News from the School of Massage and Bodywork at KCHA

School of Massage and Bodywork at KCHA

Welcome to the e-newsletter from the School of Massage and Bodywork at Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts. We hope to keep you informed about the School and share the latest news and upcoming important dates.

Michigan Now Licenses Massage Therapy

     The state of Michigan now licenses massage therapists and requires continuing education. Governor Granholm signed this into law on January 9, 2009.
     "It is encouraging that all certified massage therapists are now required to have minimum training requirements to be licensed," said Su Bibik, director of the School of Massage and Bodywork at KCHA. "The fact that this bill passed brings more credibility to the profession of massage therapy."
     All graduates of the School of Massage & Bodywork undergo a 600-hour professional training program. In addition, staff are required to attend continuing education courses. "KCHA has been ahead of its time in comparison to a lot of other massage therapy businesses. We have always expected a lot from the massage therapists that we graduate and hire. This bill will require certain criteria be met before someone can say they are a licensed massage therapist."
     The new law requires that for a massage therapist to become state licensed, they must meet continuing education requirements and renew their state license every three years. After the initial year of licensing, a new candidate for state license will be required to complete a 500-hour minimum massage therapy program and pass an exam.

Graduate Profile - Ken Porter, Somatic Therapist

     Ken Porter, somatic therapist, graduated from the School of Massage and Bodywork at KCHA in 2000. He loves to see the healing process occur in his clients. "I love to see people make significant changes in their lives and in their perspective. When I hear things like, 'My physical pain has diminished,' or 'My anxiety is gone' I know that there is nothing else I would rather be doing."
     Prior to enrolling at KCHA, Porter worked as a para-professional in the mental health field, as well as at a psychiatric hospital and a substance-abuse facility. "All these experiences planted seeds for transformational bodywork. I found KCHA to be very holistic and it fit with my philosophy that you can't touch someone without touching all levels. I got that right away from my first contact at the Massage as a Profession workshop offered at KCHA," relayed Porter.
   Porter has been working as a somatic therapist since graduating from the School of Massage and Bodywork at KCHA nine years ago. Currently employed at the Fountain Hill Center in Grand Rapids, Porter offered some advice to potential KCHA students: "If you want to be a massage therapist where you treat people as whole people, then this is the school for you."
   In addition to his KCHA massage therapy training, Porter has also received training in hakomi therapy, non-violent communication and focusing. Those three additional modalities have helped him work with clients and their emotional healing with somatic therapy.

Visit SolSpring at KCHA for professional services: therapeutic massage, spa services, cleansing services, acupuncture, chiropractic care, naturopathic care and products from the store. Don't forget about gift certificates for friends & family! Visit solspring.net for more information or call to set up an appointment at

(269) 373-1000.

Next Class Session

New class sessions at the
School of Massage & Bodywork at KCHA begin
September 17, 2009.

One of the first steps in becoming a student is to attend one of our free Massage as a Profession workshops. These are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 6 - 8 p.m. You can learn about our program, speak with instructors and students, as well as receive a tour of the building. We end each workshop by offering a neck and shoulders massage. Interested in attending? Call (269) 373-0910 or email us at admissions@kcha.com.

Upcoming Massage as a Profession Workshops:
August 19, September 2 or 16, 6 - 8 p.m.

If you are unable to attend a Massage as a Profession workshop we can arrange a personal tour at a time that's convenient for you. Just call Admissions Director Kim Merkel at (269) 373-0910 or send e-mail to kmerkel@kcha.com. We want you to

get to know us in person. The School of Massage and Bodywork offers a hands-on program, after all, and it's important for prospective students to really feel what goes on here.

Spa Services Certification

     Certified massage therapists can now receive spa services training locally by attending classes at the School of Massage and Bodywork at KCHA. Spa certification is a new designation now offered. Before this certification, training has been learned in spas and salons, typically while on the job.
     This 100-hour training program lasts approximately 10 weeks. Instruction includes spa techniques of salt and sugar scrubs, body wraps, dry room techniques, hydrotherapy, fango and hot stone massage. In addition, instructors will teach the theory of spa services, explanation of techniques, contra-indications, viewing of spa practices, actual application of techniques and clean up.
     To enter KCHA's Spa Services Training, applicants must have completed 500 hours or more from a certified massage therapy school, such as KCHA, or in conjunction with successfully completing two-thirds of massage therapy training at KCHA.

Spa Services Certification Classes held:
Tuesdays (6 - 10 p.m.) &
Sundays (9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
October 6 - December 15, 2009

If you are interested in meeting with us about enrolling in an upcoming class session, make an appointment by calling (269) 373-0910 or via email at: admissions@kcha.com. You can also find more information at our web site, www.kcha.com.