Iceland is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It has stunning views, glaciers, waterfalls, fjords, and a unique culture that is both traditional and modern. Iceland has over 120 geothermal hydrotherapy facilities spread across a diverse and beautiful landscape. As of March 2021, if you have a valid certificate of vaccination, you don’t have to quarantine to get into the country.

Precise Techniques for the Muscles and Ligaments of the Anterior, Lateral and Posterior Neck

The neck is a strong, vulnerable and complex structure. It is the most movable part of the spine, and yet is strong enough to balance and support the head, even with chronically poor posture. The neck is also one of the most common areas of client complaint, injury and dysfunction, and can be a challenging area to treat effectively. Skillful deep tissue work in this area is not about brute force; it's about precision and strategy, informed by knowledge of the anatomical structures. It's rare to find massage therapists who really know how to massage the neck in a precise, specific way--especially around the small muscular and ligamentous attachments--even though this is where the muscles and ligaments are most commonly frayed and/or inflamed.

In the morning of Day 1, you will learn muscle-specific deep tissue techniques for releasing the cervical posterior paraspinal muscles (longissimus, semispinalis capitis, multifidus), suboccipital triangle, levator scapula (especially the cervical attachments to the TVPs), facet joints, splenius capitus and cervicis, posterior, middle, and anterior scalenes, sternocleidomastoid, and masseter.

In the afternoon we will focus on deep muscle-specific techniques for the anterior neck. Many people learned in massage school to avoid this area, but it responds safely and well to skilled and precise touch. We will focus on the scalene, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and longus capitus and colli groups. This is really helpful work for clients who have been in car accidents, have emotional issues with their necks or throats, or use their voices professionally (eg, singers).

On Day 2, we will explore the deeper terrain of the neck, concentrating on the ligamentous structures that, when injured, often create chronic neck pain and tension. The cervical ligaments are highly enervated and extremely sensitive, and when they are irritated or inflamed, they will activate splinting responses and muscle guarding in the surrounding musculature. Despite being every bit as important as the muscles and the bones, these ligaments are often overlooked by massage therapists, chiropractors, and physical therapists. You will learn a variety of palpation skills that will help you to safely and effectively identify and treat the specific ligamentous structures of the neck. Clients often notice a decrease in pain, increased mobility, and a sense of lightness and freedom in their neck.

These are straightforward, specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice. The work is well-suited to either treating cervical injuries or improving your spa massage, and will increase your precision, palpatory sensitivity, and effectiveness. A primary focus of this class is to help you refine your accuracy in both palpation and treatment, and to help you develop more confidence, specificity and thoroughness in your neck massage and treatment. Body mechanics will also be a focus of the class as well as proper use of fingers to save wear and tear on joints.

"I honestly learned more in your neck class than any other CE I've taken, and I've been at it almost 13 years." -Tracey Brandt, Winnipeg

"I think more than any other technique or series of movements I've incorporated, this neck work has had the most consistent and specific effects. Every person who has received the work has said they've felt lengthened, their neck felt freed and that they slept very soundly that night, often feeling very relaxed the next couple of days. Thank you!" - Dawn Geula

"This class was ridiculously useful. I will be using these techniques immediately and daily." - Robin Mayberry

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 15 (NCBTMB-approved for CE credit)
Date and Time: Saturday, April 30, 9:30am-6:30pm and Sunday, May 1, 9:30am-5:30pm. The class will be held at Nuddskoli, which is about 4 blocks from Laugardalslaug, Reykjavik’s best geothermal pool complex.

Tuition & Registration: $300, with a $100 non-refundable deposit. If you are a reviewer of either MSDT Neck or Tx Neck Ligaments, you may register for only $250. Current Nuddskoli students also receive a tuition discount; contact Finnbogi in Reykjavik for details.

Questions: If you have questions, you can contact Finnbogi in Reykjavik at nudd@nuddskoli.is, or contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com.

Please note that you are responsible for your own travel and lodging arrangements for your stay in Reykjavik.

Join Brian for two tax-deductible CE classes in Antwerp, Belgium, on April 15th and 16th. Antwerp is the second-largest port in Europe, and a stylish, diverse, and prosperous city, with a rich history. A warm and friendly group of local students attend Brian’s classes every year, making the learning experience deeper and more cohesive.

INTRODUCTION TO VISCERAL AND ABDOMINAL MASSAGE

The viscera are at the very core of our body, and are, along with our nervous system, a primary source of life. They are at the center of our structure, our emotions, our biochemistry, and our life energy. There are over 500 million neurons in the belly (almost 5 times more than in the spinal cord), and our enteric nervous system is a primary source of our intuition and "gut" feelings.

When we are anxious or distressed, our natural instinct is to protect our soft underbelly and "stuff" emotions there, causing multilayered problems throughout the body. The smooth muscles of the gut contract, pulling on the surrounding mesentery and fascia, causing not only gut pain, but back pain. In addition, surgery can create adhesions and multi-directional disruptions in the abdominal fascia and musculature. It is ironic that this vital healing area is often overlooked in massage.

The sensitivity and vulnerability of the belly is precisely why it is so receptive to safe, calming, and nourishing touch. We can soothe the enteric nervous system and the soft underbelly, sending waves of deep relaxation throughout the entire body. We can relax the smooth muscles of the intestines, which reduces pain, improves digestive function, and eases the fascial pull in the back and other areas of the body. We can sometimes separate post-surgical adhesions, creating balance and increased ease of movement at the very core of the body.

In this class you will learn simple and effective abdominal massage techniques that are easy to integrate into your massage practice. You will learn the basic layout of some of the area's major anatomical structures and how to identify, palpate, and treat them. This class will make your abdominal work more comforting, intelligent, and effective. You will be able to help your clients achieve deeper states of relaxation, relieve pain, improve digestive function, and help free up deep structural imbalances.

Click here to read an article in Dutch about Brian’s Visceral class.

