Hello Friends and Family,

Welcome to the Summer edition of In Touch, National Holistic Institute's Newsletter. We are proud to bring you this latest edition on the heels of a lot of exciting news; from NHI's new logo (see above) to our San Jose and Sonoma campus branching (see update below).

We are also starting CONTINUING EDUCATION classes teaching Advanced Deep Tissue (see ad in newsletter and this link). In this issue we have some great articles in store for you from Hot Stone Massage to information on how to obtain a massage permits in California, and more, so read on and enjoy!

Thanks for your continued support and all the best!

~National Holistic Institute

HOT STONE MASSAGE: An Ancient Tradition That Still Rocks!

By Upasana Titterington, NHI Instructor

Imagine yourself cast adrift on an ocean of radiating warmth. All the cares and stresses of your day seem to fade away under the relaxing treatment of an ancient tradition . . . this and so much more awaits your clients as they are treated to one of the most luxurious and most popular spa treatments today.

Welcome to the world of Hot Stone Massage.

HISTORY
Hot Stone Massage, although only popularized in the last five to ten years, is not a new phenomenon. This ancient modality dates back over 5,000 years. The Egyptians used heated stones to increase circulation and bring about deeper relaxation. Native American Indians used stones in many of their spiritual traditions including sweat lodges, and Hawaiian lomi-lomi originally used warmed lava rocks to exfoliate the skin after the massage. This ancient modality can also be found in everyday aspects of Japanese culture and many Eastern healing techniques. Now Hot Stone is one of the most requested treatments found in the spa world.

THE STONES
Stones used in Hot Stone Massage are typically basalt. The stones are created when magma is forced out of the earth's core. The magma, once it cools to a temperature of 2000°F is called lava and it spills over the land or ocean floor, where most basalt rocks are found.

All Basalt stones contain iron ore. It is this component that allows the stones to hold heat for up to 30 minutes. While no one color is better than another, the color of stones can range from pale green, grey, rust, blue-grey, tan, brown and black.

Even though these stones appear to be smooth and polished, they are never mechanically tumbled. When a stone is mechanically tumbled, its natural geothermic-magnetic configuration is destroyed. The natural ocean tumbling creates different shapes and sizes of stone and retains its natural healing powers.

USES
Hot Stone Massage uses heat from water-heated basalt stones. These stones are then used to massage different parts of the body in a traditional Swedish style massage. The heat from the stones soothes and melts away tired, sore and aching muscles. It is a deeply relaxing style of massage that allows manipulation of the muscles with a greater intensity than regular massage. Due to the heated nature of stones, as well as the therapeutic minerals within the stones, Hot Stone Massage has many uses. Hot Stone Massage can help address the following conditions:

• Aid digestion
• Muscular aches, pains, sprains, and strains
• Poor circulation
• Rheumatic and arthritic conditions
• Back pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Stress, anxiety and tension
• Insomnia
• Depression

Some helpful hints in practicing Hot Stone Massage is that incorporating round, flat, oval, small, medium and large stones will customize the feel of the massage. Also, the sizes of the stones vary greatly and you will find very large stones used in certain body layout patterns and extremely small stones used to put between toes.

Hot Stone Massage creates a unique, connective experience with nature and time. It offers the client and practitioner an ancient union with a sacred modality that transcends today’s world. Hot Stone Massage yields a profoundly healing experience that brings us closer to our true essence.

National Holistic Institute recently implemented Hot Stone Massage into its curriculum and plans to offer continuing education courses in Hot Stone Massage in the near future. Stay tuned for updates on this and other course offerings.

BUY HOT STONE SUPPLIES

TA or Not TA - Ahhh, There's the Rub

By Bart Burrows, TA

Massage therapists can find themselves in certain professional situations that warrant critical decisions. For a new graduate: you’ve taken your final exam, completed your externship, shared your last moments at graduation with your fellow students and teachers...what’s next? For others, it’s been 6, 12, or 24 months since you graduated, you’ve established a successful private practice, but are discovering that you’re clients are looking for something more, where do you go from here? Another case is that you’ve been working comfortably at your own successful spa and while you love what you’re doing, there seems to be something missing. What do you do now? Two letters – TA.

