ASHLAND INSTITUTE OF MASSAGE

Releases for the Spine and Pelvis (Phase 4) April 5, 2024: Releases for the Cervical Spine This 4 hour class will include hands-on techniques for the Upper, Middle, and Lower Neck. NOTE: This one class will be held at an alternate location in Ashland. Details in your confirmation email! May 3, 2024: Releases for the Thoracic Spine This 4 hour class will include hands-on techniques for the Upper, Middle, and Lower Thoracic Spine. June 7, 2024: Releases for the Lumbar Spine This 4 hour class will include hands-on techniques for all five lumbar vertebrae. August 2, 2024: Releases for the Pelvis This 4 hour class will include hands-on techniques for the Psoas, Ilium Rotation patterns, and the Sacrum. Ortho-Bionomy® uses osteopathic-based, gentle, comfortable body positions and movements to stimulate self-correcting reflexes within the muscles and nerves. This method is specific and structure oriented. The techniques of this foundation class can alleviate tension patterns within 10-30 seconds. It is easy on the practitioner and can be integrated into any massage or bodywork session. This class fulfills a requirement for the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International’s Associate and Practitioner training programs. The Cervical Spine, Thoracic Spine, Lumbar Spine, and Pelvis classes in combination are the equivalent of the 16 hour Releases for the Spine & Pelvis (Phase 4) class. You can take any of the Ortho-Bionomy First Friday classes in a series, mix and match them in any order, or take any individual course as a stand-alone class. Included in the class tuition is access to a prerequisite online video with necessary information about Ortho-Bionomy, so that we can spend more class time doing hands-on work. If you have recently taken an Ortho-Bionomy class this requirement may be waived, please ask for more details. Please note: Participants will be asked to wear an N95 mask while in the classroom for this particular course. Masks will be available if needed. Melissa Malm, LMT, Registered Ortho-Bionomy® Instructor, has been a student and practitioner of massage and bodywork since 1997. She studied in the Bay Area both at the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville and the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley. In 2007, Melissa discovered Ortho-Bionomy and realized she had found her bodywork “home.” She is an Advanced Practitioner and in 2020 became a Registered Instructor of Ortho-Bionomy®. Melissa is thrilled to now be able to share this exciting bodywork with others through her teaching. Ortho-Bionomy® is a registered trademark of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International, Inc. and is used with permission.

Learn Advanced Myofascial Techniques that will dramatically improve your ability to work with TMJ pain, TMD/TMJD and related headaches; ear and sinus issues; and more. The Advanced Myofascial Techniques series presents practicing somatic therapists and qualified students with advanced and little-known myofascial techniques which can be easily incorporated into existing personal styles. Drawing on a wide range of disciplines, the focus is on unusual, interesting, and fresh approaches that will both expand technique repertoire and inspire creativity and innovation. Potential topics include: Specific techniques for common structural and functional complaints Relieving pain, restoring lost function, and getting lasting results  Utilizing both active and passive movement to enhance effectiveness  Precision in working with specific tissue types and body layers  Combining indirect or subtle work with deep or direct work  Tracking subtle psychophysiological and nervous system responses  Ways to work sensitively, safely, and comfortably at very deep levels Bruce Nelson is a Certified Advanced Rolfer™, a Berry Method® Practitioner, a Reiki Master, is Level II Certified in Advanced Myofascial Techniques, and is an Instructor for advanced-trainings.com's Advanced Myofascial Techniques series. Bruce is known for a keen focus on overall wellness, and for his clear, compassionate, and community-minded teaching style. As a person, practitioner and teacher, he describes himself as a "holistic adventure-seeking student of the world." He has been a participant, fundraiser, and coach with Leukemia Lymphoma Society since 2003. He lives and practices in the greater Anchorage, Alaska area.

