education

This in depth management course examines spa operations, employee management, financials, and marketing. Enjoy high energy, interactive classes with plenty of hands on exercises to provide you with the tools you need to thrive in the highly competitive field of spa management. Filled with activities, each day offers exciting learning opportunities for participants. Enjoy behind the scenes spa tours of highly successful properties managed by ISM, and a complimentary treatment during your visit! Guest speakers from Resort Spa Directors, Motivational Speakers, Authors, Herbalists, Sales Executives, Architectural Designers, and Financial Experts provide a plethora of knowledge and question and answer opportunity! Sign up today, or send your spa manager for the learning experience of a lifetime!

Teacher: Lia Pardy
This increasingly popular class provides a guided, full body, hands on learning experience of Thai Massage. Specific techniques in the application of assisted stretching, compression, and pressure point work along the sen energy lines will be presented and practiced.

Teacher: Lia Pardy
Prerequisite: Innovative Thai Massage 24 CE
(Learn Pregnancy and Side Lying)
This class takes Thai Massage applications to the table with assisted stretching, compression and pressure point work along sen lines in the side lying position. Safe applications for Pregnancy massage using Thai massage are covered to increase your skills and benefit your clients.

Teacher: Jim Sandonato
This course outlines basic Shiatsu theory, and techniques. Through stretching, lecture, and discussion, we will cover the Hara, the 12 ordinary meridian locations & palpation, and the 5 element associations. We will do multiple demonstrations and student practice sessions using assessment techniques from Zen Shiatsu on the floor and the table.
By the end of the 22-hour program, students will be able to demonstrate the location of specific points on the 12 meridians; demonstrate effective Shiatsu techniques; and incorporate the stretching & acupoint techniques into an existing massage practice. A certificate of completion will be issued to each student.

Teacher: Jim Sandonato
This course outlines basic Shiatsu theory, and techniques. Through stretching, lecture, and discussion, we will cover the Hara, the 12 ordinary meridian locations & palpation, and the 5 element associations.
We will do multiple demonstrations and student practice sessions using assessment techniques from Zen Shiatsu on the floor and the table. By the end of the 40-hour program, students will be able to perform a complete Shiatsu routine on a table (suitable for Spa Certification); demonstrate the location of specific points on the 12 meridians; demonstrate effective Shiatsu techniques; and incorporate the stretching & acupoint techniques into an existing massage practice. A certificate of achievement will be issued to each student.
Discounts not applicable to Jim Sandonato classes.

Teacher: Gloria Coppolla
This introduction to Upledger cranio-sacral therapy will provide the foundation and understanding of the cranio-sacral system with the basic skills to tune into the cranio-sacral rhythm, learn fascial release techniques and experience the hands on protocol. Participants will be able to explain and discuss cranio-sacral therapy, its application and functions, and how they can utilize it with their client’s symptoms.

Teacher: Gloria Coppolla
Lomi Lomi I covers the basic principles and theories of the Kahuna and how they apply to Sacred bodywork. This ancient Hawaiian healing art demonstrates the significant movement exercises including the Flight, the Hula, and prone positioned forearm techniques. Lomi is a powerful and transformation bodywork technique that teaches the students how to be more in tune with their heart and provide compassionate healing sessions.

Recognize and respect the needs of your client and the significance in how this will affect their lives. Learn non-invasive techniques for the tactile defensive individual. This course utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lecture, group discussion and hands on exercises.

This class introduces the basic divisions of the nervous system, basic essential oil information and focuses primarily on hands on practice of the specific aromatherapy massage technique to reduce stress and bring balance to the body, mind and spirit.

*This class provides comprehensive information on the nervous system, specific essential oil information and substantial hands on time to practice. This course covers defining the differences in the divisions of the nervous system as applicable to this technique, discussion of parasympathetic massage therapy applications and the added benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy. By incorporating specific applications of the essential oils, massage therapists learn a comprehensive Aromatherapy massage application that supports the essential oil function through specific massage application.

The class consists of body wrap set up, demonstration and practice, products and benefits, discussion of contraindications and safety, and incorporating additional services during a wrap.

*This class consists of multiple spa body wrap applications, demonstration and practice, products and benefits, discussion of contraindications and safety, and incorporating additional services during a wrap. This class includes product recommendations and benefits, exfoliation techniques, and tips on making the wrap experience both therapeutic and luxurious.

This class focuses on the applications of compression and friction to achieve a full body, consistent deep pressure requested by many clients. Emphasis is placed on proper body mechanics of the therapist and specific deep tissue applications that provide the most leverage and best results during the session.

This class builds on the full body compression and friction applications of Techniques 1 with a muscle specific focus that includes the additional common deep tissue techniques of myofascial spreading, stripping, trigger/pressure points, and stretching. Positional release concepts are introduced and practiced. This class provides the tools needed to achieve therapeutic results for your clients.

This class introduces Hot Stone massage and hands on practice with emphasis on safety, sanitation, and therapeutic techniques. Hot stones, cold stones, and energy work application with stones is discussed and practiced. With plenty of hands on practice, this class prepares the massage therapist to perform a complete Hot Stone massage.

The class consists of reviewing facial anatomy, discussing skin diseases, listing contraindications for Face Massage, defining scope of practice for massage vs. esthetics, and practicing three Innovative Face Massage Techniques.

This class reviews foot anatomy, contraindications and common foot problems. Discussion of reflexology methods vs. massage, practice of thumb walking techniques, and specific pressure points are demonstrated and then practiced. Innovative Foot Massage also explores the benefits of thorough foot massage and techniques that enhance the overall client experience.

How much do your services cost? How much product is getting wasted or is walking off? How much and which product do you really need to give a service? Breakdown the product and supplies cost and quantity to save revenue and increase profit per service.

How does your staff handle challenging situations or unhappy guests? How can that unhappy guest be prevented in the first place? This class covers providing consistent and extraordinary service with specific consideration to the expectation, experience, and environment of customer service culture in a spa setting.

The finest spas are equipped with Vichy Hydrotherapy.  Learn the history, benefits, products and indications for Vichy most importantly through hands on and experiential learning.  30-minute services are the focus of this class. Space is very limited.