Class Schedule

Abdominal and low back massage is a course that focuses on the muscles of the abdomen, the pelvic girdle and low back. We will discuss the energetics of the Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras which house these areas of the body. Indications and contraindications will be taught as well as emotional holding patterns that occur in these areas. We will be addressing and treating conditions such as sciatica, psoas conditions, sacrum conditions, diaphragmatic issues and a complete session protocol will be demonstrated.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

Sacred Space is a unique 70-hour Teacher Training Program that offers an array of enriching education strategies that will benefit teachers with a desire to promote positive growth and to create an interactive community. If you wish to learn how to create a successful classroom or workshop, this class is for you. Upon completion of this multi-dimensional learning experience, the participant will be able to: •Create and maintain a sacred space •utilize meditation skills for personal and classroom use •Identify and effectively manage the begining, middle and ending relationship in an educational process •Recognize and explore relationships within an interactive community •Understand and implement the concept of personal pwer and prosperity consciousness as a tool for daily living •Explore and unleash their creative potential •Create effective lesson plans and innovative self-awareness activities •Demonstrate dynamic presentation skills •Speak their authentic voice •Identify the seven learning styles and implement personal instruction for each style •Grasp the importance of right communication and extinguish communication chaos •Develop skills for unlocking the inner wisdom of intuition •Embrace their vital essence through spirit and self actualization Classes meet one Friday a month for nine months on the following dates: March 9 April 20 May 11 June 8 July 13 August 10 September 14 October 5 November 9

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Developer, Gary Craig, describes EFT as an emotional, needle free version of acupuncture that is easy to learn and has been reported successful in thousands of cases covering a huge range of emotional health and performance issues. It often works when nothing else will. Objectives • Understand what EFT is and how it works • Understand the barriers to effectiveness • Identify the Basic EFT Recipe • Describe the refinements on the technique • Utilize EFT for aches and pains • Utilize EFT for cravings and habits • Utilize EFT for thoughts and bothersome memories

Instructor: Dr. Lorna Minewiser

Dr. Lorna Minewiser is an Energy Coach. Her Master's degree is in Counseling Psychology and her PhD is in Psychology She was a Licensed Professional Counselor from 1995- 2010, and retired as she prefers to work as an Energy Coach. She is a Certified Energy Health Practitioner and EFT Level III Practitioner/Trainer, a Certified Life Coach, Certified Healing Codes Coach and holds numerous other certifications. She taught Energy Psychology classes in Clinton Township, Michigan and through teleclasses and webcasts. She teaches EFT I, II and III at the Charlotte Area Health Education Center. She has taught high school, college, and teacher continuing education classes She has been happily married more than 45 years and has a daughter, two married sons and 2 terrific grandchildren.

**Participants must attend both days to receive credit. No partial credit will be applied.** Pre-Requisites: Level I: Introduction to EFT Techniques within past 18 months. If applying for EFT Level II certification, see EFT Level II post class certification requirements below.This two day course meets the basic requirements for the classroom portion of the Association for the Advancement of Meridian Techniques Requirements for Level 2 Practitioner Certification. This workshop is for those who have been introduced to EFT and want to integrate it into their practice or to begin an EFT practice. Whether or not you choose to go on to gain the Level 2 Practitioner certificate, this EFT workshop will teach you skills and tools to use with clients. An introduction to practice building, legal and ethical considerations will also be included. There will be live demonstrations, one-to-one exercises and group work. The certification requirements for the Association for the Advancement of Meridian Energy Techniques (AAMET) include satisfactory completion of a post course multiple choice test, three case studies, mentoring AAMET membership and additional fees. Testimonials: "Great training, loved it!" "This was a fantastic series of workshops." "Lorna is able to bring out the best in the participants."

Instructor: Dr. Lorna Minewiser

Medical Massage workshops teach participants how to use massage techniques to treat common medical conditions. Step by step treatment protocols will be demonstrated and practiced for these conditions. My belief is that muscular dysfunction progresses along a continuum, beginning with injury and the associated inflammation; and ending with adhesions and limits in functioning. You will learn how to separate tissues that have become adhered and restore a more optimal level of function. We will discuss the etiology, relevant anatomy, symptoms and treatment options for these conditions. What makes these workshops different is that you will learn actual treatment protocols for these conditions. Other medical practitioners have treatment protocols for their procedures and now you can too! Having a specific protocol allows you to proceed confidently with treatment and achieve more consistent positive results. You may contact Brett at Brettapace.com.

