Please note that most of our courses require that you are a licensed health
care provider. If you have questions about your eligibility to attend
a massage therapy course, please contact the school at (520) 623-2160
or email ce.tucson@cortiva.com 
.
Professional Development Series
Aromatherapy in the Bodywork Setting
Register Now
June 21, 2009 / 9:00am - 5:00pm / 7 hours / $140
Aromatherapy is the skilled and controlled use of essential oils for their
healing properties. Holistic aromatherapy restores physical, mental, emotional
and spiritual health. Essential oils, when properly used, can address
such conditions as anxiety, depression, muscle aches, headaches, PMS and
menstrual problems, back pain, injuries, and insomnia to name a few. Essential
oils give a plant its fragrance and have been known throughout history
for their healing effects on body and mind.
Instructor: Allyn Baker - Allyn earned her massage
certification and license as a 1998 graduate of the Desert Institute of
the Healing Arts in Tucson, AZ. Along with massage, she practices clinical
and spa techniques in her private practice. Allyn currently works out
of her home offering Aromatherapy, Thai, LaStone, Swedish and Deep Tissue
Massage. After practicing in the spa field for a number of years, Allyn
was first a Teaching Assistant then Teacher at the Desert Institute of
the Healing Arts. She later became an Instructor at Cortiva-Institute
Tucson, where she enjoys sharing her passion for all aspects of Massage.
She also enjoys teaching workshops and continuing education classes in
her fields of expertise. Allyn is a nationally certified massage therapist
(NCTMB) as well and has been certified since 2004.
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Basics of Pregnancy Massage
Register Now
July 12, 2009 / Sun 9:00am - 5:00pm/ 7 hours / $140
Six million American women become pregnant each year, so it is likely
that in the course of a massage therapist's career, he or she will
have the opportunity and privilege to massage a pregnant woman … but,
the massage therapist may not remember or may have never learned the
client positions and massage therapy techniques that are safe in each
trimester of pregnancy. Whether you want a thorough review of the
basics or an introduction to the specialty of pregnancy massage,
in The Basics of Pregnancy Massage, you will learn safe and effective
pregnancy massage client positioning, draping and pregnancy massage
techniques, as well as precautions and contraindications to
support women through their healthy pregnancies.
Instructor: Michelle Larson grew up in Seattle,
Washington with a passion for health and healing. Shortly after graduation from
the Cortiva Institute - Desert Institute of Healing Arts in 2001, she found her
true calling - pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Michelle continued her education
in oriental medicine, acupuncture, Tui Na certification, herbology and homeopathy
at the Arizona School of Acupuncture. Michelle's acupuncture research and master's
thesis on the positive effects of a simple acupressure protocol during labor to
decrease pain, anxiety and affect delayed labor was published in her article,
Acupressure During Labor and Delivery in the Spring 2006 issue of Qi-Journal.
Michelle is a Certified Birth Doula with DONA International and a Certified Childbirth
Educator with the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association.
Michelle was the owner of Catalina Foothills Wellness Center with twelve practitioners
offering massage, acupuncture, yoga to the Tucson community until its eventual
sale in 2005. Michelle now maintains a massage and acupuncture practice for women
and their families focusing on the unique needs during the childbearing year. "It's
an honor to work with women and infants during this magical time of life and a
pleasure to see the blossoming effect as they grow from one phase of life into
the next and moving through the childbearing year."
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Traditional Thai Massage
Register Now
July 24 - 26, 2009 / Fri 4:00pm - 9:00pm, Sat - Sun 8:00am - 6:30pm / 25
hours / $349
This 25-hour workshop provides a history of Traditional Thai Massage and
Medical Practice and its benefits and uses today. In the workshop, participants
will learn the following with regards to Traditional Thai Massage: describe
the Thai Sen (Meridian) Lines and acupressure points of the body; describe
and perform proper etiquette; prepare the place and equipment; list precautionary
indications; list prohibitions; assess a client; describe and demonstrate
the preparation of the therapist; and describe and demonstrate the techniques
utilized by the therapists. Participants will perform with a client a
full two-hour protocol of Traditional Thai Massage utilizing proper sequence
of positions, timing and body mechanics.
Instructor: Robert van Overdijk, BS, LMT,
CYT - Robert is an instructor and Master Practioner of Eastern and Western
Massage Modalities. He is Certified in Traditional Thai Massage at the
Wat Po Traditional Medical and Massage school in Bankok Thailand (NCBTMB
#450197-06, Approved provider).
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Trigger Point Therapy
Register Now
July 26, 2009 / 9:00am - 5:00pm / 7 hours / $140
Provides therapists with an overview of the anatomy and basic physiology
of tripper points. This workshop examines the major muscles of the body
and their common referral pain patterns, and incorporates a multi-modality
approach to deactivation of trigger points, as well as assessment and
treatment plans.
