The Ariana Institute’s Techniques in the Spa World Manual is part of a series of massage manuals that are designed to help deepen the knowledge of current massage therapists and introduce new massage therapists to the world of massage and bodywork. The Techniques in the Spa World Manual features topics that are also available as NCBTMB approved online CE courses through the Ariana Institute at www.arianainstitute.com/ce-online/, including:
- Aromatherapy for Massage and Bodywork
- Ayurvedic Massage
- Couples Massage
- Hot and Cold Stone Massage
- Spa Techniques: Exfoliations and Body Wraps
This manual incorporates detailed protocols, photos, links to online videos, marketing strategies, personal stories, and resources to encourage a comprehensive understanding of spa techniques and modalities beneficial for your massage practice.
Here’s a personal story about couples massage featured in the Techniques in the Spa World Manual.
MY FIRST COUPLES MASSAGE
In 1999 I offered my first couples massage workshop. The workshop was hosted in my beautiful studio, Emerald Valley Massage, in Wimberley, the heart of the Texas hill country southwest of Austin. It was an honor and a pleasure to offer couples an opportunity to experience a massage exchange training in which they could learn to support one another through loving, receptive touch.
The couples workshop was filled with friends, relatives, life partners; and others who were interested in personal growth, marriage enrichment, and deepening relationships. The only thing my participants needed was a willingness to let go and enjoy some quiet time with someone they cared about.
I preceded the experiential portion of the workshop with information regarding centering, breath, music, and the healing power of touch. Then, in a warm and supportive atmosphere, modestly draped couples were offered the opportunity to explore ways to nurture their bodies and souls. I demonstrated specific hands-on massage techniques with step-by-step, easy to follow instructions, and then I guided the couples through a sequence of massage protocols.
I presented a variety of techniques focusing primarily on traditional Swedish relaxation massage combined with aromatherapy, facial acupressure, hand and foot reflexology, CranioSacral therapy for the face and neck, scalp massage, Reiki, and manual lymphatic drainage for the face and neck.
A comprehensive workshop notebook was provided for each participant to keep and use as a reference for massage at home. It included a written protocol, a checklist of supplies, advice for centering oneself, illustrations of the muscles and pressure points that are the focus of couples massage, and a list of benefits of couples massage.
It was an honor to offer this couples massage workshop to participants ranging from newlyweds to those in their golden years of marriage. The feedback that I received from the participants was glowing. One follow-up conversation with a retired couple particularly warmed my heart. They mentioned that they began exchanging massage sessions every Friday night after participating in my couples massage workshop. Their comments encouraged me to continuing offering couples classes to people who were interested in empowering themselves by learning techniques that were effective, soothing and nurturing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – ARIANA VINCENT, LMT, MTI, BCTMB
Ariana Vincent was awarded the 2015 CE Provider of the Year Award by the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education. She is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapy Instructor whose classes are accepted throughout the United States. Ariana is also a Massage Therapy Hall of Fame Honoree and author of the Ariana Institute’s therapy manual series available on Amazon.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To read the foreword of the Techniques in the Spa World Manual, visit https://arianainstitute.com/the-ariana-institute-proudly-presents-techniques-in-the-spa-world-second-edition/.
The Ariana Institute’s video introduction to the Aromatherapy, Ayurvedic Massage, Couples Massage, Hot and Cold Stone Massage, as well as other Spa Technique CE courses can be accessed on the Ariana Institute’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/user/ArianaInstitute.
To order your copies of the Ariana Institute’s Techniques in the Spa World Manual, visit www.amazon.com/author/arianavincent.
For additional information about the Ariana Institute and to register for online continuing education and MTI courses visit www.arianainstitute.com/ce-online/.
