature, and be able to blend all these different styles of touch into a seamless whole - while still making it feel 'delicious'.

We continue the exploration of how to deepen the therapist's awareness as well as their touch. We will talk about what we are doing, so that you can learn to talk to clients - and potential clients - about why you are different [and better] then a therapist who just pushes harder. I will suggest specific scripts to use for specific situations - including how to talk to the muscles and the body during the work.

Some stretches and off the table client "homework" will be shown. A little attention is given to the Oriental meridian system and the overlap with musculo-tendon pathways. A simple Qi-Gong based exercise that you can also teach to clients is the start of each day.

Required text: Trail Guide to the Body, 3^rd Edition

Recommended text: Deep Tissue Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques by Art Riggs

Required Materials:

1 set of twin sheets

2 pillowcases

1-inch 3-ring binder

Massage cream (preferably Biotone Dual Purpose Cream. No oils)

Prerequisite:

Kinesiology/Advanced Anatomy 55 hours

NOTE: Anyone who has studied Muscular Anatomy and basic Kinesiology and can pass the HHI Kinesiology/Advanced Anatomy test can enroll in the Deep Tissue classes with only Deep Tissue Fundamentals as a prerequisite.

Recommended:

Medical Terminology

NOTE: Classes must be taken in order: Legs & Feet, Back & Neck, Chest & Arms, Abdomen & Pelvic. Exceptions need approval of instructor.

We highly recommend that after students complete the series they audit classes at ½ price. This will help to improve your skills as a Deep Tissue Practioner.

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Deep Tissue - Legs & Feet

Instructor: Eloise Albrecht

25 Hours $350 + texts

Class description:

Connective tissue strokes - on the basic continuum with all 'structural bodywork'.

Side-lying work.

The toes start at the knee, and how to address hammertoe, plantar Fasciitis and the like.

How to work adductors and gluts deeply and safely.

Prerequisites:

Deep Tissue Fundamentals

Kinesiology/Advanced Anatomy (55 hours)

Deep Tissue – Back & Neck

Instructor: Eloise Albrecht

25 Hours $350 + texts

Class description:

Trigger points

Side-lying work

Referred sensation.

Anterior neck work.

Quadratus Lumborum - the cause of much back pain.

Prerequisite: Legs & Feet

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Deep Tissue - Chest & Arms

Instructor: Eloise Albrecht

25 Hours $350 + texts

Class description:

The various different places that carpal tunnel starts.

360 degree thinking - Relationship of the whole body to a specific complaint.

Having the client move during the work.

Prerequisite: Back & Neck

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Deep Tissue - Abdomen, Pelvis and Synthesis

Instructor: Eloise Albrecht

25 Hours $350 + texts

Class description:

Deep stomach work - accessing the Psoas

Positional Release and more stretches

How to think when a client comes in with a complaint - taking your Kinatomy knowledge and applying it to the "What to work on first" list.

Diaphragm and Intercostal muscles

Prerequisite: Chest & Arms

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