What classes do you offer?

At Alabama Barefoot Massage Training Center, we offer beginner and intermediate level barefoot massage classes.

• FasciAshi Fundamentals is our entry-level myofascial Ashiatsu class. This class will introduce you to using one-footed strokes while standing on the table with the client. The focus of this class is the posterior body with limited anterior work.
• Fijian/Matwork Barefoot Massage is our entry-level mat-based class. This class will introduce you to using your feet to deliver compression and jostling strokes on a client who is on a mat on the floor. The client is typically clothed and there is no lubrication required for this method. It is different from other mat-based modalities in that the minimal equipment required includes a face cradle to keep your client’s spine in alignment. At no point in time will you be “walking on” or have all your weight on the client when doing this work.
• FasciAshi Intermediate is our intermediate-level myofascial Ashiatsu class. This class focuses on one-footed strokes for the anterior and side-lying body.
• FasciAshi Fundamentals Touch-Up is the class that gives you the opportunity to practice with other Fundamentals trained therapists with an instructor in the room troubleshooting, refining and/or teaching strokes as needed.
• Refresh classes are available for all the above classes except the Touch-Up. It gives you the opportunity to drop into class as if you are a new student and experience the instructor and student strokes again as well as working on other students while the instructor refines your skillset. This class is NOT offered for CE credit and does not appear in the registration system. Please contact the instructor directly to arrange.
• ROM, Advanced, and Track Classes are not taught here regularly, but we do host other instructors occasionally. Please keep an eye on the schedule and please let me know what you’d like to see us bring next.

More about all Center for Barefoot Massage classes…

Is myofascial ashiatsu barefoot massage right for me?

If you are looking for a modality that will allow you to leverage your feet, legs, and body weight to perform massage, barefoot massage is where it’s at. You must have good muscular control of your body, the ability to step up onto and down from a massage table, and at least an average dorsiflexion for your feet and ankles. This modality requires you to have the ability to install (you can hire someone) an overhead support system that we teach you how to customize for your body. You must also be able to receive the work during class, see the contraindications section below.

Is Fijian/Matwork Barefoot Massage right for me?

If you are looking for a portable modality that will allow you to leverage your feet, legs, and body weight to perform massage, Fijian/Matwork Barefoot Massage is where it’s at. You must have good muscular control of your body and at least an average dorsiflexion for your feet and ankles. If you already do mat-based work with your clients, this is a sensible adjunct to that work, but is a standalone treatment regardless of previous mat-based experience. Read more about integrating this into your current matwork here. You must also be able to receive the work during class, see the contraindications section below.

Is there a weight limit for class?

Myofascial Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage does not have a weight limit for the therapist, but there are some things you’ll want to consider before deciding if it’s the right style of barefoot massage for you. In order to get the best return on your investment and also for safety purposes, we recommend your client-base be large, heavily muscled and at least 50 lbs. heavier than you. Equipment also matters, here’s an article that will help you decide if your massage table is up to the task of myofascial Ashiatsu.

Fijian/Matwork Barefoot Massage also has no weight limit for the therapist. Being mat-based eliminates most equipment concerns and because much of the work can be done seated there’s little concern about working on clients closer in size to the therapist.

Who cannot attend these classes?

Center for Barefoot Massage policy requires every student to experience the work they are learning. Therefore, if you cannot receive deep tissue massage, myofascial release, are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, or have within the last 9 months received breast/shoulder/gluteal/calf implants or other select surgeries you will not be able to attend.

Please contact me to discuss and evaluate when it might be appropriate for you to attend a class. More information here.

Should I put up my bars/straps before class?

No! We will teach you how to customize your bars and straps for your body and give you the best options we’ve found for equipment. There are a lot of small details that need to be made in order to protect your body and mechanics. It’s not cheap to have to redo something so waiting is best.

What kind of table do I need for ashiatsu?

Because tables used for ashiatsu need to hold you and your client plus the forces moving on the table, we recommend a table that will accommodate a minimum of 750 lbs of working weight. That’s a minimum, you may need to do a bit of math before you choose a table. Portable tables should fold in half with a solid, piano hinge. Electric tables should have a solid deck. Both types must meet the working weight minimum. Read more about working weight here.

What should I bring to class?

A couple of weeks before class is scheduled, you will receive detailed instructions on what supplies to bring to class. These instructions will be emailed to you via the email address you use to register. If you do not receive instructions, please check spam and if still not found, contact me directly.

Alabama Barefoot Massage Training Center provides tables, mats, and cream. Linen rental is available upon request.

How much does it cost?

It depends on which class you choose as to how much it costs. In general:

• 3-day classes are $750
• 2-day classes are $500
• 1-day and 1/2-day classes depend on the class

Cruise around our registration system for a few minutes looking at the classes you’re interested in to find out exactly how much it will cost. 

What’s the cancellation policy?

Center for Barefoot Massage class policies. CBM policies are ABMTC policies. 

Where do I stay?

See our Alabama Ashiatsu Travel FAQ!