"I was expecting a belly massage class and walked away with a deep understanding of the abdomen. This class was incredible." - KC Johnston, LMP and Doula

"I felt comfortable and happy. It was fun!” -Laura Muir

CTM / Bindegewebsmassage

Bindegewebsmassage, or Connective Tissue Massage (CTM), is a precise and elegant way to work with the body's dermatomes and autonomic reflexes to induce corresponding autonomic changes in specific organs. The technique was developed in Germany by Elizabeth Dicke, and is widely practiced in Europe, although it is less known in the United States. Bindegewebsmassage is quite powerful, although it can appear subtle at first.

Starting with the sacrum, specific cutaneous zones are stroked with a dragging pressure in a precise and orchestrated way that can "trick" the body into responding as if specific organs or organ systems are being massaged. In response, the target organ vasodilates and its smooth muscles tissue relaxes. Bindegewebsmassage is quite effective for treating menstrual cramps, eliminating or reducing symptoms over 90% of the time. It can also be helpful with reducing the symptoms of migraines, asthma, and intestinal cramping. In addition, CTM can subtly affect the fascial layers (especially adhesions in the subcutaneous layer), increasing range of motion and flexibility, and reducing pain or tingling from tightened tissue. Bindegewebsmassage typically has a calming effect, and can be used for general parasympathetic relaxation as well.

A handful of clinical trials have shown CTM-style manipulation has beneficial effects in pain reduction, reduced depression, improved quality-of-life, and moderate short-term increases of beta-endorphins (pain-relieving neuro-transmitters). These trials add to anecdotal observations from clinicians that CTM often causes "virtually immediate relief in visceral or myofascial pain as well as general relaxation" (Prendergast & Rommer, 2013).

In this class, you will learn the "basic build-up", which primarily focuses on the sacral and pelvic areas and their corresponding target organs, and the "first followup", which focuses on the lower back and rib cage.

Click here for a brief article written by Brian about Bindegewebsmassage for Massage New Zealand.

"That the viscero-cutaneous reflex interconnection is reversible, that is to say, that it not only leads from the internal organs to the skin, but vice versa, is a long-established fact. One of the most elegant and fundamental systems, which conforms almost flawlessly to the workings of the segmental reflexes, is connective tissue massage as prescribed by Dicke." - Hans Schliack, MD (German neurologist).

"It's fantastic to have new tools to treat migraines and menstrual pain, and give ease to an often 'stuck' area". - Rachael Brown

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 8-16 (NCBTMB-approved)
Dates and Times: 

Intro to Visceral and Abdominal Massage: Friday, April 15th, 9:30am-6:30pm

CTM/Bindegewebsmassage: Saturday, April 16th; 9:30am-6:30pm

Tuition: €160 for one day. Register for both days for €144 each; or €288 total. If you take both days, and already took the Visceral Massage class in Antwerpen in 2017, an additional reviewer’s discount of €38 is available—contact OWC for details.

Registration: This class is sponsored by Oost West Centrum in Antwerp, Belgium. To register, please visit their website, linked below for each class.
Friday: Intro to Visceral and Abdominal Massage (8h)
Saturday: CTM/Bindewebsmassage (8h)

Questions: Please contact Luc at luc@owc.be with any questions about registration.

Please note that you are responsible for your travel and lodging arrangements in Antwerp. If you have questions, you can contact Luc in Antwerp at luc@owc.be, or contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com.

Iceland is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It has stunning views, glaciers, waterfalls, fjords, and a unique culture that is both traditional and modern. Iceland has over 120 geothermal hydrotherapy facilities spread across a diverse and beautiful landscape. As of March 15th, 2021, if you have a valid certificate of vaccination, you don’t have to quarantine to get into the country.

MUSCLE-SPECIFIC DEEP TISSUE TECHNIQUES FOR THE LEGS AND HIPS

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 Torso (Iliopsoas, Diaphragm, QL and Paraspinals)

These muscular structures support the core--they are integral to maintaining balance, structural alignment, ease of breathing, mobility, and the ability to function without lower back pain. In the morning, you will learn specific, potent, and effective Deep Tissue techniques to release the iliopsoas, diaphragm, QL, lower multifidus, and the lumbodorsal fascia. These are straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice, often with profound results. There will be a concise and insightful anatomy review of these structures with an eye toward fascial continuities and the functional relationships between them. We will also focus on correct placement and proper use of fingers, knuckles, and elbows for optimal results.

In the afternoon we will focus on some muscle-specific Deep Tissue techniques for the Paraspinals (erector spinae and transversospinalis) that are different from but complementary to what you learned in massage school or elsewhere. The emphasis will be on releasing and unbinding the erector spinae group, the transversospinalis group, the lumbodorsal fascia, and the quadratus lumborum. These muscle-specific techniques will improve the precision and effectiveness of your back massage, and can be easily integrated into your style of bodywork. Body mechanics will continue to be a focus of the class, as well as proper use of elbows, fingers and knuckles to save wear and tear on joints. Students who have taken this class have reported that they were able to apply the techniques in their practices right away and that their clients loved the results, feeling a newfound sense of freedom and ease in their backs.

"This is one of the most practical classes I've ever taken. Brian presented useful information and then taught practical application of this info. He walked us through how to find each muscle--something I have always wished other instructors would do. I left the training with expanded skills and knowledge, which I have been able to use right away with my clients." - Evelyn Bass

"I absolutely love this work. I can hardly wait to bring it into my practice." -Hannah LePiane

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 16 (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2, 9am-6pm each day. The class will be held at Nuddskoli, which is about 4 blocks from Laugardalslaug, Reykjavik’s best geothermal pool complex.

Tuition & Registration: $175/day; $295 for both days. Reviewers and current Nuddskoli students may take an additional $40 off per day.

Questions: If you have questions, you can contact Finnbogi in Reykjavik at nudd@nuddskoli.is, or contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com.

