Massage Professional: 15 Hours, 11 Accredited Certificates

Learn some of the basic principles for giving a great massage.

Learn about what you might want or need.

Please click on 'View Resources' and then download the three eBooks.

Reading these eBooks is optional. If you like, you can just watch the videos.

The 'Massage Professional' course companion eBook is there to support and expand your learning. You can dip into this eBook as you wish, according to your own interests.

Our book, 'Essential Aromatherapy', will teach you how to utilize the power of 52 essential oils in your treatments...

'Freelance Massage Success' is a deliberately concise 47-page text that will illustrate how to kick-start a new massage business or optimize an existing one; an emphasis on an analytical mind-set with a view towards consistent optimization is emphasized throughout.

Enjoy!

And, as always, don't hesitate to message us if you have any questions.

Learn how to effectively relax someone in less than ten minutes. Back rubs are generally brief, seated, fully clothed and informal — they can be given anywhere conveniently. You will instantly acquire some simple but impressive and thoroughly rewarding techniques. As you learn various traditions of massage, you can integrate many of the methods into this sequence, modifying and personalizing it as you wish.

This is a simple oil-based back massage which has been designed for beginners and couples. It can be conveniently performed on a bed or floor. It is soothing and relieving, but also very easy and quick to learn. This lesson involves mainly Swedish movements along with several deep tissue and Hawaiian techniques. This lesson is not mandatory but provides a nice stepping stone to performing a full-body Swedish massage, especially if you have never massaged with oil or cream.

Known in India as ‘champi’, Indian head massage grew out of the Ayurvedic medical system and has been widely practised for around a thousand years. The massage focuses on the head, neck, shoulders and upper arms. Since tension tends to accumulate in these areas, this treatment can be very effective.

The techniques are designed to infuse the receiver with feelings of comfort, relaxation and tranquillity. They can also help reduce muscle tension and eyestrain, relieve headaches and areas of soreness, and enhance flexibility, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. By calming the nerves and relaxing the muscles, the treatment encourages deep abdominal breathing and benefits the whole body. Furthermore, improved circulation through the scalp may promote strong and healthy hair growth — effects which can potentially be compounded if special oils are applied to the hair.

On a spiritual level, Indian head massage may help to re-balance the energy flow through the chakras. On a practical level, it is a convenient but satisfying massage that can be given anywhere, in a short space of time if necessary, and many of the techniques can be performed without oil.

The hand is one of the most sensitive and repetitively strained areas of the body. This lesson teaches intriguing techniques that are designed to unlock the tension that accumulates during everyday life. The forearm is also cared for.

Reflexologists from all traditions agree that foot massage can relax and benefit the whole body. A variety of techniques are explained and demonstrated in this lesson, as well as how to use hot stones on the feet. Charts are provided which illustrate the target areas of reflexology and Thai reflexology, as well as the marma points of Ayurveda, and the acupuncture points of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which are the same as those used in acupressure. Learning these charts is a matter of choice  —  you do not need to memorize them to perform the massage.

This massage style is known in Sweden and throughout most of the world as ‘classic massage’; only the Dutch and English speaking countries refer to it as ‘Swedish’. True to its classical name, it is generally the most well-known massage in the Western world. The treatment helps to promote the many general benefits of massage. For example, circulation is enhanced while muscular tension is reduced and knots are removed.

This full-body massage is soft and relaxing and employs only a little deep tissue work. It is an ideal lesson through which to master the basics of massaging with oil. Once comfortable with these basics, the techniques of many other massages can be attempted with confidence.

Effleurage, petrissage, friction and percussive strokes are demonstrated.

As with all of these massages, do not worry if you do not own a massage table as most of the techniques can be performed on a bed or floor. You can simply skip the techniques which logistically require a table to be performed, and you may consider substituting these movements with techniques from other lessons, such as the Hawaiian or sports massage tutorials. Alternatively, the movements that are designed for a table can also be performed over the side of a bed.

For many centuries, the healing knowledge of lomilomi has been kept secret by shamans known as 'kahunas'. However, in recent years, these shamans have decided to break their silence and openly share their wisdom, and Hawaiian massage has rapidly become popular worldwide.

The motions of this Hawaiian lomilomi massage take inspiration from the four elements: water, fire, air and earth. Lomilomi massage is famous for graceful whole-body strokes that seek to reflect the waves of the ocean washing over the receiver. To receive one is extremely relaxing, pleasurable and therapeutic, and it can simultaneously be a mesmerizing and meditative experience to give one.

