Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions that students often ask. If you did not find the question or the answer you were looking for, please do not hesitate contact us.

Who can take DeepFeet courses?

  • Licensed Massage Therapists
  • Massage students with 75% completion of schooling.
  • Licensed Chiropractors, Physical Therapists & Acupuncturists

What is the certification process?

You will be required to complete an online quiz and perform a minimum of 20 documented practice sessions on fellow friends, family members or colleagues. This process will ensure safety for both therapists and clients. In addition clients are asked to fill an evaluation form to provide constructive feedback which will help sharpen and fine tune your newly developed barefoot skills.

Should I take a Live or E learning Course?

Whether you should take a live course or eLearning program when furthering your Massage Continuing Education depends on the type of learner you are and the flexibility in your schedule.

Live classes involve detailed instruction in a shorter amount of time, where students learn in a classroom style setting while E-Learning programs allow students to study at their own pace from the comfort of their own homes in a solo setting. Live classes are a hands-on experience while E-Learning allows the student much more time to absorb the information being taught.

Both options can typically provide one-on-one student/teacher time. In a live class you practice techniques as well as receive, so you can get a feel for the modality while you learn.

What’s special about our E Learning is in our Deluxe Course students will get an opportunity to receive feedback from a certified instructor by submitting a video for review. In our Certification Pro Course students get participate in our Bar Exam where they work one on one with a instructor virtually or live to complete the certification process.

The great thing about having live and eLearning options is that they can cater to different types of learners. So how do you determine which is best for you?

Asking yourself the following questions can help point you in the right direction when choosing the best learning options for you.

Do you prefer a hands-on, group setting when learning? Do you retain new information within an immersive experience? Does instant feedback help you learn a new technique? Do you find it easier to learn through receiving as much as giving massage? If you answered yes to these questions, chances are a live course will be a good option to choose.

Are you self-motivated when it comes to study practices? Do you prefer to work at your own pace and prefer taking your time when absorbing new information? Does your work or family life make it difficult to take time off to attend a live class? If you answered yes to these questions, chances are an eLearning CE course would be a good option to choose.

Whether you choose to learn from a live or  E-Learning course, you can be sure both have been designed to suit your individual needs and will grow your abilities at a rate that you are  comfortable with. Our primary goal is to prepare and empower our graduates to reach their fullest potential and enhance their careers by learning synergistic barefoot massage techniques and becoming successful Ashiatsu DeepFeet Practitioners.

Is there a weight limit to practice Ashiastu?

This is a very common question we get and unfortunately there isn’t a definitive answer because it’s all relative to your weight and the body type and weight of your client.

For example:  If you weigh 250 pounds and work primarily on clients that are 190-250 lbs than Ashiastu would most likely be a good fit for you.

However, if you weigh 250 lbs and your clientele is primarily under 190 lbs than you may be working “harder” verses “smarter” to hold your weight off. Ashiatsu is all about using gravity not defying it. If a client weighs more than you or 0-50 pounds less than you, than you are most likely going to be working in  a zone that is safe and productive.

Our beginning course Barefoot Basics was designed for all therapists in mind. While standing you will have one foot on the table while the other foot is applying pressure. Your pressure comes from using gravity and your bodyweight and can be adjusted for each client to suit their needs. However, we do ask that you are flexible and fit enough to stand up and down without assistance from a 24-inch stool or table. You should also be able to sit comfortably on a stool with your knees close together in a canon ball position and feel perfectly balanced. Having strength in your core along with balance and coordination skills are very helpful in learning this technique.

What are the physical expectations to take an Ashiatsu course?

We ask that you are healthy and free of any contraindications that would prevent you from receiving Ashiatsu in class.

Conditions include:

  • Pregnancy or trying to conceive
  • Uncontrolled High blood pressure
  • Recent injuries or surgeries
  • Contagious skin disorders
  • Compromised immune system
  • Acute liver or kidney disorders
  • Certain medications
  • Acute auto immune disorders
  • Recent surgical implants
  • Advanced Diabetes

 

The art of learning effleurage fluidly with the feet can be physically and mentally challenging. A successful learning environment depends on team participation.

