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830 Hour Massage Therapy Program
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MASSAGE THERAPY PROGRAM
The New Mexico College of
Natural Healing's Healing
Arts Massage Therapy Program offers you the opportunity to explore your
own healing process while training as a Massage Therapist. The College's
Massage Therapy Curriculum adds a new dimension to the body/mind/emotion/spirit
approach to healing the whole person. Our nontraditional teaching methods
require students with open, flexible minds, and a desire to go through
change. The program is designed to create a safe space within an atmosphere
of support where the students can find self acceptance for all of who
they are. The underlying principle is to support the students in their
own healing process through movement, sensory awareness, vocalization,
group discussion and touch so they can understand and facilitate another's
healing process. Whether you intend to practice professionally or are
simply interested in exploring Massage and the Healing Arts, our Massage
Therapy Curriculum will support your personal as well as your professional
growth. (Licensing)
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Anatomy and Physiology:
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81 hours
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This course presents a thorough study of
all the body systems with a special emphasis on the skeletal muscular,
lymphatic, circulatory and nervous systems as they relate to the practice
of massage and bodywork. Innovative learning methods will be used including
building muscles in clay, workbooks, and hands-on activities and experiential
learning to help you to understand anatomy and physiology in easy understandable
sections.
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Kinesiology:
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20 hours
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Introduction to the fundamentals of Kinesiology
and "why " the body movement patterns occur as they do. Through hands
on practice movement and discussion students will learn the location,
actions and palpation of the muscular and skeletal system and how they
relate to the practice of massage and bodywork. Emphasis throughout
the course is on the relation of anatomical structure to function and
the role the emotional body plays in the overall function of the body.
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Clinical Pathology:
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30 hours
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This course is designed to enable the student to identify
the basic pathological processes in the systems of the body, and how
they may affect massage therapy/bodywork treatment principles. Students
will gain understanding of how the body heals itself, and how massage
and bodywork can be an adjunct to that process. Contraindications and
indications will also be covered.
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History of Massage and Bodywork:
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2 hours
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The history of massage will familiarize
you with the past, present and future of massage and bodywork. Understanding
history helps to develop professional identity and a sense of pride.
The relevance of history to the present day activities of massage and
bodywork is the main focus of this course.
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Getting Ready to Touch:
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8 hours
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No matter where a massage or bodywork session is done
the most important aspect is to deliver the highest standard of professional
care to your client. This course will cover equipment, the massage or
bodywork environment, how to determine the clients expectations and
outcome of the session, pre massage and bodywork procedures, positioning
and draping the client and exercises to develop intuition.
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Massage Manipulations and Techniques:
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82 hours
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This core course will cover massage theory,
massage manipulations, quality of touch, basic flow, therapeutic massage
techniques, stretching and joint mobilization. Students will learn by
practical demonstration and hands-on exchange with each other to gain
proficiency in these movements. Students will develop a mastery of strokes,
palpation skills, draping and other professional procedures. Techniques
taught will be applied to each of the major muscle groups of the body.
How to regulate the depth of the massage using less strength and energy
by utilizing the whole body, including weight and leverage will be covered.
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Designing the Massage or Bodywork Session:
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10 hours
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The information needed to provide holistic
massage and bodywork can be gained through proper assessment skills.
Learning how ask questions, paying attention to the information given,
touching with expertise and understanding, blending intuition with knowledge,
will be the focal points of this course. Students will learn how to
tailor the session to the individual, and not simply follow a routine
that addresses general conditions.
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Advanced Massage Techniques:
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50 hours
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Side lying massage, advanced head and neck
work, client positioning, advanced palpation and hands-on techniques
including using forearms, elbows, and knuckles will be covered in this
course to enhance the skills learned in Massage Manipulation and Techniques.
Integration of a variety of different therapies into the massage session
will be covered.
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Lymph Massage:
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10 hours
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This course will cover theory, effects,
and the general principles of manual lymph drainage and circulation
massage. Students learn how to incorporate these principles into a basic
massage or bodywork session.
