The Institute is dedicated to each student receiving caring attention and closely supervised instruction. Generally, only one instructor lectures at a time. In all massage lab classes; the ratio of faculty to students does not exceed 1:10 (one instructor for 5 massage tables).

Training is primarily hands-on, with an emphasis on the learning experience. Our instructors teach that one of the most important aspects of massage therapy is the connection between the therapist and client. The skill of accepting a client and their condition is taught and reinforced throughout the program, as students practice on each other, on their friends, family members, and the public during internship. Such acceptance creates an environment of safety, which promotes a climate of self-acceptance and ultimately, of healing for the client.

This course covers an array to topics such as massage strokes, their variations, body mechanics, and professional draping techniques. It also includes Swedish gymnastics, which is a system of passive, active, and resisted stretches and joint mobilizations. This section also teaches foot reflexology, seated massage, side-lying massage, pregnancy and infant massage, geriatric massage, clinical massage, sports massage, and massage adaptations for special populations.

Included in this module are client assessment, treatment planning, and documentation. The instructors act as coaches, evaluate the students, and give feedback based upon technique application and body mechanics. Additionally, students will give a short presentation to the class on a massage modality.

This part of the curriculum includes sanitation and cleanliness, types of diseases, agents of disease, modes of transmission, the host/pathogen relationship, and risk factors for disease. Diseases of each body system are discussed along with how to adapt the massage to these conditions. Over 100 pathologies are discussed as well as general contraindications, and precautions.

An introduction to basic pharmacology is also taught as many clients use medications to treat or manage disease. An entire lecture is spent exploring mental disorder, diabetes, as well as cancer, anticancer treatments, and their side effects.

Under the direction of an instructor, students perform client-centered sessions to members of the community. Internship, in the form of student clinics, provides invaluable opportunities for students to exercise creativity while practicing the modalities they have learned in class. Clinic practice also fosters the evolution of skills that will be utilized in future careers.

A complete exploration of client treatment using various forms of water is incudes in our curriculum. This section covers: the use of water as a healing agent, contraindications, procedural guidelines, specific applications of heat and cold including packs, compresses, hot and cold stones, body wraps, saunas, steam baths, whirlpools, Vichy showers, paraffin baths, body shampoos, dry brush massages, polishes and scrubs, cold towel frictions, salt glows, and the use of aromatherapy. It includes a field trip to either: a day spa, an aquatic therapy center, or a chiropractic clinic.