Find a Healing Arts Academy in the United States and Canada. At a healing arts academy, students are introduced to both new and ancient ways of healing. Depending on which healing arts academy in which you elect to enroll, you can expect to learn about a variety of natural health and alternative healing concepts and practices.

If massage therapy and bodywork interest you, then a healing arts academy is the place to turn. In many cases, a healing arts academy will offer massage therapy as the chief course of study. While most massage therapy curriculums involve a minimum of 300 training hours, this educational program may reach beyond 1,000 training hours; depending on the individual healing arts academy. Additionally, massage therapy programs often introduce students to a variety of bodywork therapies including acupressure, deep tissue massage, kinesiology, sports massage, Swedish massage, and Tuina; among many others.

Other courses offered through a healing arts academy may encompass energy healing medicine. In an energy healing program, studies may surround modalities like therapeutic touch, touch therapy, chakra balancing, Reiki, distance healing, crystal healing, color therapy and visualization.

Another great educational program offered through a healing arts academy may involve herbal medicine. Taught through various levels, students enrolled in an herbal medicine program can become certified herbalists, herbal medicine practitioners, and master herbalists. However, a healing arts academy that extends Chinese herbal medicine may require longer studies, and will also include education in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories and philosophies.

At a healing arts academy, you can also opt to participate in weekend seminars and holistic workshops where you can gain introductory and continuing education classes in iridology, reflexology, yoga, home herbal remedies, organic gardening and more.

In addition, a healing arts academy may also provide courses in animal massage, aromatherapy, acupressure, body/mind/spirit medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, natural health, and much more.

Because society has become much more accepting to alternative and natural healthcare, students who successfully complete one or more courses of study through a healing arts academy can anticipate substantial personal and professional growth in the natural healing industry.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding a healing arts academy, let career training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Healing Arts Academy: Teaching New Ways of Healing

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Thanks to Gina LaGuardia for contributing this article to our Massage blog:

Tranquility Therapeutic Massage

With the stress becoming a part of day to day routine, relaxation has come up as a major therapy for heeling it. Contemporary and modern world has come with a whole new avatar of what was considered to be simple tiredness, which is stress and anxiety.

It is a known fact that relaxation is answer to all stress or pressure related problems, but another such fact is that fruits are also a major source of relaxation too.

Stress relaxation properties of fruits have made them quite a popular instrument in relaxation techniques. To understand how the fruits fit in relaxation, it is better to first understand the word relaxation and how different relaxation techniques utilize the stress relaxation properties of fruits.

Relaxation is nothing but a tool to fight the strain and psychological imbalance caused by changing lifestyle, demanding daily routines and westernization. Relaxation techniques are the various recreation methods designed or intended to heel a body of its emotional and physical fatigues or stress. The role fruits play are of tools in some of these relaxation techniques. The stress relaxation properties of fruits have enabled many to utilize them in enhancing the heeling power of relaxation techniques.

If you are wondering why one needs to follow a relaxation technique, what are these techniques and how fruits are involve them. Then you need to start from the starting. Relaxation also known as stress management has these techniques or ways that can treat problems like stress, anxiety, exhaustion, tiredness and mood change. Relaxation is all about enjoying life as well treating the tired or worn out mind and body. Two major things that relaxation or relaxation techniques do for you are they teach you to live happy and energetic, also they add to your health.

Some of the health benefits relaxation offers are reduction of muscle tension, lowering of blood pressure, slowing down of heart beat and control over palpitation, no mood swings, no sleeplessness, control over nervousness, decrease in lack of concentration and no weariness or fatigue. While relaxation has so many benefits, the stress relaxation properties of fruits also serve health benefits and add to the heeling of mind and body.

One reason why relaxation techniques utilize the stress relaxation properties of fruits is the fact they are natural and healthy too. Some of the fruits used for relaxation are orange, watermelon, blueberries, tart cherries, cherries and much more. Each of these fruits and many more of such fruits not only brings freshness to mind, benefits body but also adds to health. For those still do not find a reason to cater to fruits how about simply having them for skin benefits?

