News from the School of Massage & Bodywork

School of Massage & Bodywork at KCHA

Welcome to the e-newsletter from the School of Massage & 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.

New Student Affairs Liaison

Angelia Nash, CMT, has been hired as the student affairs liaison for the School of Massage & Bodywork at KCHA. She will address student concerns, provide support to students and instructors, and regulate various school policies.
The instructors at the School of Massage & Bodywork became aware that it would be helpful to students to offer more support through a dedicated person, therefore the addition of a student affairs liaison. According to Su Bibik, director, "With the addition of a student affairs liaison, there is no longer conflict of interest between an instructor and a student when issues arise in a student's personal life. The support from Angelia helps bridge the gap between student and instructor in a way that works for everyone."
To contact Angelia with questions, she can be reached at: anash@kcha.com or (269) 373-0910, ext. 30.

State Licensed Program for Spa Services Certification

     Certified massage therapists and estheticians can now receive spa services training locally by attending classes at the School of Massage & 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 completion of a 400-hour or more esthetician training program, or in conjunction with successfully completing two-thirds of massage therapy training at the School of Massage & Bodywork at KCHA.

Spa Services Certification Classes held:
Tuesdays (6 - 10 p.m.) &
Sundays (9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
February 23 - May 4, 2010

Seasons Change

     Change of season could mean that your skin is in need of softening and detoxifying. Try epsom salt baths - great for the skin and for promoting relaxation. Just fill the bathtub with water as hot as you can stand and add about a cup of epsom salt. Soak for 30-minutes to an hour, rinse off afterward and drink a lot of water to replace the water that is drawn out by the salt. For best results, soak once or twice a week.
    For nutritional changes due to the season, try to eat more whole grains. As the days get colder, our bodies need more complex carbohydrates and grains are very nutritious, as well as good at promoting bowel health. Your local health food store will have a plethora of different grains in the bulk section, and regular grocery stores have some choices in the rice/beans aisle.
     Food is always more nutritious when it is fresh. Try to eat local by visiting farmers markets. In Kalamazoo, the Bank Street Farmers Market is open through November 21 on Saturdays, 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Also, the Kalamazoo County Expo Center and Fairgrounds, located at 2900 Lake St., will host a farmers market on Wednesdays, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., October 14 through April 28.

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 - they make a perfect gift for the holidays! Visit www.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
January 22, 2010.

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:
November 18
December 2 or 16
January 6 or 20
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 & Bodywork offers a hands-on program, after all, and it's important for prospective students to really feel what goes on here.

Graduate Profile - Shawn Smoker, CMT

          Shawn Smoker, CMT, came to massage as a career thanks to a half-hour massage he received when he was suffering from painful lower back as a result of a factory job where he stood for hours at a time. Smoker said, "I walked out of the massage place with no pain at all in my lower back. It was completely healed and I thought it was amazing how much better I felt with just that short bit of massage time. I was intrigued by this 'magic' that had been around for years, called massage therapy."
     Smoker works at Burke Williams Spa in Los Angeles and also for himself with private clientele. He loves being a certified massage therapist because of the opportunity to help others feel better, and to be able to provide serenity. "For a period of time, you give everything you have to help this person in need. I think that massage therapy is one of the best jobs you could ever do," gushed Smoker.
     A 2002 graduate of the School of Massage & Bodywork, Smoker found the School online with the help of his sister. "After the way I talked about my life-changing half-hour massage, my sister did the research to find KCHA. She wanted to help me find my way by finding more of myself through massage," said Smoker. What stands out most in the training he received from the School is the power of intentions. Smoker relayed, "Having a focus point keeps us on track, but it also gives us the ability to enjoy all the other tiny miracles that may happen on our journey from point A to point B."
     Additional classes post-graduation that have benefited Smoker include, deep tissue training, kneeding techniques and carpel tunnel class. In addition, yoga and tai chi classes have helped Smoker the most in providing him with great tools to work with his body and be fluid in his movements when working with clients.
     According to Smoker, the School of Massage & Bodywork at KCHA teaches each individual more about themselves and who they truly are. "You will learn more than massage techniques and the anatomy of the body. It is more than 1,000 self-help books will ever teach you!"

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.