ASHLAND INSTITUTE OF MASSAGE

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”.

August 1, 2025: Releases for the Cervical Spine This 4 hour class will include hands-on techniques for the Upper, Middle, and Lower Neck. August 29, 2025: Releases for the Thoracic Spine This 4 hour class will include hands-on techniques for the Upper, Middle, and Lower Thoracic Spine. October 3, 2025: Releases for the Lumbar Spine This 4 hour class will include hands-on techniques for all five lumbar vertebrae. October 31, 2025: 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.

Here is your opportunity to sample The Upledger Institute’s CranioSacral Therapy 1 (CST) workshop studied by more than 1250,000 healthcare practitioners worldwide. This twelve-hour program is a mix of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on practice designed to teach you the benefits of CST along with some basic techniques you can use in practice and for your own health. CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the function of the craniosacral system — the physiological body system comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Among the medical conditions for which CranioSacral Therapy has shown to be effective are: -Migraine Headaches -Chronic Neck and Back Pain -Motor-Coordination Impairments -Central Nervous System Disorders -Orthopedic Problems -Scoliosis -Autism -Learning Disabilities -Post-Surgical Dysfunctions -Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury -Stress and Emotional Related Problems -Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction -Chronic Fatigue -Neurovascular or Immune Disorders -Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder -Fibromyalgia and other Connective Tissue Disorders Developed by John E. Upledger, DO, OMM, CranioSacral Therapy enhances the body’s natural healing processes to improve the operation of the central nervous system, dissipate the negative effects of stress, enhance health and strengthen resistance to disease. Students who choose to enroll in the complete Upledger Institute’s CranioSacral Therapy 1 training at AIM will receive a $125 discount from the full course fee if they have taken this Introductory course. Caitlin Fears, LMT, CST-D is a 2008 graduate of AIM. In addition to owning and operating a successful and diverse wellness clinic in Medford, OR, Caitlin is immersed in the deep studies of CranioSacral therapy and Trauma, as well as the ancient science of Astrology. She travels frequently as a Teaching Assistant and Presenter with Upledger Institute. Continuing education for all forms of healing modalities is a regular pursuit. She teaches Prenatal Massage and Ethics at the Ashland Institute of Massage and finds inspiring others to be one of her many passions.

This workshop is for hands-on practitioners who want to gain more familiarity and confidence incorporating abdominal massage into their treatments. Mali prioritizes creating a safe container and a healing state in recipients. The work is as much about the nervous system and inducing parasympathetic state as it is about how to contact and work with the organs. Mali has a training background and strong influence from Chi Nei Tsang yet has adapted her approach to be gentle and meditative, making it well tolerated and nourishing to receive for most people. Learning will include: - warm-up practices of self bodywork, qigong, and meditation - a guided self abdominal massage treatment protocol - a basic review of internal organ anatomy how to: -create safety and trust before approaching this vulnerable area in your clients -assist breath expansion and diaphragmatic release -assist detoxification with gentle lymphatic massage of the intestines -assist release of fascial adhesions around the organs -work with the navel (hub of the wheel of our bodies) -work with points and the meridian system in the abdomen -a demonstration of how to incorporate the material into a 1 hr full body massage Mali Jarvis, LMT has been in practice as a massage therapist since 2004. 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, Feldenkris, Contact Improvisation, 5 Element Chinese Medicine, Qigong, Nei Gong, Taoist meditation, and Soto Zen Practice. Mali offers ongoing classes in Movement and Meditation practices as well as bodywork trainings. 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.

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 studied 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. D’vorah has a private practice (Thai Therapeutics) 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 teaching and practice.

An ethics class for body nerds! Dive into the science of fostering safety within clinical relationships to achieve exceptional therapeutic outcomes. This training is designed for practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding and application of cutting-edge physiological and psychological theories in their practice. Here’s what we will explore: The nitty gritty of how to apply polyvagal theory in your practice. Understanding the dance of the autonomic nervous system in the stress response- what it physiologically means for you and your client, and how you can work with your own body to help your client feel safer. There is a science to touch! How to optimize your speed, pressure, heat and other factors to create a “neuroception” of safety- learning how to best interact with your client’s proprioceptive and social grooming nerve receptors. How all this combines to help you create a more Trauma Informed Care Environment and better outcomes! This course offers not only in-depth insights and “aha” moments, but also practical skills you can use right away. By the end, you’ll be equipped to foster a more responsive and effective therapeutic environment, leading to great results for your clients. 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.

Learn Advanced Myofascial Techniques that dramatically improve your ability to work with conditions such as wrist, rotator cuff and shoulder issues, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress injuries, thoracic outlet 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.

This course will introduce you to the anatomy and physiology of the CranioSacral System through our practical hands-on "learning by discovery" method. You will learn advanced palpatory skills, fascial and soft tissue release techniques, and a concise 10-step protocol for evaluation and treatment of the entire body via the CranioSacral System. To supplement class instruction you will receive a fully-illustrated, comprehensive study guide. You will learn gentle techniques that assess and help normalize components of the CranioSacral System, so the body can begin to self-correct. By unraveling pain and dysfunction at the source, you'll naturally help eliminate stress, strengthen resistance to disease, and enhance health in every dimension. By the end of this four-day workshop you should be able to: Describe the scientific foundation and principles of CranioSacral Therapy - and why it's key to helping clients relieve pain and dysfunction at their source. Identify the subtle CranioSacral Rhythm and interpret its patterns to accurately assess dysfunction and improvements. Locate the source of physical problems by working with the fascial system, that complex web of tissue that encloses all body structures and systems. Demonstrate finely tuned palpation skills you can rely on as sensitive, intuitive healthcare tools. Describe the intra-cranial and spinal meninges and use techniques to release tensions and restrictions that could enhance interactions between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. Use techniques that facilitate significant health and relaxation effects, including Direction of Energy and Still Point Induction. Implement new skills to help clients with such common ailments as chronic pain, head and neck injuries, orthopedic problems, TMJ dysfunction, and more. Put a comprehensive and effective 10-Step Protocol into practice right away. If you have never experienced CST for yourself, it is recommended, but not required, that you have a session prior to class. This will help you gain valuable insights into how this modality works and what effects it has on your body. To find a CST practitioner in your area, go to www.iahp.com and Search for a Practitioner, or contact the Satellite/Sponsor in your country. Melinda Naye: Along with teaching CST, Melinda has a full time CranioSacral Therapy practice in Auburn, California. She works on many different types of clients including newborns and children, adults of all ages and the occasional dog, cat and horse! She has been teaching with Upledger Melinda is a Certified CST with Upledger as well as a CSI,SER1,and CSPT Instructor. Massage Therapist, Reiki practitioner and bodyworker, and many other titles since 1993.