Posts from — April 2009

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!!

The National Holistic Institute (NHI) in Encino is launching the Pink Slip Massage Therapy Relief Act (PSMTRA) which will provide one free 50-minute massage to any unemployed person who has a pink slip or other verification of unemployment issued within the last 90 days. Eligible individuals must book online at Encino Clinic. Appointments will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis the following dates only: April 17 & 24 and May 8 & 15.

The PSMRTA continues NHI’s long-standing tradition of offering free massage therapy to people in need. In response to the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, NHI began the Massage Emergency Response Team (MERT) that is now used nationally to organize volunteer massage therapy on rescue and recovery workers at disaster sites. 

The latest California unemployment rate (2/09) was 10.5%, tying Rhode Island for the fifth highest rate in the country. Rising unemployment has dramatically increased stress levels for the jobless and their families. Massage therapy has been proven to relieve stress, relax muscles, increase joint mobility, lower blood pressure and boost productivity. In fact, according to the American Massage Therapy Association, 36 percent of Americans got a massage to relieve stress in 2008.

Massage Magazine online recognized the PSMTRA as their top news story today!

Click Here for the Full Article on MassageMag.com

Each year, every employee from all 5 of our campuses gathers in Northern California for National Holistic Institute’s All Staff Day.  It’s a chance for us to learn and bond, laugh and cry together.  This annual assembly marks the ultimate celebration for what we do in our jobs daily.

With the help of Susan Koenig, we reconnected with our roots.  Susan was part of the trio that helped create NHI.

Linda Rikli, VP of Education, serves up the cake commemorating our 30^th anniversary.

NHI owner Mason Myers and VP of Admissions Jennifer Jhanda mark an admissions milestone with some hip-hop aerobics.

Believe it or not, these folks are forming a human toothbrush.  You just had to be there to understand why.

But most importantly, we reconnected on a deeper level with the “friends and family” more commonly known as our co-workers.

Team Encino visits Staff Day from Southern California