Instructor: Brett Pace

Brett A. Pace, L.M.T., received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida State University and then went on to study massage therapy at the Swedish Institute in New York City. Brett has been an instructor at the CORE Institute in Tallahassee since 1990, teaching Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Massage History & Theory, Neuromuscular Therapy, Medical Massage and Business Practices. As he pursued his continuing education, he studied Myofascial Release with John Barnes, Orthopedic Assessment with Whitney Lowe and he became certified in Neuromuscular Therapy under Judith Walker-Delany. He is a member of the FSMTA and has held different positions, including Local President, Sports Massage Team Member and Insurance Reimbursement Committee Chair. He is also a member of the AMTA. Brett served as a Test Item Reviewer during the process of creating national standards of practice that resulted in the production of the National Certification exam, the testing instrument for many of the licensing boards in the country. Brett was also a contributing editor for Mark Beck’s new edition of the textbook “Therapeutic Massage” as well as Patricia Benjamin’s 5th edition of “Tappan’s Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques”. Since 1994, Brett has been approved by State and National organizations as a continuing education provider and has been teaching Medical Massage throughout the United States and in Europe. He has had the opportunity to work as a therapist in a variety of settings such as chiropractors’ offices, gyms, massage school clinics and a large clinic that he and his wife ran together. He currently has a full-time private practice in Tallahassee. Brett has recently written a handbook for massage therapists on Fibromyalgia Syndrome, a correspondence course on Insurance Reimbursement and created the Certification process for his classes. His current projects include training videos to support his workshops, correspondence courses for professional ethics and medical errors, and educational retreats in Europe.

This class takes a detailed look at the Maxillary, Ethmoid, Frontal and Sphenoid Sinuses. Manual Lymphatic Drainage is the technique used to help drain the sinuses manually. This technique is a feather-like touch that greatly enhances the Parasympathetic Nervous System and allows for a significant diminishing of the toxic load on the Lymphatic System; the toxic load coming from external and internal factors. Indications and Contraindications are discussed and a treatment for Sinusitis ( a primary condition of dysfunctional sinuses) is demonstrated and implemented.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

An exploration of being present in the body and what that feels like; how to breathe and easily be present to structures in the body on many levels. Learning the organ systems and their relation to breath and their function, healing and releasing patterns. This class will include references to the chakras. You may contact Zakiah at sophiasheartsong@yahoo.com

Instructor: Virginia McGuire (Zakiah)

Virginia McGuire (Zakiah) is owner and director of Sacred Evolution Community Center and Sharings. She is passionate about teaching, healing and offering classes that change the scope of how we view the remarakable miracle of the body and all its connections in life as well as needed boundaries to keep it functioning as the resource. She has a private practice in both Oakboro and Charlotte, North Carolina that includes depth meditation, massage, healing presence and arts. She teaches and speaks internationally about the sacredness of all life and healing as well as leads retreats and trainings. The view that the human body is a temple is part of every class she teaches, and that the human heart is the meeting ground for our human and divine nature. She has trained with various global teachers for the past twenty-five years, including assorted Sufi Masters for nineteen years, in healing arts as well as depth meditation and chakra work. She also has training in trauma release and one-on-one support to promote healthy lifestyle choices and patterns. She loves to create, and is also a published artist, writer, speaker and seminar retreat leader. She loves creating in a community as well as painting in the quiet of the country. She is a mother and wife.

This ethics course is designed to integrate professional ethics with the energies of the body. Ethics are about creating right relationship with ourselves, our clients and our business. This course focuses on growing and maintaining appropriate working relationships within our practice guidelines. The course content has been developed around the Chakra System and provides functional information for every day ethics.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

Abdominal and low back massage is a course that focuses on the muscles of the abdomen, the pelvic girdle and low back. We will discuss the energetics of the Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras which house the abdominal and low back areas of the body. Indications and contraindications will be taught as well as emotional and physical holding patterns that occur in these areas. We will be addressing and treating conditions such as sciatica, psoas conditions, sacrum conditions, diaphragmatic issues and a complete session protocol will be demonstrated.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

Myofascial Release Massage Part I, Upper Body teaches you to identify, manipulate, and release myofascial tissue which holds chronic, painful, and exhausting stress and tension. By the end of the workshop you will know how to release this unwanted stress in the chest, neck, shoulders, hands, back and waist; the whole upper body. In addition, you will gain understanding of the relationship between posture and emotional negativity. This workshop, taken with the Myofascial Release Massage Part II, Lower Body, will enable you to offer a complete head to foot Myofascial Massage. The Myofascial Release Massage is derived from Hellerwork, a gentler derivative of Rolfing. You may contact Chris at HowardRontal.com.

