hot stone

Do you mean SNHS - (School of Natural Health Sciences)? Distance learning? Do you have a massage/bodywork qualification already?

hi yes I meant School of Natural Health Sciences. I am doing Hot Stone and Aromatherapy. just to do case studies but I feel overwhelmed with what to do, so was just wondering if anyone else had did them. I don't have a massage qualification I have a relaxation therapy qualification from BSY distance learning. I am in my fifties and started the courses as an interest but everyone I have practised on has loved them, so want to take it serious now and start up in my converted garage in my garden. what do you think of the SNHS courses? and thanks for your reply.

I think if you have a look, by using the 'Search Forums' facility above, you will find that sadly, distance learning courses for bodywork are not highly rated. The fact that you are saying you are overwhelmed says quite a lot. Is there any way you could access hands-on training through a local further education college - or even consider a privately run course? That way you would gain experience of working on other people and it would help your confidence no end.

hi thanks for your reply. I totally get what you are saying. I have fibromyalgia and that was why I went for the distance learning as I couldnt commit to sitting in a class all day every day. but my niece is a qualified masseur and actually has her own salon, so she has been overseeing everything I do and has gave me work experience in her salon. I I don't plan to work full time at this but have been doing family and friends and some neighbours who seem happy..so far.. but I do understand what you and others mean. I am feeling overwhelmed by the amount of detail in the case studies and didn't feel confidant to write them up yet, but its starting to come together the more I practise. I will be taking on board your comments and maybe see if there is a part time course I can do. what do you think about my niece helping me and the experience in her salon. thanks again for reply.
angelite x

I think your niece is very kind to let you get some experience in her salon. I would still encourage you to try out a 'hands on' course, to help with confidence if nothing else.

I first qualified as a remedial massage therapist in 1978 (scary when I write it down!) having done a course which involved trips to London and Blackpool once a month for 2 years (massage wasn't done as a college course at that time - just beauty therapy). Once I'd completed the training, the work really began and I've been learning ever since! I set up a savings account called 'training account' to fund other courses and CPD. I am not a jack of all trades, however, and stick to MLD and Bowen as my main work, but sometimes go back to my old favourite, reflexology, when I fancy a change.

I make sure that I receive regular treatment and have tried all sorts of therapies. I can spot short course/online course therapists quite quickly, and never go back to them - and I have to say that very few last more than a few months - a shame really, when so many of them have generally paid through the nose for training.

yeh the courses aren't cheap, I don't think I would ever consider doing the massage full time until I was experienced and had confidence in what I was doing, as you say I don't want people to come and think I don't know what I am doing and then never come back. I will be sticking to the relaxation therapy for now...which doesn't involve massage, and which I have been doing for over a year now and always busy, I just wanted to learn more things to offer and get to know the body more. I will be looking into doing a hands on course. my niece has been brilliant, as she can cover me with her insurance as work experience as long as she is there overseeing the massage I would never try it on a stranger on my own. I have been fine with friends and neighbours so far, but they all know me really well so maybe wouldn't be as honest as a paying client..I have also been doing the relaxation therapy with clients in her salon and it has gone down really well so maybe I will end up sticking with that, thank you for all your feed back and helpful advice, I have taken it on board. only wish I had the experience and knowledge you have with all the hard work you have put into it. I will search now for somewhere to do a hands on course. thank you again.

ow meant to say I receive regular Bowen therapy to help with my fibromyalgia and it really helps. never tried reflexology wonder if that would help.
angelite.