Please note that you are responsible for your own travel and lodging arrangements for your stay in Reykjavik.

Join Brian for two tax-deductible CE classes in Christchurch, New Zealand, on February 15-16, 2020, during the peak of the Austral summer. The days will be long and warm, and Christchurch is beautiful, cosmopolitan, and close to the Pacific Ocean and abundant outdoor activities.

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Torso

These muscular structures support the core--they are integral to maintaining balance, structural alignment, ease of breathing, mobility, and the ability to function without lower back pain. In the morning, you will learn specific, potent, and effective Deep Tissue techniques to release the iliopsoas, diaphragm, QL, lower multifidus, and the lumbodorsal fascia. These are straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice, often with profound results. There will be a concise and insightful anatomy review of these structures with an eye toward fascial continuities and the functional relationships between them. We will also focus on correct placement and proper use of fingers, knuckles, and elbows for optimal results.

In the afternoon we will focus on some muscle-specific Deep Tissue techniques for the Paraspinals (erector spinae and transversospinalis) that are different from but complementary to what you learned in massage school or elsewhere. The emphasis will be on releasing and unbinding the erector spinae group, the transversospinalis group, the lumbodorsal fascia, and the quadratus lumborum. These muscle-specific techniques will improve the precision and effectiveness of your back massage, and can be easily integrated into your style of bodywork. Body mechanics will continue to be a focus of the class, as well as proper use of elbows, fingers and knuckles to save wear and tear on joints. Students who have taken this class have reported that they were able to apply the techniques in their practices right away and that their clients loved the results, feeling a newfound sense of freedom and ease in their backs.

"This is one of the most practical classes I've ever taken. Brian presented useful information and then taught practical application of this info. He walked us through how to find each muscle--something I have always wished other instructors would do. I left the training with expanded skills and knowledge, which I have been able to use right away with my clients." - Evelyn Bass

"I absolutely love this work. I can hardly wait to bring it into my practice." -Hannah LePiane

Assessment and Treatment of the Lumber and Sacral Ligaments

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that more than a million American workers suffer back injuries in a year, and that they account for about 20% of total work-related injuries. Back pain can be debilitating for many people, and even when it's just a nuisance, it can significantly impact their fundamental quality of life. Massage can often be a helpful tool in the recovery and rehabilitation process, but, unfortunately, it is also quite common for clients to receive massage that has a minimal impact on the source of their pain and discomfort.

One of the elements commonly missing when working with back injuries is a better understanding of, and ability to specifically palpate, the terrain of the low back and sacrum, particularly connective tissue structures like the various supporting ligaments. These ligaments are every bit as important as the muscles, bones, and fascia, but are often overlooked by massage therapists, chiropractors, and physical therapists.

In this class, you will learn to palpate and treat some of the most commonly injured ligaments in the low back and pelvis, including the iliolumbar, intertransverse, sacroiliac, sacrotuberous, supraspinous, and interspinous ligaments, as well as a few key postural muscles.Clients notice the difference right away when they feel you touch the "right spots", and their chronic pain and tension begins to dissolve from the inside out.

"I found this class extremely informative; it's something my own body needed, and I hadn't been able to pinpoint it." -Sabrina Barrera

"This class was taught by experienced instructors who had really thought through the progression of the class--the content made sense and flowed well, lending itself to really retaining the knowledge." -Meredith Condon

"Brian's teachings are intelligent, precise and effective. After receiving the work yesterday, my back feels more fluid and happy, and during the treatment, I went to that deep place of relaxation where drool happens." -Jen Elden

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 16 (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: Saturday and Sunday, February 15 & 16, 9am-6pm each day

Tuition: $250NZ ($160US) per day for Saturday or Sunday, if registered and deposited with a $100NZ ($65US) deposit by January 15; $275NZ thereafter. Take both classes for only $450NZ ($290US) if registered and deposited by January 15; $495NZ 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 Christchurch. If you have any questions, please contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com or Lynn in Christchurch at lynn.wilson@outlook.co.nz or by phone at +64 021-210-2776..

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.

Join Brian for three tax-deductible CE classes in Hamilton, New Zealand, at the Massage New Zealand Conference on September 20th-22nd, 2019. Hamilton is known for its gardens, cafes, and nightlife. It is an hour away from Auckland, one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

CTM-Bindegewebsmassage

Bindegewebsmassage, or Connective Tissue Massage (CTM), is a precise and elegant way to work with the body's dermatomes and autonomic reflexes to induce corresponding autonomic changes in specific organs. The technique was developed in Germany by Elizabeth Dicke, and is widely practiced in Europe, although it is less known in the United States. Bindegewebsmassage is quite powerful, although it can appear subtle at first.  

Starting with the sacrum, specific cutaneous zones are stroked with a dragging pressure in a precise and orchestrated way that can "trick" the body into responding as if specific organs or organ systems are being massaged. In response, the target organ vasodilates and its smooth muscle tissue relaxes. Bindegewebsmassage is quite effective for treating menstrual cramps, eliminating or reducing symptoms over 90% of the time. It can also be helpful with reducing the symptoms of migraines, asthma, and intestinal cramping. In addition, CTM can subtly affect the fascial layers (especially adhesions in the subcutaneous layer), increasing range of motion and flexibility, and reducing pain or tingling from tightened tissue. Bindegewebsmassage typically has a calming effect, and can be used for general parasympathetic relaxation as well.

A handful of clinical trials have shown CTM-style manipulation has beneficial effects in pain reduction, reduced depression, improved quality-of-life, and moderate short-term increases of beta-endorphins. These trials add to anecdotal observations from clinicians that CTM often causes  "virtually immediate relief in visceral or myofascial pain as well as general relaxation." (Prendergast & Rommer, 2013)

In this class, you will learn the "basic build-up," which primarily focuses on the sacral and pelvic areas and their corresponding target organs, and the "first followup," which focuses on the lower back and rib cage.

