Continuing Education

Regardless of the healing modalities you use, there is a way to bring the world of energy and consciousness into your touchwork. “When Structure Meets Energy” is a course series for bodyworkers who want to blend energetic principles and practices with their bodywork practice. It is also a course for practitioners of subtle energetic disciplines who wish to incorporate the physical body into their work. Participants will work in a non-modality-bound way with both the physical structure and the energy field of their treatment partners. This series is about integrating energy work and bodywork practices into what can be called “energy-active bodywork.”In Non-Forcing Release Techniques you will learn unwinding and several other non-forcing release strategies from craniosacral and subtle energy therapies. We will develop ways of using the physical body as a “handle” on larger processes, from physical to emotional and psycho-spiritual. In this class, we will also explore a basic, broadly applicable energy-based model for understanding trauma. In addition, you will learn a number of energy exercises for self-healing and personal development.

Jim Gilkeson has taught energy healing for 35 years. A former Harbin Hot Springs bodywork therapist, Jim has written two books on energy healing: A Pilgrim in Your Body: Energy Healing and Spiritual Process and Energy Healing: A Pathway to Inner Growth.
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This is a special opportunity to study with the mother/son educator team of Shari Sunshine and Tobin McKee. Discover the direct feedback of your clients’ response to your touch. Develop your ability to work directly with what your clients’ bodies are expressing. Awaken your creativity as you begin to improvise in every moment. Every body is different, and yet every body enjoys the pleasure of perfect contact. This workshop is all about finding that sweet spot and expanding it. In this course we integrate Syntropy with massage on the back, in prone position, improving your quality of touch and the efficiency of deeper work. When you work with your clients’ relaxation response, you are able to directly and enjoyably address those common trouble spots that everyone wants you to work on. We will also practice insightful client intake, continuity of touch, and Healing Qi Gong for sustaining energy and improving body mechanics.

With more than 60 years combined teaching experience, Shari Sunshine and Tobin McKee each spent more than a decade as massage school directors. Shari co-founded Ashland Massage Institute and created Syntropy Insight Bodywork. Tobin studied Syntropy with Shari, and then founded Arcata School of Massage and created Middleway Method Somatic Education. Shari developed Syntropy Insight Bodywork in response to the need for training that emphasizes compassionate touch, self-care, and creative improvisation. Tobin developed Middleway Method Somatic Education through fourteen years of experimentation, in his efforts to produce consistently employable and effective massage therapists. Learn more about Shari and Tobin at http://middlewaymethod.org/mentors-and-providers/.
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Have you ever wanted to take a professional kinesiology course without the stress of an exam? A course where you can pick and choose which muscle groups you want to review? Introducing the Kinesiology Review and Trivia Night Series! Designed for the busy therapist who wants to go back and add new layers of understanding to the anatomy behind bodywork, each three hour class will cover one functional muscle group. In addition to reviewing muscle attachments and actions, we’ll look at muscle innervation and fascial connections, and do some palpation! Add to this a touch of trivia, and you get a fun night of learning with information you can apply directly to your practice. Take a single class, only the classes you want, or the whole series:09/17 – Tuesday – Muscles of Scapular Stabilization;10/01 – Tuesday – The Rotator Cuff;10/15 – Tuesday – Movers of the Shoulder Joint;11/05 – Tuesday – Movers of the Elbow;11/19 – Tuesday – Movers of the Wrist and Hand.

Trout America, LMT, BA, began his teaching career as an English instructor in Japan in 2005. After graduating from AIM in 2011 he joined our school’s science instruction team. His teaching style emphasizes the fun in learning, making him one of the most popular instructors on staff. Trout excels at finding ways to connect each student to the material and making class time memorable!
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With presence, compassion, and attunement, we can create a greater sense of safety and trust with our clients. In this interactive class, we will explore what it means to be in a therapeutic relationship with our clients by utilizing fascinating recent discoveries in Neuroscience. We will look specifically at how the therapist’s state of being and nonverbal communication can access an important gateway to healing. This four-hour class includes small group explorations as well as large group discussions and lecture. You will earn 4 Ethics/Communication/Boundaries continuing education hours, required by OBMT for license renewal.

