Begin School Monday 10/6 - Interested in Spa Techniques

[La Don Akela]

Hello All,
I am new to the forum. I have been reading here for a little bit but this is my first post. I am very excited about beginning massage school on Monday. This will be a complete career change for me, I currently work with computers and definitely interested in a more fulfilling career. I feel that this is it! I have so many ideas! I am interested in working for myself and eventually opening up my own spa! I am inspired by all of the different ideas I read about here. I'm ready to get started creating flyers, website, etc. (I'm really ahead of myself) Just curious to know where all of the different spa techniques are learned? I know that all of the basic modalities will be taught in school but since I already know my area of interest, how do I receive additional training on the different types of spa treatments are available? I may learn more about this in class. I am interested in learning ALL of the spa treatments that I've seen here on this forum! -So anxious!! Any feedback appreciated. (Love positive vibes - send 'em my way) t023

 

[Merry Christmas! :)]

From what I have come across, a lot of "spa" services are learned through CEU courses. There are some schools that host CEU's, and there are also some at home courses and DVD's that are really great also.
Most of the spa services I have learned were hands on in spas. I didn't have to pay anything.
I am also looking to expand into the "spa" relm, so this will be an interesting topic.

 

[Serafina]

Based on my three years of spa experience, you are taught body wrap protocols and "signature" massages at the spa you are working for. Some spas would like some "special touches" to be added to other massages by all but it's not often that they want a total cookie cutter treatment. That wouldn't be to the client's benefit. My best observation: everyone knows swedish and deep tissue but things like reflexology, shiatsu, lomi lomi and warm stone will give you an edge. You will probably be exposed to these modalities with a one day presentation at school. If I could turn back time, I would have waited until I was halfway through school and then taken weekend seminars on these modalities. Even though you won't receive the ceus because you are not yet licensed, it would be worth the skills you learn. Then after you graduate, you can pursue longer trainings, but you will be so far ahead of your classmates and even a lot of other therapists who have been licensed for 1 or 2 years. There is a lot of experience you can gain by working for a spa for a year before/while starting your own business. Hope this helps.

 

[mazhar12]

Begin School Monday 10/6 - Interested in Spa Techniques

I know that all of the basic modalities will be taught in school but since I already know my area of interest, how do I receive additional training on the different types of spa treatments are available? I may learn more about this in class. I am interested in learning ALL of the spa treatments that I've seen here on this forum! -So anxious!! Any feedback appreciated. (Love positive vibes - send 'em my way) t023

I am not sure exactly what you mean by spa treatments... as this makes me think of services like sugar scrubs, body polishes, body wraps and the like...
and these services are in some states not under the scope of practice for massage therapists. So you may want to check with your state board to see whether the services you are interested in are considered part of the barber and cosmetology board or the massage and bodywork board.

 

[IVY]

Thanks PremoMT and NaplesLMT for your valuable advice! Seems like I will be able to at least begin gaining knowledge of spa techniques by working with a spa which sounds great!

I am not sure exactly what you mean by spa treatments... as this makes me think of services like sugar scrubs, body polishes, body wraps and the like...
and these services are in some states not under the scope of practice for massage therapists. So you may want to check with your state board to see whether the services you are interested in are considered part of the barber and cosmetology board or the massage and bodywork board.

Maestra, I have been reading the "Spa Techniques" section of this forum and it seems that many LMT's are providing services such as: Stone Massage, body wraps, scrubs, aromatherapy, etc. This is what I am referring to. From previous replies it seems that I will be able to gain experience in this by working in a spa. If this is not covered in the massage and bodywork services in my state, then I will look into becoming dual licensed! Thanks for your response.