"That the viscero-cutaneous reflex interconnection is reversible, that is to say, that it not only leads from the internal organs to the skin, but vice versa, is a long-established fact. One of the most elegant and fundamental systems, which conforms almost flawlessly to the workings of the segmental reflexes, is connective tissue massage as prescribed by Dicke." - Hans Schliack, MD

It's fantastic to have new tools to treat migraines and menstrual pain, and give ease to an often 'stuck' area".  - Rachael Brown, Tea Anau, NZ

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Torso (Iliopsoas, Diaphragm, QL and Paraspinals; sold out)

These muscular structures support the core--they are integral to maintaining balance, structural alignment, ease of breathing, mobility, and the ability to function without lower back pain. In the morning, you will learn specific, potent, and effective Deep Tissue techniques to release the iliopsoas, diaphragm, QL, lower multifidus, and the lumbodorsal fascia. These are straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice, often with profound results. There will be a concise and insightful anatomy review of these structures with an eye toward fascial continuities and the functional relationships between them. We will also focus correct placement and proper use of fingers, knuckles, and elbows for optimal results.

In the afternoon we will focus on some muscle-specific Deep Tissue techniques for the Paraspinals (erector spinae and transversospinalis) that are different from but complementary to what you learned in massage school or elsewhere. The emphasis will be on releasing and unbinding the erector spinae group, the transversospinalis group, the lumbodorsal fascia, and the quadratus lumborum. These muscle-specific techniques will improve the precision and effectiveness of your back massage, and can be easily integrated to your style of bodywork. Body mechanics will continue to be a focus of the class, as well as proper use of elbows, fingers and knuckles to save wear and tear on joints. Students who have taken this class have reported that they were able to apply the techniques in their practices right away and that their clients loved the results, feeling a newfound sense of freedom and ease in their backs.

"This is one of the most practical classes I've ever taken. Brian presented useful information and then taught practical application of this info. He walked us through how to find each muscle--something I have always wished other instructors would do. I left the training with expanded skills and knowledge, which I have been able to use right away with my clients." - Evelyn Bass

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Posterior, Lateral and Anterior Neck (sold out)

The neck is a strong, vulnerable and complex structure. It is the most movable part of the spine, and yet is strong enough to balance and support the head (10-11 pounds), even with chronically poor posture. Skillful deep tissue work in this area is not about brute force; it's about precision and strategy, informed by knowledge of the anatomical structures. It's rare to find massage therapists who really know how to massage the neck in a precise, specific way–especially around the small muscular attachments to the transverse processes-–even though this is often where the muscles are most frayed and/or inflamed.

In the morning you will learn specific techniques for releasing the cervical posterior paraspinal muscles (longissimus, semispinalis capitis, multifidus), suboccipital triangle, levator scapula (especially the cervical attachments), facet joints, splenius capitus and cervicis, posterior, middle, and anterior scalenes, sternocleidomastoid, and masseter. 

In the afternoon we will focus on deep muscle-specific techniques for the anterior neck. Many people learned in massage school to avoid this area, but it responds safely and well to skilled and precise touch. We will focus on the scalene, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and longus capitus and colli groups. This is really helpful work for clients who have been in car accidents, have emotional issues with their necks or throats, or use their voices professionally (eg, singers). 

These are straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice. The work is well-suited to either treating cervical injuries or improving your spa massage, and will increase your precision, palpatory sensitivity, and effectiveness. Body mechanics will also be a focus of the class as well as proper use of fingers to save wear and tear on joints. 

"I honestly learned more in your neck class than any other CE I've taken, and I've been at it almost 13 years." -Tracey Brandt 

"This is the best neck class I've ever taken." - Barbara Rue

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 7 each day (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: 
CTM/Bindegewebsmassage: Friday, September 20th, 9am-5pm (part of the Pre-Conference)
MSDT Techniques for the Torso: Saturday, September 21st, 9am-4:30pm
MSDT Techniques for the Neck: Sunday, September 22nd, 9am-4:30pm

Tuition: If you are an MNZ member, the pre-conference is $180 NZ and the conference is $350 NZ, if registered by July 20th; thereafter, prices go up to $210 NZ and $450 NZ, respectively. If you are not an MNZ member, the pre-conference is $250 NZ and the conference is $500 NZ.

Registration: These classes are sponsored by the Massage New Zealand Conference in Hamilton, NZ. To attend the classes, you must register for the Conference Event and/or Pre-Conference Event (attending a single day is available upon request). To see the full conference schedule, including lunch breaks, speaker events, and social events, please click here.

To register or view a more detailed price breakdown, please visit their website, linked here. Please note that you will have to create or log into your MNZ account to register.

Questions: Please contact conference@massagenewzealand.org.nz

Please note that you are responsible for your travel and lodging arrangements in Hamilton. The Conference website offers suggestions here. If you have additional questions, you can contact MNZ at conference@massagenewzealand.org.nz, or contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com.

Join Brian for two popular CE classes at the The Natural Health Practitioners of Canada 2019 Conference. The conference will take place in Calgary, Alberta, on May 25-26th, 2019. Calgary is a vibrant city, and only 90 minutes from Banff National Park.

Introduction to Visceral and Abdominal Massage

The viscera are at the very core of our body, and are, along with our nervous system, a primary source of life. They are at the center of our structure, our emotions, our biochemistry, and our life energy. There are over 500 million neurons in the belly (about 5 times more than in the spinal cord), and our enteric nervous system is a primary source of our intuition and "gut" feelings.

When we are anxious or distressed, our natural instinct is to protect our soft underbelly and "stuff" emotions there, causing multilayered problems throughout the body. The smooth muscles of the gut contract, pulling on the surrounding mesentery and fascia, causing not only gut pain, but back pain. In addition, surgery can create adhesions and multi-directional disruptions in the abdominal fascia and musculature. It is ironic that this vital healing area is often overlooked in massage.

