No Hands Massage 2010

Hi Restore,

I did the course in London, March 2007 and yes I found I was in a room full of people, there was subliminal stuff on the audio system, the sales was very American in style, but.... All that said I found the practical skills invaluable and have since gone on to develop my own style and way of working that suits me personally. Gerry works on very low couches, kneeling on and off the couch. I also don't particularly like covered in oil from head to toe for 3 days, and both forearms stinging with a rash on our last day.

My advice would be..

Do the course and take what you need from it and don't sign up for more until you've had a chance to put what you've learnt into action. This may be all you need. Put the cultish stuff to one side and see what skills you can take way with you.

No mater how I felt about Gerry personally or how he's decided to run his courses, he has developed a fantastic way of working that doesn't involve any wrist or thumb strain and that has to be recognised and considered a valuable skill. Don't get bogged down in personality and format. He's got passion, enthusiasm and technique. All of which are to be commended.

I hope this helps.

Cheers, Sue

Hello Restore,

I would like to echo what Sue says. Learn the technique and ignore the other stuff that might be going on.

I did the course years ago when it was done on a small scale at that time there were about 10 of us in the class. The techniques I learnt are part of the reason that I was able to work injury free at a very bussy spa for over two years. Whislt some therapists within a year had to give up massage due to injury. Although I don't do a full No Hands massage routine, the tecniques do form the basis of my massage and I don't use as much oil as I did at the start.

I might do the transforming touch course to review what I learnt before.

Thanks for this. I signed up for the transforming touch as I figured at 99 quid I wouldn't be at any great loss - thirty quid a day seems incredible value, but I wondered how much you could/see learn with so many of us in one room and how it differed so radically from the forearm/elbow techniques you learn on deep tissue workshops. Thanks for you advice Carberry I think its very sage advice and is the way to approach it. I've not been qualified that long and am looking to add strings to my bow to develop my own style and build up my confidence! Its very nerve wracking starting out! Soon as money starts changing hands I feel like its a whole different ball game!

A friend did the transforming touch coures a few years ago. I believe you work in in groups of 3 at the massage table. One person is the body, the other does the massage and the other observes. Then you switch around. Sue may be able to give you more info on how the training is carried out.

Hello again,

When I did the course we worked in larger groups of approx 21 with an instructor. We did each movement as a watcher, experiencer and doer. This was monitored by the instructor. So even thou the room was full to overflowing with approx. 200 people you did receive personalised instruction from your group instructor. What do you expect for £99!!

1 further bit of advice - bring food with you and at least 2lts of water. You only get 30mins for lunch and the room is generally on the warm side.

Go for it, have fun, and if you're not sure make requests on your instructor to help you get it right!!!

Cheers, Sue

Thanks Sue. I just spoke on the phone with a No Hands Massage 'Master' who lives locally and as it turns out now teaches some of the courses and she re-iterated much of what you said. I feel quite encouraged and yes at £99 it seems like a great deal! Now to figure out whether I am or am not gonna invest in an Art Riggs DVD set to keep me going in the meantime. Hmmm.

The art riggs dvd setr is brilliant. the audio track is rubbish and clicks and pops in places. But well worth the investment.

I doinf 2 of his courses in september. At the sue lincoln school in filey. really looking forward to it.

cheers

kevin.

I am so tempted but they are just so expensive. (I'm sure not in terms of 'value' but from the point of view of simply having the available cash) so I think I'm going to have to save up! I think its going to be a long time before I make back what I've spent on training / furthering my knowlege etc.

I did the No Hands basic course at the same time as Sue (it's where I met her) and I'd back up everything she said. I found it a very interesting weekend and fantastic value. I've used some of the techniques, though only one person has ever booked a full no hands massage!

Go along and have a fun time meeting lots of other therapists. If nothing else, it's an opportunity to spend three days with no shoes on!