The basic purpose of relaxation or any relaxation technique is to calm down the mind, loosen the tighten muscles and refresh the senses. Fruits work on the same principle and thus have amazing stress free properties, such as tart cherry brings muscle flexibility and relives the body of its stiffness and tiredness, oranges or fruits with vitamins help in fighting stress by fighting free radicals (which are cause of stress and are released in a state of strain or anxiety) and watermelon works by hydrating mind and body. Similarly fruits with low calories also add to the campaign against tension, pressure and exhaustion.

Other health benefits that make fruits a good stress buster are they contain fiber which controls or manages level of blood glucose, controls cholesterol and cancer or colon cancer. Fruits also have antioxidants and many essential vitamins as well as minerals to rejuvenate the mind and body.

Some of the relaxation techniques that have found to inculcate stress relaxation properties of fruits in their working are aromatherapy, good diet and massage. Next time when you feel exhausted, tired and sad try having watermelon or a good fruit salad. Having a facial massage with natural fruit juice or paste also refreshes the psychological fatigue experienced after a long tiring day.

Stress, whether emotional or physical, can be very well heeled by relaxation techniques, which are based on natural and therapeutic value of fruits as well as the stress relaxation properties these fruits bear. Truth is stress relaxation properties of fruits are more or less connected with how healthy these fruits are and how there benefits corresponds to a happy mind and healthier body.



Thanks to Jason Archer for contributing this article to our Massage blog:

Shiatsu Chair Massage

Can you answer Joa5’s question about Massage?:

Not so long ago, innocent women and men who practiced healing arts like Reiki where persecuted by Christians and sentenced to death because they viewed holistic arts, such as Reiki, to be of the Devil.

I’m wondering how modern Christians view holistic healing and New Age therapy. Do you still think it’s of the Devil, or do you think it has it’s place in society?

Stress Master Massage Chair

As a Fibromyalgia or Other Chronic Pain sufferer, do you ever really feel relaxed and care-free?  I seriously doubt the answer is “yes”.  Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Myofascial Pain and other chronic pain symptoms are made worse by stress, and the pain of the condition can increase depression and anxiety.

It is that vicious cycle we all know about. Relaxation techniques can help. Some that have proven successful are meditation, breathing exercises, progressive relaxation, guided imagery, and autogenic training.

The pain and related symptoms of Fibromyalgia cause significant stress to the body. Recent research suggests that, physiologically, FM patients simply do not process stress well.  I am one of those people.

Relaxation therapy techniques focus on relaxing the body and the mind. When the body is relaxed, pain and physical problems may be reduced. When the mind is relaxed, anxiety, stress and emotional disorders can be treated.

Relaxation therapies can help Fibromyalgia patients remain calm and relaxed.  Relaxation therapies such as meditation, are used to manage the symptoms, rather than treating the disease. The goal is to remove the focus of the mind on pain and problems in order to realize a state of calmness. It should decrease feelings of depression and anxiety that may occur in people with FM. 

After practicing relaxation therapy for about 6 - 8 weeks you may find that you have become more calm and that you recover from stress more quickly.  It will also make it easier for you to learn other relaxation therapy techniques for FM symptoms and other conditions.

Deep muscle relaxation is one of the most effective pain and stress management techniques available.  Diaphragmatic breathing is a wonderful method.  The diaphragm is the most efficient muscle for breathing. It is a large, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs. Combining diaphragmatic breathing with relaxation techniques helps to achieve greater deep muscle relaxation. Guided imagery is a technique where the person uses visual imagery as a tool to achieve relaxation.

Stress management programs are so important: Biofeedback, Watsu (body massage performed while lying in warm water), meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, Tai Chi, progressive relaxation, guided imagery, and autogenic training (technique that teaches your body to respond to your verbal commands). Patients need to receive initial training for many of these but can often continue practicing what they have learned on their own. There are many books, CD’s, DVD’s and classes you can utilize.

Another technique is to systematically train groups of muscles by tensing and relaxing. This technique is best learned with the aid of a trained practitioner.  It is suggested that you can develop the ability put yourself in a relaxed state at will, even when face with a very stressful situation.