The sensitivity and vulnerability of the belly is precisely why it is so receptive to safe, calming, and nourishing touch. We can soothe the enteric nervous system and the soft underbelly, sending waves of deep relaxation throughout the entire body. We can relax the smooth muscles of the intestines, which reduces pain, improves digestive function, and eases the fascial pull in the back and other areas of the body. We can sometimes separate post-surgical adhesions, creating balance and increased ease of movement at the very core of the body.

In this class you will learn simple and effective abdominal massage techniques that are easy to integrate into your massage practice. You will learn the basic layout of some of the area's major anatomical structures and how to identify, palpate, and treat them. This class will make your abdominal work more comforting, intelligent, and effective. You will be able to help your clients achieve deeper states of relaxation, relieve pain, improve digestive function, and help free up deep structural imbalances.

"I was expecting a belly massage class and walked away with a deep understanding of the abdomen. This class was incredible." - KC Johnston, LMP and Doula

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Torso (Iliopsoas, Diaphragm, QL and Paraspinals)

These muscular structures support the core--they are integral to maintaining balance, structural alignment, ease of breathing, mobility, and the ability to function without lower back pain. In the morning, you will learn specific, potent, and effective Deep Tissue techniques to release the iliopsoas, diaphragm, QL, lower multifidus, and the lumbodorsal fascia. These are straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice, often with profound results. There will be a concise and insightful anatomy review of these structures with an eye toward fascial continuities and the functional relationships between them. We will also focus correct placement and proper use of fingers, knuckles, and elbows for optimal results.

In the afternoon we will focus on some muscle-specific Deep Tissue techniques for the Paraspinals (erector spinae and transversospinalis) that are different from but complementary to what you learned in massage school or elsewhere. The emphasis will be on releasing and unbinding the erector spinae group, the transversospinalis group, the lumbodorsal fascia, and the quadratus lumborum. These muscle-specific techniques will improve the precision and effectiveness of your back massage, and can be easily integrated to your style of bodywork. Body mechanics will continue to be a focus of the class, as well as proper use of elbows, fingers and knuckles to save wear and tear on joints. Students who have taken this class have reported that they were able to apply the techniques in their practices right away and that their clients loved the results, feeling a newfound sense of freedom and ease in their backs.

"This is one of the most practical classes I've ever taken. Brian presented useful information and then taught practical application of this info. He walked us through how to find each muscle--something I have always wished other instructors would do. I left the training with expanded skills and knowledge, which I have been able to use right away with my clients." - Evelyn Bass

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 14 (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: Saturday and Sunday, May 25th-26th, 9am-5:30pm each day

Tuition & Registration Details: These classes are hosted by Natural Healthcare Practitioners of Canada (NHPC), and registration is through their conference website. Prices vary depending on which ticket level you choose; prices increase on April 19, 2019. Please click here for details.

Join Brian for two tax-deductible CE classes in Akureyri, Iceland on May 11-12th, 2019. Akureyri is nestled in a fjord on the north coast of Iceland, and is considered the ‘Aspen’ of Iceland. There are abundant geothermal sites and powerful waterfalls nearby.

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Posterior, Lateral and Anterior Neck

The neck is a strong, vulnerable and complex structure. It is the most movable part of the spine, and yet is strong enough to balance and support the head (10-11 pounds), even with chronically poor posture. Skillful deep tissue work in this area is not about brute force; it's about precision and strategy, informed by knowledge of the anatomical structures. It's rare to find massage therapists who really know how to massage the neck in a precise, specific way--especially around the small muscular attachments to the transverse processes--even though this is often where the muscles are most frayed and/or inflamed.  

In the morning you will learn specific techniques for releasing the cervical posterior paraspinal muscles (longissimus, semispinalis capitis, multifidus), suboccipital triangle, levator scapula (especially the cervical attachments), facet joints, splenius capitus and cervicis, posterior, middle, and anterior scalenes, sternocleidomastoid, and masseter.

In the afternoon we will focus on deep muscle-specific techniques for the anterior neck. Many people learned in massage school to avoid this area, but it responds safely and well to skilled and precise touch. We will focus on the scalene, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and longus capitus and colli groups. This is really helpful work for clients who have been in car accidents, have emotional issues with their necks or throats, or use their voices professionally (eg, singers).

These are straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice. The work is well-suited to either treating cervical injuries or improving your spa massage, and will increase your precision, palpatory sensitivity, and effectiveness. Body mechanics will also be a focus of the class as well as proper use of fingers to save wear and tear on joints.

"I honestly learned more in your neck class than any other CE I've taken, and I've been at it almost 13 years." -Tracey Brandt

"This is the best neck class I've ever taken." - Barbara Rue

"I love neck work, and this class took things to the next level." - Heather Finch

Assessment and Treatment of the Cervical Ligaments

The neck is one of the most common areas of client complaint, injury and dysfunction, and it can be a challenging area to treat effectively. Injured or irritated neck ligaments can be particularly vexing; besides causing deep pain, they can provoke a guarding response in the nearby muscles, causing additional pain, tension, and limitation of movement.  

In this class we will explore the deeper terrain of the neck, concentrating on the key ligamentous and related muscular and fascial structures that, when injured, often create chronic neck pain and tension. The cervical ligaments are every bit as important as the muscles, bones, and fascia, but are often overlooked by massage therapists, chiropractors, and physical therapists.  

You will learn assessment and palpation skills that will help you to identify the ligamentous structures that need treatment, make sure it is appropriate to do so, and treat the injured structures. A primary focus of this class is to help you refine your accuracy in both palpation and treatment, and to help you develop more confidence, specificity and thoroughness in your neck assessment and treatment. Clients notice the difference right away when they feel you touch the "right spots", and their chronic pain and tension begins to dissolve from the inside out.

