12 days of Ashi!

If you are already an Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy graduate, the instructors have 12 days worth of fun waiting for you! Visit the AOBT Graduates Corner everyday between now and Xmas day to see a new video!

Http://www.Ashiatsu.Ning.com

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All wrapped up from Ashi-Thai class in San Antonio

Texas' 2010 AOBT schedule wrapped up with Ashi-Thai yesterday after 2 great days of fun...  Everyone give a big "Ashi-Thai Hi"  to Francoise, Anne and Morgan, (& her hubby!) who are Texas' newest Ashi-Thai therapists!

FYI: Early January AOBT schedule changes ~ register to attend at http://www.heelingsole.com/workshops-registration.html:

Thursday January 6th @ the San Antonio AOBT training center:

• 11am-1pm: Anterior/Sidelying refresher: 2 hours, 2 CE, $50
• 1pm-4pm: Barefoot Basics refresher: 3 hours, 3CE, $75. (Great for anyone wanting to attend the Advanced Ashiatsu class that starts the following day, Friday January 7th!!!)
• 5pm-7pm: Winter SOLEstice Party for massage therapists! Ashi Demo's, trade/play on the bars, henna tattoo's, hair feathers extensions, self care techniques, music, pictures, make your own salt/sugar scrub, eat some food, have some fun! Come have fun!  

~Jeni 

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The Massage Nerd interview on Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy!

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San Antonio class picture!

Just finished up a class where we couldn't stop laughing all weekend in San Antonio ~ welcome to the family my fun buncha gals Michelle, Natalie, Carol, Erin, Alicia, & Joy... Austin/Houston/San Antonio/Colorado Springs is lucky to have you all! 

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Here's my whirlwind Ashi-Tour of Texas video: 30 days in 30 seconds! See AOBT @ the Texas Association of Massage Therapists (TAMT) convention in Ft Worth from mid-October, the Dallas basics class last weekend, and this weekends class in San Antone.

<p>Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.</p>

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November 2010 Barefoot Basics Michigan

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

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Michigan Barefoot Basics

via animoto.com

Barefoot Basics last weekend in Battle Creek, Michigan!
Welcome new ashiatsu therapists: Brittany, Victoria, Tiffany, Kayla, Kate, Kim, Kit, and Kandy - (now you know why it was called the "K" Klass!)

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Dallas Class Pictures!

Welcome to the Ashiatsu family Maria, Susan, Carrie, Kelly, Francoise, Jessica and Nicole! Coming back for more training is two of our existing graduates Erica and Morgan! Great to meet you and your feet in class this weekend!

~Jeni

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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The Hardee-Ashiatsu Portable Bar System

How to set up the portable bars in 15 minutes or less! A fun & quick 4 minute video brought to you all the way from Germany! Frequently asked questions answered!

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Refresher courses

Keep your eyes on the national schedule page found here, because AOBT refresher courses might be popping up near you soon! 

Refresher classes are short, sweet, and specific, catered to existing AOBT graduates. They are easier to plan your busy schedules around and packed with information. Engage in a group discussion about contraindications, Ashi-after care, and issues that have come up in your Ashiatsu practice so far. Receive Ashiatsu strokes from your instructor to remember what this work is supposed to feel like and how to protect yourself from harmful barefoot body mechanics. After all, saving your body was one of the main reasons you came to us in the first place right? 

Your local instructor will demonstrate the strokes you already know, and re-evaluate your application and body mechanics while you practice together. You won't believe the small details and moves that you've completely forgotten...even with a high level review DVD.  No new strokes will be taught, although you might learn a modification to what you've been doing so far. 

Use this tutor session with your instructor to better understand the details of all things Ashiatsu, and leave with some expert advice! Class price, time length, and availability may vary by instructor - some classes may be limited to subject (For example: Barefoot Basics review, Anterior/Sidelying Review, Ashi-Thai Review, DF2 Advanced Review) Please contact the instructor offering the refresher course for more information.

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Ashiatsu in Germany!

Hello world! Say hi to Petra, Sabine and Miss Dawn, our Ashi-team from Weisbaden Germany! Dawn was our super fantastic awesome host and assistant instructor who's an Advanced Ashi and Ashi-Thai trained graduate, Petra and Sabine are the dynamic Deutchland duo who just graduated from the first European Barefoot Basics class today :) 

(I'm having a blast in Europe btw!!!)

