News from IME at KCHA

Welcome to the e-newsletter from the Institute for Massage Education 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.

Institute for Massage Education at KCHA

Wishes you a safe and relaxing holiday season.

Student Clinic Massages Now Offered at the Institute for Massage Education

To make an appointment for the January Student Clinic (held on Saturdays), call 269-373-0910.

The Institute for Massage Education at KCHA offers 50-minute full-body massages to the general public. This is a great opportunity to receive massage at a greatly reduced rate.

Students near the completion of their training at the Institute perform the massages. The fee is $30 per session, with 10 percent off for senior citizens or students with a valid I.D. There is no charge for alumni of the Institute for Massage Education at KCHA.

You will need to bring two full-size flat sheets, a pillow with pillowcase and a blanket.

Two Job Opportunities for Graduates

Massage therapist for the Educational Clinic. Massage sessions for current students are held in the Educational Clinic at IME. These massage sessions were formerly known as required sessions, make-up sessions or MAAP sessions. This position entails providing 50-minute massage sessions to students on the second and fourth Saturday monthly from 1 - 5 p.m., and the second Wednesday of each month from 5 - 9 p.m. Contact Su Bibik with interest via resume sent to her email at sbibik@kcha.com.

Overseer of Student Clinic. Must be an experienced practitioner with enthusiasm for training future practitioners. Overseer of the Student Clinic would be a shared position. Student Clinic will be held on Saturdays starting in January 2011. Contact Su Bibik with interest via resume sent to her email at sbibik@kcha.com.

Recent Graduate Makes Local News

Judy Gilchrist, IME graduate of the October 2010 class, was recently featured in the River Country Journal, a local paper featuring Southwest Michigan's River Country. Gilchrist is beginning her third career at age 68 as a massage therapist. Gilchrist's massage business is located in her home in Three Rivers and is called "Relax & Renew Massage Therapy". She also offers in-home massage.

To read the article online, go to http://www.rivercountryjournal.com/?p=43267.

Irene Gauthier

It is with sadness that we relay that Irene Gauthier passed away at the age of 90 on October 25, 2010. The founder of Irene's Myomassology Institute in Southfield, MI, left a profound impact on the industry of massage therapy and will be missed.

Upcoming Continuing Education Classes at IME

Practical Movement for Massage Therapists, February 19 - 20, 2011; 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., (15 CEUs)

Practical Movement links neuromuscular re-education and stretching approaches by targeting specific muscles, thereby retraining them and restoring proper posture and movement patterns. This seminar introduces you to the Practical Movement curriculum and covers the key movements that will address the most common issues that you encounter in your practice.

Cost: $325 if paid in full by Jan. 19, 2011. $425 if paid after Jan. 20, 2011. Go to www.practicalmovement.com to register.

Pregnancy Massage Class, March 12 - 14, 2011; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., (24 CEUs)

Claire Marie Miller's "Nurturing the Mother" seminar will teach participants a wide range of massage, yoga, shiatsu and more. Learn the body, mind and spirit approach to pregnancy massage pg lady for pregnancy, labor, postpartum and infants.

Cost: $450 in full by Feb. 12, 2011, otherwise tuition is $495. Combine with the Fertility Massage class for $700. Register by calling (269) 373-0910.

Fertility Massage Specialist Certification, March 15 - 16, 2011; 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., (16 CEUs)

Learn how to do fertility massage; the reproductive system as it pertains to conception; types of infertility and their causes; and much more.

Cost: $350 in full by Feb. 15, 2011, otherwise tuition is $395. Combine with Pregnancy Massage class for $700. Call (269) 373-0910 to register

Large Animal Massage Certification, April 26 - 30, 2011

This certification is held at IME for the Northwest School of Animal Massage. PREREQUISITE: Completion of Level 100: LAMP 100 Distance Learning Course. This exciting 5-day session integrates hands-on training with the theory studied in the Large Animal Massage Practitioner (LAMP) 100 level course. This course focuses on maintenance massage and is the gateway to further studies in performance and rehabilitation massage in later courses. During class you will work with a variety of animals under the supervision of your instructor. Guest speakers and field trips are often part of the class experience.

Cost: $500, which includes a $50.00 registration fee. Register at www.nwsam.com

Fundamentals of Animal Massage, May 1, 2011, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Learn the basics of animal massage in this exciting workshop. This course (open to the general public) is ideal for pet owner and horse owner alike who wish to learn skills to support their animal's health and longevity. If you are considering animal massage as a career and would like an introduction to the subject, this class is also for you. Learn the benefits of massage therapy, basic massage techniques and safe stretching for your animals.

Cost: $65.00 (includes registration, tuition and all materials) Register at www.nwsam.com

Small Animal Massage Certification, May 3 - 7, 2011

This certification is held at IME for the Northwest School of Animal Massage. PREREQUISITE: Completion of SAMP 100 Distance Learning Course. This exciting 5-day session integrates hands-on training with the theory studied in the Small Animal Massage Practitioner (SAMP) 100 level course. This course focuses on maintenance massage and is the gateway to further studies in performance and maintenance massage in later courses. During class you will work with a variety of animals under supervision of your instructor. Guest speakers and field trips are often featured during class.

Cost of this program is $500, which includes the $100 registration fee. Register at www.nwsam.com

Update on Legislation of Massage Therapy

The rules for massage therapy licensing are to be completed on Dec. 7, 2010. Then the application and licensure process should begin. In the spring of 2011, there will be a public hearing regarding massage therapy licensure. The Institute for Massage Education at KCHA will notify all graduates via the e-newsletter as to the dates so that you can give your feedback to the legislature. back massage

Existing practitioners will be able qualify for state license by meeting one of these five criteria:

1. Provide evidence of being an active massage therapist member of a professional massage therapy association (such as ABMP) for at least one year; or

2. Establish by affidavit that they have practiced massage therapy for an average of at least 10 hours per week for five or more years; or

3. Establish by affidavit that they have practiced massage therapy for at least 3 years and provide evidence from the school attended that they also completed at least 300 hours of formal training; or

4. Pass an exam approved by the massage therapy board; or

5. Complete at least 500 hours of classroom instruction in massage.

Once a massage therapist becomes state licensed, he/she will be required to complete 18 hours of continuing education and renew their state license every 3 years.

To receive an application for licensure, submit your name and address to bhpinfo@michigan.gov. To view the entire law pertaining to massage therapy, go to:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billenrolled/House/pdf/2008-HNB-5651.pdf

Thinking about becoming a massage therapist?

One of the first steps in becoming a massage therapist (and eventually a student at the Institute for Massage Education) 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:
December 15, 6 - 8 p.m.

January 5, 6 - 8 p.m.

January 19, 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 the school office at (269) 373-0910 or send e-mail to
admissions@kcha.com.

We want you to get to know us in person. The Institute for Massage Education at KCHA offers a

hands-on program, after all, and it's important for prospective students to really feel what goes on here.

Visit SolSpring at KCHA for profession
al 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! Visit www.solspring.net for more information or call to set up an appointment at (269) 373-1000.

Contact Us

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.

Find us on Facebook