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Reflexology:
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15 hours
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Students will learn how to access the entire
body using specific finger and thumb techniques on the hands, feet and
head. Reflexology is based on the belief that certain areas on the feet
and hands correspond to different parts of the body. Course includes
history, zone theory, contraindications, therapeutic relaxation and
self-help techniques. Reflexology can a treatment in itself or an effective
tool to enhance a massage therapy or bodywork session.
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Trigger Point Therapy:
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10 hours
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Trigger points form in response to the twists,
turns, stresses and strains each of us place on our muscles during the
course of a full active life. Once activated , trigger points force
the muscle to shorten and remain that way, often for decades. In this
course you will be taught how to use direct pressure to specific areas
of the body to aid in the removal of contractions in muscles and energy
pathways.
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Connective Tissue Approaches:
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10 hours |
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The principles of deep traverse friction
massage and modification of massage and bodywork methods to address
the connective tissue will covered in this course.
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Face and Scalp Massage:
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10 hours |
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Students will learn the correct procedures
for cleaning and massaging the face, and for giving a basic scalp massage.
Selection and preparation of the appropriate products and items needed
to give a basic scalp and face massage will be covered. Preparation
of natural products the student can make themselves for use in these
techniques will be covered in this class and in Herbology.
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Shiatsu:
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15 hours |
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This course will provide a usable introduction
to this intricate traditional Oriental healing system. Utilizing palms,
forearms, fingers and elbows students will experience and practice various
pressure and stretching techniques with the client lying in side, prone,
and supine positions. The class will include discussion of Shiatsu's
theoretical and philosophical approach to the body, as well as hands
on supervised practice. The techniques are designed to be used on their
own or incorporated into existing table disciplines.
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Intuitive Bodywork:
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7 hours |
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(Integrated throughout the Massage and Bodywork
classes) Recognizing, developing and strengthening our intuition is
the focus of this course. Learning to distinguish intuitive information
from our day to day, reactive habits opens the doorway to more balanced,
unified, skillful and compassionate touch. We will explore techniques
of grounding, centering, sensing and sending energy, and emotional body
balancing .
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Spinal Release:
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10 hours |
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Spinal Release is an approach to bodywork
in which the client is the recipient of gentle, rhythmic, non-intrusive
rocking movement with pressure that increases the range of motion and
flexibility. The rocking penetrates deep into the mind and body, relieving
mental and physical fatigue as well as chronic tension and pain.
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Effects, Benefits, Indications and Contraindications:
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10 hours |
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The physiological and psychological effects
of massage and bodywork are covered in this course in clear concise
terms. The instructors will discuss how the effects of massage and bodywork
differ from one client to another depending on the needs of the individual
and the goals and intentions with which the session is administered.
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Business and Professional Practice Management:
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12 hours |
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Regardless of whether a massage therapist
or body worker is self-employed or an employee, an understanding of
the business practices related to the profession is important. Items
covered will include basic advertising, promotion, bookkeeping, resume
writing, interviewing skills, business structure, taxes, insurance needs,
basic startup needs, and costs. The course is designed to give the students
a better understanding of the workings of a small business, from the
view of both employee and the owner.
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Confidentially:
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7 hours |
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This course will familiarize students with
the different federal and state laws regulating the exchange of information
and identifying data of patients between two or more professionals involved
in a clients care.
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Hygiene, Sanitation and, Safety:
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12 hours |
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In a massage or bodywork practice, personal
health, good grooming and a safe environment are assets that the clients
admire and are essential for your protection and that of the client.
This course will cover personal health, hygiene, and appearance, sanitation,
understanding Aids and Hepatitis prevention, First Aid and C.P.R.
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Professional and Legal Issues:
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10 hours |
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Business and legal regulations, standards
of practice, and professional behaviors are all methods of setting guidelines
for cooperative professional relationships. We will discuss verbal and
nonverbal alignment with our clients, study the New Mexico laws regarding
the massage therapy profession, ethical business practices and explore
sexual ethics issues for massage therapists and body workers. This class
will enable you to understand how to competently and confidently manage
ethical issues when they do arise.
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Body Movement:
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10 hours |
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This course will focus on body awareness
so the students will have a better sense of themselves as they massage.
Different situations require flexible styles and qualities of movement
in the interaction between therapist and client, and therapist to self.
