Traditional massage techniques often fall short in providing a truly therapeutic and healing experience. Clients either find themselves gritting their teeth when the therapist digs in with a sharp elbow
or asking-but not getting-deep enough pressure.
They're often left wanting more, feeling that there must be a better way to receive a massage that combines both relaxation and deep therapeutic bodywork.
Introducing Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage - a revolutionary approach to massage that offers a better way to give and receive a massage.
Listen to what my clients are saying:
"One of the best deep massages you can get anywhere. Other “deep” massages just can’t get deep enough for some of the knots that build up in my back but Mary-Claire can. Well worth the trip." - Anthony B
Experience the power of Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage for yourself. Book a session today and discover a massage experience that is second to none.
Barefoot massage vs Hands-on : why is it worth trying?
What are the benefits of barefoot massage?
1. Deep pressure: The use of feet allows therapists to apply deeper, broader pressure compared to traditional hand techniques. Hate pokey fingers and elbows but love deep tissue? Then it's for you!
This can be particularly effective for:
- Relieving chronic muscle tension
- Addressing knots in larger muscle groups like the back, glutes, and thighs
I can give about 4x the amount of pressure with one foot than I can with a thumb. More importantly, because the surface of the foot is broad, ashiatsu barefoot massage actually feels good.
2. Even distribution of pressure: The broader surface area of the foot can distribute pressure more evenly, potentially reducing discomfort while still providing an intense massage. So it's deep but comfy.
3. Increased circulation: The deep, broad strokes can help improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
4. Stress relief: Like other forms of massage, it can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Clients who wear their Oura rings during massage notice "restful sleep" during their barefoot massage sessions.
5. Spinal decompression: The long, gliding strokes along the spine may help create space between vertebrae, potentially alleviating some types of back pain.
I'm not allowed to "crack" you on purpose. But sometimes it happens spontaneously.
6. Increased range of motion: The deep work on muscles and fascia can help improve flexibility and range of motion.
7. Efficiency: I can cover larger areas more quickly, potentially leading to a more thorough full-body massage in less time.
8. Less strain on the me, the therapist: By using their body weight and gravity, I experience less hand and wrist strain compared to traditional massage techniques. This means I can massage for years and years, day after day and not tire out like a traditional hands-on therapist might.
9. Unique sensation: Some clients enjoy the novel feeling of foot pressure, finding it soothing or invigorating in ways that differ from hand-based massage.
The barefoot massage strokes are long, slow, and can be as deep as you need.
10. Customizable pressure: as a skilled barefoot massage practitioner and instructor of the modality, I can easily adjust the pressure by shifting my body weight on or off you as needed. This allows for a highly personalized experience.
Nope. It's contraindicated for certain medical situations like osteoporosis, active cancer treatment, recent surgeries and more. That's why I send out an intake form prior to massage. Filling it out TRUTHFULLY allows me to modify the massage as needed or refrer you to another talented massage therapist in Cincinnati.
I'm always happy to answer questions about baretoot massage!
Mary-Claire Fredette, specializing in barefoot massage since 2002, is the top rated barefoot massage therapist in Cincinnati
Effective, comfortable deep tissue barefoot massage
Are you looking for deep tissue massage that is actually comfortable? You're in the right place!
Barefoot massage feels better for several reasons:
The surface of the foot is a lot rounder and broader than pointy thumbs & elbows, so it's much more comfortable. I don't know about you, but I HATE elbows in my quads and glutes. A foot? Yes, please.
Gravity allows me to almost quadruple my pressure from using my thumb, and it's more than double what I can get with that wretched elbow. So if you're that person who says, "You can work deeper if you want!" then you're in the right place.
The broad surface of the foot engulfs large muscle groups, which makes tension in muscles such as the quads, hamstrings, hips and back dissipate much more quickly. Does it feel amazing? Heck, yeah.
As a result, I use my hands only while incorporate cupping into a session, or work on your face.
Wondering if it's scary? Check out thetestimonialsfrom my clients.
Giving deep tissue massage doesn't even have to be hard...even on the really big guys!
We give massage therapists the tools to become fanatical ashiatsu barefoot massage practitioners, curious anatomy nerds, and confident barefoot massage specialists within niche markets of sports massage, medical massage, and pain-science based relaxation massage therapy.
Our barefoot massage training classes with certification is for anatomy based massage therapists who want to learn to massage with their feet like they do their hands.
Massage therapists-want to learn to quadruple your pressure? Check out the video I madeto show you the difference between thumb, forearm and foot pressure.