Learn highly effective Advanced Myofascial Techniques that dramatically improve your ability to work with conditions such as chronic back pain, spinal fixations, easing diaphragm and rib issues, increasing spine mobility...and more. The Advanced Myofascial Techniques series presents practicing somatic therapists and qualified students with advanced and little-known myofascial techniques which can be easily incorporated into existing personal styles. Drawing on a wide range of disciplines, the focus is on unusual, interesting, and fresh approaches that will both expand technique repertoire and inspire creativity and innovation. Potential topics include: Specific techniques for common structural and functional complaints Relieving pain, restoring lost function, and getting lasting results Utilizing both active and passive movement to enhance effectiveness Precision in working with specific tissue types and body layers Combining indirect or subtle work with deep or direct work Tracking subtle psychophysiological and nervous system responses Ways to work sensitively, safely, and comfortably at very deep levels Bruce Nelson is a Certified Advanced Rolfer™, a Berry Method® Practitioner, a Reiki Master, is Level II Certified in Advanced Myofascial Techniques, and is an Instructor for advanced-trainings.com's Advanced Myofascial Techniques series. Bruce is known for a keen focus on overall wellness, and for his clear, compassionate, and community-minded teaching style. As a person, practitioner and teacher, he describes himself as a "holistic adventure-seeking student of the world." He has been a participant, fundraiser, and coach with Leukemia Lymphoma Society since 2003. He lives and practices in the greater Anchorage, Alaska area.

We all want to be heard and understood! Our clients certainly do, and keeping communication clear and effective can be a challenge of its own. Join Joanne to learn some simple techniques that will help you discover the healing power of empathic listening—for both your professional and personal lives. We will also address your real-life experiences, and you’ll take home fresh ideas and techniques for expressing yourself cleanly and clearly. This course meets the 4 hour Ethics/Communication requirement for Oregon LMT license renewal. Joanne Lescher, CT, is a certified trainer in nonviolent communication. As an experienced mediator and group facilitator, she equips people to dialogue with each other more effectively. Renowned for her warmth, empathy, and humor, Joanne teaches practical skills that clients can immediately exercise in their practices and lives. Her reputation has been affectionately summarized as an “ability to tame lions”.

This workshop is for hands-on practitioners who want to gain more familiarity and confidence incorporating abdominal massage into their treatments. Mali has a training background and strong influence from Chi Nei Tsang yet has adapted her approach to abdominal massage to be more gentle and meditative than traditional CNT making it well tolerated and nourishing to receive for most people. Learning will include: - guided warm ups to release tension and support a meditative state - covering contraindications and benefits of abdominal massage - guided practice for self abdominal massage including an experiential anatomy tour - how to: create safety and trust before approaching this vulnerable area in your clients assist breath expansion including diaphragmatic release assist detoxification with gentle lymphatic massage of the intestines assist release of fascial adhesions in the organs work with the navel work with points and the meridian system in the abdomen - Q+A and a demonstration of how I would incorporate all you've learned into 5-10 mins in a typical 1 hour massage Mali Jarvis, LMT has been a practicing bodyworker since 2004, currently licensed in Oregon, New Mexico, and Colorado. She received initial training at The Oregon School of Massage in Portland specializing in Eastern Medicine and Shiatsu. She then trained extensively in Traditional Thai Massage and Chi Nei Tsang in Thailand. Other significant influences in her work are Breema, Craniosacral, Osteopathy, Body-Mind Centering, Contact Improvisation, 5 Element Chinese Medicine, Qigong, Taoist meditation and Soto Zen Practice. Mali offers ongoing classes in Movement and Meditation practices as well as bodywork training. Mali's approach in all she does is an invitation to slow down and reconnect with one’s own deep inner rhythms and natural vitality. Mali is currently based in Salida, Colorado.

