“Healing Hands School of Holistic Health’s mission is to enhance human health by providing quality education and a well-rounded curriculum in the Holistic Healing Arts,” said Harmony Morgan, Director for the school’s Laguna Hills classroom. “Ancient massage modalities have finally earned their place among effective holistic healing practices. That’s why our Programs – Massage Therapist and Holistic Health Practitioner, require students to explore ancient bodywork approaches from around the world. By incorporating both Eastern and Western modalities, they gain an expanded understanding of the human body, effective healing techniques and the healing process itself. We believe this awareness is essential to our students’ development as Professional Massage Therapists and true Holistic Healers”, she added.
Ancient modalities Healing Hands will be teaching in the next three months include:
Lomi-Lomi – also known as Hawaiian Massage (coming to Kearny Mesa – June 22) originated in Ancient Polynesia around 370 AD before being brought to the Hawaiian Island by Settlers. Lomi lomi is a traditional Hawaiian massage that uses a combination of massage techniques, nut oils, and sometimes elements of prayer, breathing and dance to restore energy and soothe the body. It is also known as the ‘loving hands’ massage.
Traditional Thai Massage, (coming to Kearny Mesa – July 7th). Thai massage is an ancient massage technique that originated in India and was brought to Thailand about 2500 years ago. Thai Massage is often referred to as “the lazy man’s yoga as it is focused on stretching and warming up the body, much like a yoga session.
Herbal Thai Massage (coming to Escondido – July 13) dates back nearly 5,000 years. In Herbal Thai Massage students learn to make and integrate the use an Herbal Ball (made from select herbs and essential oils) into their massage practice The Thai Herbal Ball compress technique offers several potential health benefits: It induces deep relaxation, relieves stress and fatigue, boosts both emotional and physical well-being, assists alignment and postural integrity of the body, improves circulation of blood and lymph and stimulates the internal organs.
TuiNa or Acupressure (coming to Kearny Mesa – August 2, and Laguna Hills on August 5th) can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty of ancient China, around 1700 B.C.E. The term tui na (pronounced “twee naw”), which literally means “pinch and pull,” refers to a wide range of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic massage and body work techniques. Tui na is not generally used for pleasure and relaxation, but rather as a treatment to address specific patterns of disharmony.
Shiatsu (coming to Laguna Hills July 27 and Escondido – August 13 has been practiced for many centuries in China before being introduced to Japan in the 6th century. There, it was blended with Anma, a traditional form of Japanese Massage. Shiatsu which translates to ‘finger pressure’ uses thumbs, fingers, elbows, and knees to concentrate pressure at certain energy pathways in the body called meridians.
Some of these ancient modalities are done on a massage table, with clients undressed but covered by a sheet to ensure modesty. Other modalities, however, are practiced on a thick floor mat with the client wearing loose-fitting clothing.
In Thai Massage, which is usually performed on a mat, allows the therapist to use hands, feet and knees to provide gentle, rhythmic compressions and yoga-like stretches. A well-executed Thai Massage will leave the client feeling physically energized, mentally alert and refreshed. These benefits are a result of the techniques used to stretch muscles, increase range of motion of joints and clear the body’s energy pathways.
Another modality performed on a mat is Shiatsu. A Shiatsu massage may include using passive joint movement, rocking and progressively deeper stretches to affect positive change. Other ancient modalities benefit the body’s internal organs and bodily functions. For example, regular recipients of Traditional Thai Massage enjoy positive shifts in metabolism and energy levels, emotional state/mood, mental clarity, digestion and sleep patterns. An Herbal Thai Massage promotes detoxification, increases lymph flow and speeds the repair of muscle tissue due to injury or strain.
All Staff Instructors at Healing Hands learned these dynamic massage modalities just as they had been taught for centuries. They then worked diligently with Healing Hands School Founder, Paula Curtiss, to develop the most effective curriculum to impart this ancient knowledge and respective skills to students. To date, Healing Hands’ top-notch Instructors have prepared more than 7,000 students for rewarding careers as Professional Massage Therapists and can do the same for you!
Learn more about ancient massage modalities and a variety of holistic health practices at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health. Visit us online at www.HealingHandsSchool.com or call us at (949) 305-2722 in Laguna Hills, or (760)756-9364 in Escondido, or (858) 505-1100 in Kearny Mesa.
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