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”.

A new twist on an ancient modality, cupping is no longer only for Chinese Medical practitioners. In the hands of a massage therapist, cupping can melt away superficial fascial tension, release trigger points without stress on practitioner thumbs and joints, and move lymph effortlessly. This class offers an introduction to active cupping techniques that will allow you to achieve great results with minimal time and effort. Cups will be provided, and available for purchase in class. If you have a set already, please bring them. Jessica Masters, LMT, is a graduate of Ashland Institute of Massage (2010). Jessica also holds a certification in Medical Massage, where she was first introduced to cups in 2014. She is the owner of Masters Medical Massage in Ashland, OR. Jessica has a passion for teaching and sharing her excitement about this incredibly effective modality.

Introduction to Active Cupping Techniques is a prerequisite course for this nerve entrapment course. Participants must have taken a course with Jessica in the past in order to sign up. If you have questions on this please reach out. Learn Cupping techniques specific to releasing Nerve Entrapments. Class will be primarily hands-on, working through the numerous nerve pathways in the body. There will also be a short review of basic cupping mechanisms of action. Jessica Masters, LMT, is a graduate of Ashland Institute of Massage (2010). Jessica also holds a certification in Medical Massage, where she was first introduced to cups in 2014. She is the owner of Masters Medical Massage in Ashland, OR. Jessica has a passion for teaching and sharing her excitement about this incredibly effective modality.

February 6: Ortho-Bionomy Isometrics/Isotonics for the Shoulder, Neck, & Jaw - This Isometrics/Isotonics class focuses on techniques to release constrictions: 1. Around the Cervical Spinous Processes 2. Connected to Shoulder Point #7 (on the bicipital groove) 3. Related to the Temporal Mandibular Joint March 6th: Ortho-Bionomy Isometrics/Isotonics for the Ribs & Diaphragm -This Isometrics/Isotonics class focuses on techniques to release constrictions: 1. Connected to the First Rib 2. Related to the Ribs as a group 3. Around the Diaphragm April 3rd: Ortho-Bionomy Isometrics/Isotonics for the Shoulder, Wrist, & Thumb - This Isometrics/Isotonics class focuses on techniques to release constrictions: 1. Related to the Glenohumeral Joint 2. Around the Wrist 3. Connected to the saddle joint of the Thumb May 8th: Ortho-Bionomy Isometrics/Isotonics for the Sacrum, Ilium Rotation, & Knee - “Ortho-Bionomy Isometrics/Isotonics for the Sacrum, Ilium Rotation, & Knee” This Isometrics/Isotonics class focuses on techniques to release constrictions: 1. Connected to the Sacrum 2. Related to the pattern of Ilium Rotation 3. Around the Knee Ortho-Bionomy ® is a modality that encourages and supports the body’s innate proprioceptive self-corrective reflexes. This Isometrics/Isotonics class uses “Phase 4” positional release techniques as a starting point for the action of the Isometric/Isotonic exercise. Through the use of reciprocal inhibition, the muscle can be engaged, proprioceptive reflexes can be stimulated, and habitual holding patterns can be released. Isometrics/Isotonics can allow the body to resolve musculoskeletal holding patterns and can move the client out of pain and dysfunction. These techniques can encourage clients to actively participate in their sessions and can easily become homework to give to them. Learn a fast and effective tool for your practice that is gentle for your clients and easy on your body. 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: Because of her specific health history, the Instructor strongly requests (but does not require) participants 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® and Society of Ortho-Bionomy International® are registered trademarks of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International, Inc. and are used with permission.

This Advanced Myofascial Techniques course explores structures of the neck and cranium to dramatically improve your ability to work with common types of: • head, sinus and eye pain • common headaches • migraines • cluster headaches ...and more. This class is open to anyone with a professional license for touch (for example, Bodyworkers, Physical Therapists, Rolfers, Chiropractors, Structural Integration Practitioners, Massage Therapists, Neuro-Muscular Therapists, and other somatic practitioners). 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 Advanced Myofascial Techniques course takes a deep dive into spinal mechanics and will dramatically improve your ability to work safely and effectively with Scoliosis, spinal pain, spinal rotations, and more. This class is open to anyone with a professional license for touch (for example, Bodyworkers, Physical Therapists, Rolfers, Chiropractors, Structural Integration Practitioners, Massage Therapists, Neuro-Muscular Therapists, and other somatic practitioners). 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.

*In order to keep VM1 with the Barral Institute coming to our classroom, we need to know how much AIM community is signing up! The sign up button will take you to the Barral Institute’s contact page to register by phone. When you call in to register with the Barral Institute, please make sure you mention that you are a part of the Ashland Institute of Massage community in Ashland!* Please join us for this fortuitous partnership between AIM and the Barral Institute, offering the first in their series of Visceral Manipulation courses! In this course, you will be introduced to the models and concepts of functional biomechanics as viewed from Jean-Pierre Barral's Visceral Manipulation approach. This method of evaluation and treatment is based on the concept that each of our internal organs rotates on a physiological axis. Focus is on the abdominal cavity and includes the organs, their membranes, ligaments, innervation and their spatial functional interrelationships. You will learn basic manipulations for correcting abnormal motions and stress patterns within this cavity. The manual techniques are not advised for pregnant participants. Note: To register for this course please call 561-622-4334 ext 2 and tell the registrar that you heard about the class through AIM! Dr. Ron Mariotti, ND, BI-D is a board certified naturopathic physician who graduated from Bastyr University. He is a member of the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and the American Society for Nutrition. Dr. Mariotti has over 31 years of clinical experience and has studied extensively with Dr. Barral, the originator of Visceral Manipulation. Dr. Mariotti works with people of all ages, from newborn to the elderly. He is recognized as an expert in visceral manipulation by other physicians and practitioners who routinely seek him out to study and enhance their own skills in this work. Dr. Mariotto lives in Ashland, OR. More information about his practice can be found at https://visceralsynergy.com

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.

In this 2 day hands-on class you will learn to understand and work with the lymphatic system as either an enhancement to your treatment or a stand-alone session. You’ll also learn easy to understand concepts and wording to share with even your “regular” clients as well as potential referral partners to help them clearly see the benefits this work can offer them. When lymphatic processes become impaired, significant problems can develop, including metabolic waste and fibrotic tissue build-up, edema (fluid retention), chronic inflammation, and swelling. Lymphatic drainage work significantly enhances healthy lymphatic flow, and in cases where the lymphatic system has been damaged it can redirect the flow to other channels. This can significantly help a wide variety of conditions, from post-surgical edema to fibromyalgia, nerve entrapments, Lyme disease, immune challenges, systemic detoxification and beyond. This course will dive into the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and teach you basic Lymphatic drainage treatment sequences for mild, medically-uncomplicated axial as well as upper and lower extremity edema. *Note: working with medically complicated Lymphedema requiring compression garments and bandaging will not be covered in this course. Pre-class Preparation: Watch instructor’s 2 hour video lecture on lymphatic system A&P before class - link provided at registration. 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.

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.