Relaxation Therapy is said to be beneficial for: asthma, anxiety, hypertension, angina, back pain, cancer treatment support, chronic pain, congestive heart failure, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, menopause, osteoarthritis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, stress in general, stroke rehabilitation, surgery support (primarily reducing pain and stress before or after surgery), tension headaches, ulcerative colitis, depression, anxiety.

It is best to use relaxation techniques that you feel comfortable with in order for the maximum benefit to be achieved.  Any thing that inspires the body to become more relaxed may be used for relaxation therapy.  I love a relaxing bath and relaxing music.  Imagining a peaceful or enjoyable activity or setting helps a lot of people.  You need to find a method of relaxation that works for you. What do you think of when you imagine peace, quiet and comfort?  That’s where your mind should take you.

Although relaxation therapists can be helpful, you can use relaxation techniques at home.  In order to learn relaxation techniques, you can find books, DVDs, CDs and magazines that will teach you the basics.  You can also join a group that will teach you the techniques to use and can then be practiced at home.

Always consult your doctor about any new therapy or program you are considering!  Only you and your doctor can determine what’s right for you.  Let’s just relax!

 



Thanks to Erica Thompson for contributing this article to our Massage blog:

Technique Of Aromatherapy Massage

It has been found that reflexology massages can help to reduce your stress and anxiety.  We seem to take so little time for us to decompress.  We are under constant pressure that builds up in the body and needs to be released.  Do you know that a reflexology foot massage can relieve headaches?  It is also good to relieve back pain and help to reduce stress while inducing relaxation.  Did you know that the best massage chair recliners have effective foot reflexology massages?

Reflexology is about applying pressure in the feet and hands to relieve pressure in other parts of the body.  This technique has been known from many early peoples and was practiced as part of healing.  With the rise of science, these reflexology techniques have been more thoroughly tested and each specific healing area has been identified.  Foot reflexology is known to reduce back pain and even headaches by applying gentle pressure in particular reflexology areas on your feet.

Dr. Fitzgerald went on to map out these zones and created the first modern reflexology charts.  A foot massage uses certain strokes to relax the feet and the individual.  However, foot reflexology helps to increase the health and well being of the entire body.  As foot reflexology is applied, healing of other parts of the body began.  Sometimes, the healing was spontaneous, but more often, the healing takes periodic treatments to sustain.

Reflexology helps to reverse the process started by the nervous system.  When we are under pressure, most of the time it is mental.  We think this is the end of the world and then our body gets nervous and worked up, but our body does not physically have to do anything.  Stress from physical harm is the reaction that gets the body all worked up.  This stress helps the body prepare for physical action.  Mental stress is like a false alarm for the body to prepare for a fight.  This stress works the body up and foot reflexology on the other hand works the body back down.

Now with the advance of technology, effective reflexology massages are being integrated into the premier massage chair brands.  Companies like Panasonic, Omega among others have developed technology providing foot reflexology massage.  The Panasonic EP30004 Real Pro Ultra Massage Chair or the Omega Montage Premier massage chair both incorporate foot reflexology massage.  These massage chair recliners can provide daily relief of built up tension and anxiety.

Foot Reflexology massage has a lot of potential benefits, however, one important finding is that the benefits were a result of continuous applications.  In other words, getting a foot reflexology massage once a year will not have much sustained effect.  The reason for this is that stress is continuous.  Therefore, stress relief must be applied on a continuous basis to counteract the build up of stress.

A massage chair recliner is a perfect method to receive these health benefits on a continuous basis in the comfort and privacy of your home.  Not only does a reflexology foot massage feel great, but it also helps to reduce stress and anxiety from the build up of stress.  Many causes of back pain and discomfort are related to the posture and your feet.  Relieving the tension from your feet also helps to improve posture and minimize back pain.  Check out a shiatsu massage chair as a way to get continuous foot reflexology treatments to improve your overall health and well being.



Thanks to Steve Esquire for contributing this article to our Massage blog:

Top Ten Relaxation Techniques