Lomilomi is a healing art that goes beyond simple touch. Herbal remedies, consultation, prayer and divine inspiration are embraced. The lomilomi spirit is shaped by innocence, intuition and intention. It seeks to reflect the surrounding paradise it was born from, reveling in the joys and powers of Mother Earth, and recognizing her as the source of all human powers. Lomilomi is best approached in a direct, mindful and light-hearted manner. Authentic Hawaiian lomilomi massage may be considered a deeply spiritual practice but, like Zen Shiatsu, it can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of their spiritual inclinations.

Thai yoga massage is an ancient and spiritual practice that embraces ideas of energy flow, the correction of imbalances and a holistic view of health. The two main traditions are broadly categorised as the southern and northern style. This course teaches the northern style which is gentler and more universally enjoyable.

Learning extremely powerful techniques can be quick and easy. Thai yoga massage combines rhythmic acupressure and limb rotations with stretches which are similar to those found in hatha yoga. It is sometimes explained as resembling ‘having yoga done for you’ or a form of ‘lazy man’s yoga’. These are not inaccurate descriptions.

Thai massage is one of the most active and effective kinds of massage, a novel experience that will stretch and apply pressure in ways most people have never experienced before, relieving tension they never even realised they were experiencing. It is one of the most rewarding forms of massage to receive due to the intensity of the relaxing and blissful feelings that can be released. Furthermore, it is also very rewarding to give because it can be absorbing and tranquil; a vicariously pleasurable and therapeutic experience.

It is easy to get a lot of practice with Thai massage because it is conveniently performed on a hard mat or on the floor. No oil is required and, additionally, there is no need to disrobe. Therefore, it is a perfect massage to perform in places that lack privacy, and it is also an ideal treatment for anyone who is shy. Do not be surprised if you are bombarded with requests!

This is a collection of highly relaxing Thai massage techniques that focus on rhythmic, fluid movements. 
This massage is slightly more difficult than the other massages on this video course, but it can still be learned quite quickly, and the results are highly rewarding. 

These are therapeutic techniques that focus on deeply penetrating the muscles to help remove knots and tension. The experience can be mildly uncomfortable while simultaneously providing relief from stress, exhaustion or pain. There is a strong emphasis on personalization and the result is a supremely satisfying experience with long-lasting benefits.

This is a relatively brief routine that may be used on its own or combined with elements of Swedish or Hawaiian massage to help ensure the muscles are thoroughly warmed up. Alternatively, techniques from this lesson can be integrated into other massages, helping you to respond to particular areas of tension, as well as the preferences of the receiver.

All oil-based treatments can be made more effective with hot stones. Learn how to integrate them into your massage repertoire, adding another dimension to the experience. This tutorial will focus on the principles of good practice; hot stone massage is not difficult, but some practice and feedback will be required!

A Japanese form of therapeutic bodywork, Zen Shiatsu is based on the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Elements of Zen philosophy are also embraced. The goal of the treatment is to encourage the natural, free and unobstructed flow of energy around the body, correcting imbalances in a way that brings health and vitality. It is very tranquil, slow and mesmerizing.

Although Zen Shiatsu is concerned with holistic healing and spirituality, it is also a powerful method of inducing a trance-like state of mind. Furthermore, this unique style of movement can be incorporated into many other forms of massage, helping to enhance the experience. 

The techniques involve the mindful application of static pressure around the body, and, as you will quickly realize, there is no pre-defined routine. The Zen Shiatsu lesson is defined by principles, advice and guidelines, which are designed to enable you to give fully personalized treatments. 

To help ensure understanding, unlike the other tutorials on this course, this Zen Shiatsu lesson is not in the format of a narrated real-time demonstration. Instead, this lesson focuses on explaining theory and practice, and an example real-time Zen Shiatsu treatment is provided separately.

Since the Zen Shiatsu tutorial focused on the principles of good practice and did not show a treatment from start-to-finish, this extra demonstration video has been provided to help ensure understanding.

Zen Shiatsu Demonstration: Part 2.

This is a fully-clothed massage performed on a specialized chair. The chair is designed to fully support the head and arms, enabling a more comfortable and luxurious experience. An ideal treatment for corporate or public settings, this massage focuses on and therapeutically relaxes the muscles of the back. The head, neck and arms are also attended to.

Although a specialized chair is ideal for this massage, most of the techniques can be performed in any seated position which allows full access to the back, such as when the receiver is on the floor or a stool, so do not worry if you do not have a specialist chair. Furthermore, you will quickly notice that while the chair enables and strongly enhances the effectiveness of some techniques, it also simultaneously limits a number of other possible techniques as well. It is advisable to experiment and see what works for you.