Instructor: Chris Morakis

Christopher A. Morakis earned his certificate of massage therapy from the Ohio College of Massotherapy in Akron, Ohio and was licensed through the Ohio State Medical Board in 1994. He was the massage therapist for the 2000 Hewlett Packard Women’s Bicycle Challenge in Boise, ID, as well as for the LPGA in Warren, Ohio from 1988 to 2000. Chris in currently employed by a chiropractor and is responsible for massage therapy, rehabilitation, exercise and some physical therapy. He has his own private practice and is also a certified fitness trainer. Chris began working with Howard Rontal, Certified Hellerwork Practitioner and the founder of the Myofascial Release Massage in 1994 and has been assisting Howard in the teaching of his workshops over 40 times.

This ethics course is designed to integrate professional ethics with the energies of the body. Ethics are about creating right relationship with ourselves, our clients and our business. This course focuses on growing and maintaining appropriate working relationships within our practice guidelines. The course content has been developed around the Chakra System and provides functional information for every day ethics.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

Facial Lymphatics is a technique of bringing well-aging to the facial tissue. This gentle system eliminates excess fluid located in the face and neck area caused by lifestyle stress, improper diet and deyhdration and also allows for a substantial decrease in wrinkles and superficial skin conditions. The techniqe lifts and tones the muscles in the neck and face. The protocol also includes the feet, hands and arms and a scalp massage. This work deeply enhances the Parasympathetic Nervous System and detoxes the Lymphatic System.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

This foundation level will introduce the basics of holistic aromatherapy; history; recent research; production of essential oils, general properties, quality and purity; basic methods of application; physical effects of essential oils and pathways through the body; and the safe and effective use of this modality. A 50 plus page notebook and 4 sample oils are also provided, as well as 1 hour free consultation time with Cynthia Loving. You also get the opportunity to repeat this class at no charge, as often as you like (on a space available basis)

Instructor: Cynthia Loving

Cynthia J. Loving is owner of LovingScents, an international instructor in Clinical Aromatherapy and a Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist (NC1397) with a private practice in Greensboro, North Carolina specializing in integrative therapies. She was first introduced to Aromatherapy in the mid 1980's. She graduated into advanced studies with master practitioners from around the globe in 1990, and has been teaching this modality since 1995. Cynthia has and continues to serve as an Aromatherapy instructor and consultant to businesses, hospitals, long term care facilities, a wide range of health care providers, educators, spiritual leaders and lay persons. Cynthia's varied background and studies of Cross-Cultural Healing enhances her ability to work with a wide variety of people and contributes to her teaching style. Prior to becoming a Massage Therapist, she had years of experience in complementary health care, mental health, mental retardation, addictions, business, public speaking, personal growth seminars and governmental lobbying.

The Seven Healing Chakras is a journey into the healing aspects of the Chakra System. We will focus on our relationship with security, relationships, personal power, compassion and love, truth-telling and becoming our authentic selves, listening to our intuition and connecting to our spirit. This course is multi-dimensional and experiential so come prepared to connect with your inner being. This course is being offered two times this year.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

This weekend workshop introduces complementary therapy basics for the hospice massage practitioner. The instructor gently explores the dying process from a holistic perspective, one that is not traditionally taught in hospice orientation programs across the country. Learn safe effective protocols using light pressure massage, reflexology, Healing Touch, and aromatherapy. Learn why working with the senses of the body can have such a strong impact on the peacefulness of the mind.

Instructor: Valerie Hartman

Valerie Hartman is a Registered Nurse Nationally Certified in Hospice and Palliative Care. She is dually certified in hospice nursing and bodywork therapy practices. She carries certification in beginner and advanced massage therapy, 110 hours in reflexology, is a student of level 1 and 2 Healing Touch Program. She is currently working toward aromatherapy certification having completed all three levels of the ISHA Clinical Aromatherapy Program - 301, 302, and 303.

