fbpx
0 items - $0.00 0
0 items - $0.00 0

Tag: Fijian

HomeAll PostsTag: Fijian
Footnotes by 09/03/2023 0Comments

Can I do Barefoot Massage on a mat? Or does it have to be on a table?!

This is a frequently asked question – especially if you have low ceilings that may be difficult to build bars in, if you are very tall with low ceilings and are considering dropping your table to the floor, and/or if you are already offering Thai/Shiatsu/Breema/Rossiter Matwork on the ground and want more footwork.

The style of Myofascial Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage that we teach does actually require the massage table to be elevated up off the floor – as techniques learned in our Fundamentals, Intermediate, Range of Motion and Advanced courses all “dangle” the clients limbs off the edge of the table and need that gravitational drop and hang in the joint. Westernized Ashiatsu in itself needs the trifecta of the overhead bars, on an elevated table and needs to be using some kind of lubricant to glide on the skin. So putting Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage down on the floor would take away from this potential and would not be true to the name or lineage.

…HOWEVER:

Our Fijian/Matwork Barefoot Massage class is meant to be on the floor! Ok, not literally on the floor: we teach on skinny mats, not even as wide as a typical massage table, but Fijian can also be done on your yoga mat with a BodyCushion system on top, on a massage table flattened to the floor, and/or on Thai and Shiatsu mats! No bars are needed to be installed for the Fijian/Matwork techniques, either!

Fijian Barefoot Massage class in actionFijian Barefoot Massage class in action

You can install the strap to make your life easier and to assure that you aren’t pushing through your wrists/hands on a support crutch – like the back of a chair, a cane/walker, or ballet bars (none of which are things we would ever recommend: underhand support is not your friend if you are trying to save your hands for a longer massage career.) In a Fijian Barefoot Massage, you can use the strap to lean into, or sit in a chair, or sit in a floor chair lie a Back-Jack, while using your feet to do the work. Read the many blog posts below that are related to Fijian Barefoot Matwork to better understand it’s rad potential – and read the Fijian/Matwork 1 class page to read the course description!

Read more about how Fijian Barefoot Matwork is different than our table-top Myofascial Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage

Fijian massage in action - the LMT is sitting on a chair working on the clients lumbosacral area
16 CE hours | Two days in class | *$500 tuition

 

Ashiatsu barefoot massage by 09/01/2023 0Comments

Differences between Fijian Barefoot Massage & Hot Ashi

Barefoot massage encompasses many techniques you may not be aware of, this post is here to help you discover the differences in Fijian Barefoot Massage & Hot Ashi. 

Barefoot Massage is the umbrella term that encompasses a type of therapeutic application using a foot (or feet) as the tool. 

Many Americans used to believe there was only one way. And that way was a style of sliding, unclothed massage called Ashiatsu which roughly translated to mean “foot pressure.” We now know there was a lot of problems with that translation/understanding. 

At the Center for Barefoot Massage, we specifically call our style and approach to this work Myofascial Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage, or FasciAshi for short. (Follow this link to review the differences between styles of Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage.)

Understand that all westernized Ashiatsu styles as they are generally known across the American massage industry includes a massage table, overhead bar system, and usually involve an unclothed, lubricated session that is styled similar to Swedish massage. The gravity of our foot & body weight lend itself to the experience of a “deep Swedish” session. 

However, there are various other types of massage using feet as the therapeutic tool that do not include Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage. 

In this message, we’ll discuss the differences in Fijian Barefoot Massage & Hot Ashi. 

Fijian Barefoot Massage is the adaption of the ancient medicine system in Fiji brought to the United States by Lolita Knight. The Center for Barefoot Massage felt this work was important to continue as Lolita began retiring her work. CBM has received Lolita’s guidance and blessings to continue her work while adding the fundamental principles of Myofascial Barefoot massage. 

This floor based class continues the understanding of the Fijian people that a deep and fast paced connection with the skin and nervous system would increase healing possibility. They developed a series of specific movements that Lolita adapted to become footwork instead of handwork, and we teach that approach in our course. The receiving person will remain clothed and there is no use of lubricant. 