Why TA?
Today, it seems we are awash with more acronyms than at any other time in history and National Holistic Institute (NHI) is no exception. When we talk about TA, we’re talking about Teaching Assistant, a key position that holds a number of critical responsibilities and benefits for staff, students and TA’s alike.

What better way to hone your communication skills and pass along your knowledge and talents to students than to become a TA at NHI? Maybe you need to resolve those nagging questions that have been plaguing you since graduation (“Hmmm…let’s see...was that PNF stretch 10 seconds at 50% resistance or 50 seconds at 10%? Was massage contraindicated for a severe case of the willies?”). Each will have his or her different reasons for aspiring to be a TA, but it has always shown its rewards to those who participated.

“It was 20 years ago today…”
Well, more like 10 years since NHI launched the TA program where its initial goals were to support the teaching staff exclusively. Four years later, under the skilled auspices of Jilliann Uhrinak, the program was massaged (pardon the pun) and re-aligned to offer the students additional hands-on resources, and more importantly, the TA’s a wide variety of benefits.

Benefits
The first benefit of being a TA is the opportunity to reinforce and strengthen areas of particular interest by assisting in a great variety of classes across the curriculum. By teaching the subject matter, TA’s are afforded the privilege of learning and re-learning the topics they instruct upon, thereby making them better massage therapists.

TA’s are also presented with classes, workshops, and training beyond what they had received in the regular courses. Additionally, the program offers the TA the prospect of gaining insight into the teaching arena, if this is an area he or she wishes to pursue. Add to this the prospect of increasing your interaction with a greater number of students, gaining additional confidence in your teaching skills, and learning the secret TA handshake, you realize just how critical the TA program is.

In the end this is all crowned with a 100 hour certification that is added to the NHI 720 hour diploma.

Additional Certification
In order to enhance the depth of the TA program, NHI is offering a Massage Business Management Certification beginning mid 2005. This will enable prospective candidates to gain an additional 180 hours of combined education in expanded classroom studies, clinic management, and an externship program working with a partner company in a related field. This new certification will give NHI TA’s the professional edge they will need to be even more successful in the industry.

For additional information regarding either the TA program or the new Massage Business Management Certification, please contact Jillian Uhrinak at NHI 800-315-3552 x 247.

Personal Growth
When I graduated from Group 16 in August of 2004 I had already acquired a position at a spa with whom I continue to grow. However, I have always had an interest in the teaching field and believe in the adage that the most effective way to learn is to teach. NHI’s TA program has afforded me the opportunity to move in this direction by giving me the chance to work with NHI’s many talented instructors and study their various teaching styles. Additionally, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity of interacting with the wide variety of students, who in themselves, are teaching me patience, confidence, how best to communicate the subject matter, and how I can continue to be a viable resource for students.

NHI WEBSITE

Massage Permits in California: A Case Study

By Dave Casuto, Placement Coordinator

Sarah is confused about the laws and procedures to practice massage legally in Hayward. Some people have told her that in order to work as a massage therapist in a particular city in California one needs a “massage permit”, others have said she needs a “business license”, while some colleagues suggest just to avoid the legal formalities entirely and begin your practice. Sarah realizes she must do some research.

To her surprise, Sarah finds that not only does California not have a state certification for massage therapists, but each city within California governs their own laws for massage permits. She discovers that for most cities, she must: pay a fee, have a certain number of educational hours completed, get fingerprinted, have a background check conducted and sometimes even need to take a skills test!

Sound like a lot? It’s easier than you think. Let’s take a look at what’s actually out there.