Abdominal and low back massage is a course that focuses on the muscles of the abdomen, the pelvic girdle and low back. We will discuss the energetics of the Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras which house the abdominal and low back areas of the body. Indications and contraindications will be taught as well as emotional and physical holding patterns that occur in these areas. We will be addressing and treating conditions such as sciatica, psoas conditions, sacrum conditions, diaphragmatic issues and a complete session protocol will be demonstrated.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

Medical Massage workshops teach participants how to use massage techniques to treat common medical conditions. Step by step treatment protocols will be demonstrated and practiced for these conditions. My belief is that muscular dysfunction progresses along a continuum, beginning with injury and the associated inflammation; and ending with adhesions and limits in functioning. You will learn how to separate tissues that have become adhered and restore a more optimal level of function. We will discuss the etiology, relevant anatomy, symptoms and treatment options for these conditions. What makes these workshops different is that you will learn actual treatment protocols for these conditions. Other medical practitioners have treatment protocols for their procedures and now you can too! Having a specific protocol allows you to proceed confidently with treatment and achieve more consistent positive results. You may contact Brett at Brettapace.com.

Instructor: Brett Pace

Brett A. Pace, L.M.T., received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida State University and then went on to study massage therapy at the Swedish Institute in New York City. Brett has been an instructor at the CORE Institute in Tallahassee since 1990, teaching Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Massage History & Theory, Neuromuscular Therapy, Medical Massage and Business Practices. As he pursued his continuing education, he studied Myofascial Release with John Barnes, Orthopedic Assessment with Whitney Lowe and he became certified in Neuromuscular Therapy under Judith Walker-Delany. He is a member of the FSMTA and has held different positions, including Local President, Sports Massage Team Member and Insurance Reimbursement Committee Chair. He is also a member of the AMTA. Brett served as a Test Item Reviewer during the process of creating national standards of practice that resulted in the production of the National Certification exam, the testing instrument for many of the licensing boards in the country. Brett was also a contributing editor for Mark Beck’s new edition of the textbook “Therapeutic Massage” as well as Patricia Benjamin’s 5th edition of “Tappan’s Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques”. Since 1994, Brett has been approved by State and National organizations as a continuing education provider and has been teaching Medical Massage throughout the United States and in Europe. He has had the opportunity to work as a therapist in a variety of settings such as chiropractors’ offices, gyms, massage school clinics and a large clinic that he and his wife ran together. He currently has a full-time private practice in Tallahassee. Brett has recently written a handbook for massage therapists on Fibromyalgia Syndrome, a correspondence course on Insurance Reimbursement and created the Certification process for his classes. His current projects include training videos to support his workshops, correspondence courses for professional ethics and medical errors, and educational retreats in Europe.

This ethics course is designed to integrate professional ethics with the energies of the body. Ethics are about creating right relationship with ourselves, our clients and our business. This course focuses on growing and maintaining appropriate working relationships within our practice guidelines. The course content has been developed around the Chakra System and provides functional information for every day ethics.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

Observe and practice specific exercises for use by both client and practitioner, to release structural imbalances and personal discomfort in head, neck, and shoulders, as well as home care exercises for client to integrate changes experienced within a session. This Self Care class is tailored to complement the “All In Your Head” table techniques.

Instructor: Linda McCrea

For nearly 25 years I enjoyed a stimulating professional career as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, organization development/change consultant, instructional designer, curriculum developer, training director, and wellness coordinator. Then the positive results of my intuitive healing work with my mom, as she struggled with cancer, led me to therapeutic massage training. Early in my client practice, I experienced osteopathically-based, gentle body therapy that emphasizes comfort in working with the whole being. Many years of practicing and teaching this bodywork system deepened my skills using "gentle touch with deep results" - with both clients and bodywork students across the US. As my work has grown and expanded to embrace quantum consciousness technologies and medical intuitive applications, my ONE BODY instruction has evolved to incorporate and integrate techniques that afford options for attending and responding to individual clients more effectively. Now I play at my chosen work in the best of both worlds combining healing and teaching/learning. Client Services - I enjoy interactive work with my clients in my Asheville & Charlotte offices. Instruction - I'm inspired by my students in classes across the US who honor and practice this bodywork with their clients, in turn. I’m living my dream, and loving it!

Focuses on head and neck, shoulders, clavicles and scapulae. Employs several techniques in these areas of the body: exploring and freeing movement patterns, releasing structural imbalances through positioning, incorporating gentle isometric/isotonic resistance. Provides techniques to integrate changes and re-educate the client.

