Learning at Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute occurs on many levels. The essential methods we teach of movement, massage, breath and deep relaxation have their roots in ancient traditions of healing and modern science. Students are empowered to live the maxim "Physician, heal thyself" as a foundation for their daily lives and practice. 

We begin with opening and awakening the body/mind. We utilize a variety of whole-brain learning methods: movement, touch, color and sound. Students develop a felt sense of the body accessed through the five senses, emotions and intuition. The body is a dynamic, multi-dimensional whole made up of systems, interpenetrating energy fields and currents. Each class is a unique learning community, including one to three state certified instructors, several classroom assistants, fellow students, graduate student coaches, and clinical practice with the general public. A blend of intimacy and trust is established between students and instructors as they exchange agreements, intentions, feelings, massage, energy balance and compassionate presence.

The practice of holistic massage is a practice in energy cultivation, self-awareness, skillful movement, focused intention and compassionate connection. Approached as such, students often report that the giving of massage becomes as profoundly healing as the receiving. The ongoing practice of massage offers a vehicle of integration between mind and body, self and other, livelihood and service to life.