California Today
Sarah’s findings were correct in that California does not currently have a state certification for massage therapists. Although there is legislation moving towards a state certification, California now delegates that responsibility to each city or county. This means that each municipality is now free to create their own laws, guidelines and requirements concerning massage permits. Since each city and county can choose to create their own laws, the law may not necessarily be the same as other municipalities, and in some cases not even exist.

Business License vs. Massage Permit
“What is the difference and do I need both?” Sarah asks. A business license and a massage permit are not always one and the same in every municipality, nor will you always need both. A massage permit allows permission to operate your massage business under the guise of the local ordinances associated with massage. Anyone who operates a physical business whether it is a hot dog stand or an automotive repair shop needs a business license. Moreover, the hot dog vendor will need a special permit to legally be a food vendor in his or her city. With massage, while you are not necessarily required to hold a business license, whether you need one or not will be contingent upon the size and scope of your business (check with your local offices).

The Municipality’s Responsibility
Most municipalities will require a number of prerequisites in order to obtain a massage permit. Here are just a few key requirements: application and processing fee, skills and knowledge test, background check, fingerprinting, general health information and verification of educational hours completed. Bear in mind, if you are planning on working exclusively in a private practice versus working for someone as an employee, these guidelines will change.

Employer’s Responsibility
In her campaign to obtain a permit, Sarah realizes that despite the city having documented requirements, not all companies require a permit. Why is this? It is because most city offices will delegate the choice to the employers to decide whether they want to enact the laws that are in place.

For example, Sarah applied to two chiropractors in the same city. After a great massage interview, Chiropractor A hires her on the spot and she can begin the next day. Meanwhile, she interviews with Chiropractor B, and he tells her that she must now get her massage permit, and only after the process is completed, can she begin working.

The process is starting to become clearer and seem easier.

Where Do I Get My Permit?
Each city and county will have different offices and departments for obtaining a massage permit. For example, in Sarah’s case, Hayward has its own Permits Department located in City Hall. Other cities, the Police Department, Department of Public Health or Financial Planning Department will be the processing office.

It is the responsibility of the massage therapist to be knowledgeable of his or her municipality’s procedures. NOTE: NHI Placement Department supplies a list of over 30 cities and their requirements for obtaining a massage permit.

Sarah is now ready to approach and comply with her local laws and move forward with her practice with confidence. For more information on alternatives to business licenses and information on massage permits, see Dave Casuto, National Holistic Institute’s Placement Coordinator.

More info on CA Massage laws

SCIENCE CORNER

1. The Shoulder Girdle consists of the clavicle and the scapula.
True or False?


2. Which of these ligaments is known as the “spring” ligament of the foot?

a. Deltoid ligament
b. Plantar Calcaneonavicular ligament
c. Anterior Talofibular ligament

NHI WEBSITE

STEVE THOMAS, Heaven Day Spa

My days sitting behind a desk were over I thought as I called the last of my recruiters to break the news. The news that I was no longer available for any finance or accounting positions; part-time, full-time or temping. A wave of excitement and fear rushed over me at once as I pondered what I just did. That was all I knew since graduating from college back in 1987. Was I crazy!?! Gone temporarily insane!?! What was I doing? I had moved to San Francisco from Los Angeles just 6 months prior looking for a new direction…a new direction indeed I thought to myself…

The next day I suddenly found myself sitting in a circle introducing myself to a group of strangers later to be known to me as Group 16. There were teachers, mentors, students of all ages and me, a 40 year old man looking for a new direction in life, a chance to start again and get it right this time. A chance for me to embrace a career that was meaningful and not just a means to an end. Ten months later with my brother and his family as my witness I emerged as an NHI educated Certified Massage Therapist and Health Educator.

I was told how hard it would be since I was I male in an industry dominated by females and clients requesting female therapists. I was told that my age would play a factor since many working in the industry were much younger than me. I was told that it was crazy to think that this would work…Well, I thought, nonsense, this will be my golden moment to prove to myself and the cynics that with hard work, compassion and dedication you can find the work that you love. I found in the end, that these were all myths and have since disproved them.

