Design a Workshop
“It was invaluable to have Eric come and work with my team. They truly felt we invested in them and not in something to make more revenue for the company which goes such a long way towards making them feel appreciated and valued.”
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Carrie Sotobeer, Spa Director - Montage Sonoma
Our Workshop Approach
All our workshops focus on practitioner career longevity with- Self Care, Body Mechanics, Ergonomics, and our signature “No Thumbs” Deep Tissue Techniques. With current research showing over 40% of therapists leave the profession within the first two years, we focus on career-extending strategies throughout all our workshops.
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The intention behind our approach is to teach therapists how to provide Deep Tissue Massage which will not harm the guest or the therapist. This includes a thorough exploration of how to apply touch which is received by the guest in a therapeutic manner as well as improve the quality of touch the guest is experiencing during a service to ensure it is within their boundaries for applied pressure.
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An in-depth exploration of optimal body mechanics to prevent injury and burnout will be presented in a standing as well as a seated position. We will introduce the harmful effects of forward head posture and overuse of thumbs when therapists deliver massage, all reinforced with research.
Our workshops all contain our signature approaches:
How to apply Deep Tissue Massage which will not harm the guest or the therapist.
Hand saving techniques with our “No Thumbs” Deep Tissue approach.
Core Body Mechanics in a standing and seated position for career longevity.
Techniques to address the most common guest complaints and requests including- headaches, lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, tennis/golf elbow, and lateral/medial shin splints.
Optimal ergonomics for spa equipment.
How to read non-verbal guest cues to improve communication and session outcomes.
2023 Massage Workshops
1 / “No Thumbs” Deep Tissue Techniques
2 / Body Mechanics and Ergonomics for the Spa Professional
3 / “Where it is, it Ain’t” - Successfully Treating Lower Back Pain
4 / Deep Tissue Techniques for Orthopedic Conditions
5 / Advanced Deep Tissue Techniques for the Head, Neck, and Shoulder
6 / Unlocking Computer Shoulder
7 / Deep Tissue Massage Made Easy
8 / Advanced Deep Tissue Techniques for the Back, Hips, and Torso
2023 ENTIRE SPA TEAM WORKSHOPS
Creating a Respectful Workplace Culture
According to research, creating a psychologically safe environment in the workplace is the single biggest determiner of a team’s success. Drama is a voluntary behavior that creates negative emotions or outcomes, draining resources of time, money, and harmonious relationships. Professionally and personally, it is spiking up stress levels, corroding relationships, and chewing away at precious resources. Guests immediately pick up on a harmonious environment within a spa and are keenly aware when the environment is negative.
It is within each of us to be personally responsible for the attitude and demeanor we infuse into the culture of our spa. This highly engaging presentation for the entire Spa team combines the latest research on emotional intelligence and group dynamics, giving insight into how to manage your role in the spa environment with ease. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls resulting in drama and Eric’s “Drama-Free Communication Model” which can be used to address any workplace issue.
Designing a Personalized Health and Wellness Plan
Wellness is at the forefront of personal and professional agendas these days. But very few organizations have a resource in-house that helps employees design and create a personalized health and wellness plan based on their individual vision for their health and their underlying values which will drive a successful vision.
In this workshop, participants will follow the Duke University Integrative Health Process Coaching Model- giving them a comprehensive vision of their health and what may become possible for them once they have achieved it. Each attendee will depart from the workshop with:
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A personalized health and wellness plan
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A vision board representing their personal values and goals
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The “Top 5 Evidence-Based Self-Care Practices Done in 5 Minutes or Less”
SAMPLE WORKSHOP SCHEDULES
(schedules may be customized to individual needs)
Example One
Workshop Day 1: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
“No Thumbs” Deep Tissue Techniques (half of the team attends to keep spa operations open at the property)
Lunch 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Workshop Day 2: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
“No Thumbs” Deep Tissue Techniques (other half of team attends)
Lunch 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM​
Example Two
Workshop Day 1: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Creating a Respectful Workplace Culture- 3.5 CE (Entire Spa team attends)
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1:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Body Mechanics and Ergonomics for the Spa Professional- 3.5 CE (Massage Therapists, Estheticians)
Lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Workshop Day 2: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
“No Thumbs” Deep Tissue Techniques- 7 CE (half of the team attends)
Lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM​
Workshop Day 3: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
“No Thumbs” Deep Tissue Techniques- 7 CE (other half of the team attends)
Lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM​
Example Three
Workshop Day 1: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Designing a Personalized Health and Wellness Plan- 3.5 CE (Entire Spa team attends)
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1:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Body Mechanics and Ergonomics for the Spa Professional- 3.5 CE(Massage Therapists,Estheticians)
Lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Workshop Day 2: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Deep Tissue Techniques for Orthopedic Conditions- 7 CE (half of the team attends)
Lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM​
Workshop Day 3: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Deep Tissue Techniques for Orthopedic Conditions- 7 CE (other half of the team attends)
Lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM​