Join Brian for 2.5 days of Deep Tissue CE classes in Taupo, New Zealand on February 8-10, 2020, during the peak of the Austral summer. Taupo is a crystalline volcanic lake with abundant outdoor sports and nearby hot springs.
Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Legs and Hips
Saturday, February 8; 9am-6pm (8 CE hours)
The legs are often treated by bodyworkers for the least amount of time in a session. Yet they support the upper body and are under tremendous compressive force, whether moving or stationary. When the structures of the feet and legs are functioning properly, they are one of the fundamental anchors of our stability and support. When they're not, they are a major contributor to foot, knee, hip, and low back issues.
In this class, you will learn specific, potent, and effective Deep Tissue techniques to release the muscles and fascia of the hips, legs and feet. Some of the specific muscle groups you will work with include the deep calf flexors (tibialis posterior, flexor hallucis, flexor digitorum), the anterior compartment (tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum), the quadriceps group, the tensor fascia latae and IT tract, the gluteals, the deep lateral rotators, hamstrings, and adductors. These are simple, straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice. Body mechanics will also be a focus of the class, as well as proper use of hands, elbows, and forearms to save wear and tear on joints.
To watch a short video demo of one of the techniques covered in class (originally presented in Austin, TX), click here.
"So many new, practical techniques to try! All really great stuff." -Chrisann Rauschenbach
"This was the best adductor work I've ever had." -Crystal Johnson
"This was exactly what I was hoping for – super great, specific work." -Leah Grossman
Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Chest and Shoulders
Sunday, February 9; 9am-6pm (8 CE hours)
The chest is often overlooked as a primary contributor to back and shoulder issues. It is the source of our breath and our taking in of life. These core muscles are often tight, constricting breathing, energy flow, and movement. You will learn simple but powerful methods to release the sternum, ribcage, and diaphragm. These techniques are liberating and create a noticeable opening right away, helping your clients to breathe more deeply with less effort. They also create a foundation for a more balanced shoulder girdle. The shoulders, in turn, are meant to float freely on the ribcage, but they are often restricted, stuck down, and in pain. You will learn to effectively liberate anterior scapular muscles such as the pectoralis minor and the subscapularis from the supine position, and help to give your clients a feeling of ease and freedom in their shoulders that reaches all the way around to their back.
In the afternoon, we will work with the shoulder girdle from the side-lying position. Besides being deeply comforting and relaxing, skilled side-lying work gives you excellent access to the structures of the shoulder. You will learn specific, effective, and potent techniques for releasing the muscles of the shoulder girdle, including the trapezius, rhomboids, latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior, levator scapula, subscapularis, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, pectoralis minor, and the surrounding fascia.
The side-lying position also gives you excellent access to some of the smaller muscles of the back, such as the transversospinalis--muscles that are fundamentally important to our posture, movement, and well-being, but that are often completely missed in a standard massage. We sometimes think of side-lying work as primarily for pregnant women, but almost all of your clients can benefit from skilled side-lying work in this area, and it feels wonderful. The class will focus on straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice. Body mechanics will also be a focus of this class, as well as proper use of fingers and elbows to save wear and tear on joints.
"This course lifts massage therapy to a higher level. The chest work was amazing--my range of breathing went waaaay up." -Lise Orye
"I haven't felt this kind of freedom in my shoulders since before massage school! I have definitely been enjoying my wings." -Amy Ross
Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Arms and Hands
Monday, February 10; 9am-1:30pm (4.5 CE hours)
Our arms and hands are tough, dexterous, and exquisitely sensitive. As massage therapists, they are perhaps our primary vehicle for sensation and communication, and we use them (and sometimes overuse them) intensively. Our clients' hands and arms often take a beating as well, especially with so much computer use in the workplace and at home. For all the work that they do, our hands and forearms seldom get the time or skilled attention that they deserve.
In this class we will focus on specific techniques for releasing the muscles and fascia of the hands, thumbs and forearms; increasing mobility in the corresponding joints; and 'deconstructing' forearm muscles that have become glued together. You will learn some simple but effective ways to make your arm massages more specific, potent, and satisfying--and receive some good (and much-needed) work yourself.
"All my little finger joints feel so free, and like they are lined with satin." - Melissa D'Haene
"Great class! The techniques that were given were all useful and specific to healthy hands, wrists, and forearms. I would repeat this one." -Nan Hardt
"This class has not only improved the work I offer my clients, but given me better hand mechanics and bodywork techniques to use on my own hands and forearms, relieving pain and prolonging my career." -Rebecca Albert
Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 8-20 (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: Saturday Feb 8, 9am-6pm; Sunday Feb 9, 9am-6pm; Monday Feb 10, 9am-1:30pm
Tuition: $250NZ ($160US) per day for Saturday or Sunday, $125NZ for Monday, if registered and deposited with a $100NZ ($65US) per class deposit by January 15. The balance is due at the beginning of class, payable by cash or check. Take all three classes for only $500NZ ($330US) if registered and deposited by January 15. Prices go up by $25NZ per day thereafter.
Reviewers of the Torso class receive and additional $50NZ discount.
Please note that you are responsible for your own travel and lodging arrangements for your stay in Taupo. If you have questions, contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com or Paulette in Taupo at massage.clinic.taupo@gmail.com or via text at +64 027 857 1875.