"This was one of the most informative classes I've taken in a long time. The material is very useful for my clinical practice." - Sabrina Sargent

"I think more than any other technique or series of movements I've incorporated, this neck work has had the most consistent and specific effects. Every person who has received the work has said they've felt lengthened, their neck felt freed and that they slept very soundly that night, often feeling very relaxed the next couple of days. Thank you!" - Dawn Geula

"This class was ridiculously useful. I will be using these techniques immediately and daily." - Robin Mayberry

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 16 (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: Saturday and Sunday, May 11th-12th, 9am-6pm each day

Tuition & Registration: $150 USD (18.000 ISK) per day with a non-refundable $75 deposit, or $275 USD (30.000 ISK) for both days ($100 deposit required). You have the option below to pay any day’s deposit (the balance will be due at class), or pay for the 2-class package in full.

If Registering in Iceland: This class is sponsored by Reginn Unason. Register directly with him by emailing reginnshouseofpain@gmail.com.

Please note that you are responsible for your own travel and lodging arrangements for your stay in Akureyri. If you have questions, you can contact Reginn in Akureyri at reginnshouseofpain@gmail.com, or contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com.

Join Brian for two tax-deductible CE classes in Reykjavik, Iceland on May 4-5th, 2019, in one of the most breathtaking places on earth. Iceland has stunning views, interesting people, and a diverse and beautiful landscape.

Evaluation and Treatment of Shoulder Injuries

A lot of our clients suffer from chronic rotator cuff injuries that seem to stubbornly persist using conventional massage techniques. Learn precise and specific orthopedic assessments and thumbs-free techniques to identify and successfully treat some of the most common injuries to the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, long head of the biceps, and acromioclavicular joint. The class will include a review of rotator cuff anatomy, palpation of the rotator cuff muscles and related structures, and instruction in appropriate treatment massage techniques to treat the soft tissue lesions. You will also receive a detailed 30-page handbook for future reference.

"This shoulder class was the best class and instruction I've ever had." - Deborah Luger

"This is the best Continuing Education workshop I've taken, out of 120+ CE hours." - Julio Otazo

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Shoulder Girdle

The shoulders are meant to float freely on the ribcage, held in elegant suspension by 16 muscles, but very often they are restricted, stuck down, and in pain. In the morning, you will learn to effectively liberate some of the major anterior structures of the shoulder girdle (such as the pectoralis minor, subclavius, and subscapularis), 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. 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 day 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.

At the end of the weekend, you will know how to identify and treat the most common injuries to the shoulder, and to balance and create a supportive foundation for the shoulder girdle, as well as creating states of deep relaxation for your clients. 

"This was the best CE class I've ever taken." -Tyler Rapke

"I haven't felt this kind of freedom in my shoulders since before massage school! I have definitely been enjoying my wings." -Amy Ross

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 16 (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: Saturday and Sunday, May 4th-5th, 9am-6pm each day

Tuition & Registration: $150 USD (18.000 ISK) per day with a non-refundable $75 deposit, or $275 USD (30.000 ISK) for both days ($100 deposit required). You have the option below to pay any day’s deposit (the balance will be due at class), or pay for the 2-class package in full.

If Registering in Iceland: This class is sponsored by Nuddskoli. Click here to view their posting, or register with them directly by emailing Finnbogi at nudd@nuddskoli.is.

Please note that you are responsible for your own travel and lodging arrangements for your stay in Reykjavik. If you have questions, you can contact Finnbogi in Reykjavik at nudd@nuddskoli.is, or contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com.

Join Brian for three tax-deductible CE classes in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on April 23rd-25th. Amsterdam is a vibrant, charming, and dynamic city, and you’ll benefit from working with and meeting the locals.

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Posterior, Lateral and Anterior Neck

The neck is a strong, vulnerable and complex structure. It is the most movable part of the spine, and yet is strong enough to balance and support the head (10-11 pounds), even with chronically poor posture. Skillful deep tissue work in this area is not about brute force; it's about precision and strategy, informed by knowledge of the anatomical structures. It's rare to find massage therapists who really know how to massage the neck in a precise, specific way--especially around the small muscular attachments to the transverse processes--even though this is often where the muscles are most frayed and/or inflamed.  

In the morning you will learn specific techniques for releasing the cervical posterior paraspinal muscles (longissimus, semispinalis capitis, multifidus), suboccipital triangle, levator scapula (especially the cervical attachments), facet joints, splenius capitus and cervicis, posterior, middle, and anterior scalenes, sternocleidomastoid, and masseter.

In the afternoon we will focus on deep muscle-specific techniques for the anterior neck. Many people learned in massage school to avoid this area, but it responds safely and well to skilled and precise touch. We will focus on the scalene, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and longus capitus and colli groups. This is really helpful work for clients who have been in car accidents, have emotional issues with their necks or throats, or use their voices professionally (eg, singers).

These are straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice. The work is well-suited to either treating cervical injuries or improving your spa massage, and will increase your precision, palpatory sensitivity, and effectiveness. Body mechanics will also be a focus of the class as well as proper use of fingers to save wear and tear on joints.

"I honestly learned more in your neck class than any other CE I've taken, and I've been at it almost 13 years." -Tracey Brandt

"I love neck work, and this class took things to the next level." - Heather Finch

Assessment and Treatment of the Cervical Ligaments

The neck is one of the most common areas of client complaint, injury and dysfunction, and it can be a challenging area to treat effectively. Injured or irritated neck ligaments can be particularly vexing; besides causing deep pain, they can provoke a guarding response in the nearby muscles, causing additional pain, tension, and limitation of movement.  

In this class we will explore the deeper terrain of the neck, concentrating on the key ligamentous and related muscular and fascial structures that, when injured, often create chronic neck pain and tension. The cervical ligaments are every bit as important as the muscles, bones, and fascia, but are often overlooked by massage therapists, chiropractors, and physical therapists.  