You'll learn how to build strength and flexibility of hands, postures
and stances, exercises for strength, balance and body support, and how
to prevent dysfunctions from improper body movement. Self-awareness
practices include Chinese QiGong movement and other daily movement work
designed to balance the emotional and physical bodies, and increase
energy while improving body mechanics.
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Hydrotherapy:
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15 hours |
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An introduction to the history, theory and
practical application of water for healing. We will examine water treatments
for the body, and whenever practical and possible, students will practice
hands-on application of the therapies covered. Philosophy and principles
of hydrotherapy, indications /contraindications. Herbal hydrotherapy
applications will be taught.
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Special Populations:
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10 hours |
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It is essential that the massage therapist
or bodyworker see each person as a unique individual when dealing with
issues and concerns relating to clients whose profession, condition,
illness, disease or injuries require special techniques and care. Health
issues, contraindications, client assistance, referrals, and application
of appropriate techniques will be emphasized. Athletes, Children, Abused,
Chronic Illness, Elderly, Infants, Physically Challenged, Psychologically
Challenged, Pregnancy and Terminal Illness will be covered.
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Authentic Movement:
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24 hours |
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Authentic Movement is a profoundly simple
process of working with the rich interweaving of the body, imagination
and awareness. Students will learn to focus inward and recognize the
sensations and yearnings for movement and stillness. "Witnessing " other's
experiences will be explored as students learn to move in Authentic
Movement and acknowledge and respond to the inner subjective field created
between themselves and others. Engaging oneself through dialogue, drawing,
or writing can further an opening into inner sources of creativity and
healing.
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Intern Program:
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100 hours |
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After reaching a certain level of proficiency,
students will be assigned times to work in the College Clinic as a student
therapist under supervision by a licensed massage instructor. You will
make appointments much as you would in your own professional practice.
Student Internship is designed to provide growth experience by encouraging
students to work with a variety of people with different needs.
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Voice and Healing:
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15 hours |
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"The voice is the sound of the soul coming
out." This class is designed to help the student discover and develop
their own natural voice; the voice which embodies and expresses our
inner most self. We will go back to our origin, to an embryonic experience
within ourselves - the initial primordial awareness of breathing, sound
and self identity. Students will discover how to express with their
voice who they are, and how they feel. We will use songs, chants, dance,
music and a variety of sounds to discover our true voices and explore
sound as a healing tool. The anatomy of our voice, as well as historical
and folkloric use of voice will be covered.
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Wellness Education:
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20 hours |
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It is important that while we are busy living
we notice and understand how to make changes to balance our lives. Massage
and bodywork are important parts of a wellness program because they
restore body balance and connect us with other human beings. This course
is designed to educate students about general concepts of wellness.
During the class students will explore the basic components of wellness,
locate sources to develop a wellness program, develop a personal wellness
program, and learn how to provide general wellness guidelines to clients.
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Range of Motion:
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7 hours |
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This is a hands on class designed to give
the student clinical skills that they can use in their professional
practice to improve range of motion (R.O.M.). Students will learn how
to use R.O.M. as a measurement tool for evaluation of muscle and joint
dysfunction . We will also explore the factors influencing R.O.M.
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Therapeutic Exercise Methods and Techniques:
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10 hours |
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This course combines the elements of anatomy,
kinesiology, body-mind therapies, and movement exercises that develop
strength, flexibility and coordination while increasing circulation
and body awareness. Students become more self aware, and learn valuable
techniques and exercises for use with clients.
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Structural Integration:
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43 hours |
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The Rolf Method of Structural Integration
is the format used in this course to communicate the principles of Structural
Integration. Each student will receive the basic ten session series
as developed by Dr. Ida P. Rolf and currently practiced by certified
rolfers. Concurrent with the private sessions are bi-weekly group classes,
consisting of a lecture on the session just received, body reading for
the session, session's demonstration, movement training, energy and
meditation exercises and a lecture on dimensions of the healing process
of the physical and emotional bodies.
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Herbology:
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76 hours |
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This course is an intensive introduction
to herbal medicine as a fully integrated part of wellness education.
Students will learn how to responsibly use a wide range of herbal medicines,
create their own herbal pharmacopoeia, and use herbs in conjunction
with massage and bodywork. Two full days will be spent on herb walks
identifying and learning how to responsibly collect herbs and how to
make herbal medicine in the field.