Hot Ashi is the course designed by Center for Barefoot Massage instructor and author of this post, Sara Newberry. After many years working with a mentor and creator of the Mother Earth Pillows, I began to understand the deep healing of heat combined with pressure. Hot Ashi used shearing gliding that requires the therapist to have control and finesse using their legs and feet. In our course, the therapist is taught the foundation to thermal therapy and nervous system health along with many ways to incorporate the pillows into what they are already offering. The client is clothed and the focus is not to allow lubricant to come in contact with the pillow. 

Thermal therapy can be activating for some clients with a history of trauma but for most, heat can be a transformative for the down regulation into their parasympathetic nervous system where the healing can occur. 

Fijian Barefoot Massage & Hot Ashi Comparison: 

Both techniques keep the client clothed 

Both techniques use zero lubricant 

Both techniques require specific use of your foot/leg 

Both could be great travel options for marketing assuming you have the correct set up 

Fijian & Hot Ashi Differences: 

Fijian is on the floor

Hot Ashi is on a massage table 

Hot Ashi should be soothing and PNS in nature 

Fijian is energizing and uplifting 

Hot ashi uses the overhead bars 

Fijian uses the floor, a chair, & the FasciAshi Strap 

To finish up, one technique is not better than another but instead different for different applications. Both courses will challenge your feet in new ways and what I often encourage as “cross training your feet.” Either of these classes will inform your other Barefoot Massage applications even if it’s not directly a stroke difference, instead another way to move. 

Sign up today and your clients will begin to notice the more nuanced and dynamic way you move your feet right away. They will feel you respond to their tissue that’s specific to that day and time rather than simply moving through the motions. 

Ashiatsu barefoot massage by 08/31/2023 0Comments

Recap from the Phoenix 2023 AMTA National Massage Convention

Myself and four of our instructors just got back home after sharing Fijian Barefoot Massage in Phoenix at the AMTA national massage convention! We set up a booth in the exhibit hall, provided about 45 Barefoot Matwork sample sessions, and talked to many of the 1,500+ Massage Therapists in the conventions attendance that visted us!

Meet the feet: We had such a powerhouse of instructors present at this event – I’m not even sure if the visitors to our booth knew the extent of our team’s history and experience in the profession. Myself (Jeni Spring) from Central Texas, Sara from Missouri, Hillary from North Texas, Ashley from Southern California, and Dawn from upstate New York. (Click each name to be taken to their instructor profile pages!)

Center for Barefoot Massage instructors at the AMTA National Massage Convention

Each one of these Barefoot Massage Barbies have been using their feet as massage tools for ~at least~ 10 years – double that in some cases! Dawn Dotson is our FasciAshi Range Of Motion instructor who designed the portable bar system that you can strap into and use with a portable, electric, hydraulic table or a mat. Sara Newberry is an author of the 1st ever Hot-Ashi Barefoot Massage class and has been on many podcasts talking about our Barefoot work. Hillary Arrieta is a published author with her own massage book and is our lead Fijian/Matwork 1 class instructor trainer. Ashley Shears is a Fundamentals class instructor who is making waves with her approach to myofascial barefoot work on the table and on the mat. (Ashley also roadtripped to Phoenix with a knife that came in very handy in the booth all weekend because we forgot to pack scissors!) I was there, too, and I’ve also done cool things. 😉

It was great for this section of our instructor team to meet other leaders and forward thinkers in the industry, to find old friends, to share selfies with AMTA royalty and instructor buddies, to get our feet on the pulse of as many people as we could to share Barefoot Massage with, and to talk with the masses of LMTs in attendance to see what they have questions about. (There were so many people there!!!)

I want to tell y’all all about this experience, from beginning to end: read on and enjoy our journey to the desert!

Footnotes by 04/14/2020 0Comments

How much is ashiatsu training?

How much does ashiatsu training cost?

