Course FAQ & Policies

  • As barefoot massage therapists, it's important to have soft, germ-free & presentable feet! Make those feet clean and your toenails are groomed. in addition, Before each class it is crucial to refresh on your anatomy and be prepared!

    Linen rentals are also available for $20/set.

    For each class you will need:

    FUNDAMENTALS

    • 3 sets of sheets (twin works best)

    • 3 face cradle covers

    • 3 washcloths or hand towels

    • 3 KING pillowcases

    • Rubber slides or flip flops that aren’t are worn outside and can be sanitized

    • Foot sanitizer (spray hand sanitizer works)

    • Pens, highlighters, paper, etc

    • Snacks & Water

    • Massage oil/lotion

    INTERMEDIATE

    • 2 set of linens - top & bottom sheets (twin works best)

    • 2 face cradle covers

    • 2 wash cloths or hand towels

    • 4 KING pillowcases

    • Massage Cream & holster

    • Rubber slides/flip flops that aren’t worn outside and can be sanitized

    • Foot sanitizer (spray hand sanitizer works)

    • Pens, highlighters, paper, etc

    • Snacks & Water

    • Massage oil/lotion

    Range Of Motion

    • 2 set of linens - top & bottom sheets (twin works best)

    • 2 face cradle covers

    • 2 wash cloths or hand towels

    • 1 KING size pillow

    • 4 KING pillowcases (or long scarves)

    • Rubber slides/flip flops that aren’t worn outside and can be sanitized

    • Foot sanitizer (spray hand sanitizer works)

    • Pens, highlighters, paper, etc

    • Snacks & Water

    • Massage oil/lotion

    DETAILS

    • Do not arrive any earlier than 8:45AM please - but don't be late!

    • You are welcome to bring your breakfast and coffee with you, we start each morning off with a group discussion.

    • Free parking in the parking lot, but please do not park right in front of our office. We try to save those spots for clients.

    • Mini-Fridge and microwave onsite - but space is limited in the mini-fridge so keep your portions to a daily size.

    • Your remaining balance is due on the 1st day of class. 

    • What to wear? Something that breathes well, that you can move in, not short shorts that are awkward during the seated parts of the material, and not long pants that drag on the client. Yoga clothes work great.

  • You’ll need to exfoliate and hydrate your feet into tools that are as soft as your hands – and it’s best to do as much as that as you can BEFORE class, so that your student partner can focus on giving you feedback about the strokes, rather than their focus being pulled to noticing rough spots on your heels.

    So, let's focus on softening them! Give your feet some attention every day in the shower with a pumice stone or foot file. Though pedicures are fantastic if you choose to do so, your feet will still need extra love in between.

  • Fundamentals: $750 (3 days, 24 CE’s)

    Fijian: $500 (2 days, 16 CE’s)

    Intermediate: $500 (2 days, 16 CE’s)

    ROM: $500 (2 days, 16 CE’s)

    Advanced: $500 (2 days, 16 CE’s)

    Hot Ashi: $250 (1 day. 8 CE’s)

  • Kind of!

    We can accept payments in smaller increments after your initial 50% deposit/retainer has been paid – as long as the full balance is paid for by the 1st day of class.

    Gift Cards can be issued for tuition! If a friend or family (or amazing client) wants to gift you the gift of barefoot massage training, they can click here **Gift card eligible to be spent on tuition or certification.

    If you know you need a few months to save up, just look forward into the future on our calendar, and choose a training date far enough out for you to make realistic payments that fit your budget.

    Want to pay with Cash, Check or PayPal? Click the link below for more information!

    More details and specific information here

  • Cancellation Policy

    The cancellation policy takes effect once you sign up for a class. By signing up, your 50% retainer or payment in full serves as your commitment to training, your agreement to the Training and Use Agreement, and your acceptance of the Cancellation Policy.

    Because class participation involves receiving strokes from another student and the instructor, you must be healthy and able to receive deep tissue and myofascial bodywork. If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, have had breast, gluteal, or calf implants, or have undergone certain surgeries within the past nine months, are currently undergoing radiation or chemotherapy, or have any condition contraindicated for deep tissue massage, you cannot attend the seminar at this time. You are welcome to attend after you recover and when receiving deep, prone-positioned massage is appropriate for your health.

