Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute

Massage Programs

Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute offers 200, 550, and 1000 hour programs.

Our Approach

Learning at Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute occurs on many levels. The essential methods we teach of movement, massage, breath and deep relaxation have their roots in ancient traditions of healing and modern science. Students are empowered to live the maxim "Physician, heal thyself" as a foundation for their daily lives and practice.

We begin with opening and awakening the body/mind. We utilize a variety of whole-brain learning methods: movement, touch, color and sound. Students develop a felt sense of the body accessed through the five senses, emotions and intuition. The body is a dynamic, multi-dimensional whole made up of systems, interpenetrating energy fields and currents. Each class is a unique learning community, including one to three state certified instructors, classroom assistants, fellow students, graduate student coaches, and clinical practice with the general public. A blend of intimacy and trust is established between students and instructors as they exchange agreements, intentions, feelings, massage, energy balance and compassionate presence.

The practice of holistic massage is a practice in energy cultivation, self-awareness, skillful movement, focused intention and compassionate connection. Approached as such, students often report that the giving of massage becomes as profoundly healing as the receiving. The ongoing practice of massage offers a vehicle of integration between mind and body, self and other, livelihood and service to life.

Practicum

Part of the training our students receive during our Level I Massage Technician Program involves giving massage to clients from the public. Sessions are approximately 60 minutes in length and begin with the student therapist discussing the Client Intake Information Sheet with their client. After the session, student and client complete the final portion of the Intake sheet and the student prepares for a second client.

Students also participate in community outreach and may choose from local marathons, bike races, special populations, non-profit fundraisers or their own venue within their respective communities. During the course of their practicum students will have the opportunity to draw from the supervising instructors such as Sonia Ross, nationally ranked cyclist, John Harris, international sports massage author and presenter, and Mary Sullivan, published through Real Bodyworks DVDs.

Get in Touch!

To find out more about our programs, please, Request Information.

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