Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/812910
C h e c k o u t A B M P 's l a t e s t n e w s a n d b l o g p o s t s . Av a i l a b l e a t w w w. a b m p . c o m . 83 Connecting Continents To help spread awareness of the new school, top massage educators from across the United States were invited to visit India in late 2016. Joining the team were Eric Stephenson and myself, co-owners of imassage, Inc.; James Waslaski, owner of Integrated Manual Therapy & Orthopedic Massage; Til Luchau, Certified Advanced Rolfer and director of Advanced-Trainings. com; and Tina Allen, founder of the Liddle Kidz Foundation. The team spent almost two weeks traveling through northern India, learning about the country and IMMTI, gaining an awareness for the school's opening, and facilitating an inaugural massage workshop. These educators had the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes view of India as they visited primary schools, medical schools, senior homes, and orphanages, as well as met with wellness officials. Having dedicated almost 15 years of his career to helping therapists stay viable in their careers, Stephenson says, "It was an incredible honor to share knowledge with a country that has so much of its roots in natural health. Ayurveda helped shape my introduction to the healing arts, and if in some small way I am able to provide insight into the importance of self-care, my heart is full." Luchau offered his take on the experience: "Professionally, having the opportunity to offer manual therapy and practitioner supervision in a physical therapy practice and helping with day- to-day issues was a very gratifying and rewarding experience. My teaching colleagues, Tina, James, and Eric, and our crew were not only great companions, but inspirational in their talent and dedication." When asked what will be the biggest obstacle to integrating professional massage in India, Dartnall says, "Massage is not currently viewed as being a medical component to a health plan, but rather associated with spa and often with sexual overtones. Not unlike the United States and Canada in the early years, there will have to be strong efforts to educate about the medical benefits of massage." Knowing this in advance, the team decided to establish the program strategically by offering a 500-hour degree in medical massage. As part of this strategy, they are partnering with hospitals to allow students to do internships, with job positions available upon graduation. They have received endorsement from the Rayat Bahra Dental College and Hospital to extend the medical massage degree to a bachelor of arts in manual therapy. "Our goal is to have graduates hired by hospitals so that, as awareness grows, massage is associated with a medical environment first," Dartnall says. "Our graduates will be more "It was an incredible honor to share knowledge with a country that has so much of its roots in natural health. If in some small way I am able to provide insight into the importance of self-care, my heart is full." Eric Stephenson Eric Stephenson at a senior facility in India. IMMTI Program Overview The International Medical Massage Therapy Institute (IMMTI) curriculum is based on the four-module, 500-hour program of the Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy. The 500-hour training model is accepted in 38 US states. The IMMTI curriculum is designed by massage educator and author Susan Salvo, and will be taught by top Canadian and American educators. Located in Mohali, Punjab, IMMTI is a US-approved school and uses this curriculum that will lay the foundation for job placements both in India and abroad. To learn more about IMMTI, visit www.immti.org.