-Jeni

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Ashiatsu Appreciation

Our Authorized Instructors (all listed here) love to share Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy with you, and it shows in the quality work and confidence that every student takes home with them from our workshops. Look at what a few of our amazing graduates have to say about their experiences: (You can read more on our website!)

Barefoot Basics student testimonial:

"I had the distinct pleasure over the weekend of attending the Barefoot Basics training course in Cincinnati.  I am writing to compliment you and your organization on the most outstanding three day training program I have ever attended.  I have been a licensed massage therapist since 1992 and a certified yoga teacher since the early 80's, so I have attended more than my fair share of training seminars!

The workbook and video provided a clear, concise and comprehensive explanation of the techniques - something expected of a course of this nature but not always delivered.  What really impressed me, however, was the detail - the time and attention to the "nuts and bolts" of everything from the installation of the bars, to what to wear while working, to proper draping of the clients, to tips for marketing the technique to the public.  Everything was top notch and delightfully professional - the location, the class size, the information and the instructor.  Kudos to you and your work!

I signed up for the training to learn a new massage technique.  What I learned however, was much, much more!  Pardon the pun, but you "set the bar" pretty darn high with regards to my expectations for future training workshops.

Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Ashi-Thai student testimonial:

"I just got back from taking the Ashi-Thai workshop with Sarah Maxwell in Connecticut.  INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!  The work is just FANTASTIC!!!  I  LOVED it (can ya tell?).  I have very limited Thai experience....have only had one session.  A few weeks ago I took a one day table Thai workshop......didn't learn NEARLY as much in one day of that as I did in 1/2 a day of the Ashi-Thai workshop.

I wanted to let you know that Sarah was just AWESOME!!!  She was very professional, incredibly punctual and very thorough with the training.  She was patient and helpful.  She was very good at helping us to see where we were having problems and helping us figure out how to "get it right".  There was laughter and good energy in the room  

always.

I must tell you, Ruthie, I have gone to a lot of CEU classes and I have never taken any that have matched the Ashiatsu classes.  It's not just the FABULOUS new techniques that we learn.....it's also about the amount of useful information in the class, the way the classes are run, the punctuality, the thoroughness, as well as the incredible amount of knowledge the instructors have about the subject and how to teach it.  Obviously, you have been a fabulous teacher to them!!!

Thanks so much Ruthie!"

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Bars are going up in the new Chicago Ashiatsu Training Studio!

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AMTA Houston Unit Chapter was Fannntabulous!

Yesterday the Houston Texas AMTA Unit hosted a fun mini-Ashiatsu class! 20 lucky therapists had time to try a few moves with their feet, we had a drawing to win $100 off tuition, and learned about the benefits of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy for ourselves as therapists, as well as the amazing benefits Ashi has in store for our clients. AOBT is making a HUGE comeback in Houston, plans are in the works for our classes to be held there again soon, it's been too long!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Phoenix Ashi therapists are fab!

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Kenny Loggins gets an Ashiatsu!

Check out this great FOOTage of Kenny Loggins, yep, the singer of
"Footloose" himself, all Ashi-fied & Footloose after his Ashiatsu
session:

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What's to like about Ashi-Thai?

So you've got great Ashiatsu gig going on, and your clients love you. They swear you give a massage better than any other massage therapist in town. So why would you want to mess it up and change it a little?

Because you can stretch them out too! Many of my clients now receive Ashi-Thai stretches encorporated into their regular Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy session. Those who are in sports (or wannabees) can improve flexibility the easy way--let you do it! All stretches are done to the client's comfort, so how much you Gumby-fy them is up to them!

Originally added to our program as a stand alone or add-on treatment, with the client fully clothed (no hassle--no oil, no undressing), many Ashi therapists are now carefully draping and adding in both anterior and posterior strokes during their AOBT session.

Here's part of a review from a massage therapist client of mine:

"I have to say this was the best massage I have had and I am going to have to make the drive and put this down in my schedule for a regular part of a healthy life style. I had not idea how tight and tense I was and how much better I feel today after having received my massage with Ashi AND Thai all seamlessly put together."

