My Massage Therapy Training

My massage therapy training has been primarily at the Potomac Massage Training Institute, a 600-hour program spanning an 18-month curriculum. Additionally, I've done some training at Kripalu Center with Deane Juhan, who is a teacher of the Trager technique. Much of my yoga training has proven extremely beneficial to the process of learning massage and has informed my massage style and approach in ways that translate to the client as observable skill, compassion, and knowledge in each session.

At PMTI, student therapists learn all of the bones of the body along with the extrinsic muscles of a given area. For example, one learns the arm/wrist/hand, all the related bones and bony landmarks, ligaments, and extrinsic muscles. This process continues for the entire body until all the anatomy is learned and tested sufficiently. The exams are of two types: "academic" and "practical." The written academic tests are very challenging and really do show you what you know and don't know. They require that you actually study. The practical exams are not so much "challenging" because they occur at the end of the term when you should have gotten enough practice over the course of the term to pass the practical exam. They are, rather, I would say, intimidating, especially the Level 2 exam which is intended to test your practical knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and your understanding of how to apply pressure to different body regions without harming the client.

I recommend the PMTI program to anyone in the DC area who wants to learn bodywork, as this program is an excellent foundation for any further study in bodywork a person may pursue.