You will learn assessment and palpation skills that will help you to identify the ligamentous structures that need treatment, make sure it is appropriate to do so, and treat the injured structures. A primary focus of this class is to help you refine your accuracy in both palpation and treatment, and to help you develop more confidence, specificity and thoroughness in your neck assessment and treatment. Clients notice the difference right away when they feel you touch the "right spots", and their chronic pain and tension begins to dissolve from the inside out.

"This was one of the most informative classes I've taken in a long time. The material is very useful for my clinical practice." - Sabrina Sargent

"I think more than any other technique or series of movements I've incorporated, this neck work has had the most consistent and specific effects. Every person who has received the work has said they've felt lengthened, their neck felt freed and that they slept very soundly that night, often feeling very relaxed the next couple of days. Thank you!" - Dawn Geula

"This class was ridiculously useful. I will be using these techniques immediately and daily." - Robin Mayberry

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Arms and Hands

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: Tues: 8; Wed: 8; Thurs: 5 (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 23rd-25th; 9:30am-6:30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1-6pm on Thursday

Tuition: The two 8-hour classes (Wednesday and Thursday) are €135 each; the 5-hour class (Friday) is €95.

Registration: This class is sponsored by The Akademie in Amsterdam, NL. To register, please visit their website, linked below for each class.

Tuesday: MSDT for the Posterior, Anterior, and Lateral Neck (8h) [Sold Out]
Wednesday: Assessment and Treatment of Cervical Ligaments (8h) [Sold Out]
Thursday: MSDT for the Arms and Hands (5h)

Questions: Please contact Petra at petra@akademie.nl with any questions about registration.

Please note that you are responsible for your travel and lodging arrangements in Amsterdam. If you have questions, you can contact Petra in Amsterdam at petra@akademie.nl, or contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com.

Join Brian for two tax-deductible CE classes in beautiful Te Anau, New Zealand (near Milford Sound and Fjordlands National Park), on January 30th-31st, 2019, during the peak of the Austral summer. The days will be long and warm, and the surroundings are gorgeous.

Evaluation and Treatment of Shoulder Injuries

A lot of our clients suffer from chronic rotator cuff injuries that seem to stubbornly persist using conventional massage techniques. Learn precise and specific orthopedic assessments and thumbs-free techniques to identify and successfully treat some of the most common injuries to the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, long head of the biceps and acromioclavicular joint. The class will include a review of rotator cuff anatomy, palpation of the rotator cuff muscles and related structures, and instruction in appropriate treatment massage techniques to treat the soft tissue lesions. You will also receive a detailed 30-page handbook for future reference.

"This shoulder class was the best class and instruction I've ever had." - Deborah Luger

"This is the best Continuing Education workshop I've taken, out of 120+ CE hours." - Julio Otazo

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Shoulder Girdle

The shoulders are meant to float freely on the ribcage, held in elegant suspension by 16 muscles, but very often they are restricted, stuck down, and in pain. In the morning, you will learn to effectively liberate some of the major anterior structures of the shoulder girdle (such as the pectoralis minor, subclavius, and subscapularis), 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. 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 day 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.

At the end of the weekend, you will know how to identify and treat the most common injuries to the shoulder, and to balance and create a supportive foundation for the shoulder girdle, as well as creating states of deep relaxation for your clients. 

"This was the best CE class I've ever taken." -Tyler Rapke

"I haven't felt this kind of freedom in my shoulders since before massage school! I have definitely been enjoying my wings." -Amy Ross

View the flyer here for a full class description and registration details.

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 16 (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: Wednesday and Thursday, January 30th-31st, 9:30am-6:30pm each day

Tuition & Registration: $275 USD ($400 NZ) for both days if registered by December 31st, 2018, with a $125 USD non-refundable deposit. The price goes up to $300 USD thereafter. You can register online here. 

The early registration balance of $150 USD or $230 NZD will be due at class. If the link is showing sold out, please contact info@pnwschool.com.

If Registering in New Zealand: View attached flyer (see link above) for registration instructions, or contact Rachael Brown at teanaumassage@hotmail.com.

Please note that you are responsible for your own travel and lodging arrangements for your stay in Te Anau. If you have questions, you can contact Rachael Brown at teanaumassage@hotmail.com, or contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com.

Join Brian for two tax-deductible CE classes in Christchurch, New Zealand, on January 26th-27th, 2019, during the peak of the Austral summer. The days will be long and warm, and Christchurch is beautiful, cosmopolitan, and close to the Pacific Ocean and abundant outdoor activities.

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Posterior, Lateral and Anterior Neck

The neck is a strong, vulnerable and complex structure. It is the most movable part of the spine, and yet is strong enough to balance and support the head (10-11 pounds), even with chronically poor posture. Skillful deep tissue work in this area is not about brute force; it's about precision and strategy, informed by knowledge of the anatomical structures. It's rare to find massage therapists who really know how to massage the neck in a precise, specific way–especially around the small muscular attachments to the transverse processes-–even though this is often where the muscles are most frayed and/or inflamed.

In the morning you will learn specific techniques for releasing the cervical posterior paraspinal muscles (longissimus, semispinalis capitis, multifidus), suboccipital triangle, levator scapula (especially the cervical attachments), facet joints, splenius capitus and cervicis, posterior, middle, and anterior scalenes, sternocleidomastoid, and masseter. 

In the afternoon we will focus on deep muscle-specific techniques for the anterior neck. Many people learned in massage school to avoid this area, but it responds safely and well to skilled and precise touch. We will focus on the scalene, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and longus capitus and colli groups. This is really helpful work for clients who have been in car accidents, have emotional issues with their necks or throats, or use their voices professionally (eg, singers). 

These are straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice. The work is well-suited to either treating cervical injuries or improving your spa massage, and will increase your precision, palpatory sensitivity, and effectiveness. Body mechanics will also be a focus of the class as well as proper use of fingers to save wear and tear on joints. 