Classes are found throughout the United States on a regular basis! Check in with any permanent training facility (Sacramento, Las Vegas, Denver, San Antonio, Dallas, Battle Creek, Cincinnati, Phoenix, Wilmington, St. Petersburg) to see how you can add a little bling to your massage thing.

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ashi-thai

Ashi Thai, Cincinnati style!

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Naperville, IL / Barefoot Basics / August 2010

Chicago-Land Ashiatsu rocks!  ~New therapists from Chicago and Iowa~

 
 

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Texas' latest!

We had a fun weekend in Texas, wish you were here! The 1st picture is this weekends soft sole'd Anterior/Sidelying group, and the 2nd picture is the Barefoot Basics crew, monkeying around!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Cincinnati twinkle toes!

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Dallas Ashi-Thai class pic!

Here's a happy group of talented therapists from Texas, Florida, Nebraska, Alabama and Oklahoma who just graduated from the Ashi-Thai workshop in Dallas!  Check out a sneak-peak video of us in action at 

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Another great Advanced Ashiatsu workshop!

Say "Howdy" to three amazing and experienced Ashiatsu therapists who just completed their DF2 Advanced Ashiatsu & Fusion training this weekend!

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Denver Advanced Ashiatsu Class Picture

With instructors Ruthie, Kina and Jeni!

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AOBT Workshops: What makes them different?

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy workshops are fun and intimate.  A full class is only 8 therapists – 4 receiving and 4 working.  With a four to one student/teacher ratio, you’re sure to get tons of one-on-one attention from your instructor.

Each therapist in class will receive each stroke from the instructor, so they know exactly how this work feels before learning to do it themselves… great for kinesthetic learners!  The visual and auditory learners will get plenty of time too – as each stroke is demonstrated and explained thoroughly in class. 

Have you ever attended a continuing education workshop where you actually worked on your instructor?  As massage therapists, we know that how a massage looks and how it feels may be two completely different things.  In a Barefoot Basics workshop, you will actually get to deliver the strokes to your instructor so you can receive detailed feedback crucial to helping you grow into an excellent AOBT therapist.

Lastly, our workshops include a guest client practical.  That’s right – we bring in live bodies from the real world – who are NOT massage therapists – to perform an entire AOBT session on.  Many graduates report that this is one of their favorite parts of the workshop, as it’s a “real world” experience that is difficult to create in a workshop setting. 

All of the AOBT certified instructors are fun and down to earth.  We strive to create an enjoyable and relaxed learning environment where each therapist can discover the art of barefoot massage while having a great time!

 
 

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Ashiatsu massages with Sole: Part 4

Ruthie Hardee and her team of dedicated instructors currently teach four classes in barefoot massage: Barefoot Basics, Anterior/Sidelying, Advanced Ashiatsu, and the all new Ashi-Thai!

The Barefoot Basics workshop is one footed strokes suited for the posterior side of the client's body. Any therapist with grace and coordination can learn these strokes, and she or he learn to shift body weight according to the client's needs. In Anterior/Side-Lying, the massage therapist learns both clinical side lying work as well as a luxurious spa approach to the anterior side of the client's body. The client's eyes are comfortably covered during this anterior massage, and all neck and pectoral work is done with the LMT seated on a stool. Arms and legs are included in the anterior protocol as well.

The Advanced Ashiatsu class, previously known as the separate Deepfeet 2 and Fusion workshops, teaches the massage therapist to use his or her entire body weight in two footed posterior strokes and blend them with flow into the basic one footed moves. Therapists need good upper arm and core strength to give this wonderful two footed massage. 

Our newest course, Ashi-Thai, was developed by Ruthie Hardee and Kina Ueda, one of her Associate Instructors, is an expression of traditional Thai techniques and exercises that have been modified to use with bars on the ceiling for the therapists stability, support and balance.  Ashi-Thai massage is performed with the client fully clothed, without any oils or creams. This flowing and rhythmic approach was developed for any bodyworker who wants to stretch and loosen their client before a massage. As a compliment to any Ashiatsu session, or as a stand alone treatment, these combinations of techniques have been arranged following traditional energy lines and stretches for elongating and relieving tightness in commonly used muscles groups.

