Learning Never Stops!

 August 18th @  9am - 12:30pm

Class Description:
This 3.5-hour continuing education class is designed to equip massage therapists with the knowledge, sensitivity, and practical tools needed to work effectively with military veterans, particularly those living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Through a combination of lecture, discussion, and guided hands-on work, participants will explore how trauma—especially related to military service—can affect the body, nervous system, and the massage therapy experience.

This course emphasizes trauma-informed care, focusing on creating a safe, respectful, and empowering environment for veterans. Therapists will learn strategies for building trust, reading body language, responding to triggers, and modifying sessions to support regulation and comfort. Practical techniques for grounding, calming the nervous system, and fostering a sense of safety through therapeutic touch will also be introduced.

What You’ll Learn:

• An overview of PTSD and common challenges faced by veterans
   
• How trauma shows up in the body and affects the massage experience
   
• Principles of trauma-informed care for massage therapists
   
• Communication strategies for consent, boundaries, and emotional sensitivity
   
• Hands-on techniques to support nervous system regulation and grounding
   
• How to work with hypervigilance, dissociation, and emotional release
   

CE Hours: 3.5
Format: In-person with lecture, discussion, and hands-on practice
Who Should Attend: Licensed or student massage therapists interested in serving the veteran community or working with trauma survivors
What to Bring: Notebook, massage supplies, and an open, compassionate mindset

Let me know if you’d like to tailor this further for VA work, a specific instructor, or for CE application purposes.

 August 21st @ 9am - 12:30pm

Class Description:
This focused 3.5-hour continuing education class is designed to help massage therapists confidently and effectively address the psoas—one of the body’s most influential yet elusive muscles. Sometimes referred to as the "muscle of the soul," the psoas plays a crucial role in posture, movement, core stability, and the stress response.

Through a blend of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on practice, participants will learn to locate and work with the psoas safely and skillfully. The course will cover anatomy and function, common dysfunction patterns, and a variety of techniques—including direct and indirect approaches, positioning strategies, and client communication tips—to make this deep core work more efficient, precise, and comfortable for both client and therapist.

What You’ll Learn:

• Functional anatomy of the psoas and its role in structural and emotional health
   
• How to assess for psoas involvement in common pain patterns (low back, hips, pelvis)
   
• Hands-on techniques for accessing and releasing the psoas
   
• Positioning, draping, and communication strategies for client comfort and safety
   
• Tips and tricks for making deep work more effective with less effort
   
• Contraindications and precautions when working near sensitive structures
   

CE Hours: 3.5
Format: In-person with lecture, demonstration, and guided hands-on practice
Who Should Attend: Licensed or student massage therapists looking to deepen their understanding of core musculature and enhance results in clinical or relaxation-focused sessions
What to Bring:  linens, lotion or oil, and comfortable clothing for giving and receiving bodywork

 August 25th @ 9am - 12:30pm

Class Description:
This 3.5-hour continuing education course is designed to help massage therapists better understand fibromyalgia and how to safely and effectively support clients living with this complex, chronic pain condition. Through lecture, discussion, and hands-on demonstration, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the symptoms, triggers, and nervous system involvement associated with fibromyalgia, along with strategies for delivering gentle, customized care.

Therapists will learn how to adapt techniques to reduce overstimulation, build trust with hypersensitive clients, and support the body’s natural efforts to regulate and heal. Emphasis will be placed on client communication, pressure sensitivity, session pacing, and creating a trauma-informed, calming environment.

What You’ll Learn:

• What fibromyalgia is: causes, symptoms, and challenges
   
• How fibromyalgia affects the nervous system and pain perception
   
• Best practices for adapting massage techniques and session structure
   
• Communication strategies for working with hypersensitive clients
   
• Hands-on approaches for gentle pain relief, calming the nervous system, and promoting rest
   
• Contraindications and therapist self-care when working with chronic pain clients
   

CE Hours: 3.5
Format: In-person with lecture, case discussion, and hands-on technique practice
Who Should Attend: Licensed or student massage therapists interested in supporting clients with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions
What to Bring: linens, lotion or oil, and comfortable clothing for giving and receiving work

Taught by Krista Sullivan, LMT

 October 23rd - 26th

 Tuition Price: $795.00 (USD)
Early Registration Price: $595.00 (USD) 

Tuition Discount available to Full-Time Healthcare Students who qualify – call 561.622.4334 for details. 

Pre-requisite Workshop(s):
This course is intended for licensed or certified healthcare professionals, or for students nearing completion in their studies to become a healthcare professional, with palpation skills and experience as well as anatomical knowledge. Upon registration you will receive a list of anatomical terms and structures to review in advance of the course to help you achieve maximum benefit from attending.

