Description

Fundamentals is the starting point for those wanting to train in the Myofascial Ashiatsu “FasciAshi” style of Barefoot Massage – although it’s a “beginner” class, it is definitely a challenge for your mind, body and SOLE.

The Intermediate portions of this class empower you from day 1 to work even slower, maintain long sustained pressure holds across layers of tissue, and deliver deep myofascial strokes to the anterior and lateral aspects of your client’s body.

Supine and Side-body strokes will give you the tools to provide a comprehensive feet-on practice in the often forgotten, hard to reach areas of the body and offer detailed work. We share how to work along the topography of our clients bones, and manipulate the length of each muscle and fascial chain.

Intricate use of the FasciAshi support strap is a big focus in this class. This unique addition to the overhead ashiatsu bars allows us to work on variable angles and vectors with consistent, controllable pressure that prevents fatigue for the barefoot massage therapist.

Class is 5 days, and you’ll earn 40 Continuing Education credits. (NCBTMB and some select states)

Therapists will learn:

• Theory of myofascial barefoot massage grounded in biotensegrity, fascial slide and glide, and modern pain science

• Structural benefits, anatomical intentions, and the clear functional “why” behind every stroke

• Essential body mechanics to stack joints, leverage body weight, and deliver deep, sustainable pressure without muscle strain

• Safe overhead bar usage and suspended Ashi-Strap leverage to control balance and redirect gravity effortlessly

• Clear indications, cautions, and pathology-reviewed contraindications for working safely underfoot

• Precise foot skills utilizing heels, arches, balls, and toes for deep tissue compression, myofascial friction, and trigger point work

• Techniques with practical modifications to customize sequences for diverse body types

• Professional communication strategies to educate clients on barefoot massage and integrate this specialty smoothly into your practice

• Theory of myofascial barefoot massage pertaining to sustained compression across varying depths of tissue

• Structural benefits, biomechanical intent, and functional “whys” behind every stroke

• Ashi-Strap techniques to create angled vectors, decompress joints, and direct pressure without upper-body strain

• Clear indications, cautions, and contraindications specific to anterior, lateral, and deep core work

• Ergonomic body mechanics to protect your joints while working intricately in supine and side-lying positions

• Detailed neck, chest, shoulder, arm, and subscapular work using feet and hands in tandem

• Precise core access including the Psoas, Iliacus, Obliques, Lats, and QL using broad, non-invasive contact

• Targeted work for the Adductors, Quads/hip flexors, and deep 6 lateral hip rotators

• Nuanced contact techniques using your toes, lateral edges of the feet, heels, and calves to listen and adapt to tissue layers

• Pro-Tip To Prepare:  Read this article about how the foot compares to other massage tools like fingers, elbows and thumbs, then try the experiment explained within to see how you can quadruple your pressure so easily with your foot!

ALERT: If you are currently pregnant, trying to get pregnant, have recently had breast/gluteal/calf enhancement surgery and/or some select cardiovascular-related surgeries within the last 9 months, we regret that you cannot attend the seminar. Please wait until 6 months after childbirth, and 9 months post major surgeries. Refer to the Contraindications list here for students.