licensed massage therapist Archives - Center for Barefoot Massage: FasciAshi myofascial ashiatsu training

Footnotes by Jeni Spring, LMT, BCSI 02/09/2023 0Comments

I’m already ashiatsu trained – where do I start?

We are SO glad that you found us, and that you are considering learning our myofascial ashiatsu barefoot massage style of work!

If you are ready to ask questions, be challenged, and grow your understanding of barefoot massage, then you are gonna love this game-changing take on westernized ashiatsu barefoot massage. This style will integrate beautifully and elevate the work you already do. You’ll get to challenge yourself by tapping into a beginners mindset and re-learn what you have learned, but from another point of view. You’ll learn WHY and HOW every stroke impacts the body, and you’ll be set free with your own confident knowledge to massage intuitively with your feet in the way your body feels comfortable with.

Existing Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Therapists can jump into our Intermediate or Range of Motion (ROM) classes with proof of live training in an approved beginner ashi class from another company. Email us your CE transcript with proof of at least 16 live “feet-on” beginner ashiatsu hours from an NCBTMB provider – be aware that not all beginner classes are approved. The providing CE company must have been in existence and teaching that beginner class prior to 2017. We have a very short list of beginner classes that we can vouch for and allow you to skip over our entry-level class. (???????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????’???????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????, ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? & ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????!)⁣ ⁣This opportunity will not be around forever: we are considering sunsetting this opportunity no later than 2026, after which point Fundamentals would be required for our Next-Level courses.

Here’s how you can get your feet Centered with us:

(Updated 1/28/2024)

If you are already ashiatsu trained – you can jump right into our Intermediate, ROM or Fijian classes!

We’ll just need to see proof of your attendance in a live NCBTMB approved beginner ashiatsu class (A class that used overhead bars – not silks or underhand bars or other balancing items) the class must have been at least 16 CE’s* and be on our short list of approved programs/instructors/lineages that we’ve reviewed or are familiar with.

don't get cold feet - learn hot ashi barefoot massage

*A video audition from you and a course/instructor review by us may also be required if your training lineage is untraceable, or if it has been over 5 years. The providing CE company you trained with must have been in existence and teaching that beginner class prior to 2017. All classes must be live, in-person training: no hybrid or online versions.

Email us a copy of your CE Transcript/Hours to info@BarefootMassageCenter.com, or text a picture of it to 210-816-1241.

(If you’d like to attend the Fijian Barefoot Massage floor classes – there’s no prerequisites, so no previous CE’s required. Just be an LMT and you are set for Fijian!)

If you’d like access to the Hot Ashi class, and any Relax Track courses available in the future, you’ll need to attend our 3 day Fundamentals class. Want into the new Clinical Track classes? The prerequisite is attendance in our FasciAshi Intermediate AND FasciAshi Advanced classes.

To gain access to our Advanced class, you’ll need to first attend our Intermediate course – no exceptions.

To sit in on a Revitalize/refresher on any class, you’ll have to actually attend that same course first and pay the full tuition. Revitalizer classes are a perk reserved ‘solely’ for Center for Barefoot Massage alumni.

Why?

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Because FasciAshi is not the same as anything else on the barefoot massage continuing education market. These are not the same classes you’ve taken with other providers. Even if you’ve trained with any of our current Instructors prior to 2017 – these same instructors are bringing a whole new level of content to the classroom. (We like to say “This ain’t yo’ momma’s ashi!”)

By verifying your previous training, and funneling you through the class progression at certain points along the way, it ensures that we can maintain a standard of education in our upper level alumni. We aim to support the massage industry with high quality, educated, intuitive barefoot providers working the field.

We are creating ongoing training opportunities for LMTs who are serious about a long, successful Barefoot Massage career.

The Center for Barefoot Massage gives massage therapists the tools to become fanatical ashiatsu practitioners, curious anatomy nerds and confident barefoot massage specialists. We aim to teach evidence-based theories of massage that, through your intent and knowledge, can be applied to clinical, sports, and relaxation-based sessions.

FasciAshi is raising the standard of barefoot massage.

Come and continue your studies in massage therapy with our style of myofascial ashiatsu FasciAshi, Fijian, other barefoot modalities hosted at the Center! We are excited to offer a future for existing and new barefoot massage therapists.

Read more about how the Center for Barefoot Massage and FasciAshi are different:

Footnotes by Jeni Spring, LMT, BCSI 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 Ashiatsu Licensed 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!

Footnotes by Jeni Spring, LMT, BCSI 08/18/2019 0Comments

How do I find a FasciAshi trained Barefoot Massage Therapist Near Me?

Want to get under our Alumni’s feet? Did you do a google search for “ashiatsu massage near me” but wish the results had myofascial ashiatsu barefoot massage therapists singled out? Let us help you find where they are at!

We know the feeling – once you try Myfoascial Ashiatsu, (AKA FasciAshi) you won’t go back to normal massage – and our Sole Provider directory is how you’ll find those we’ve trained across the nation.

Now, not every barefoot massage therapist will choose to list in our virtual yellow pages – but those who do want to be found will be there.

Here’s how you can get centered under our Sole Providers feet:

3 ways to find the Sole Provider Directory:

Main Menu:

Desktop/Laptop: Hover on the “About Us” section of the menu, then pull down to the “Find a Barefoot Massage Therapist” option

This is what it looks like on a Desktop/Laptop Computer

Mobile Devices: Touch the Hamburger menu (the 3 horizontal lines!) and then touch the arrow next to the “About Us” section…. then touch the “Find a Barefoot Massage Therapist” option!

This is the “Hamburger Menu” on mobile devices

Once you open the Hamburger Menu, this is what it’ll look like on a Mobilie Device!
Scroll down! Look towards the bottom of our page for this image, and click on that! (For all devices!)