Description:
In this course, you will be introduced to the models and concepts of functional biomechanics as viewed from Jean-Pierre Barral's Visceral Manipulation approach. This method of evaluation and treatment is based on the concept that each of our internal organs rotates on a physiological axis. Focus is on the abdominal cavity and includes the organs, their membranes, ligaments, innervation and their spatial functional interrelationships. You will learn basic manipulations for correcting abnormal motions and stress patterns within this cavity. The manual techniques are not advised for pregnant participants.

Advance Preparation:
IMPORTANT PREPARATION to maximize your Visceral Manipulation 1 seminar experience.

Go to:
https://info.barralinstitute.com/prepare-for-a-successful-visceral-manipulation-1-class/

Introductory videos, anatomy list, and prerequisite reading information.

Supplies:
We recommend you bring colored pencils or markers, as many students find that adding color annotations while drawing and note taking in class is beneficial for learning. BI provides grease pencils for identifying anatomy on skin during the labs, but you are welcome to bring your own eye liner pencil. Students may find these easier on their skin. Before using a writing device, just verify with the teacher if they have a preference.

When needed or desired, you are expected to provide your own face mask and eye goggles/glasses for mouth work and other similar and appropriate lab times.

Attire:
Comfortable, loose fitting clothes. As many of these manipulations require an exposed abdominal cavity, we encourage you to bring a bath towel, clothing suitable for skin contact (lab clothes), and appropriate undergarments so that you are comfortable if they are exposed during the lab sessions. During trades you may be in varied stages of undress, but during lecture time and in common areas of the meeting site outside of the classroom, please return to a fully clothed professional appearance.

Due to potential chemical sensitivities of your classmates, please refrain from wearing perfumes or oils to class.

Due to the nature of the work, short finger nails are required.

Times:
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on the first day of class. A continental breakfast will be served until 9:00 a.m., at which time the workshop will begin. Subsequent class hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00-5:30 p.m. daily, depending on class participation. The last day will meet from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m. Class ending times are approximate, and may vary.

Meeting Site/Lodging:
Elite Massage Academy
1121 Westrac Drive
Suite 202
Fargo, ND 58103
701.205.2404

Nearby Lodging Recommendations:
Holiday Inn Fargo
3803 13th Avenue S
Fargo, ND 58103
701-282-2700

Directions to Meeting Site:
For detailed driving directions please go to Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/dir//1121+Westrac+Dr+Suite+202,+Fargo,+ND+58103/@46.8633039,-96.901177,12z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x52c8cb84a2e5d52f:0x803d74eb9ba949b3!2m2!1d-96.8311373!2d46.8633253

Cancellation/Refund Policy:
Our preference is to have all students attend their class as planned. Plans changing within 29 days of a class start date cause significant and costly implications for our operations to support your planned attendance.

Transfer to a new class date: No fee up until 29 days prior to the class start date.
Transfer to another class 29-15 days in advance: $100 logistics and planning fee.
Transfer to another class less than 15 days of class start date: $200 logistics and planning fee.
Tuition less the applicable logistics fee is non-refundable.

Cancellation of class: Fully refundable more than 29 days prior to the class start date. Cancellations or no shows within 29 days of the class are nonrefundable and are subject to applicable logistics and transfer fees based upon the date of class cancellation or transfer notification received by our home office. Refundable tuition for students in a package program (core-pak or trak-pak) is based on the early registration pricing for the course/online video involved. Refund requests must be made in writing (email to refunds@iahe.com) within 12 months of the registration.

 NOVEMBER 15th & 16th

NCBTMB & FSMTB Approved – 16 CE Live Seminars
(NCBTMB AP# 1000579)

Introducing A Course That Is Over 75% Hands-On Learning –
Making Your Deep Tissue Massage More Effective for Your Client, As Well As Easier and Safer for You! We Guarantee You Will Learn Something New To Integrate Into Your Practice!!

This is NOT Another Trigger Point Therapy Course!!

Course Description:
(Recommended For LMTs With 2+ Years Experience)

Calcium Deposits (Neck, Shoulder Mobilization):
Calcium Can Accumulate In The Body Where It Doesn’t Belong: Tendons, Muscles, Fascia … Creating Discomfort, Pain, Inflammation, Limiting ROM.

Upon Completion Of The Course, You Will Be Able To:
– Locate Calcium Deposits
– Treat Calcium Deposits
– Increase ROM In The Neck And Shoulders

Power Point Deep Tissue (Working With The Tissue Not Against It):
Therapeutic Deep Tissue Technique: While Highly Effective, Less Painful For The Patient And The Therapist.

Course Investment:
16 CEs – $500