If you have any physical ailment or debility that may interfere with you or your classmates’ learning process, please contact us in advance. Our #1 priority is safety for all students and guest clients participating in our workshops. A private one on one class may available if you require extra time or attention. Each student will give and receive two or more hours of Ashiatsu on the first two days of class. Although Ashiatsu is incredibly relaxing, it is also a deep compressive form of massage that is not appropriate for all conditions.

What are some benefits of learning Ashiatsu?

The feeling of being “paid to stretch while having fun” is a common sensation felt by most graduates. The dynamics of delivering the various strokes and arrangements of Deepfeet movements work synergistically with the therapist.

We have successfully helped thousands of therapists by saving their hands, back and wrists from repetitive stress injuries. Working with gravity instead of against it, Ashiatsu therapists enjoy the ease of simply focusing their weight into the area they’re working on. Performing Ashiatsu will noticeably extend the life of your career, benefit your clients and help strengthen and tone your legs, core and upper arms.

Can you really feel muscle tension with your feet?

Yes. It takes time, just like it did when you learned to massage with your hands. With practice and patience your feet will “wake up” and actually feel and palpate muscle tissue just like your hands. We call it “sole sensitivity”.

What if I am unable to travel to a live course?

We offer comprehensive Ashiastu online courses that are set to launch this fall. They will allow you to study our program from the comfort of your home. You can even have a virtual instructor Skype with you for added support and guidance.

Are the bars hard to install?

During your workshop we devote a section of time to go over how to install bars. We cover everything from commercial drop-in ceilings to an easy residential ceiling. We also cover unique situations such as vaulted ceilings or low ceilings and have comprehensive notes on materials. We also include in depth photo samples in your student manual with schematics and specific designs for challenging situations. If you are unable to install permanent bars we recommend purchasing our portable Ashiatsu bar system or simply take our bar free course that will allow you options that do not require bar installation.

How much does it cost to install the bars?

If you have a standard 8 to 9 foot ceiling with wood studs it can be as low as $120 and a very easy set up. From our years of experience, we have created custom hardware that works perfect for your needs. To install bars into a commercial drop/false ceiling, it is slight more expensive and the cost varies depending on what kind of an installation you decide to go with. A rough estimate would be $250 to $400. This is considered a small investment compared to the return you will get in high income from offering a one of a kind, specialized treatment in your area.

How many students are in each class?

We pride ourselves on small intimate classes and give our students plenty of one on one attention. Our ratio is eight students to one Certified DeepFeet Instructor.

How can I prepare physically before class?

Walking barefoot is great for waking up your sensory receptors located on the bottom of your feet. There are a number of ways to physically prepare for class. Any class where you work out barefoot is ideal. Our recommendations include Barre classes, Yoga, Pilates and the Nia technique. All are great forms of barefoot exercises that will help tone, strengthen and bring awareness to both your body and your feet. Click here for more info on recommended techniques:

Barre3.com, barremethod.com, Nianow.com

Click here for a great article about feet and sensitivity: https://nianow.com/story/2012/04/awareness-of-feet-sensing-the-hands-that-touch-the-earth

What is your refund policy?

To reserve a spot in one of our Barefoot Basics Workshop we require a non-refundable deposit of 325. Payments can be paid online through our registration system. We reserve the right to cancel class up to two weeks prior to the event if there are less than four students registered. This is highly unlikely to happen, in the event that it does we try and give students as much fair warning as possible. At such time, students can choose a 100% refund, or roll their deposit over to a future training with no penalties.

Your $325 deposit is non refundable should you cancel out of your selected workshop and the scheduled workshop takes place. A tuition roll over to a future workshop is allowed in the event of a healthcare emergency, pregnancy or injury. Two weeks notice is required and the fee to roll over the tuition is $75. When buying airfare, we suggest using Southwest airlines when ever possible, as they do no have a penalty for changing reservations.

After your deposit is received you will receive confirmation that you are registered in the class. The remaining balance is due to your instructor two weeks before class

Do I need to carry and special insurance?

Ashiatsu is covered under most professional massage policies. Most while some insurance companies require you to be certified in Ashiatsu others do not. You will want to check and make sure that your current carrier requires and covers for practicing Ashiatsu We are covered by and recommend ABMP, AMTA and Massage Magazine for professional liability coverage.