Ashland Institute of Massage

Ashland Institute of Massage is a small school with a big vision - educating hands, heart, and head for a holistic integration of Self and skills. Founded in 1988, we offer quality education for massage therapists in a small-school environment and gorgeous locale.

Our 650-hour massage program is for self-directed people committed to learning the foundations of massage therapy. This program integrates the human sciences of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology with the technical practice of Swedish massage, medical/rehabilitation techniques and a variety of eastern, energy-based modalities. We emphasize Core Integration - the development of you as a person and a practitioner - through self-awareness, communication skills, ethics, and business skills.

Our Vision

Ashland Institute of Massage strives to integrate body, mind, and heart in our programs, believing that a mindful, holistic program creates a mindful, holistic practitioner. We believe that massage, as a healing art, has the potential to deepen the connection with universal healing energy. We honor the essential spirit in each of our students and support students' varied interests in applying their education, whether in private practice, a medical environment, or a spa setting.

We are committed to:

• Maintaining a culturally creative learning community comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and interests.
• Developing professional massage therapists who hold highly to the values of integrity, accountability, respect, compassion, and ethical practice.
• Creating a space for learning that is safe, fun, and interactive.

Educational Philosophy

We recognize that students enter the program with their own learning preferences and bring to their practice a diversity of skills and life experience. We believe that scientific understanding, clinical skill, self-awareness, intuition, and the ability to be present with your client are all important aspects of a competent practitioner.

• We value the integration of body, mind, and heart in learning and in practice. We structure our curriculum so that students experience this integration during their training through kinesthetic activities, intellectual stimulation, and awareness practices.
• We teach human sciences with the practice of massage therapy in mind. We provide a thorough working knowledge of the structure and function of the human body, along with the theory and practice of Swedish massage and complementary therapeutic modalities.
• We model professional, compassionate attitudes with a commitment to ethical interactions with our students, colleagues, and clients.
• We provide a safe, supervised, and supportive learning environment that promotes the health and well-being of our students.
• We support practitioners in broadening their skills and knowledge through on-going continuing education programs.

Location

Ashland Institute of Massage is located in Ashland, Oregon, a picturesque town of 20,000, nestled in the southern Rogue River Valley at the confluence of the Klamath, Siskiyou, and Cascade mountain ranges. Ashland has a sunny climate with very moderate rainfall. This progressive, health-conscious, and safe community is home to the nationally renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Ashland is known for its small-town ambiance, superb restaurants, abundant music and theater, and access to incredible outdoor recreation opportunities. Hiking, skiing, kayaking, and mountain biking are all easily accessible from town. We are 1½ hours away from Mt. Shasta or Crater Lake National Park, 2½ hours from the Pacific Ocean, and midway between Portland and San Francisco.

Program

We offer a 650-hour professional massage program, with an emphasis on Swedish massage and introduction to several other massage and bodywork methodologies, such as neuromuscular therapy, myo-fascial release, cranial-sacral therapy and Thai massage. We have two schedules available: an evening/weekend program and a "fast-track" day program. The evening/weekend program begins in September and takes 10 months to complete. The daytime program has starts in January and July and is a full-time, 6-month, intensive schedule.

Courses

Human Science - 216 hours

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Kinesiology
• Pathology

Massage - 316 hours

• Introduction to Palpation
• Swedish Massage
• Clinical Assessment and Applications
• Neuromuscular & Deep Tissue Techniques
• Thai Massage
• Hydrotherapy
• Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
• Energetic Explorations
• Shiatsu
• Polarity
• Myo-Fascial Release
• CranioSacral Therapy

Professional Integration - 118 hours

• Core Integration (includes self-awareness, communication, ethics, professional development)
• Observational Forum
• Elder Clinic
• Public Clinic
• Practical Review

Our Invitation

We invite your curiosity - take some time to consider how Ashland Institute of Massage may be in service to you in your development as a massage therapist. We welcome a conversation to respond to questions you may have. If you are interested in our program and would like to find out more, please Request Information and visit our website.