Kelly Vittoria, LMT, RCST, has been a practicing massage therapist for 18 years, and an instructor for 11 years. In addition to her private practice, she offers end-of-life care to Rogue Valley community members on hospice. Her warm and welcoming presence creates a feeling of safety and ease with both her clients and students.
Sam Vittoria, CHP, is a mindfulness-based somatic counselor who is trained in the art of therapeutic presence, attunement, and communication. He is a skilled in numerous psychotherapeutic modalities, all of which place the therapeutic relationship at the center of healing. Together, their warm and welcoming presence create a feeling of trust and ease with both their clients and students.
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Have you ever wanted to take a professional kinesiology course without the stress of an exam? A course where you can pick and choose which muscle groups you want to review? Introducing the Kinesiology Review and Trivia Night Series! Designed for the busy therapist who wants to go back and add new layers of understanding to the anatomy behind bodywork, each three hour class will cover one functional muscle group. In addition to reviewing muscle attachments and actions, we’ll look at muscle innervation and fascial connections, and do some palpation! Add to this a touch of trivia, and you get a fun night of learning with information you can apply directly to your practice. Take a single class, only the classes you want, or the whole series:09/17 – Tuesday – Muscles of Scapular Stabilization;10/01 – Tuesday – The Rotator Cuff;10/15 – Tuesday – Movers of the Shoulder Joint;11/05 – Tuesday – Movers of the Elbow;11/19 – Tuesday – Movers of the Wrist and Hand.

Trout America, LMT, BA, began his teaching career as an English instructor in Japan in 2005. After graduating from AIM in 2011 he joined our school’s science instruction team. His teaching style emphasizes the fun in learning, making him one of the most popular instructors on staff. Trout excels at finding ways to connect each student to the material and making class time memorable!
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Learn highly effective Advanced Myofascial Techniques that dramatically improve your ability to work with conditions such as: hamstring injuries; knee and ankle issues; hammertoes; heel spurs; plantar fasciitis …and more! Offered in partnership with Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com, the Advanced Myofascial Techniques series presents practicing manual 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 commonly encountered 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.If you have enjoyed MFR training at AIM or are ready to expand the therapeutic value of your work, this series of classes will be deeply satisfying.

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.
Note:

Registration for Advanced Myofascial Techniques seminars will be processed through their website at advanced-trainings.com, and their early enrollment and cancellation policies shall apply. For details, visit advanced-trainings.com, email info@advanced-trainings.com, or call 877.499.8811. Participants may also contact AIM at 541-482-5134 for registration assistance.
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Learn Advanced Myofascial Techniques that dramatically improve your ability to work with: knee injuries; ligament and joint conditions; surgery recovery; stability and movement limitations; patellar and knee pain, and more! Offered in partnership with Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com, the Advanced Myofascial Techniques series presents practicing manual 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: Offered in partnership with Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com, the Advanced Myofascial Techniques series presents practicing manual 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 commonly encountered 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.If you have enjoyed MFR training at AIM or are ready to expand the therapeutic value of your work, this series of classes will be deeply satisfying.

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.
Note:

Registration for Advanced Myofascial Techniques seminars will be processed through their website at advanced-trainings.com, and their early enrollment and cancellation policies shall apply. For details, visit advanced-trainings.com, email info@advanced-trainings.com, or call 877.499.8811. Participants may also contact AIM at 541-482-5134 for registration assistance.
Register

Have you ever wanted to take a professional kinesiology course without the stress of an exam? A course where you can pick and choose which muscle groups you want to review? Introducing the Kinesiology Review and Trivia Night Series! Designed for the busy therapist who wants to go back and add new layers of understanding to the anatomy behind bodywork, each three hour class will cover one functional muscle group. In addition to reviewing muscle attachments and actions, we’ll look at muscle innervation and fascial connections, and do some palpation! Add to this a touch of trivia, and you get a fun night of learning with information you can apply directly to your practice. Take a single class, only the classes you want, or the whole series:09/17 – Tuesday – Muscles of Scapular Stabilization;10/01 – Tuesday – The Rotator Cuff;10/15 – Tuesday – Movers of the Shoulder Joint;11/05 – Tuesday – Movers of the Elbow;11/19 – Tuesday – Movers of the Wrist and Hand.