Instructor: Ginger Castle - Ginger is a
Licensed Massage Practitioner in Arizona and Washington State. She is
a practicing therapist with 15 years of experience, specializing Ginger
is currently a massage therapy instructor with eleven years of experience
in instruction. She was a member of a Washington based Clinicians workgroup
whose purpose was to assist in the integration of complementary and allopathic
medicine. She participated in a Skill Standards focus group identifying
Skill Standards for Professional - Technical, College instructors, and
Customized Trainers. Ginger's passion with bodywork and education encourages
students to bring their work to a new level of expertise, by igniting
their passion for massage and the benefits of skillfully applied bodywork.
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Body Mechanics
Register Now
August 9, 2009 / 9:00am - 5:00pm / 7 hours / $140
The purpose of body mechanics is to gain personal awareness of our body's
natural design and learn how to work within it. Once we become familiar
with the basic principles of body mechanics we can feel the difference
between relaxed effort and physical strain. With this awareness as a foundation,
we can create proper body mechanics for any activity at any time.
Instructor: Ginger Castle - Ginger is a Licensed
Massage Practitioner in Arizona and Washington State. She is a practicing
therapist with 15 years of experience, specializing Ginger is currently
a massage therapy instructor with eleven years of experience in instruction.
She was a member of a Washington based Clinicians workgroup whose purpose
was to assist in the integration of complementary and allopathic medicine.
She participated in a Skill Standards focus group identifying Skill Standards
for Professional - Technical, College instructors, and Customized Trainers.
Ginger's passion with bodywork and education encourages students to bring
their work to a new level of expertise, by igniting their passion for
massage and the benefits of skillfully applied bodywork.
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Ten Zo
Register Now
August 23, 2009 / 9:00am - 5:00pm / 7 hours / $140
For clients who are uncomfortable removing their clothes for a massage
treatment, or who cannot get down on the floor to receive a shiatsu or
Thai massage treatment on a futon, Ten Zo is the answer. Ten Zo is a treatment
given to a fully-clothed client on a massage table. It uses Western concepts
such as a knowledge of anatomy and the ability to palpate muscle tension,
and kneading, elbow and forearm techniques from massage therapy. The Eastern
concepts of qi, kyo and jitsu are incorporated along with palming, thumbing
and range of motion techniques for the hips, shoulders and neck from shiatsu.
To elongate muscles, stretches for the arms, legs and back from Thai massage
complete the treatment. Techniques will be shown a few steps at a time
and by the end of the workshop, participants will have incorporated all
of the steps into a full-body treatment.
Instructor: Sandra K. Anderson, BA, NCTMB
- Sandra has a BA in biology from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, and has
been a licensed massage therapist since 1992, a certified shiatsu practitioner
since 1999, and a certified Thai massage practitioner since 2002. She
taught at The Desert Institute of the Healing Arts (now Cortiva - Tucson)
in Tucson, AZ for 12 years, in subjects ranging from anatomy and physiology
to massage and shiatsu techniques. Since 2004 she has created, developed
and presented continuing education workshops. Sandra is co-owner of Tucson
Touch Therapies, located in Tucson, AZ where she maintains a private clientele.
Additionally, she is author of The Practice of Shiatsu, from Mosby Elsevier,
and is co-author, along with Ann Mihina, of Natural Spa and Hydrotherapy
from Pearson Prentice Hall.
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Qi Gong
Register Now
September 20, 2009 / 9:00am - 5:00pm / 7 hours / $140
Qigong (or ch'i kung) refers to practices that involve methods of accumulating, circulating,
and working with qi, breathing or energy within the body. Qigong is practiced for health
maintenance purposes, as a therapeutic intervention, as a medical profession, a spiritual path
and/or component of Chinese martial arts. According to the principles of traditional Chinese
medicine, chi (pronounced "chee") is the universal life force, or energy, which is circulated
throughout the body along invisible energy channels knows as meridians. When chi circulates in
a dynamic and harmonious flow, we feel healthy and invigorated, both mentally and physically.
Illness results when energy flow is blocked or inhibited, causing imbalance and dysfunction in
our bodies' systems. To improve health, we must work to free the circulation of chi-and that's
where chi exercises come in. By incorporating correct posture, breathing, and thought techniques,
students will recognize, develop, and manipulate bodily resources.
Instructor: Michelle Larson -
Michelle grew up in Seattle, Washington with a passion for health and healing.
Shortly after graduation from the Cortiva Institute - Desert Institute of Healing
Arts in 2001, she found her true calling - pregnancy, labor and postpartum.
Michelle continued her education in oriental medicine, acupuncture, Tui Na certification,
herbology and homeopathy at the Arizona School of Acupuncture. Michelle's acupuncture
research and master's thesis on the positive effects of a simple acupressure protocol
during labor to decrease pain, anxiety and affect delayed labor was published in her
article, Acupressure During Labor and Delivery in the Spring 2006 issue of Qi-Journal.