    Refunds

    • There are no refunds for the 50% retainer/deposit fee.

    • All sales are final for attended classes.

    Continuing Education Credits

    • You must attend the entire course to receive NCBTMB Continuing Education credits (CE’s). Partial credits are not available.

    • Any missed hours must be made up with the instructor at their hourly rate before you receive access to post-class support materials such as videos.

    • All attendees of any Center for Barefoot Massage class will be emailed a PDF diploma showing the number of Continuing Education hours/credits they earned, with the date, location and instructor of the class they attended documented.  This diploma serves as proof of training as well as a CE Transcript, it may be used for your own display, and is useful for submitting to state massage and association boards for renewals.

    • CE’s provided are referred to as a “diploma”, and are in accordance with all accreditation boards that the Center for Barefoot Massage is affiliated with. Your CE’s are not proof of any form of “certification.” You will not become “certified” and cannot use any “certification” terminology in reference to your training at the Center for Barefoot Massage.

    Retainer To Reserve Your Space

    • A non-refundable retainer of at least 50% is required to hold your space in class.

    • If you cancel, all monies paid will be retained by The Center for Barefoot Massage to offset the loss of business to the instructor and the company.

    • Retainers cannot be transferred to other individuals.

    • You must meet all prerequisites for the class at least 15 days before it starts; otherwise, you will be removed from the roster with no refund or roll-over option.

    If We Cancel

    The Center for Barefoot Massage will always give ample notice to any party impacted by any class cancellation and will follow the company cancellation policies.

    • The Center for Barefoot Massage may cancel a class up to 14 days before the start date if there is insufficient interest (standard minimum: 50% capacity for instructors home-base studio, 75% capacity for offsite/travel classes)

    • If we cancel, you may choose either a full refund or a transfer of your retainer to another class within 18 months of original purchase date.

    Deadlines For Students Rescheduling Their Training Dates

    • 30+ days before class: You may reschedule without fees. Your retainer will be applied to another class within 18 months. Funds not used within 18 months will expire.

    • 16–29 days before class: A $75 roll-over fee applies unless you provide proof of an emergency (e.g., COVID-19, illness, injury, pregnancy, family death, or extreme weather). This special emergency consideration will be allowed one time at the discretion of their instructor, and proof must be provided in writing (including any doctors notes to show diagnoses or surgery) prior to the start of class. Reschedule within 18 months or forfeit unused funds.

    • 2–15 days before class: Late cancellations may forfeit 50% of your retainer. Emergencies may allow rescheduling with a $75 roll-over fee, pending approval.

    • 2 days or fewer/no show: All payments are forfeited with no roll-over option.

    Fees

    • The roll-over fee is $75.

    • Refunds for tuition payments beyond the retainer will incur a 10% processing fee.

    Tuition Prices

    • For travel classes (not at the instructor’s home base), tuition will include an additional $100. This will be reflected in your registration.

    Travel Reservations

    Do not purchase non-refundable travel tickets/reservations until the class is confirmed at least 14 days in advance. The Center for Barefoot Massage is not responsible for travel-related cancellation costs.

  • Receiving Fasciashi is a main part of being in class!
    If you are not able to receive the following:

    • Deep tissue

    • Myofascial release

    • Prenatal

    Unfortunately will be contraindicated for receiving Fasciashi in class.

    Ashiatsu barefoot massage could be dangerous for those recovering from the following & we regret that you cannot attend the seminar.:

    • If you are currently pregnant, trying to get pregnant.

    • Have recently had breast/gluteal/calf implants and/or some select surgeries within the last 9 months.

    Details: What Ashiatsu Contraindications are there for attending FasciAshi students

  • No. The Center for Barefoot Massage does not, and will not, teach barefoot massage techniques through webinars, or e-learning online video Ashiatsu training and here is why!

    The difference between Center for Barefoot Massage and other Ashiatsu barefoot trainings.

  • The simple answer, no.

    We must ensure quality, take maintenance considerations into account, and most importantly prevent any misrepresentation of the work itself.

    For more information & details as to the why Click here

  • By attending our training workshops you will be a part of our professional family. As such, we have quality assurance and maintenance considerations to uphold the professional standards of the industry, and to respect the intellectual property of The Center for Barefoot Massage.