Trout America, LMT, BA, began his teaching career as an English instructor in Japan in 2005. After graduating from AIM in 2011 he joined our school’s science instruction team. His teaching style emphasizes the fun in learning, making him one of the most popular instructors on staff. Trout excels at finding ways to connect each student to the material and making class time memorable!
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Learn how to integrate Thai Massage stretches, compression, traction, joint mobilization and acupressure into your table/oil massage. There will be a strong emphasis on body mechanics and honoring the traditional spiritual roots of this ancient Thai healing art. This class will enhance your table massage but does not take the place of Traditional Thai Massage, which is performed on the floor.

D’vorah Swarzman, LMT, has been studying the art and science of traditional Thai massage since 1993, returning regularly to Thailand for further study. She is a graduate of Heartwood Institute’s 750 hour Advanced Massage Therapist program. She has a private practice in Ashland, Oregon and is an instructor with and founding member of the Thai Healing Alliance International. She integrates rhythm, improvisation and mindfulness into her practice. .
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Have you ever wanted to take a professional kinesiology course without the stress of an exam? A course where you can pick and choose which muscle groups you want to review? Introducing the Kinesiology Review and Trivia Night Series! Designed for the busy therapist who wants to go back and add new layers of understanding to the anatomy behind bodywork, each three hour class will cover one functional muscle group. In addition to reviewing muscle attachments and actions, we’ll look at muscle innervation and fascial connections, and do some palpation! Add to this a touch of trivia, and you get a fun night of learning with information you can apply directly to your practice. Take a single class, only the classes you want, or the whole series:09/17 – Tuesday – Muscles of Scapular Stabilization;10/01 – Tuesday – The Rotator Cuff;10/15 – Tuesday – Movers of the Shoulder Joint;11/05 – Tuesday – Movers of the Elbow;11/19 – Tuesday – Movers of the Wrist and Hand.

Trout America, LMT, BA, began his teaching career as an English instructor in Japan in 2005. After graduating from AIM in 2011 he joined our school’s science instruction team. His teaching style emphasizes the fun in learning, making him one of the most popular instructors on staff. Trout excels at finding ways to connect each student to the material and making class time memorable!
Register

Have you ever wanted to take a professional kinesiology course without the stress of an exam? A course where you can pick and choose which muscle groups you want to review? Introducing the Kinesiology Review and Trivia Night Series! Designed for the busy therapist who wants to go back and add new layers of understanding to the anatomy behind bodywork, each three hour class will cover one functional muscle group. In addition to reviewing muscle attachments and actions, we’ll look at muscle innervation and fascial connections, and do some palpation! Add to this a touch of trivia, and you get a fun night of learning with information you can apply directly to your practice. Take a single class, only the classes you want, or the whole series:09/17 – Tuesday – Muscles of Scapular Stabilization;10/01 – Tuesday – The Rotator Cuff;10/15 – Tuesday – Movers of the Shoulder Joint;11/05 – Tuesday – Movers of the Elbow;11/19 – Tuesday – Movers of the Wrist and Hand.

Trout America, LMT, BA, began his teaching career as an English instructor in Japan in 2005. After graduating from AIM in 2011 he joined our school’s science instruction team. His teaching style emphasizes the fun in learning, making him one of the most popular instructors on staff. Trout excels at finding ways to connect each student to the material and making class time memorable!
Register

As health care providers we have the profound opportunity to provide compassionate, therapeutic touch to those who are at the end of life. This can be a comforting and deeply meaningful experience–for the therapist as well as the client. In this day-long class, we will consider the many facets of working in hospice care. In a safe classroom environment, we will navigate the tender territory of death and dying and take time to explore our own relationship to this transitional time in life. We will discuss the numerous benefits of providing touch at the end of life, as well as practice safe touch techniques, and hone our ability to read our client’s nonverbal communication cues. This 7-hour continuing education class, open to massage therapists, hospice volunteers and other health care providers, will include credit for 4 Ethics/Communication/Boundaries hours as required by the OBMT for license renewal.

Kelly Vittoria, LMT, RCST, has been a practicing massage therapist for 18 years, and an instructor for 11 years. In addition to her private practice, she offers end-of-life care to Rogue Valley community members on hospice. Her warm and welcoming presence creates a feeling of safety and ease with both her clients and students.
Register