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Theory of Field/Contact in Gestalt Therapy:
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7 hours |
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This course will accustom the student with
the aspects of the relationship that develops between therapists and
their clients; and to familiarize students with the concept and application
of contact and withdrawal.
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Theory of Feedback and Interruption
of Contact in Gestalt Therapy: |
7 hours |
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This course will familiarize the concepts
of Feedback and with the main interruptions of contact as defined in
Gestalt Therapy. Introjection, Projection, Retroflection, and Confluence
will be covered.
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Reichian Theory of Segments in Bioenergetics:
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7 hours |
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After completing this course the student
will have an understanding of Reichian "Body Reading" the ability to
localize the seven segments of the body and to individuate the emotional
blocks which take place in each segment.
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Bioenergetic Exercises:
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7 hours |
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This course will focus on the many different
Bioenergetic exercises developed by Alexander Lowen which work on the
seven Reichian segments.
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Nutrition East:
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9 hours |
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Nutrition plays an important role in our
overall physical well being. This course will explore nutritional therapy
according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Student will learn to select
foods to tonify energy, blood, yin or yang. The basic concepts of metabolism,
analyzing dishes in a menu according to medical value, and the theory
of food actions according to Wu Xing,BaKang, climate and age will be
covered.
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Traditional Chinese Medicine:
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12 hours |
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This introductory course will provide basic
knowledge of the Eastern philosophy of healing and disease. Meridians
and the five element theory as well as energetic functions of organs
will be introduced. The concept of Qi ,the types of Qi and transformation
of Qi will be covered. Students will learn how to incorporate the basic
concepts of Chinese Medicine into massage therapy. Students will have
a functional understanding of Meridian therapy and Acupressure.
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Yoga:
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TBA |
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This course in based on the principle that
changes in consciousness can be brought about by setting in motion currents
of certain kinds of subtler forces in the physical body. Students will
explore Yoga as a practice for preventive and therapeutic functions.
After completion of this course, students will have an understanding
of how various asanas can release muscle tension, stretch and tone muscles,
lubricate joints, massage internal organs, and increase circulation.
They will also have an understanding of how Yoga can expand and slow
the breath, and create more more balance in the mental, emotional, and
physical bodies.
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Herbal Body :
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TBA |
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Throughout the centuries essential oils
and herbs have had healing applications in the ancient traditions. Although
rooted in ancient history, they can offer revolutionary new benefits
to the practice and effectiveness of natural body care. Morning lab
work will include making natural skin care, hair care, and body care
products, utilizing essential and natural oils, clays, herbs, and salts.
Afternoons in Herbal Body will find us immersed in the application of
our natural products on fellow students.
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| State and National Licensing in Massage Therapy |
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STATE LICENSURE:
There are currently 20 states with some type of government-recognized licensing or registration for massage therapists. Licensing laws and requirements for eligibility to test for licensure vary from state to state and city to city. If you plan to practice in a licensed state or city, you need to investigate the local requirements. The NMCNH program exceeds the educational requirements in most states. Graduates of NMCNH are eligible to licensure in New Mexico. NMCNH is a New Mexico Board of Massage Therapy approved school. This approval allows student to sit for the National Certification Exam upon successful completion of the classes offered at the College. Graduates wishing to practice within the state of New Mexico will need to apply to the State for their "Jurisprudence" exam covering the Massage Therapy Practice act and 16 NMAC 7 and pass The National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. We will be glad to provide you with phone numbers for other state regulatory boards. |
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NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM:
Successfully passing the National Certification
Exam will allow you to use the words Nationally Certified in Therapeutic
Massage and Bodywork" or the initials "NCTMB" on business cards. Several
states accept the National Certification Exam to qualify you for licensure
in their state. The goal of the National Certification Exam is to
set a standard for a minimum level of competency for the massage therapy
profession. More information is available at the school or by calling
the National Certification Board: 1-800-296-0664
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NEW MEXICO COLLEGE OF
NATURAL HEALING
310 West 6th Street P.O. Box 211 SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO 88062 Telephone: 505- 538- 0050 AFTER HOURS NUMBER 1- 877- 272- 2902 |
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