Why I love barefoot massage...
I've been teaching barefoot massage since 2004, because I know firsthand the pain that develops when you do deep tissue hands-on massage. After a couple of years of working in a day spa, I had developed tendonitis in my right elbow and pain in my left pisiform with every massage.
Learning barefoot massage saved my career. In fact, shortly after I discoved ashiatsu, I became pregnant and gave up hands-on massage. Barefoot massage enabled me to continue working while I was pregnant with twins (with permission from my midwives)! Read more about me <here>.
Work intuitively with your feet!
It's my goal as co-founder of Center for Barefoot Massage to make sure I teach you everything I can in your classes to make sure that you're not one of the statistics when it comes to short massage careers.
I'm patient and am willing to answer any questions you may have in class. Our goal is to make sure NOT that you've memorized a routine, but that you know how to intuitively work with your feet on your clients.
It's great for people who need consistent deep tissue massage on their backs, legs, arms, pecs, neck.
This is me working at the World Massage Festival in Berea, KY. about 100 years ago.
Mostly you'll see my feet and legs, unless you make it all the way to the end (@ 5:49!) despite it being
so relaxing that you may doze off. 😉
Funny story: once I had a student in class who said she'd seen this massage at the World Massage Festival.
"Yes, that was me," I replied.
"No, it was at theWORLD Massage Festival," she emphatically responded.
"Right. That was me. I was the one working."
"No, she was really good! They video recorded her!"
"Do you mean the video where the therapist wears leggings with feet on them and works on a lady with Sponge Bob shorts? That was me."
"Oh. Are you sure? She was really good!"
Yes, that was me.
Imagine how good it feels...
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Barefoot massage training classes
For anatomy based massage therapists who want to learn
to use their feet like they do their hands.
Your existing clients will be amazed at the depth of compression you can give to the back, legs and hips. Your new clients will keep coming back for more.
This is just the beginning of reduced therapist fatigue and increased profits! Click HERE for class info!
"I have transitioned almost all of my clients to barefoot massage. Thank you!"
The Center for Barefoot Massage is super stoked about our membership site created for our students.
Therapists get invited to the site as soon as they register for any of our barefoot massage classes. From the get-go, you'll meet the founders with videos on how to prepare for class, what to bring, etc. Inside the site you'll find videos for all levels of classes, downloadable forms, memes and so much more.
Co-founders, Jeni, Paul, and I have spent 100s of hours on this site so that we make sure that once you learn barefoot massage in our class, you continue with your education and retention for years to come.
Palpate, discover, and work trigger points with your feet!
3 days ⎸24 CEU's ⎸ $750
In our FUNdamentals, class, we'll teach you how to use your feet like you do your hands, to palpate, discover, and work trigger points. You'll work lighter to deeper using a variety of styles of barefoot movements. For maximum performance, you'll learn the techniques on fellow students, have a series of clients come in for you to work on, and you'll receive feedback from the instructor by working on her.
A variety of bodies allows for better learning
Special attention to techniques applied on the posterior and anterior aspects of your client's body will allow you to use gravity to effortlessly maintain consistent pressure. Comprehensive "feet-on" practice time will allow you to explore strokes on a number of different bodies in class--the other students, instructors, and several Class Clients that we'll bring in for you to work on.
This work has been developed with a combined 29 years of barefoot massage experience on our own clients.
We'll show you how to install bars above your massage table for balance, how to incorporate this new style of deep tissue work into your own client base and offer a variety of tips and tricks. All therapists in class receive complimentary membership to our Graduate Membership Site at ❀ The Center for Barefoot Massage, where you'll discover tips, tricks of improving performance, videos of strokes and more.
It's time to get more intricate: access more muscles in both supine and side-body positions!
In our Intermediate class, you'll have 2 days to work on each other and in a student clinic. Pre requisite: Fundamentals or equivalent.
You'll learn how to do exquisite supine neck work as well as work larger muscle groups like the quads. We'll even delve into the adductors (so much less invasive than with your hands!) and the psoas.
Side body work completes the course when we show you how to access muscles not easily able to be reached when the client is face up or down. 2 days ⎸16 CE ⎸$500
Deeper, more intricate, and the basis for deep tissue barefoot clinical massage...
2 days ⎸16 CEU's ⎸ $500
In our 2 day Advanced barefoot massage course, you'll learn to use your entire body weight to really dig in deep into the meaning of "deep tissue barefoot massage". This class requires therapists to have upper body strength and co-ordination.
