This course is the foundation for learning at IPSB, for either professional training or personal growth and spiritual development.  It is the pre-requisite for the Massage Therapy Certificate program and the foundation for the school's philosophical approach to learning.  It gives the student a solid core of skills, knowledge, and experiential understanding of the integration of Body-Mind-Emotions-Spirit through the work of holistic body practices. 

The coursework is based on a Three Centers concept: the physical, emotional, and intellectual centers.  The physical center relates to the physical instinct and the concept of being grounded and able to take care of our needs.  The emotional center relates to the heart and the flow of emotions to the outside world.  The intellectual center relates to being aware of the outside world, organizing the senses, and understanding what is going on.

These centers are seen as corresponding to areas of the body: the physical center relates to the legs and lower abdomen; the emotional center to the chest, arms and thorax; and the intellectual center, to the head and neck.  The Essentials of Massage and Bodywork course is designed to create an opening and integration of these centers in the student and to give a format for balancing and opening these centers in others.  When these centers are integrated and flowing, their unity produces the Spirit.

Course Objectives:

1. 1.To provide the essential foundation for learning at IPSB for either professional bodywork training or personal growth and spiritual development. 
   

2. 2.To create an opening and integration of the Three Centers in the student and to give a format for balancing and opening these centers in others. 
   

3. 3.To give students a solid core of skills, knowledge, and experiential understanding of basic anatomy and introductory level massage practices. 
   

4. 4.To introduce professional skills for business, ethics, and client communication.
   

This course qualifies the graduate to apply basic massage techniques on family, friends, and others. Graduation from this class does not ensure employment in most areas.  (Please refer to the "Massage Therapy Licensing" section for more information.)

The Essentials of Massage and Bodywork course can be taken for continuing education and growth or as the beginning level of the professional academic training.  Although some individuals may find work in the field (depending on state and/or local educational requirements), this course on its own does not provide enough education to meet the professional standards of AMTA, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, or the 500-hour (or above) level of licensure in the City of San Diego. 

Those students who plan on becoming professional massage therapists and bodyworkers are expected to continue their education at least through the Massage Therapy certificate program, and are strongly encouraged to obtain the Holistic Health Practitioner certificate and an Associate Degree. The opportunity for more academic studies is available in the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree programs. 

ESSENTIALS OF MASSAGE AND BODYWORK:

120 Clock Hours/ 10.0 units

This course is the foundation work of IPSB.  In addition to covering theory and practice of circulatory massage (which includes both Swedish and Esalen styles), students are introduced to Sensory Repatterning, self-massage, and Deep Tissue Sculpting.  Tai Chi, Educational Kinesiology and the IPSB Movement series are also taught as support work for grounding, body mechanics and energy generation.

Lessons taught in the Essentials class include:

* Anatomy, Physiology, Hygiene

* Massage Techniques

* Body Mechanics

* Ethics, Business and Legal Issues

* Practical application (Supervised Practice)

* Somatic Psychology

* Support and Maintenance systems

    Specific class dates and hours for Essentials and the Supervised Practice sessions are listed in each Quarterly Schedule of Classes.  Both Intensive and Regular formats are offered during the year.

The IPSB intensive Essentials Class is designed for students who learn well in a full-time, all-day educational format, and are ideal for those who are able to spend only a short amount of time in San Diego.  In the intensive course, the curriculum is the same as in our regular (three-month) format.  The intensive training is scheduled for thirty to forty (30-40) hours per week over four weeks plus homework, which is similar to a full-time job commitment.