After a great experience at NHI, I graduated in March 2004 and have had nothing but excitement and wonder ever since. Everyday I look forward to going to work, unlike the days of old where I dreaded each day and looked forward to my time on the weekends.

I currently work at Heaven Day Spa in San Francisco, a local neighborhood spa offering massage and a variety of spa services. I am having great success with my massage career. I have earned the trust and respect of the owner and spa mangers and am treated in a very hands off manner which has allowed me great freedom to really cultivate my own individual and unique massage style and not have to conform to a cookie cutter spa standard.

I currently do Swedish massage, Thai/Shiatsu massage, Sports massage, Deep Tissue and I incorporate many of the strokes and stretches I learned in the PBS/Myofacial Therapies series into each individualized session. I see 70-80 clients a month with up to 50% regular repeating clients in any given month. My clientele is very diverse including both men and women. They are artists, athletes, doctors, nurses, stock brokers, investment bankers, students, housewives, new mothers and mothers to be.

I never thought that I would have such a renewed zest for learning and living as I do now. I can honestly say that I couldn’t be happier and that I truly have found work that I love.

Have Work You Love

Sonoma and San Jose Campus Update: NHI Expanding

Students are currently enrolling for the initial class at the National Holistic Institute’s North Bay campus in Petaluma. The first day of class will be Wednesday, July 27. Enrollments will soon open for the initial classes in San Jose with the first day of class in September.

“Interest has already been high with only a few weeks of accepting enrollments,” said Tim Veitzer, Director of Development for the National Holistic Institute. “We’re excited about the response we’ve seen and look forward to helping these students Have Work They Love!”

Sonoma and its neighboring Napa Valley have long been popular tourist destinations due to their outstanding wineries and resorts. Jobs in massage therapy and the hospitality field continue to drive the tourist economies of Sonoma and Napa counties. Employment in this field grew at 3.5% last year while employment in Sonoma County grew at 0.7%. "Many National Holistic Institute graduates have already found massage employment in this area, and with the expansion, these numbers will continue to increase," says Dave Casuto, Placement Coordinator.

San Jose has been the largest city in the greater San Francisco Bay Area since the US Census in 1990 and its lead grew dramatically in the US Census of 2000. The San Jose area continues to expand rapidly in population and in employment opportunities. The National Holistic Institute campus will be located adjacent to the landmark and easily accessible Santana Row shopping district.

To learn more about these new campuses for the National Holistic Institute, please call 1-800-315-3552 or visit www.nhi.edu.

Massage Therapy Associate Degree
Now Available Through NHI

The National Holistic Institute has arranged for NHI graduates to have their National Holistic Institute certificate qualify as the first year toward an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy at Sonoma College and for NHI graduates to receive a $500 scholarship toward the program.

The program at Sonoma College, an Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy, is entirely online so students anywhere in the country can earn this degree from the comfort of home without disrupting established professional practices and schedules. Highlights of the program for NHI graduates are: 1)NHI graduates get a one-year credit toward a two-year degree for their certificate from NHI, 2) NHI graduates receive a $500 scholarship toward tuition, 3) Program is taught 100% online, 4) Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

For more information, please contact eac@nhi.edu or call 510.547.6444 x121, so that we can pass your information onto Sonoma College and make sure you’ll receive your $500 scholarship.

NHI WEBSITE

SCIENCE CORNER - ANSWERS!

1. Answer:

True

The only bony attachment of the shoulder girdle to the trunk it at the manubrium of the sternum (sternoclavicular joint)

2. Answer:
b  Plantar Calcaneonavicular ligament

NHI WEBSITE

Thank you for reading In Touch — National Holistic Institute’s Newsletter. We welcome your feedback and comments. If you have suggestions for future newsletters or know of anyone who would like to receive the newsletter, please contact Dave Casuto at intouch@nhi.edu, or call 510.547.6444 x142.