You'll learn not only how to use both feet and your full body weight on clients who are at least 50 lbs heavier than yourself, but we'll show you more intricate body positionings and detailed work. When you learn advanced barefoot FasciAshi, you'll really take your skills into a more therapeutic and deeper-than-deep massage.
Prerequisites: Certified Fundamentals or equivalent + Intermediate (Supine and Sidebody)
Creating MOVEMENT is the concept behind stretch therapy.
2 days,16 CE's, $500
Increasing our Range of Motion (ROM) becomes more important the older we get, or our joints lose flexibility, making us more prone to injury.
In this class, you'll discover how to stretch their clients as well as increase ROM by using stretches and Passive Resistance. We throw in a little Pin and Stretch for fun too, so you'll learn a variety of ways to increase your client's flexibilty, thereby improving their performance.
You'll learn a full body stretching with Thai type movements. We'll show you how to drape during class, just like you will in your private deep tissue massage sessions, and you can easily add a new service to your menu.
Use heated flax pillows to deepen the effectiveness of your barefoot massage
Pre-requisite: certification in Fundamentals (you can get certified if you've taken Converge too.)
In this one of a kind 1 day Track Class, you'll learn the benefits of using heat in conjunction with barefoot massage as well as the abundant contraindications.
Heat amplifies your work, making it super relaxing, comfortable and effective. I like to think of it as marinating the muscles before I work them.
While we teach the work through clothing, you can use these Mother Earth pillows with pillowcases directly on skin or through the sheet. This can easily be a stand alone session or be incorportated into your barefoot massage treatment as you see fit.
You'll love it!
1 day, 8 CEs, $224 (pillows not included)
Fijian barefoot massage on the floor
Barefoot massage on the go-no need for overhead bars
Fijian barefoot massage is performed on a mat on the floor through clothing. It's perfect for
sporting events
health fairs
farmer's markets
house calls
for clients who want to experience barefoot massage but don't want to take off their clothes
While this is a perfect introductory course to the world of barefoot massage, don't think that if you're an experienced therapist you won't learn new moves! I incorporate a lot of these moves into my barefoot massage sessions on a regular basis.
The therapists will work on each other and in a student clinic, learning:
anterior
posterior
side body positioning
2 days, 16 CEs, $500
"I have really benefited from everything that I have learned from you and
it has certainly helped in making my practice so successful! Thank you so much!
Deep tissue barefoot massage classes should really be live, in a classroom setting. Those who believe they can learn to use gravity to do deep tissue massage, chew on this: your liability insurance will likely NOT cover you if you've not taken an approved course. What happens if someone gets hurt during a session?
The great thing about our barefoot massage CEU classes is that you hear the instructor talk about the strokes over and over again. You feel each stroke from her. You WORK on her during class, receiving valuable feedback about your strokes: Are they safe? Are they smooth? Are they comfortable? Can they better?
And to top it all off, we have seasoned male guest clients (not like steak seasoning, silly, like "well-trained") who will give you feedback about each one of your ashiatsu barefoot strokes. It's often the favorite part of barefoot massage class for the therapists.
Affinity Massage Studio is located at 7813 Affinity Place, Cincinnati, OH 45231
If you want to learn amazing deep tissue barefoot massage, I teach barefoot massage and Bamboo-fusion at my training facility in Cincinnati and also train instructors nationwide in our barefoot massage class.
Many students have been using AirBNB for inexpensive and interesting lodging. We also have Uber and Lyft.
Your clients will love it because Ashiatsu barefoot massage feels great, and it's a comfortable deep tissue massage (unlike using your thumbs and elbows. Ouch.) The foot is a perfect tool for the larger muscle groups such as the hips, hamstrings, quads and traps.
By adding barefoot massage to your repertoire, you instantly increase the clientele you serve. Big guys, women and athletes who may have in the past look at you and think, "You could never give me enough pressure" will be amazed at what even the smallest of therapists can do for them utilizing this modality.
Are you a bigger therapist? You can still learn this style of barefoot massage. It's all about grace and shifting your body weight.
Check out our blog. We share tips on barefoot massage, massage business, updates on the Center for Barefoot Massage membership site and more.
You'll find video links for our Tuesday Toesday tips and updates to our YouTube channel.
"I loved how Mary-Claire instructed on an individual level when we did something incorrectly.
She truly wanted us to learn.
Mary-Claire was very gracious and I loved her theatrics."
-Susan, OH
Learn barefoot massage in our massage CE classes. Deep tissue ashiatsu barefoot massage training.
