CURRICULUM HOURS

Anatomy & Physiology, Pathology and Kinesiology

Students will learn to name and locate all muscles, bones, organs, and systems of the human body.  They will also have a basic understanding of how the systems of the body operate individually and as part of a dynamic whole.  Students will learn the nature of diseases and the structural and functional changes produced by them.  Students will also study the principles of anatomy and biomechanics in relation to human movement.

Body Movement Classes

These classes engage students in movement disciplines that promote personal balance and well-being.  All three disciplines are taught in relation to massage to establish a base for proper body mechanics during massage.

Body Movement
This class will focus on alignment and body mechanics with additional attention to streching, strengthening, and cardiovascular self-care.

Dynamics of Movement
Students will discover their own impulse to move as a pathway to awareness, well-being, creativity and intuition.  Special emphasis will be placed on using movement to increase effectiveness as a massage therapist and to participate spontaneously with life as it occurs.

Movement with Alignment and Strength
Moving with balance, alignment, and strength can improve emotional and physical well-being, especially when doing physically demanding work such as massage. This class imparts basic principles of movement and neuromuscular alignment, along with strengthening and stretching exercises that students can do in a short time with little space and no equipment.

Business, Marketing, Law and Ethics

Students will discover through the teachings and interactive exercises how to organize, run and promote their own businesses. They will also learn how to apply for and maintain Wisconsin and national certification for bodyworkers and massage therapists.  The ethics of massage will be approached from its broader historical and cultural basis. From this context students will learn to maintain integrity in the client-therapist relationship.  All standards set forth by NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) are covered in the Ethics class. 

Massage Theory & Technique

Students practice various massage techniques while learning the basic principles of relaxing, therapeutic, and transformative bodywork.  They cover the history of massage, learn the distinction between massage and bodywork, and are exposed to numerous massage and bodywork modalities. Effective interviewing techniques, note charting, postural analysis and hydrotherapy are also taught during this portion of the program.

Bodywork in Motion
This class teaches students bodywork techniques that involve movement of the client on the table.  These techniques involve client participation which encourages self-responsibility and self-care during the session.  They also apply a three-dimensional aspect to massage allowing for greater tissue engagement. 

Chair Massage
Self-care, muscle groups most affected during a chair massage, information to start their own chair massage business and concerns/comfort of client are among teachings provided during this class.  Demonstration of techniques will allow students to administer a 15 minute chair massage and feel comfortable with the process.

Documented Individual Massages (DIMs)
Students practice a minimum of 40 hours of massage outside classroom hours. These massages are documented with health history forms, charting notes and evaluations.

Energetic Alignment
In this class students discover physical ease in their body while supporting the energetic alignment with ground and center for themselves and the client.  Students are encouraged to notice the direct correlation between proper body mechanics and the increasing effectiveness of massage and bodywork.

Energetic Rapport
Students explore the dynamics of energy with the client, themselves and the physical space. This course teaches effective communication with clients and tools for establishing mutual trust.  Successful interviewing methods, an ability to establish rapport with the client, keen observation skills, and active listening are primary outcomes. 

 Intro to Myofascial
Myofascial is a method of bodywork that elongates and releases tension in the fascia.  The fascia is the connective tissue which surrounds the muscles and organs in the body and spreads throughout the body in a network from head to toe. CranioSacral is also introduced as a method of working with the fascia as well as the central nervous system.

Jin Shin Do®:  Bodymind Acupressure & Eastern Philosophy
These classes incorporate Eastern Philosophy, Chinese acu-theory, Japanese finger pressure techniques and Western psychotherapeutic Bodymind Focusing techniques.  Jin Shin Do® uses deep, yet gentle pressure to stimulate precise point locations associated with physical problems and distressing feelings, to bring about release and transformation toward one’s full potential and joy.  Class time also includes the study of Eastern Philosophy and an in depth study of the meridians.

Massage for Individuals with Cancer
This course introduces students to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals with cancer as well as bodywork techniques geared specifically for them.  Students will gain a sensitivity to and awareness of the challenges of these individuals along with knowledge of guidelines and techniques for working with clients at risk for lymph edema.

Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese word that literally means “Universal Love Life Force Energy”.  Students will learn the history of Reiki and what it is, the differences between Reiki and other touch therapies, how to give a full-body and chair Reiki session and how to use Reiki to complement other bodywork techniques.

Sports Massage
This class teaches students bodywork techniques geared specifically for the care and training of athletes.  The students gain an awareness of specific bodywork needs of athletes related to training, injuries, and sporting events. Specific techniques including remedial exercise and muscle flushing are discussed, demonstrated and practiced. 

Swedish
Swedish massage is the most widely recognized and commonly used category of massage.  The modality of Swedish massage works with the body’s soft tissue, inducing a state of deep relaxation as well as assisting in pain relief and increased circulation. Students will be introduced to the history and basic principles of bodywork and will gain knowledge of the multidisciplinary facets of massage.  Indications and contraindications, additional modalities of bodywork, draping, lubricants, charting, interviewing, and session environment are also covered.

Transformational Bodywork
This class is designed to support the student in discovering a whole new realm of bodywork which allows transformation for both the client and therapist.  Students become aware that the more ease/peace they experience while giving massage, the greater the difference for the client.

Trigger Point
The class teaches various techniques to relieve or eliminate trigger points.  Trigger points are hypersensitive areas in the muscles, tendons, or fascia and are commonly caused by trauma.  Students learn what trigger points are, how to find them and what to do when they are found. 

Various Modalities
Other massage and bodywork modalities are taught and introduced:   CranioSacral, Elderly, Pregnancy, Sinus and Tandem Massage.

Personal Transformation

The focus of Personal Transformation is to support the student’s personal development.  The dynamic of Personal Transformation occurs continually throughout the program.

Centering
At TIBIA, we have a commitment to support students in discovering the tools to consistently be in the "center" of themselves so that they experience an increased awareness of ease in their daily lives.  Centering also enhances energetic alignment and rapport. This portion of the curriculum is a weekly opportunity to develop this skill.

The Foundation Workshop:  Freeing the Power to Heal
In this class, we distinguish between our automatic defense mechanisms that we have previously thought of as our Selves, and the authentic Self from which everything unfolds naturally, with grace and ease.  We learn to move from “helping” “others” to allowing healing to occur for ourselves and those around us.

Student Clinic

TIBIA’s Student Clinic is an opportunity for the students to experience working with an increasing variety of clients who are prepared to provide constructive feedback.  The students apply the entirety of what they have learned at TIBIA as they begin to experience their role of massage therapist in the workplace.  Participation in Student Clinic affords a final piece of personal transformation for students as they near the culmination of their experience at TIBIA.