    Attendees in our classes do not have permission to teach Center for Barefoot Massage content, techniques, theory, approaches, present any form of barefoot massage with the use of overhead suspended strap(s) or reproduce any materials presented/provided in our courses. It is essential that the purity of this work and the high-quality teaching standards established for this curriculum be upheld and honored for the continued respect of this lineage, as well as for the growth and support of our loyal FasciAshi practitioners.

    By taking this training, you agree to the following:

    That you are currently a Licensed Massage Therapist legally eligible to provide paid, professional therapeutic massage therapy services to the public in accordance with the laws in your state.Your massage license number and status will be verified by our staff. If your state is not regulated, then a transcript showing completion of a 500-hour entry-level massage therapy training program, (this 500-hour requirement began in 2025 for students living/working in unregulated states – our prior requirement of 200-hour stands for any courses attended in 2024 or earlier) as well as proof of professional liability insurance will be required. Failure to meet prerequisites within the 15-day cancellation period results in a forfeit of tuition retainer.

    You will not become “certified” and cannot use any “certification” terminology in reference to your training at the Center for Barefoot Massage. All attendees of any Center for Barefoot Massage class will be emailed a PDF diploma showing the number of Continuing Education hours/credits they earned, with the date, location and instructor of the class they attended documented.  This diploma serves as proof of training as well as a CE Transcript, it may be used for your own display, and is useful for submitting to state massage and association boards for renewals.

    You recognize and commit to stay within your Scope of Practice regarding how you implement Barefoot Massage into your work, as well as to respect and stay within your Scope of Training. The information we present and empower you to use in practice pertains to the level of FasciAshi training that you have attended. Diplomas awarded after each successful completion of any FasciAshi class you attend document and support your incremental expansion of training available to use within this scope.

    This training does not qualify or certify you to teach myofascial ashiatsu barefoot massage, or any style of barefoot massage within any environment where you demonstrate to or train others in any capacity how to utilize these protocols, sequences, techniques, trade secrets, equipment use/design, or methods, including the suspended support strap used during a barefoot massage session. Attending our workshops or acquiring our materials does not qualify you, or give permission to teach or present FasciAshi or any style of barefoot massage/bodywork, and thus you will not imply that you are such, or any similar designation, in any format unless you have successfully passed our instructor training program that leads to status as a FasciAshi Instructor and has written consent from the creative forces behind The Center for Barefoot Massage, LLC.

    You will not photocopy, publish, reprint, share or broadcast any materials or content from the training, in part or in whole, without the expressed written consent of its copyright holder, The Center for Barefoot Massage, LLC. Audio and video recording, as well as photographs of the class materials or techniques, are not permitted in any workshop.Youwill not use the protocols and techniques within this training in any form of media without the expressed written consent of The Center for Barefoot Massage, LLC.

    If this agreement and our trust is broken, the following consequences may include, (but are not limited to) a Cease & Desist order, Ethics violation reports to affiliated professional boards/associations, financial damage claims, removal of access to any Center for Barefoot Massage support or future training, removal of Sole Provider directory listing, and our endorsement of your work will end.

    Click below for the
    Liability waiver & Model waiver

 

 Barefoot FAQ

  • “A trained Barefoot Massage Therapist can use different aspects of their feet to recreate similar sensations that a “Hands-on” massage would deliver. Heels, arches, toes, calves, shins, and knees are employed in various Barefoot Massage techniques, just as fists, palms, fingers, forearms, and elbows are in your average massage from someone’s hands. Similar goals are achieved from each element, but the larger surface area of these tools allows for a diffused, yet distinct pressure that can be less triggering to a person’s pain tolerance.” There are some specific measurements and safety guidelines that go along with using the bars that we will discuss together. For liability reasons we will not provide this information before class. - Jeni Spring, Owner of Heeling Sole Barefoot Massage Therapy

  • “Many insurance companies have additional waivers and education requirements to offer services such as Hot Stone therapy, Prenatal Massage, and even Cupping. While no mainstream massage insurance company is currently requiring extra waivers or testing through their own means for Barefoot Massage coverage, it is still something that you’ll want industry-approved training in before providing to the public. (Because after all, that insurance and your license are in place to protect the public as much as yourself!)

