Founded by Paula and Neha Curtiss in 1992, Healing Hands School of Holistic Health (HHSHH) celebrated its twenty-second Anniversary on Saturday, February 8th, 2014. The school, which has classrooms in both Escondido and Laguna Hills, California, boasts two Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Programs and over 80 electives/modalities for students to choose from.
Nationally accredited and approved for Government funding via Federal Student Aid, Veterans Benefits, and the Workforce Investment Act, HHSHH is considered a path-blazer in Holistic Health Education. Over the past 22 years the school has earned a reputation for turning out exceptional Massage Therapists and Practitioners, putting graduates in high-demand throughout San Diego and Orange counties. To date, the school has prepared over 6,000 students for successful careers in the industry and is still going strong.
Earning their living as Massage Therapists, while raising a young family, Paula and Neha knew back in 1992 that they had something more to offer. Believing that Massage Therapy is a Healing Art as well as a Science, after much discussion and meditation on the subject, the couple identified an aligned vision: To teach therapeutic bodywork so that the massage student not only learns the techniques, but is inspired by the art and craft of the work.
After identifying their vision, the couple turned their attention to answering the question: How can we teach hands-on massage skills while engendering deep respect for the body and compassion for each other. Looking to past instructors, Western Science and the disciplines of Eastern philosophy, they found their answer. They would develop curriculum that required the student to experience both sides of the massage, give them a comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of the body, and provide ample opportunity for them to gain practical experience. Most importantly, they would do so by creating a classroom environment of trust, respect and joyful discovery.
When acknowledging the school’s 22nd anniversary, Paula said, “I want to thank our, dedicated students, exceptional Faculty and hard-working Staff for our school’s many accomplishments. If not for them and the 6,000 graduates who believed in our mission, our vision would not have become a reality”. Neha, the school’s Director of Education added: “We’re very fortunate to have attracted Massage Therapy and Holistic Health educators who specialize in their subjects and have a tremendous respect for the Healing Arts. They have been the driving force behind our success, not only imparting their knowledge and skills, but also by modeling the sensitivity and awareness necessary to become a solid practitioner.”
Currently, HHSHH has more than 350 students interested in pursuing a career the US Department of Labor reports as being the fastest growing in the Nation. The reason; new technologies can now confirm the therapeutic benefits of Massage making it a fully accepted adjunct to mainstream medicine. Now, in addition to traditional settings like Day Spas, Gyms and Resorts, Massage therapy is also being offered at Doctors’ and Chiropractic offices, Physical Therapy Clinics, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Rehab Centers, and even in Corporate settings. With the average starting salary between $15 and $45 an hour, it not only offers variety, it allows practitioners to achieve financial independence.
Paula and Neha Curtiss believe that becoming a true Healer, requires a balance of academic and technical knowledge, clinical skills, manual dexterity, sensitivity and awareness. If you have a passion for promoting health and self-care, yet crave autonomy and a profession you can take anywhere, then it may be time to consider the highly gratifying career of a Massage Therapist or Holistic Health Practitioner. For more on HHSHH and our programs, please call us at (949) 305-2722, or visit us online at www.HealingHandsSchool.com.