"I honestly learned more in your neck class than any other CE I've taken, and I've been at it almost 13 years." -Tracey Brandt 

"This is the best neck class I've ever taken." - Barbara Rue

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the for the Shoulder Girdle

The shoulders are meant to float freely on the ribcage, held in elegant suspension by 16 muscles, but very often they are restricted, stuck down, and in pain. In the morning, you will learn to effectively liberate some of the major anterior structures of the shoulder girdle (such as the pectoralis minor, subclavius, and subscapularis), 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. 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 day 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.

At the end of the weekend, you will know how to identify and treat the most common injuries to the shoulder, and to balance and create a supportive foundation for the shoulder girdle, as well as creating states of deep relaxation for your clients. 

"This was the best CE class I've ever taken." -Tyler Rapke

"I haven't felt this kind of freedom in my shoulders since before massage school! I have definitely been enjoying my wings." -Amy Ross

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 16 (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: Saturday and Sunday, January 26th-27th, 9am-6pm each day

Tuition & Registration: $275 USD ($400 NZ) for both days if registered by December 31st, 2018, with a $125 USD non-refundable deposit. The price goes up to $300 USD thereafter. You can register online here. 

The early registration balance of $150 USD or $230 NZD will be due at class. If the link is showing sold out, please contact info@pnwschool.com.

If Registering in New Zealand: This class is sponsored by the New Zealand College of Massage. Click here to view their posting, or register with them directly by emailing info@nzcm.ac.nz.

Please note that you are responsible for your own travel and lodging arrangements for your stay in Christchurch. If you have questions, you can contact NZCM at info@nzcm.ac.nz, or contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com.

Join Brian for two tax-deductible CE classes in Auckland, New Zealand on January 19-20th, 2019, during the peak of the Austral summer. The days will be long and warm, and Auckland is a cosmopolitan, world-class city, and a gateway to the South Pacific.

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Torso (Iliopsoas, Diaphragm, QL and Paraspinals)

These muscular structures support the core--they are integral to maintaining balance, structural alignment, ease of breathing, mobility, and the ability to function without lower back pain. In the morning, you will learn specific, potent, and effective Deep Tissue techniques to release the iliopsoas, diaphragm, QL, lower multifidus, and the lumbodorsal fascia. These are straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice, often with profound results. There will be a concise and insightful anatomy review of these structures with an eye toward fascial continuities and the functional relationships between them. We will also focus correct placement and proper use of fingers, knuckles, and elbows for optimal results.

In the afternoon we will focus on some muscle-specific Deep Tissue techniques for the Paraspinals (erector spinae and transversospinalis) that are different from but complementary to what you learned in massage school or elsewhere. The emphasis will be on releasing and unbinding the erector spinae group, the transversospinalis group, the lumbodorsal fascia, and the quadratus lumborum. These muscle-specific techniques will improve the precision and effectiveness of your back massage, and can be easily integrated to your style of bodywork. Body mechanics will continue to be a focus of the class, as well as proper use of elbows, fingers and knuckles to save wear and tear on joints. Students who have taken this class have reported that they were able to apply the techniques in their practices right away and that their clients loved the results, feeling a newfound sense of freedom and ease in their backs.

"This is one of the most practical classes I've ever taken. Brian presented useful information and then taught practical application of this info. He walked us through how to find each muscle--something I have always wished other instructors would do. I left the training with expanded skills and knowledge, which I have been able to use right away with my clients." - Evelyn Bass

Muscle-Specific Deep Tissue Techniques for the Posterior, Lateral and Anterior Neck

The neck is a strong, vulnerable and complex structure. It is the most movable part of the spine, and yet is strong enough to balance and support the head (10-11 pounds), even with chronically poor posture. Skillful deep tissue work in this area is not about brute force; it's about precision and strategy, informed by knowledge of the anatomical structures. It's rare to find massage therapists who really know how to massage the neck in a precise, specific way–especially around the small muscular attachments to the transverse processes-–even though this is often where the muscles are most frayed and/or inflamed.

In the morning you will learn specific techniques for releasing the cervical posterior paraspinal muscles (longissimus, semispinalis capitis, multifidus), suboccipital triangle, levator scapula (especially the cervical attachments), facet joints, splenius capitus and cervicis, posterior, middle, and anterior scalenes, sternocleidomastoid, and masseter. 

In the afternoon we will focus on deep muscle-specific techniques for the anterior neck. Many people learned in massage school to avoid this area, but it responds safely and well to skilled and precise touch. We will focus on the scalene, suprahyoid, infrahyoid, and longus capitus and colli groups. This is really helpful work for clients who have been in car accidents, have emotional issues with their necks or throats, or use their voices professionally (eg, singers). 

These are straightforward, muscle-specific techniques that can be immediately applied in practice. The work is well-suited to either treating cervical injuries or improving your spa massage, and will increase your precision, palpatory sensitivity, and effectiveness. Body mechanics will also be a focus of the class as well as proper use of fingers to save wear and tear on joints. 

"I honestly learned more in your neck class than any other CE I've taken, and I've been at it almost 13 years." -Tracey Brandt 

"This is the best neck class I've ever taken." - Barbara Rue

Instructor: Brian Utting
CE hours: 16 (NCBTMB-approved)
Date and Time: Saturday and Sunday, January 19th-20th, 9am-6pm each day

Tuition & Registration: $275 USD ($400 NZ) for both days if registered by December 31st, 2018, with a $125 USD non-refundable deposit. The price goes up to $300 USD thereafter. You can register online here. 

The early registration balance of $150 USD or $230 NZD will be due at class. If the link is showing sold out, please contact info@pnwschool.com.

If Registering in New Zealand: This class is sponsored by the New Zealand College of Massage. Click here to view their posting, or register with them directly by emailing info@nzcm.ac.nz.

Please note that you are responsible for your own travel and lodging arrangements for your stay in Auckland. If you have questions, you can contact NZCM at info@nzcm.ac.nz, or contact Brian in Seattle at info@pnwschool.com.