AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Amsterdam is one of the most vibrant, charming, and dynamic cities in the world. You’ll love the atmosphere and enjoy working with and meeting the locals.

day 1: 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.

"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

 “It was profound to receive these techniques and feel their power”. - Elias Darling

"Upon walking around after class I noticed I could stand up taller and straighter, which has been a constant challenge for me to maintain good posture. I also noticed I could take much fuller and deeper breaths after class, which has also been a challenge for me. The class was truly wonderful. I benefited from it, and I know many of my clients will as well as I start to incorporate it into my practice.” -Lindsey Held

“I’ve been massaging forever, and I feel like I’ve learned so much today that I will definitely use in my practice. Honestly, I will feel like I’m cheating my clients if I leave it out!” -Fryth Rasar

Instructor: Brian Utting

CE hours: 8 CE hours (NCBTMB-approved for CE credit)

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, 10am-6:40pm

Tuition: €200 for this class.

€380 for any 2 classes.

€540 for all 3 classes.

Registration: This class is sponsored by Esoterra. Click here to register.

day 2: 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 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 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

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

Instructor: Brian Utting

CE hours: 8 (NCBTMB-approved for CE credit)

Date and Time: Thursday, May 1st, 2025, 10am-6:40pm

Tuition: €200 for this class.

€380 for any 2 classes.

€540 for all 3 classes.

Registration: This class is sponsored by Esoterra. Click here to register.

day 3: ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF THE LUMBAR AND SACRAL LIGAMENTS

The US 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. In the Netherlands, the percentage of reported back pain is even higher. 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: 8 (NCBTMB-approved for CE credit)

Date and Time: Friday, May 2nd, 2025, 10am-6:40pm

Tuition: €200 for this class.

€380 for any 2 classes.

€540 for all 3 classes.

Registration: This class is sponsored by Esoterra. Click here to register.