Instructor: Linda McCrea

For nearly 25 years I enjoyed a stimulating professional career as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, organization development/change consultant, instructional designer, curriculum developer, training director, and wellness coordinator. Then the positive results of my intuitive healing work with my mom, as she struggled with cancer, led me to therapeutic massage training. Early in my client practice, I experienced osteopathically-based, gentle body therapy that emphasizes comfort in working with the whole being. Many years of practicing and teaching this bodywork system deepened my skills using "gentle touch with deep results" - with both clients and bodywork students across the US. As my work has grown and expanded to embrace quantum consciousness technologies and medical intuitive applications, my ONE BODY instruction has evolved to incorporate and integrate techniques that afford options for attending and responding to individual clients more effectively. Now I play at my chosen work in the best of both worlds combining healing and teaching/learning. Client Services - I enjoy interactive work with my clients in my Asheville & Charlotte offices. Instruction - I'm inspired by my students in classes across the US who honor and practice this bodywork with their clients, in turn. I’m living my dream, and loving it! You may contact Linda at linwsw@charter.net.

This class takes a detailed look at the Maxillary, Ethmoid, Frontal and Sphenoid Sinuses. Manual Lymphatic Drainage is the technique used to help drain the sinuses manually. This technique is a feather-like touch that greatly enhances the Parasympathetic Nervous System and allows for a significant diminishing of the toxic load on the Lymphatic System; the toxic load coming from external and internal factors. Indications and Contraindications are discussed and a treatment for Sinusitis ( a primary condition of dysfunctional sinuses) is demonstrated and implemented.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work

Deep within the core of all living things there is a rhythm, “a subtle tide-like ordering and organizing principle called primary respiration.” (Franklyn Sills) We call this the Breath of Life, the body's inherent life force. This class is designed to introduce the basic skills required in Craniosacral Therapy, such as presence, stillness, attunement, allowing, trusting the body’s innate ability to heal itself, and the exquisite touch at allows the practitioner to listen through their hands. The anatomy and physiology of the craniosacral system will be discussed. Basic techniques will be demonstrated and practiced. We ask that you do not wear any scented products to this class.

Instructor: Cynthia Loving

Cynthia J. Loving is owner of LovingScents, an international instructor in Clinical Aromatherapy and a Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist (NC1397) with a private practice in Greensboro, North Carolina specializing in integrative therapies. She was first introduced to Aromatherapy in the mid 1980's. She graduated into advanced studies with master practitioners from around the globe in 1990, and has been teaching this modality since 1995. Cynthia has and continues to serve as an Aromatherapy instructor and consultant to businesses, hospitals, long term care facilities, a wide range of health care providers, educators, spiritual leaders and lay persons. Cynthia's varied background and studies of Cross-Cultural Healing enhances her ability to work with a wide variety of people and contributes to her teaching style. Prior to becoming a Massage Therapist, she had years of experience in complementary health care, mental health, mental retardation, addictions, business, public speaking, personal growth seminars and governmental lobbying.

Thai Bodywork (called “Nuat Boran” in Thai) is an ancient bodywork practiced in Thailand combining stretches, range of motion, cross-fiber work with treatment of energy meridians. It is a whole-body treatment in supine, side-lying, prone, and sitting positions that increases flexibility and the flow of energy. It is done on a floor mat with the client fully clothed, which allows the practitioner’s whole body to be used in leverage and interactive work. Much of this work can be adapted to a table to enhance other modalities. This workshop (level 1) presents the Thai attitude and approach to bodywork, including the cultural and spiritual foundations which are essential to this modality. Participants learn the techniques for stretching, range of motion and meridian work, as well as meditations and breathing techniques, and a basic sequence for treating the whole body in four positions. The workshop is very experiential with lots of guided practice and help with body mechanics, first on the floor and then on a table. Level 2 workshop builds on this one.

Instructor: Robert Wootton

Robert Wootton, PhD, LMBT, lived in Thailand for six years. He speaks Thai, knows the culture and religion. One of the first Americans to train with Thai masters of Nuat Boran, he has practiced Thai for 25 years and taught workshops for 15. Robert lives and practices near Asheville. (NCBTMB provider 288581-00; NC license 3731)

This course looks at the relationship of the energtic neck to the physical conditions that manifest in it. The course teaches what components make up the Throat Chakra and then how we can apply the manual touch of massage and bodywork to locate the conditions that have manifested and treat them. Conditions we will discuss are Torticollis, Strain/Sprain/ Ligament Tears, Shoulder trauma, Muscle tension and Limited range of movement.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