    To our knowledge, every professional massage liability insurance company currently on the market covers Barefoot Massage techniques that stay within the scope of practice for LMT’s. We recommend that you call to verify with your specific insurance company if they cover ashiatsu, fijian and other barefoot massage styles in general. Our team of instructors have a variety of different coverages, ranging from ABMP to AMTA, MMIP and others – we have each been covered on our professional liability insurance after our initial training with no hassle.” - Jeni Spring, Owner of Heeling Sole Barefoot Massage Therapy

  • “There are some specific measurements and safety guidelines that go along with using the bars that we will discuss together. For liability reasons we will not provide this information before class.

    Many massage therapists have had to completely re-build their bars after taking our courses because their original designs were either not conducive to proper body mechanics, or were unsafe. Save yourself time, money and stress… just wait! Your Center for Barefoot Massage Instructor will show you examples, help you with designs, and provide you with blueprints when you meet in class. Even if you are not construction minded, the materials we provide you are perfect to hand over to your landlord, handy-person and build-out team: we’ve streamlined the process so you can easily build your bars in a day!” - Jeni Spring, Owner of Heeling Sole Barefoot Massage Therapy

  • “Our classrooms are stocked with 32″ & 35″ Earthlite Spirits, and many of our instructors have one of the two versions of Earthlite Ellora’s in their treatment rooms – so you can try the tables out during your myofascial ashiatsu training.

    There are also other tables that work great to stand on… if your table checks these boxes, then it’s more than likely good for Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage:

    32″ wide OR WIDER

    Double decking (2 or more layers of plywood under all the padding)

    Wide-set frame around the perimeter of the table, and support beams that cross the width or length for better weight distribution

    Sturdy, Strong single hinge @ center of table if portable (No extra moving parts, like a tilt)

    2 knobs on each wooded leg if a portable table (Aluminum/metal portable tables are not safe)

    Scissor lift if electric/hydraulic table (not center stand: these will tilt.)

    500+ pound working weight capacity (different than static weight capacity)

    What won’t work?

    Convertible Lift tables that are a hybrid of an electric lift frame with a flat-folded Portable table on top ARE NOT SAFE and standing on them is not recommended by those manufacturers.

    Electric/Hydraulic tables with a pedestal lift: look for a scissor lift that is balanced in the center to prevent tipping and motor performance issues.

    Tables with a tilt: the more moving parts the weaker the table is to stand on

    Aluminum/Metal legged portable tables: these may not sustain our diagonal vectors of pressure.

    Lightweight portable tables with a hammock or mesh (non-wood) decking/platform: your foot will sink through the padding!

    Skinny (less than 30″ wide tables) due to tip hazard and less area to safely stand”

    - Jeni Spring, Owner of Heeling Sole Barefoot Massage Therapy

  • “One thing that needs to weigh heavily on your mind: do you have the client base that even needs Ashiatsu? This deeper than deep tissue massage technique is meant to be performed on clients who are 50-100 pounds heavier than you. If you are massaging people who weigh less than you, then you’ll be working too hard against gravity – sometimes even working on someone who is comparable in size/weight to you can be more difficult to massage with your feet if they cannot tolerate deep pressure. I highly recommend that you save your FasciAshi massages for the larger framed, dense tissued clients who are difficult to work on with your hands. If you don’t have the right client base for this technique, you may want to re-evaluate why you want to learn this style of myofascial ashiatsu, as it’s not meant for every client, it’s not meant for every massage therapist, and if this work is utilized incorrectly, or for evil not for good so to speak, then you can cause repetitive strain issues within yourself, and easily injury your client. Being that our experienced instructors and their team of barefoot massage therapists provide barefoot massage ALL THE TIME, all day every day, we have experienced first hand (or… first foot?!) what it feels like in our bodies to do 20 ashiatsu sessions within a week on small bodies, and what it feels like to do the same amount of sessions on larger bodies. Barefoot massage techniques offer a big tool you’ll be using to massage with, so it has to be used on the right job.” - Jeni Spring, Owner of Heeling Sole Barefoot Massage Therapy

 

Have additional questions?

Have any questions about our trainings? Send me an email. I’m happy to answer anything!