How much are classes?

  • Fundamentals:  $750(3 days, 24 CE’s)
  • Fijian: $500  (2 days, 16 CE’s)
  • Intermediate: $500  (2 days, 16 CE’s)
  • ROM: $500  (2 days, 16 CE’s)
  • Advanced: $500 (2 days, 16 CE’s)
  • Hot Ashi: $250   (1 day. 8 CE’s)
  • IF IT’S A TRAVEL CLASS: meaning, if the instructor travelled to the location to teach there, then the tuition will be +$100 more than usual to help cover the costs of bringing an amazing guest instructor to town!

Payment plans are available, read more here

 

 

Included in your tuition costs:

  • Alumni Membership Website access, which includes curated resources and materials to start your new barefoot massage practice.
  • Study videos demonstrating each stroke taught in class.
  • Online networking and support group with fellow practitioners and instructors.
  • A printed and bound class workbook, with:
    • anatomical references to each stroke
    • THe structural goal to each stroke
    • pro-tips from the founders,
    • your notes and journal entries from observation time in class.
    • Specific Cautions and Contraindications to the strokes learned- and each section of our Pathology and Contraindications were reviewed by Ruth Werner, BCBMT.
    • Strap installation instructions in each workbook,
    • Bar Installation instructions included in the Fundamentals class workbook.
    • Client evaluation forms to help gather feedback during your self-study practice sessions.

Any additional costs?

  • Optional Sole Provider boosted listing on our alumni locator map: ranging from FREE-$80-$150 (Basic listings are FREE!)
  • Optional Pro-Membership for upgraded study videos, with monthly anatomy and marketing challenges: Price TBA upon next release
  • Bar installation cost varies greatly depending on supplies, design and labor. Common costs range between $150-$400
  • Support Straps (Ashi-Straps) are $25 each, and you’ll want a few to switch between clients.
  • Portable Bar designs available for $150! You’ll save on shipping and will be able to custom design your travel bars to your exact measurements for the best body mechanics. Contract a local welder to build the portable bars off our designs, and you’ll be supporting local businesses in your area.
  • ~Eventually~ a level of Endorsement will be available after testing: price TBD.
Footnotes by 11/14/2019 0Comments

Is the Center for Barefoot Massage an Approved Continuing Education Provider?

ncbtmb continuing education provider

The short answer is: YES, of course!

Our CE Provider #1333 status with the NCBTMB and we have maintained that approval since March 2017.

 

The long answer is: it may depend on your state.

If your state has NCBTMB reciprocity, meaning that they acknowledge and accept NCBTMB approved courses for your Continuing Education hour requirements, then our classes are automatically valid for you.

Our provider numbers for select states are available for your review below.

CE Broker tracking number: # 50-20211

New York NCBTMB CE Provider Number: 1333 (approved as a part of our NCBTMB affiliation) Fundamentals, ROM, Intermediate, Advanced, Hot Ashi, HandsFree

Florida CE Broker Tracking Number: 50-20211 All Classes Approved

Georgia CE Broker Tracking Number: 50-20211 All Classes Approved

Mississippi Provider Number: 2642  – Approved for Fundamentals (Program #518) and Fijian (Program #541)

Louisiana Provider Number: 236  Approved for Fundamentals (#LCEU0002384) and Fijian (#LCEU0002385)

If your state is not listed:

They may have automatic NCBTMB Reciprocity! We cannot help you determine if the CE’s are valid in your state: you will need to check directly with your state to ensure our NCBTMB approved course will be accepted.

If your state does not have NCBTMB Continuing Education Reciprocity, then we will only consider expanding into their network once we notice a high demand for the most popular class(es). Until then, we hope that your love for barefoot massage and your plans to learn this work are not detoured merely because your state doesn’t recognize the credits. You may be able to easily fulfill your state renewal requirements through inexpensive local and online classes in other topics, and utilize our myofascial ashiatsu “FasciAshi” classes for your own professional development and career focus that takes you above and beyond your states standard! The lack of our ease of access in your region may be discouraging other LMT’s, which just leaves more space for you to stand apart from the rest.

