The Daily Breeze, a Los Angeles South Bay news source, interviewed National Holistic Institute teacher Nancy Gouge for an article published this week about the health benefits of massage therapy.

Researchers think massage may stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which triggers the body to release stress, said Nancy Gouge, an instructor at the National Holistic Institute massage therapy school in Encino. Once relieved of stress, the heart rate slows, blood vessels dilate and normal activity resumes throughout the body.

To read the article in its entirety, Click Here.

Click on the video link above to see Craig Newmark, the founder of Craig’s List, getting a massage from a National Holistic Institute student.

NHI provided 7 massage therapy students for the annual Craigslist Foundation’s Boot Camp at the UC Berkeley campus.  Lots of event attendees were able to enjoy free massage while taking a little break from learning all about the world of non-profit organizations!

Welcome to NHI’s YouTube Channel!

In the video above, longtime NHI teacher Melissa Wheeler gives some chair massage pointers to a group of NHI students.  We encourage you to try these techniques on friends, family, and co-workers.

Click below to visit our YouTube Channel.  Let us know if you’d like to see other “how-to” videos.

National Holistic Institute Students and Graduates will receive a $100 VISA Gift Card for referring a new student to NHI with our Referral Rewards Program!

1. Refer a friend, relative or acquaintance to National Holistic Institute by completing the Referral Rewards Form at http://www.nhi.edu/referrals/form.html.
   
   
2. When your referral enrolls at one of the National Holistic Institute campuses, your name is recorded into our rewards database.
   
   
3. After your referral has attended 2 weeks of class, you will automatically qualify to receive the $100 Visa Gift Card. An NHI staff member will contact you to receive the award.

Thank you for helping us realize our motto of “Helping People Have Work They Love!”

Renee Lucchini, Dean of Faculty at National Holistic Institute, takes a break from the complicated job of scheduling teachers for classes.  See her here, in the mud, at the site of NHI’s new building in Emeryville!

This picture reminds me of a similar one from 1939 showing the construction of a new gymnasium at my alma mater, the University of Southern California.  The caption to that picture read, “Always growing, ever-changing, never finished.” 

Certainly, these words also capture the NHI spirit.  To paraphrase USC President Steven Sample – We are always growing.  Our campuses are ever-changing.  Our progress is never finished.

Last Thursday, the National Holistic Institute campus in Encino opened its doors to the California Massage Therapy Council - the organization charged with creating the voluntary statewide massage certification for California.  The board meeting covered such topics as credentialing and the proposed application process.  As the September 1 start approaches, refer to this blog for breaking news.

NHI Co-Owner and CAMTC Treasurer Mason Myers with fellow Board Member Beverly May

CAMTC Chairman Ahmos Netanel with Board Member Roberta Rolnick

CAMTC Board Member Dr. Paul Schwinghammer with Executive Director Cheryl Oliver

87.35%

That’s the final National Holistic Institute Placement percentage for 2008!!

All 5 NHI campuses demonstrated remarkable placement numbers with the Encino campus in Los Angeles finishing at an extraordinary 96.6%!

While many sectors of the economy struggle right now, massage blazes on.  The success of our recent graduates supports the numerous articles we’ve read (Massage Thrives During Recession ) stating that the national massage scene flourishes.  In fact, our 2008 placement numbers even improved upon our 2007 statistics!

Every year, NHI must report graduate placement numbers to ACCET in order to maintain our national accreditation and ability to offer federal financial aid.  ACCET’s minimum standard is 70%, well below the NHI standard. 

Congratulations to our graduates, teachers, and placement department! 

At NHI, we really do live up to our motto of “Helping People Have Work They Love!”

Neal Delaporta, NCTMB Chair (left) and Paul Lindamood, NCTMB CEO after the CAMTC meeting on April 27, 2009

Neal Delaporta, the Chair of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, graduated from National Holistic Institute Group 3 in 2001.  He moved from Connecticut to California to attend NHI.  “I didn’t undertake that move lightly because there were good massage schools nearby in Connecticut,” said Delaporta.  “I pretty much knew when I walked through the door that NHI was the place for me.  I saw the way the program was set-up – it was perfectly balanced – and it was a great decision for me.”

Neal was in California on Monday, April 27, 2009, to attend a meeting of the newly formed California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) implementing California statewide certification.  The CAMTC is considering the NCTMB’s national certification exam as one of the methods by which a massage therapist could receive a certification in California.

The NCTMB provides a national certification that is held by 91,000 therapists across the U.S., including 5,000 in California.  Overall, the national and California exam passing rates are in the high 60 percent range, but over 80% of NHI graduates pass the national exam on the first attempt.  Excellent work NHI graduates!

National Holistic Institute is now using Twitter to give you the latest news and upcoming events.  Twitter is a free service that lets you keep in touch with people through the exchange of quick, frequent updates.

Follow NHI today!

Sunday’s sold-out Integral Anatomy workshop with Gil Hedley was a smashing success!  81 people, including staff, students, graduates, yoga teachers, personal trainers, artists and massage therapists, gathered at our Emeryville campus for this unique class.

You have a 2nd chance to catch this class at the National Holistic Institute Encino campus on May 17.  Email Denise at boyled@nhi.edu to register.

Here is some of the email feedback we’ve received since: 

I really can’t thank you enough for the fantastic anatomy workshop with Gil Hedley.  He more than lived up to his reputation.  The information and slides give an understanding of human anatomy that is rarely seen with the more common “origin/insertion/action” protocols.  Gil brings the human body to life.  The workshop has not only deepened my understanding of anatomy, but has also been a shot in the arm for the way I will approach my clients in bodywork.  – Art Riggs, author of Deep Tissue Massage

 

That was the best CEU class I have ever taken. Gil was amazing on so many levels, he truly is brilliant, and his message and intention is nothing less than beautifully divine.  His class was really a journey that must be experienced to truly be understood. I enjoyed his sense of humor and his unique perspective on life, the human body and soul - and his integration of them all. My expectations were exceeded and honestly, my mind was blown! Again, thank you for bringing Gil to NHI, what a gift. - Heather Hurless

 

Great day yesterday.  Nothing like seeing the real thing to get an education.  I loved him.  He’s an excellent teacher.  What makes him so great is not just his knowledge and the fun way he shares it, but also the little digressions that are at times personal and other times philosophical which bring a unique human and personal perspective with sensitivity to something that is usually clinical and detached from our humanity. - Luis Velez

Linda Rikli, VP of Education; Gil Hedley; Melissa Wheeler, Training Coordinator

Other overheard comments:

Unbelievably eye opening.

 

Both as a teacher and a massage therapist, I have gained a different way of approaching the body and teaching anatomy to my students.

 

The delivery of the information and format was brilliant; breath of fresh air.  I had many “aha” moments.  I cannot even find the words for how excited and inspired I feel!  Wow!

 

I can never again look at the body in the way I used to.

 

Respectful and awe-filled approach to the body and life.  Loved the weaving of nature and family seamlessly into the slides.  Such a sweet, personal and powerful approach.

 

Loved it, time just flew by.  This information will linger for days, months, years.

 

The fascia and our relationship to it is fascinating!  This course has elevated my appreciation for the human body.  My interconnectedness with my clients is taken to another level.

 

Not just a strict anatomy class.  Much gained from philosophical discussion, thinking way outside of the box.

 

Gil – what an amazing HOLISTIC approach to life through the lens of the body…incredible work you have done.  Your class exceeded all of my thoughts and expectations.  Thanks for blowing my mind!!