In this 2 day hands-on class you will learn to understand and work with the lymphatic system as either an enhancement to your treatment or a stand-alone session. You’ll also learn easy to understand concepts and wording to share with even your “regular” clients as well as potential referral partners to help them clearly see the benefits this work can offer them. When lymphatic processes become impaired, significant problems can develop, including metabolic waste and fibrotic tissue build-up, edema (fluid retention), chronic inflammation, and swelling. Lymphatic drainage work significantly enhances healthy lymphatic flow, and in cases where the lymphatic system has been damaged it can redirect the flow to other channels. This can significantly help a wide variety of conditions, from post-surgical edema to fibromyalgia, nerve entrapments, Lyme disease, immune challenges, systemic detoxification and beyond. This course will dive into the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and teach you basic Lymphatic drainage treatment sequences for mild, medically-uncomplicated axial as well as upper and lower extremity edema. *Note: working with medically complicated Lymphedema requiring compression garments and bandaging will not be covered in this course. Pre-class Preparation: Watch instructor’s 2 hour video lecture on lymphatic system A&P before class - link provided at registration Helene Houghton, LMT, is the owner of Body in Context Medical Massage Clinic based in Talent, OR, which specializes in results-oriented manual therapy. Helene is a dedicated body geek who loves to learn and share her discoveries so that others can help make the world a happier, healthier place. She has extensive training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology and multiple manual therapy modalities. She is constantly working with, teaching and learning from her awesome team of medical massage therapists in order to improve outcomes for all of their patients. Over the last decade Helene has been an instructor and guest lecturer at top therapeutic massage schools and is currently faculty at the Ashland Institute of Massage instructing Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology.

A new twist on an ancient modality, cupping is no longer only for chinese medical practitioners. In the hands of a massage therapist, cupping can melt away superficial fascial tension, release trigger points without stress on practitioner thumbs and joints, and move lymph effortlessly. This class offers an introduction to active cupping techniques that will allow you to achieve great results with minimal time and effort. Cups will be provided, and available for purchase in class. If you have a set already, please bring them. Jessica Masters, LMT, is a graduate of Ashland Institute of Massage (2010). Jessica also holds a certification in Medical Massage, where she was first introduced to cups in 2014. She is the owner of Masters Medical Massage in Ashland, OR. Jessica has a passion for teaching and sharing her excitement about this incredibly effective modality.

Learn Cupping techniques specific to releasing Nerve Entrapments. Class will be primarily hands-on, working through the numerous nerve pathways in the body. There will also be a short review of basic cupping mechanisms of action. Introduction to Active Cupping Techniques not a requirement. Jessica Masters, LMT, is a graduate of Ashland Institute of Massage (2010). Jessica also holds a certification in Medical Massage, where she was first introduced to cups in 2014. She is the owner of Masters Medical Massage in Ashland, OR. Jessica has a passion for teaching and sharing her excitement about this incredibly effective modality.

A new twist on an ancient modality, cupping is no longer only for chinese medical practitioners. In the hands of a massage therapist, cupping can melt away superficial fascial tension, release trigger points without stress on practitioner thumbs and joints, and move lymph effortlessly. This class offers an introduction to active cupping techniques that will allow you to achieve great results with minimal time and effort. Cups will be provided, and available for purchase in class. If you have a set already, please bring them. Jessica Masters, LMT, is a graduate of Ashland Institute of Massage (2010). Jessica also holds a certification in Medical Massage, where she was first introduced to cups in 2014. She is the owner of Masters Medical Massage in Ashland, OR. Jessica has a passion for teaching and sharing her excitement about this incredibly effective modality.

Learn Cupping techniques specific to releasing Nerve Entrapments. Class will be primarily hands-on, working through the numerous nerve pathways in the body. There will also be a short review of basic cupping mechanisms of action. Introduction to Active Cupping Techniques not a requirement. Jessica Masters, LMT, is a graduate of Ashland Institute of Massage (2010). Jessica also holds a certification in Medical Massage, where she was first introduced to cups in 2014. She is the owner of Masters Medical Massage in Ashland, OR. Jessica has a passion for teaching and sharing her excitement about this incredibly effective modality.