Michelle is a Certified Birth Doula with DONA International and a Certified Childbirth
Educator with the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association. Michelle was the owner
of Catalina Foothills Wellness Center with twelve practitioners offering massage, acupuncture,
yoga to the Tucson community until its eventual sale in 2005. Michelle now maintains a
massage and acupuncture practice for women and their families focusing on the unique needs
during the childbearing year. "It's an honor to work with women and infants during this magical
time of life and a pleasure to see the blossoming effect as they grow from one phase of life
into the next and moving through the childbearing year."
top
Beginning Shiatsu
Register Now
September 12 - 13, 2009 / 9:00am - 5:00pm / 14 hours / $250
Beginning Shiatsu introduces participants to this Japanese type of bodywork
which is based on the same principles as is acupuncture. Participants
learn the theory behind shiatsu including basic traditional Chinese medicine
concepts such as Qi (the body's energy), the streams the Qi flows through
in the body called channels (meridians), and how the disruption of Qi
flow can result in pain, discomfort or other disorders. The goal of shiatsu
is to help rebalance the client's energy and alleviate discomfort. Participants
will learn beginning shiatsu techniques such as palming, pressure applied
with the fingers, thumbs, forearms, elbows, knees and feet, stretches
and range of motion movements, and how these can help rebalance clients'
Qi. Shiatsu is traditionally performed on fully-clothed clients lying
on a futon on the floor, and no lubricants are used.
Participants should note that Beginning Shiatsu will be taught in the
traditional manner - on futons on the floor. These futons will be provided
by Cortiva. No techniques will be shown on massage tables. Being able
to easily kneel and move around on the floor are requirements for this
workshop.
Instructor: Sandra K. Anderson, BA, NCTMB
- Sandra has a BA in biology from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, and has
been a licensed massage therapist since 1992, a certified shiatsu practitioner
since 1999, and a certified Thai massage practitioner since 2002. She
taught at The Desert Institute of the Healing Arts (now Cortiva - Tucson)
in Tucson, AZ for 12 years, in subjects ranging from anatomy and physiology
to massage and shiatsu techniques. Since 2004 she has created, developed
and presented continuing education workshops. Sandra is co-owner of Tucson
Touch Therapies, located in Tucson, AZ where she maintains a private clientele.
Additionally, she is author of The Practice of Shiatsu, from Mosby Elsevier,
and is co-author, along with Ann Mihina, of Natural Spa and Hydrotherapy
from Pearson Prentice Hall.
top
Traditional Thai Massage
Register Now
September 25 - 27, 2009 / Fri 4:00pm - 9:00pm, Sat - Sun 8:00am - 6:30pm /
25 hours / $349
This 25-hour workshop provides a history of Traditional Thai Massage and
Medical Practice and its benefits and uses today. In the workshop, participants
will learn the following with regards to Traditional Thai Massage: describe
the Thai Sen (Meridian) Lines and acupressure points of the body; describe
and perform proper etiquette; prepare the place and equipment; list precautionary
indications; list prohibitions; assess a client; describe and demonstrate
the preparation of the therapist; and describe and demonstrate the techniques
utilized by the therapists. Participants will perform with a client a
full two-hour protocol of Traditional Thai Massage utilizing proper sequence
of positions, timing and body mechanics.
Instructor: Robert van Overdijk, BS, LMT,
CYT - Robert is an instructor and Master Practioner of Eastern and Western
Massage Modalities. He is Certified in Traditional Thai Massage at the
Wat Po Traditional Medical and Massage school in Bankok Thailand (NCBTMB
#450197-06, Approved provider).
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Traditional Thai Massage
Register Now
November 13 - 15, 2009 / Fri 4:00pm - 9:00pm, Sat - Sun 8:00am - 6:30pm
/ 25 hours / $349
This 25-hour workshop provides a history of Traditional Thai Massage and
Medical Practice and its benefits and uses today. In the workshop, participants
will learn the following with regards to Traditional Thai Massage: describe
the Thai Sen (Meridian) Lines and acupressure points of the body; describe
and perform proper etiquette; prepare the place and equipment; list precautionary
indications; list prohibitions; assess a client; describe and demonstrate
the preparation of the therapist; and describe and demonstrate the techniques
utilized by the therapists. Participants will perform with a client a
full two-hour protocol of Traditional Thai Massage utilizing proper sequence
of positions, timing and body mechanics.
Instructor: Robert van Overdijk, BS, LMT,
CYT - Robert is an instructor and Master Practioner of Eastern and Western
Massage Modalities. He is Certified in Traditional Thai Massage at the
Wat Po Traditional Medical and Massage school in Bankok Thailand (NCBTMB
#450197-06, Approved provider).
top