Fijian Matwork Barefoot Massage
A versatile and very portable barefoot technique that can be used as-is, adapted to table work, assimilated into existing matwork sessions, and taken outdoors to events easily.
This Fijian Barefoot Massage/Matwork 1 class can be a starting point as your 1st barefoot massage class, as a supplement to any existing matwork you already provide, or it can be used to grow your existing barefoot vocabulary and master more skills applied by your feet. Originally taught within the massage industry starting in the 1990’s, adapted and brought to the United States from the Fijian Islands by Lolita Knight, this lineage of matwork based barefoot massage is traditionally performed on a floor mat using body cushions, with the client clothed – but can easily be done directly on the clients skin with zero to minimal lubrication.
Great as a stand-alone service, works wonderfully within any Thai, Shiatsu, Breema or Matwork session, and can even be implemented within a table-top barefoot massage like the Myofascial Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage techniques we teach in our FasciAshi classes.
This massage is super portable, as it is easy to use at events, house-calls, impromptu at family gatherings, or even out in nature with minimal equipment. Often times the therapist will find themselves seated in a chair or the floor while providing strokes. For standing strokes, the use of overhead bars is not required – although the FasciAshi Strap really helps! We may stabilize our balance with the FasciAshi-Strap, a chair, or any other balancing tools such as a bamboo staff, rather than overhead bars.
The work incorporates specific, deep pressure followed by a vigorous jostle movement to the larger muscle groups. Fijian Massage works with intensity by using our strong toes and bony aspects of our feet to create simple, rhythmic stroke repetitions. The versatility of the 8 moves that make up this technique allows for a wide range of possible ways to use it in your practice however “kneaded”!
No prerequisite needed - other than you MUST be a licensed massage therapist.
Class Price
Tuition: $500
You can choose to pay in full upfront, or make two payments. A non-refundable retainer of 50% tuition is required to hold your spot in class - the remaining balance will be due before class starts.
Class is 2 days, and you’ll earn 16 Continuing Education credits. (NCBTMB and some select states)
*If the instructor is traveling to a location to teach this class, rather than teaching at their home base, then the tuition rate will be $600
Please plan your schedule to allow time to be present and punctual for the entire training experience. Partial attendance is not permitted. Any hours missed in class must be made up with the instructor, and will be charged at their hourly rate. No CE’s or access to Alumni resources are granted until the class is completed in full.
Reserve your Seat to massage with your Feet
When and where is class? (Click the button below, then you'll be able to see everytime class is currently scheduled across the nation!)
Make sure you use a laptop or desktop computer to register for classes, and do not use the Mindody App if the pop up screen asks you to, because the MindBodyOnline system and their app will not allow mobilie devices to select certain options (such as payment plans or waitlists.) You must register through the browser on a desktop-site view of the page to be offered these options.
Therapists will learn:
- The general set up for a floor-based massage, using a variety of equipment options such as thai or shiatsu mats, floor cushions, body bolstering systems, shiatsu-release cable massage tables, and more.
- To apply a deep tissue barefoot massage technique using jostling, compression, neuromuscular therapy, cross fiber friction, and shearing sustained pressure
- To identify endangerment sites and structures that are unsafe to massage with the feet
- To comprehend contraindications and indications for use of feet for compression-based massage
- A 30 minute prone compression-based protocol
- A 30 minute supine compression-based protocol
- A 30 minute side lying compression-based protocol
- How the theory behind specific techniques used during a Fijian Barefoot Massage impacts their clients experience.
- Pro-Tip To Prepare: Here’s a way to check and see if your feet are soft enough to do barefoot massage, with Mary-Claire Fredette
Therapists will practice on and receive feedback from:
- 3 other therapists in class
- 1 student clinic client
- In class, you will:
- Give 4.5 hours of massage during this class
- Receive 4.5 hours of massage from other students
- Spend a total of 6 hours observing the instructor and other LMT’s demonstrate the strokes
Attendees are provided with:
- Course Workbook
- Access to the free Alumni Membership website
What's next?
Retake this course for $125 / day!
Change is hard, learning is a hard process. Maybe you weren’t able to get a lot of practice soon after class, and you are forgetting the details… maybe assimilating all the new information and putting it into practice was harder than expected. For best retention of the concepts, theories, strokes and adventures we experience in class, you are always welcome back to review everything all over again. No CE’s or course materials are provided, but we’ll partner you up with either a client or another therapist who is also reviewing the class, and you’ll get to give and receive Fijian all day long while being guided, and tweaked, by the instructor. (Get a three hour massage for $125?! Not bad!)
You may attend 1 or 2 days of this class for $125 each day.
Email your instructor to see if any space is available for you to take this class refresher course
Once you’ve completed this Fijian Barefoot Massage training, there is ~currently~ no adjoining next level training. You’ll need to start with the FasciAshi Fundamentals course, and begin the pathway to learn myofascial ashiatsu there.