As author Toby Osborne says, "Of course, whether you try Ashiatsu because you want to recharge your chi or relax your body, barefoot massage has an illustrious past that's worth celebrating."

If you're interested in trying Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy (otherwise known as AOBT), Hardee's website Deepfeet.com has a therapist locator service for all the states with certified Ashiatsu therapists. Not all AOBT therapists choose to list on the site, but you can always contact Ruthie at Ruthie@deepfeet.com if you can't find a certified Ashiatsu therapist in your area.

Ashiatsu with Ruthie Hardie (Founder)

Ashiatsu massages with Sole: Part 3

Please see the previous Ashiatsu blog posts for Part 1 & 2 of this article. 

"What I like about barefoot massage," says fan Scot Voss of Cincinnati, "is that it's so much softer than regular massage. I don't have to worry about pointy elbows and fingers. In fact, it's really deep and relaxing all at the same time."

In fact, many spas throughout the country list Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy on their menu. Canyon Ranch health spas offer this style of barefoot massage in their locations in Tuscon, AZ, Lenox, MA, onboard the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship as well as at the Venetian, Bellagio and Aria Hotel's in Las Vegas. Ashiatsu can also be found at prestigious massage spas such as Urban Oasis in Chicago. The Insider's Guide "Best of the Rockies" lists Ashiatsu massage at Park Kyatt Beaver Creek as one of the "Most Memorable."

Sports enthusiasts and professional athletes who require deep work are typically harder for massage therapists to work on because of their muscle density. But by using gravity assisted effleurage, trained therapists can saave some energy, reduce fatigue and save their wrists by performing this style of barefoot effleurage. In fact, the September/October 2007 issue of Luxury Spa Finder list Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy as their "ultimate skier's massage."

Stick around for Part 4 with more on this article- stay tuned!

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Ashiatsu massages with Sole: Part 2

Please see the previous Ashiatsu blog post for Part 1 of this article.

While other forms of ashiatsu take into consideration breathing patterns, chi, and other energetic work, AOBT focuses on muscle and bone. Purely the application of the work, not the theory. Many orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors and physicians across the nation are fans of Hardee's style of barefoot massage. As Dr. Eric Dieffenbaugher, owner of Progressive Chiropractic Health and Wellness in Fairfield, Ohio says, "Ashiatsu is a wonderful adjunct to chiropratic car, in particular in regards to patients with lumbar disc problems because of it's deep compression and ability to traction out the spine." 

This Western style of barefoot massage can be very deep but can also be modified for those who don't like as much pressure. While contraindicated for such clients as those who have uncontrolled blood pressure, women who are pregnant or are trying to conceive, and those on heavy blood thinners, this massage treatment can be very helpful for those clients with chronic low back pain. It's known to help improve posture, relieve pain and yet do it in a gentle but deep fashion.

Part 3 is coming soon - stay tuned!

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Ashiatsu Massages with Sole

PART 1

Affectionately coined as "the deepest most luxurious massage on the planet," Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy allows the massage therapist to use gravity instead of sheer muscle strength. Using cleaned, sanitized and soft feet, she or he is able by using body weight to press, sweep and swirl along muscles to give broad, fluid movements.

Ruthie Hardee, founder of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy (AOBT), had seen various types of barefoot massage as a child while traveling with her missionary parents. She witnessed different styles of barefoot massage in Manila, Africa and the Indies.
Although many of the roots of Ashiatsu are Eastern ("ashi" means "foot, while "atsu" translates as "pressure"), therapists in the United States use a distinctly different style of barefoot massage. Traditional barefoot shiatsu is done through clothing on a mat. With Chavutti Thirummal, performed in Indiafor over 1000 years, the therapist typically uses a rope tied end to end and glides along the completely undraped client. Other forms of barefoot massage massage require props for balance such as chairs, poles a single bar, bamboo rods and even chains.

Hardee, however, wanted her style of massage to be luxurious and comfortable for both the client as well as the therapist. Hence, the system of parallel wooden bars placed over the massage table. The therapist is able to use the bars overhead for balance while she or he glides gracefully over the client's lubricated skin.

... Stay tuned for PART 2!

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