Some state massage boards have created their own guidelines or limits for content they are willing to accept, along with content they require to be completed. A few of these state boards overrule the industry-standard NCBTMB CE Provider approvals and are instead requiring Continuing Education providers like The Center for Barefoot Massage to apply for and register each individual instructor on their team for each individual class they each teach.

It’s unfortunate that not all states acknowledge the NCBTMB. State-by-state approval of CE courses in massage therapy can be time-consuming, costly, and inefficient – so the Center for Barefoot Massage may not apply for CE Approval in states with additional requirements until a higher demand is seen in that region.

If we were to maintain every state license/approval for each class and every instructor, above and beyond that of the NCBTMB, it could cause tuition rates to increase due to almost constant licensure renewals.

With 13 instructors on our team and a roster of over 14 versions of our classes on file with the NCBTMB – on top of the inconsistent requirements for what constitutes “a class” or an instructor between each state board – we (along with many other team-based nationally recognized CE Providers,) have chosen not to sign on with every individual state, and not for every single class, and to only apply where we physically teach, or where a good percentage of our learners come from.

Things are evolving in the continuing education accreditation sector in the field of massage, and the current situation may not always be the case – things can change, and we are hoping they will! We have our big toes on the pulse of the industry and are watching closely to where the NCBTMB, FSMTB CE Broker, AFMTE and others are taking us.

Notice: As the Center for Barefoot Massage is working to help keep Barefoot Massage techniques ethically and professionally represented within the scope of practice of Massage Therapy, we will ONLY train reports to ce broker for Florida AshiatsuLicensed Massage Therapists. We will not seek out accreditation with other non-Massage Continuing Education Provider accrediting entities of other professions such as for Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Yoga Therapists, Acupuncturists, etc.

We are not currently pursuing International Accreditation – but will still require proof of a regionally equivalent Massage Therapy License for any student who wishes to attend our courses. Our focus right now is presenting our courses to licensed massage therapists in the states before expanding internationally. If we can work together in the future to research your countries requirements for the massage profession, and how our continuing education classes could be set up for accreditation in that region, please contact us.

If your state/province is not listed above, contact your licensing or registration board directly to see if they will accept our course for CE credits toward licensure/registration renewal. If you have concerns or questions about your state CE requirements, please raise them with your board.

Do you have questions about what your states Continuing Education renewal requirements are? Google your state’s Massage Board!

Meet each Myofascial Ashiatsu Instructor by 07/12/2019 0Comments

Barefoot Massage Class Instructor Spotlight: Erin Poovey

Fun fact: Colorado Springs was recently named the best city to live in for the 2nd year in a row (US News & World Report). Visit Helen Hunt Falls, the Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs, paddleboard in the Springs, or get a massage from one of Erin’s gifted therapists. And now, meet Erin!

Your name?

Erin Poovey

Pets? 

I’m a crazy plant lady but no pets currently.

My husband and I keep talking about getting chickens. I think that would be so fun. 

Tell us about your family!

Married to Justin for 6 years and I’m mama to Norah Luna. She’s 2. I’m a completely obsessed mama so be fair warned that if you follow my personal social media its just Norah. They keep my life full of light and fun.

What did you want to be when you grew up and why?

In elementary school, I wanted to be a teacher. I totally forgot about that until thinking about this question. Guess that came true <3

Where do you teach?

I teach in Colorado Springs Colorado at my business Camino Massage Therapy.

What’s cool about your city (or fun things to do)?

Meet each Myofascial Ashiatsu Instructor by 06/25/2019 0Comments

Barefoot Massage Class Instructor Spotlight: Sara Newberry

Sara in St. Louis is the owner of Sole Shine Barefoot Massage, located in an eclectic neighborhood in St. Louis. Fun fact: she has a very large painted plaster foot outside her office (see it in the photo of her studio)!