“Good science is when you don’t know what you’ll find.”-R. Schleip Since the inception of the World Fascia Research Congress in 2007, select members of the scientific community have directed their time, focus, and research hours on developing a greater understanding of this once ignored tissue. In 2024, the accumulation of that knowledge provides us with unforeseen insights into the functioning of not only our bodies, but also our selves. Delve into research from people like Robert Schleip and Carla Stecco, learn what they have uncovered and join in the discussion of how these findings affect us and our role as bodyworkers. Jessica Masters, LMT, is a graduate of Ashland Institute of Massage (2010). Jessica also holds a certification in Medical Massage, where she was first introduced to cups in 2014. She is the owner of Masters Medical Massage in Ashland, OR. Jessica has a passion for teaching and sharing her excitement about this incredibly effective modality.

Learn Advanced Myofascial Techniques that dramatically improve your ability to work with axial and appendicular sciatica, pseudo-sciatica and disc-related sciatic pain, hamstring syndrome, piriformis syndrome ...and more. The Advanced Myofascial Techniques series presents practicing somatic therapists and qualified students with advanced and little-known myofascial techniques which can be easily incorporated into existing personal styles. Drawing on a wide range of disciplines, the focus is on unusual, interesting, and fresh approaches that will both expand technique repertoire and inspire creativity and innovation. Potential topics include: Specific techniques for common structural and functional complaints Relieving pain, restoring lost function, and getting lasting results Utilizing both active and passive movement to enhance effectiveness Precision in working with specific tissue types and body layers Combining indirect or subtle work with deep or direct work Tracking subtle psychophysiological and nervous system responses Ways to work sensitively, safely, and comfortably at very deep levels Bruce Nelson is a Certified Advanced Rolfer™, a Berry Method® Practitioner, a Reiki Master, is Level II Certified in Advanced Myofascial Techniques, and is an Instructor for advanced-trainings.com's Advanced Myofascial Techniques series. Bruce is known for a keen focus on overall wellness, and for his clear, compassionate, and community-minded teaching style. As a person, practitioner and teacher, he describes himself as a "holistic adventure-seeking student of the world." He has been a participant, fundraiser, and coach with Leukemia Lymphoma Society since 2003. He lives and practices in the greater Anchorage, Alaska area.

Learn Advanced Myofascial Techniques that dramatically improve your ability to work with hip, pelvic and thigh pain; gait and sacroiliac issues; sciatica; and more. The Advanced Myofascial Techniques series presents practicing somatic therapists and qualified students with advanced and little-known myofascial techniques which can be easily incorporated into existing personal styles. Drawing on a wide range of disciplines, the focus is on unusual, interesting, and fresh approaches that will both expand technique repertoire and inspire creativity and innovation. Potential topics include: Specific techniques for common structural and functional complaints Relieving pain, restoring lost function, and getting lasting results Utilizing both active and passive movement to enhance effectiveness Precision in working with specific tissue types and body layers Combining indirect or subtle work with deep or direct work Tracking subtle psychophysiological and nervous system responses Ways to work sensitively, safely, and comfortably at very deep levels Bruce Nelson is a Certified Advanced Rolfer™, a Berry Method® Practitioner, a Reiki Master, is Level II Certified in Advanced Myofascial Techniques, and is an Instructor for advanced-trainings.com's Advanced Myofascial Techniques series. Bruce is known for a keen focus on overall wellness, and for his clear, compassionate, and community-minded teaching style. As a person, practitioner and teacher, he describes himself as a "holistic adventure-seeking student of the world." He has been a participant, fundraiser, and coach with Leukemia Lymphoma Society since 2003. He lives and practices in the greater Anchorage, Alaska area.

We all want to be heard and understood! Our clients certainly do, and keeping communication clear and effective can be a challenge of its own. Join Joanne to learn some simple techniques that will help you discover the healing power of empathic listening—for both your professional and personal lives. We will also address your real-life experiences, and you’ll take home fresh ideas and techniques for expressing yourself cleanly and clearly. This course meets the 4 hour Ethics/Communication requirement for Oregon LMT license renewal. Joanne Lescher, CT, is a certified trainer in nonviolent communication. As an experienced mediator and group facilitator, she equips people to dialogue with each other more effectively. Renowned for her warmth, empathy, and humor, Joanne teaches practical skills that clients can immediately exercise in their practices and lives. Her reputation has been affectionately summarized as an “ability to tame lions”.