Posts from — February 2009

Being an in-demand massage therapist means knowing precisely where on the body to place your hands.  That skill requires an understanding of human anatomy.  While the wonders of the human body can fill us with awe, anatomy can be daunting for many to learn.  That’s why, at National Holistic Institute, we always look for entertaining and educational ways to help students grasp anatomy fundamentals.

Lauren Endo, a student in William Mathis’ class, describes the picture above.  “We wrapped our classmates Jyrone Wayne (left) and Christopher James (right) in plastic wrap before drawing “anatomically correct” muscles on them.  It was an amazing experience that really aided in turning theory and concept into tangible reality.  We, as seniors, were able to educate our juniors as to what is to come in their Eastern kinesiology segment, while keeping it light, fun, engaging, and incredibly interactive.  What you’re bearing witness to in these photos is the product of many hours spent studying and reciting muscle origins, insertions, and actions!!”

William adds, “Group 16 Students find themselves fascianated with connective tissue!  As a visual aid to assist learning about the muscular system, group 16 students Jyrone and Christopher volunteered to become living anatomy figures!  Following a lecture on connective tissue and muscle fibers, we wrapped them in plastic to simulate the fascial layer covering the muscles – and then the other students drew various muscles on them.”

Massage is one of those careers you take practically anywhere – even the canals of Venice.

As celebrations continue for its 50th anniversary year, the Hotel Cipriani has announced its freshest ever proposal, where the art of massage meets an emblem that is strictly Venetian: the Gondola.

In perfectly natural synergy, the gently rocking of the gondola and the talented hands of a massage therapist induce a profound sense of calm, allowing the mind and body to effortlessly drift into a natural state of relaxation that washes away every ounce of stress.

A mat that has been specially designed to embrace the shape of the gondola cradles the body during this total body massage, which places special focus on the back, shoulders, neck, and face, where soft rhythmic rocking alternates with kneading and gentle brushing effleurage. To protect sun sensitive skin, no essential oils or perfumes are used on the body. Instead, the Casanova Spa therapists have blended a special oil rich in vitamin E and F with a high SPF sun screen, coffee oil and peach milk.

This special 40-minute body treatment ends with a foot massage and the opportunity to relax in the hotel’s fragrant and shaded garden with a cooling iced tea.

A special venue for the ‘gondola massage’ has been created in a hidden corner of the Venetian lagoon, where the sounds of silence ebb and flow with the sea – a magnificent backdrop for a massage that is positively unique, just like Venice.

The Hotel Cipriani Gondola Massage is priced from 400 Euro plus 10% tax and can be booked directly with the Casanova Spa.

On Monday, the Los Angeles Times Health section ran a cover story discussing the upcoming California state massage certification.  The article also points out some of the medical benefits massage promotes.  Click here to read the complete article.

Kaizen may sound like another type of massage, but it’s not.  Still, kaizen is a vital part of the National Holistic Institute culture.

Many schools teach massage, but only a few excel at it.  What makes the difference?  We found one answer by studying the phenomenal success of Toyota.  Toyota has earned a reputation for quality, reliability and value by depending on every employee to consistently innovate and improve both the working environment and, ultimately, the final product.  By promoting incremental changes from within, this “bottom-up” approach of management style is the heart of kaizen.

At NHI, we pride ourselves on our faculty and staff.  After hiring outstanding people, providing them with constant training, and enjoying low employee turnover, it only makes sense to listen to them when it comes to making a better school.  After all, the person doing the job knows that job better than anyone else.  The kaizen spirit is one of many ways NHI keeps their graduates at the top of the field.

At NHI we like to “get around” the anatomy any way we can – from palpating, drawing, watching videos, reading and even getting our beloved “Skinny” on the massage table.

Al Carbonetti has been teaching at NHI for 2 years now, having graduated from National Holistic Institute Emeryville in 1999.  He knows the power of understanding the human body when it comes to building a successful massage practice and loves to be creative when he teaches kinesiology.  His attitude is “whatever it takes.”  In this photo, Skinny is on the massage table for an interactive exercise where students walk around the table identifying the different bones and bony landmarks.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, 44% of consumers over 65 years of age got their last massage for medical reasons.  This age group has tripled its use of massage over the last 10 years.  Massage is fast becoming a vital part of the health needs for seniors.

National Holistic Institute has reached out to seniors for a long time.  NHI Emeryville’s “Senior Center Day” during the recent holidays drew over 40 seniors from the Emeryville Senior Center!  They came to enjoy a free Shiatsu-style massage.

Student Life & Career Coordinator Aviana Lynn writes, ”Many seniors reported that their massages by the junior students were ‘fabulous,’ and they were eager to schedule future massages with the NHI student clinic as well as purchase gift cards for the enjoyment of friends and relatives.”

Holiday eggnog and pastries were provided by NHI, and many of the seniors were seen munching and chatting away long after their massages were over!