Heartwood Institute

About Heartwood

Heartwood Institute is one of the most successful, influential and longest running experiments in alternative education in the world. For over 25 years, it has been the only residential school of its kind. Students who have studied at Heartwood tell us it was one of the most powerful transformational experiences of their lives.

The most wonderful people in the world come to Heartwood. These are people who want their love to make a difference in the lives of those around them.

We witness something profound when we teach natural healing. People give themselves permission to love and be loved with rare clarity and purity. In class after class, we see an amazing transformation in the spirit and character of our students.

Giving and receiving loving touch on a daily basis, nurtured by the kind support of faculty, staff and peers, students embody a greater sense of self-acceptance and self-esteem, and enjoy a sustainable lifestyle of wellness and wholeness. Personal growth and transformation are the result.

A Location Like No Other

The Heartwood campus is set on 200 acres in the mountains of California's North Coast. It is rustic, serene and beautiful with magnificent vistas to inspire the heart. The retreat-like country setting, the nurturing organic food, the healing community environment, the sacredness of our land and our commitment to excellence in vocational training create what our students report is the most meaningful experience of their lives.

Our Programs

Our programs are taught by master teachers who live their philosophies of natural health care, spiritual development and loving service. Professional training at Heartwood is exciting, innovative and comprehensive. Our programs are unique because they take place in an environment of professional excellence, inspiring natural beauty and support for personal growth.

• Holistic Health Practitioner Program
  12 months - 1035 hours
  

  A comprehensive education in the Healing Arts that includes thorough training in Shiatsu Acupressure, Massage Theory and Technique, Deep Tissue Massage, Polarity Therapy, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Human Sciences, Nutrition and professional Development.

• Massage Therapist Program
  9 months - 805 hours
  

  You will receive all the fundamentals you need to begin your massage therapy practice, including a thorough training in Shiatsu Acupressure, Massage Theory and Technique, and Deep Tissue Massage, as well as Human Sciences, Nutrition, and Professional Development.

• Asian Healing Arts and Whole Foods
  Nutrition Program
  9 months - 810 hours
  

  An integrative training providing treatment and assessment tools based on Shiatsu Acupressure bodywork, Meridian Massage, Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory, Whole Foods Nutrition, exercise methods such as Tai Ji and Qi Gong, Awareness Practices, Dietary and Herbal Therapies, Human Sciences and Professional Development.

Faculty

The faculty and staff of Heartwood Institute invite you to experience an education that will help you translate your hopes and dreams into a meaningful career-work you can be proud of, work you will love. In our programs, you are given the opportunity to grow personally and professionally and to become a skilled and compassionate bodyworker. As a therapist in training, you will learn to cultivate sensitivity, intuitive awareness, loving presence and confidence in your work. Learning about the interplay between body, mind and spirit is a major emphasis in our program. Our graduates find their work well received and their clients appreciative of the healing spirit that Heartwood engenders.

We invite you to live and study at Heartwood. Whether you are looking for an alternative to traditional colleges, are seeking bodywork training in a safe immersion environment, or are a practicing professional seeking to add to your working knowledge, now is the best time for you to be at Heartwood. Request information now. You'll be glad you did.

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to find out more, please Request Information.

For more information, visit the home page of the Heartwood Institute.