Your name

Sara Newberry 

Tell us about your pets.

2 Cats- Sully & Weekend (Their names came from the shelter. Weekend is unusual and I thought surely my kids would change her name but it stuck. She came in with a litter on the weekend (hence her name) but her brothers and sisters were all named Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Weekend We ended up with Weekend) 1 Dog- Mickey. He’s super old and barks a lot

Tell us about your family!

I have 2 kids, 1 stepdaughter. I’m a single mom of two with an amazing partner named Stephen. My mom passed away almost 3 years ago and I’ve been a guide for others going through the grief process since then. 

What did you want to be when you grew up and why?

Meet each Myofascial Ashiatsu Instructor by 06/18/2019 0Comments

Barefoot Massage Training Instructor Spotlight: Hillary Arrieta

Today’s Barefoot Massage Instructor spotlight is coming at you from Richardson, TX, a suburb of Dallas. Say hello to Hillary!

Your name

Hillary Arrieta

Tell us about your puppies.

I have two dogs, Winnie (Maltese mix age 11) Luna (Great Pyrenees mix age 3). Both are girls. (And she shamelessly puts capes on them sometimes).

Tell us about your family too!

NAH…hahah! Just kidding. My husband and I have been married for 10 years and we love to do things with our dogs and travel when we can. He has a nerdy job with a company where he makes 3D printed collectibles and props for movies.  

What did you want to be when you grew up and why?

I wanted to work for myself because I have a strong need for autonomy. It’s also in my blood. My grandpa owned his own service station for 50 years in the small town where my mom grew up and I always looked up to him.

Where do you teach?

I teach in a suburb of Dallas, Texas called Richardson at my workshop space at Gaia Bodywork.

What’s cool about your city?

Richardson is a great place to EAT. Especially if you like a large variety for all different kinds of food. 

Which classes do you teach?

I teach FUNdamentals, Fijian, and the Relax track classes (currently Hot Ashi).

How has doing barefoot massage changed your career?

It’s made me enjoy massage therapy so much more. I don’t get bored and I feel like it’s creative and challenging every day. I use my mind and my body which I think helps to keep me engaged.

What do you love about teaching barefoot massage?

I love seeing my students get excited. For some of them, It’s been a long time since they’ve felt passionate about their career. I feel like I get to be a part of bringing that spark back to their massage practice.

Other than doing barefoot massage until you die, what would you do when it comes time to retire?

Move to Costa Rica, be a beach bum, and chill out with a billion dogs on the beach. 

Hobbies?

Herbalism and kitchen witchery, reading, walking, gardening, and skin care. 

Can you drive a stick shift, scooter, motorcycle, boat? (If so, what? Or any other random thing you can drive.

Nope. hahah!

Any tips to keep yourself healthy as a massage therapist?

I think sleep is super important because I need that regeneration time and also taking breaks to keep a healthy mindset. 

What’s a random thing that most people don’t know about you?

I use to take syncronized swimming classes growing up. I don’t think you can get any more random than that! HAHA!

What are your favorite foods?

Pizza.

Where have you been published?

✓ ThriveGlobal.com

✓ Spotlight on Fijian Massage

Where can people schedule an appointment with you? 

At Gaia in Richardson! (Note: Mary-Claire here. I had a client who visited Hillary when he was in town for a wedding. He LOVED his barefoot massage!)

Find Hillary at the Center for Barefoot Massage 

Texas Ashiatsu: Instagram

 GaiaBodywork: Instagram

Hillary’s official bio:

Hillary Arrieta is a holistic wellness expert, licensed massage therapist, industry educator, and small business owner. She specializes in barefoot massage and Ayurvedic therapies to help her health-conscious clients reach their wellness goals.

Located in Dallas, Texas, Hillary’s customized sessions are infused with Western herbalism, aromatics, mediation, and restorative bodywork to ease her clients towards radiance and joyful living.

