SpaBeautySchools.com Featured School of the Week October 28, 2007: NAMTI

"...Located in Northern Arizona, NAMTI providesto National Certification. This in-depth massage
extensive massage and bodywork training tocourse involves education and training in anatomy
students seeking unique careers in the healing arts.and physiology, with an emphasis on TCM
For example, one of the many career-training(Traditional Chinese Medicine); including bodywork
programs is NAMTI's 840-hour Massageinstruction in Shiatsu (Namakoshi style), traditional
Practitioner Program,* which is all-inclusive when itThai massage, Tuina (Chinese medical massage),
comes to massage diversity..." Tai Chi and Qigong, among other essential
Northern Arizona Massage Therapy Institute,business studies.
better known as NAMTI, is one of the leadingIf you like foot massage, NAMTI has the right
educational institutes in massage. As a school forprogram for you as well. The 200-hour
extensive massage and bodywork training, NAMTIProfessional Reflexology Certification program at
boasts accreditations and endorsements fromNAMTI offers students practical training and
numerous state, national and internationalacademics in the foundations of reflexology,
organizations like the National Certification Boardpractice and documentation (i.e., research project
for Therapeutic Massage and Bodyworkand 40 documented sessions), and case studies,
(NCBTMB) and the American Massage Therapyamong other subject matter. Successful
Association (AMTA), among others. According tocompletion of this program allows graduates to
Jeff McGrath, Director of NAMTI, accreditationtake the ARCB (American Reflexology
from these massage and bodywork organizationsCertification Board) exam.
is critical to the school's success. "It ensures ourConsider continuing education at either one of
graduates have the specialized set of skills thatNAMTI's campus locations in Sedona or Prescott.
inherent them as a therapist. It's quality control,In addition to foundational continuing education
ensuring high quality certified instructors, and thecourses in anatomy, physiology, or pathology,
student's ability to get the most out of theboth students and professional massage
program. It differentiates [our graduates] fromtherapists have several alternative educational
other practitioners."options from which to choose, including
Located in Northern Arizona, NAMTI providessupplementary training in energetic medicine,
extensive massage and bodywork training toProprioSomatic Therapy, Shiatsu, and TCM
students seeking unique careers in the healing arts.Theory, among many others. NAMTI further
For example, one of the many career-trainingsupports its students and graduates with online
programs is NAMTI's 840-hour Massagecourses in anatomy, physiology and kinesiology.
Practitioner Program,* which is all-inclusive when itIf you are pining for travel, NAMTI invites its
comes to massage diversity. In this particularstudents to travel abroad to Thailand to gain an
program, students gain fundamentals in anatomy,even more enriching healing arts environment.
physiology, kinesiology and pathology, in addition toStudents opting to tour to Thailand with NAMTI
hands-on training in Swedish massage, deep tissuenot only get to experience the unique sites and
techniques, reflexology, hydrotherapy andsounds of this ancient land, but will acquire skills
SoulStones (hot stones), Shiatsu, Tuina, Myofascialfrom Thai massage and Thai masters from the
techniques, craniosacral therapy, ProprioSomaticarea! Currently, plans are in development for
Therapy (similar to Trigger Point therapy),student travel to China, as well.
traditional Thai massage, Tai Chi, Qigong, andIn addition to Veterans Education Benefits, NAMTI
more. Completion of this comprehensive courseparticipates in a variety of financial aid programs
gives graduates eligibility for National Certificationand offers a job placement program to its
and State licensure. (Individual State licensinggraduates. If you've never been excited about a
requirements may vary.) "(Students) receivecareer in massage, then now is the time to get
quality vocational training to do this legally, but (themotivated and aggressively pursue your massage
program) is also a transformational and growththerapy education through NAMTI. "You're not
opportunity for personal growth, personal healthgoing to find another program in the country that
and wellbeing, in conjunction with training,"gives you this much high-quality attention. Such a
remarked McGrath.comprehensive blend of all these leading massage
If you are interested in pursuing Asian bodyworkmodalities demonstrates that NAMTI is one step
as a career, then NAMTI offers its 500-hourahead of the curve, and that will define the future
Advanced Asian Bodywork Certification program,of the successful therapist."
which permits graduates to earn Practitioner Level*Upcoming 840-hour program starts in January,
Certification through the American Organization2008 in both Prescott and Sedona campus
for Body Therapies of Asia (AOBTA); in additionlocations.