On any device, near the bottom of our page, you’ll see this image: CLICK IT!
OR, just follow this link: https://centerforbarefootmassage.com/business-directory/ to find an ashiatsu barefoot massage near you!

I’ve also got a great massage blog post about this topic, here and also here!

Footnotes by Jeni Spring, LMT, BCSI 12/01/2018 0Comments

Is there an ashiatsu weight limit for Massage Therapists?

That’s actually a common misunderstanding – there is technically no ashiatsu weight limit in our Beginner/Intermediate level FasciAshi training (Fundamentals, Intermediate: Supine/Sidebody and ROM.. there ARE strength and skill requirements and weight restrictions for the Fasciashi Advanced class, however.)

ASHIATSU IS MEANT TO BE PERFORMED ON CLIENTS WHO ARE 50-100 POUNDS HEAVIER THAN THE MASSAGE THERAPIST.

One thing that needs to weigh heavily on your mind: do you have the client base that even needs Ashiatsu? This deeper than deep tissue massage technique is meant to be performed on clients who are 50-100 pounds heavier than you. If you are massaging people who weigh less than you, then you’ll be working too hard against gravity – sometimes even working on someone who is comparable in size/weight to you can be more difficult to massage with your feet if they cannot tolerate deep pressure. I highly recommend that you save your FasciAshi massages for the larger framed, dense tissued clients who are difficult to work on with your hands. If you don’t have the right client base for this technique, you may want to re-evaluate why you want to learn this style of myofascial ashiatsu, as it’s not meant for every client, it’s not meant for every massage therapist, and if this work is utilized incorrectly, or for evil not for good so to speak, then you can cause repetitive strain issues within yourself, and easily injury your client. Being that our experienced instructors and their team of barefoot massage therapists provide barefoot massage ALL THE TIME, all day every day, we have experienced first hand (or… first foot?!) what it feels like in our bodies to do 20 ashiatsu sessions within a week on small bodies, and what it feels like to do the same amount of sessions on larger bodies. Barefoot massage techniques offer a big tool you’ll be using to massage with, so it has to be used on the right job.

Gravity and alignment of your body during your massage are the two main things that do the work of adding pressure and initiating movement. A FasciAshi therapist shouldn’t be pushing and pulling themselves through the strokes – the subtle movements initiate from your core, and the alignment you create within yourself during each stroke is where the depth comes from.

Fluid movement, awareness of breath, great coordination and balance will help diminish any physical challenges you may experience during the workshop…

…it’s more about your awareness of those factors than it is any kind of ashiatsu weight limit.

For safety reasons for your fellow students, your future clients, and our equipment in the classroom, we are cautious and try to bring an awareness of the physicality involved with this work before you arrive for your myofascial ashiatsu workshop with the Center for Barefoot Massage. You are in for a 3 day boot camp – but once your coordination and flow come together, it’s a lot easier! We will need to know your height and weight once you register, so that we can coordinate the set up of the equipment and find the clients that you’ll be working with. Also for safety reasons, if you weigh over 200 pounds, you may be required to bring your own portable massage table – please ask your instructor if that is necessary.

In your preparations for FasciAshi class, we ask that you are confident that your upper arm strength can pull your body weight off the client at any moment if needed – in case you lose your balance, or in case your client needs an immediate removal of pressure. So just find a bar in a playground, and work on activating your pull up muscles. (You don’t have to do a pull up – just work on the action of it.)

You’ll need a healthy mental and physical endurance level to maintain focus and strength in class during our daily 2.5 hour long practice rounds. (Work on your massage endurance – add in a few longer massages in a row leading up to your class.)

We ask that you are flexible enough to stand up & down from a 24 inch stool quickly and easily from the floor in one smooth movement. You should also be able to sit on a stool with your knees close together in a cannon ball position. We sure do make Barefoot Massage look easy, but once you are standing on the table or sitting on the barstool, it can feel much harder than it looks! (Mobility and Yoga, dance, and movement in general will help you with this!)

If this all seems to sound like ashiatsu may not be the best fit for your clients or you right now, then DEFINITELY consider our Fijian Barefoot Massage training!

Check out this blog post for more!

AND Read this blog post about Fijian Barefoot Massage!

Footnotes by Jeni Spring, LMT, BCSI 11/29/2018 0Comments

Do I need to be a Licensed Massage Therapist to learn FasciAshi?

Do you need to be a Licensed Massage Therapist to learn FasciAshi?

Yes. Attendees in our courses MUST be Licensed Massage Therapists who are legally eligible to provide paid, professional therapeutic massage therapy services to the public in accordance with the laws in their state. Since we are massage therapy educators, we are here to “solely” teach massage therapists.

The Center for Barefoot Massage is working to help support and grow the massage industry, and is only training Licensed Massage Therapists within the field of massage therapy, to those who have the license to touch.

Read the Cancellation Policy

barefoot-massage-ninja — Licensed Massage Therapist can be BAREFOOT Massage Therapists!

MASSAGE STUDENTS who are still attending their entry level, pre-licensing training are not eligible. Those who have attended and completed massage school are also not eligible until you are licensed by the state you are practicing in. This is a new rule as of 2023.

BODYWORKERS who are not licensed but are allowed to practice Rolfing, Shiatsu, Thai, etc, ARE NOT ELIGIBLE to attend our courses without first obtaining a massage therapy license.

If the practitioner resides and practices in a state that is not currently regulated, then prior to registration or within 15 days of the start of class, we will need you to provide a copy of your massage school transcript, showing completion of a minimum of a single 500 hours in-class massage therapy training program. We may also require proof of professional liability insurance.

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