Hillary has taught massage therapists since 2008 from the basic certification program to her own workshops at Gaia Bodywork. Hillary has the honor of teaching as an approved instructor for the Center for Barefoot Massage. She strives to create an organized and comfortable learning environment.

Ashiatsu barefoot massage, Massage by 05/30/2019 0Comments

Spotlight on Fijian Barefoot Massage

You may have noticed that the Center for Barefoot Massage recently added a few new classes this year. One that I’m really excited about teaching is Fijian Barefoot Massage. This style is such a great addition to our company and having the original creator, Lolita Knight’s blessing to teach her original work and carry on her legacy has been a true honor for us. The Center for Barefoot Massage has done this technique right by putting more theory and intention behind the original format, which makes for an exciting and engaging class.

You may be asking two very important questions.

One, what IS it and two, how is it different from what I’m already doing with Ashiatsu and FasciAshi? (Bonus: how is it different than Hot Ashi?! Read this.)

Fijian massage is a deep tissue barefoot style of massage that’s done with the client fully clothed on a mat on the floor. It uses movements and techniques that are specific to its unique style. The original creator of this massage, Lolita Knight took influence from her massage experiences while visiting Fiji.

Ashiatsu barefoot massage by 01/17/2019 0Comments

Success is no accident

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing. – Pelé

Why you should continue to take continuing ed ce classes in barefoot massage…

This is day 4 of 5- our team of barefoot massage instructors is getting 2 feet deep into learning two of the Center for Barefoot Massage’s new courses.

We began with instructor training with a FasciAshified version of Fijian (with permission from Fijian founder Lolita Knight) and are completing our barefoot training with our new class, Hot Ashi. 

(Not all instructors will teach both modalities-you’ll get to travel to learn from and meet other instructors!)

Our instructors all specialize in barefoot massage.

But there’s always room to grow and to learn.

We instructors all are considered experts in our field, and yet we all continue to tweak our moves and discover new barefoot modalities. We work with other instructors to find how we can do better, how we can problem solve more efficiently.

Some therapists think that if they learn something once, they can “figure the other stuff out” on their own. Maybe, and maybe not.

Did you know that all of our instructors have been in a Fundamentals class at least 3-4 times? We have our own instructor certification process just like you do for the Center for Barefoot Massage’s certification.

And we retake classes. As the co-founder, I drove to St. Louis from Cincinnati to take Intermediate with Jeni and Sara even though I’d already been teaching it.

Why? Because we learn tips and tricks and hear new questions in every class.

We receive barefoot massages (it’s a great way to learn what you like and what you don’t about someone else’s barefoot massage technique), we take massage courses, ask questions and continue our quest for knowledge.

Some massage therapists think if they’ve taken a class once, there’s no need to take it again. Or maybe they believe they should get a “pass” for having done barefoot massage for a few years (or even a lot) and don’t want to start at the beginner level.

Newsflash!

You always learn something new. If you don’t know the intention behind the strokes you’ve memorized, don’t know which muscles you’re working on, then it’s time to study.

This may be by simply diving into your manual again or it might mean taking a 1-day Revitalize refresher. For those who take a long time to put up their bars or don’t do much barefoot massage, we recommend retaking a course.

Want to just get better?

Retake a course. It doesn’t matter if you learn from the same barefoot massage instructor or you go to another barefoot massage training location. Every class is an opportunity for you to be the best you can be.

Here at the Center for Barefoot Massage, our team of Sole Sisters continues to learn and train so we can be the best in our personal practices.

We also want to share our love and knowledge of barefoot massage with other massage therapists.

Our team of instructors is phenomenal. We’ve laughed, worked, brainstorm, and have given feedback on what will make our courses more successful for you.

Top row, L to R: Sara, Hillary, Sharon, Julie, Dawn, Erin, Bottom row: Mary-Claire & Jeni 

Because in turn, we can help you become more successful in your barefoot massage biz. And you can help the public.

How many lives can be positively influenced by your taking more classes?

We’re guessing a lot.

Our class schedule is HERE. We’d love to see you in another class again!