Left to Right: Beth McNeill, Linda Rikli, Tiahna Skye, Jen Jhanda, Raquel Rodriguez and Ron Peat. AMTA Schools Summit NHI Panel

Several audience members expressed difficulties trying to place graduates while dealing with often slow state licensing processes.  NHI representative and California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) Board Member Joe Bob Smith explained how this wasn’t a problem in California since programs like NHI could help students apply for certification to work while they were still in school.  Michael McGillicuddy from Florida and Sally Hacking from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) shared their perspectives on the matter and encouraged everyone in attendance to get involved in their local legislation.  It was agreed that many lawmakers still need to be educated about the massage profession and the role of schools.

Some attendees raised the issue of training students with English as a second language.  Cynthia Ribeiro, NHI’s Advanced Curriculum Coordinator and AMTA President-Elect, shared her story of coming to America from Brazil and succeeding as a massage therapist.  Most all schools, like NHI, welcomed the challenge of training a diverse student body.

The purpose of the panel was to encourage all schools to share their best practices as a way of raising the bar for massage therapy education as a whole.  In addition to some of NHI’s wisdom, participants also got to experience a couple of NHI rituals including the chi pat and the infamous “Whoosh!”.  Ron Peat closed the two-hour session with words of wisdom that he often shares with students: 1) the only failure is the failure to participate, and 2) if you can’t be on time, be early.

This annual summit, held this year in San Francisco, gathers massage school owners, directors, and personnel from across the country to discuss their challenges and successes as well as the future of massage therapy education.

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!!

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

Leisha Anders has been a teaching fixture at NHI for the last 7 years.  This Friday she leaves us to be closer to her family in Texas.  If only NHI had a campus in Dallas!

Today at our weekly faculty meeting, we presented Leisha with a framed collage of her time here.  Leisha spent her first 5 years at the Emeryville campus.  Then 2 years ago she moved to Los Angeles to help open the Encino campus.  At the time, it was more of a happy accident than some sort of master plan on our part.  But oh how fortunate we were!  I truly can’t imagine the Encino campus without her.

Leisha has been a source of knowledge and inspiration to students and staff alike.  She inhabits the NHI curriculum and culture like few others.  NHI Director of Education Linda Rikli recently said,

“We greet her news with a sad heart, but with the knowledge that we, NHI, are better in so many ways because of her time with us.”

While we will truly miss your presence, Leisha, we will never forget the spirit you’ve left behind.