Sacred Space is a unique 70-hour Teacher Training Program that offers an array of enriching education strategies that will benefit teachers with a desire to promote positive growth and to create an interactive community. If you wish to learn how to create a successful classroom or workshop, this class is for you. Upon completion of this multi-dimensional learning experience, the participant will be able to: •Create and maintain a sacred space •utilize meditation skills for personal and classroom use •Identify and effectively manage the begining, middle and ending relationship in an educational process •Recognize and explore relationships within an interactive community •Understand and implement the concept of personal pwer and prosperity consciousness as a tool for daily living •Explore and unleash their creative potential •Create effective lesson plans and innovative self-awareness activities •Demonstrate dynamic presentation skills •Speak their authentic voice •Identify the seven learning styles and implement personal instruction for each style •Grasp the importance of right communication and extinguish communication chaos •Develop skills for unlocking the inner wisdom of intuition •Embrace their vital essence through spirit and self actualization Classes meet one Friday a month for nine months on the following dates: March 9 April 20 May 11 June 8 July 13 August 10 September 14 October 5 November 9

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Developer, Gary Craig, describes EFT as an emotional, needle free version of acupuncture that is easy to learn and has been reported successful in thousands of cases covering a huge range of emotional health and performance issues. It often works when nothing else will. Objectives • Understand what EFT is and how it works • Understand the barriers to effectiveness • Identify the Basic EFT Recipe • Describe the refinements on the technique • Utilize EFT for aches and pains • Utilize EFT for cravings and habits • Utilize EFT for thoughts and bothersome memories

Instructor: Dr. Lorna Minewiser

Dr. Lorna Minewiser is an Energy Coach. Her Master's degree is in Counseling Psychology and her PhD is in Psychology She was a Licensed Professional Counselor from 1995- 2010, and retired as she prefers to work as an Energy Coach. She is a Certified Energy Health Practitioner and EFT Level III Practitioner/Trainer, a Certified Life Coach, Certified Healing Codes Coach and holds numerous other certifications. She taught Energy Psychology classes in Clinton Township, Michigan and through teleclasses and webcasts. She teaches EFT I, II and III at the Charlotte Area Health Education Center. She has taught high school, college, and teacher continuing education classes She has been happily married more than 45 years and has a daughter, two married sons and 2 terrific grandchildren.

**Participants must attend both days to receive credit. No partial credit will be applied.** Pre-Requisites: Level I: Introduction to EFT Techniques within past 18 months. If applying for EFT Level II certification, see EFT Level II post class certification requirements below.This two day course meets the basic requirements for the classroom portion of the Association for the Advancement of Meridian Techniques Requirements for Level 2 Practitioner Certification. This workshop is for those who have been introduced to EFT and want to integrate it into their practice or to begin an EFT practice. Whether or not you choose to go on to gain the Level 2 Practitioner certificate, this EFT workshop will teach you skills and tools to use with clients. An introduction to practice building, legal and ethical considerations will also be included. There will be live demonstrations, one-to-one exercises and group work. The certification requirements for the Association for the Advancement of Meridian Energy Techniques (AAMET) include satisfactory completion of a post course multiple choice test, three case studies, mentoring AAMET membership and additional fees. Testimonials: "Great training, loved it!" "This was a fantastic series of workshops." "Lorna is able to bring out the best in the participants."

Instructor: Dr. Lorna Minewiser

The Seven Healing Chakras is a journey into the healing aspects of the Chakra System. We will focus on our relationship with security, relationships, personal power, compassion and love, truth-telling and becoming our authentic selves, listening to our intuition and connecting to our spirit. This course is multi-dimensional and experiential so come prepared to connect with your inner being. This course is being offered two times this year.

Instructor: Rene Shuford

Rene Shuford, LMBT is the owner and director of Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy. She is involved in developing workshops and curriculums that will bring quality and high standards to the massage therapy industry. Her first love is teaching with an emphasis on helping other teachers bring quality to the classroom setting. She loves to attend community service functions in her area, travel and garden. Rene' also maintains a private practice where her primary work is LaStone Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Energy work.

This weekend workshop introduces complementary therapy basics for the hospice massage practitioner. The instructor gently explores the dying process from a holistic perspective, one that is not traditionally taught in hospice orientation programs across the country. Learn safe effective protocols using light pressure massage, reflexology, Healing Touch, and aromatherapy. Learn why working with the senses of the body can have such a strong impact on the peacefulness of the mind.

Instructor: Valerie Hartman

Valerie Hartman is a Registered Nurse Nationally Certified in Hospice and Palliative Care. She is dually certified in hospice nursing and bodywork therapy practices. She carries certification in beginner and advanced massage therapy, 110 hours in reflexology, is a student of level 1 and 2 Healing Touch Program. She is currently working toward aromatherapy certification having completed all three levels of the ISHA Clinical Aromatherapy Program - 301, 302, and 303.