Does anyone teach couple's massage?

[What ever...]

does anyone here teach a couple's massage class? i have several questions to ask and would love to talk to someone who teaches a class like this.

i've been wanting to teach couples massage for a very long time. well, i need to make a point to get this started. i am wanting to teach private or semi-private classes (either 1 couple classes or 2 couples). i'd like to offer it from both a therapeutic standpoint but also teaching it as a great way to connect/reconnect with your spouse.

i let something hold me back from starting this. not sure what really. i have never done anything like this before but i really, really want to. i've got MANY couple's interested in taking a class like this. i need some tips and some motivation!!! who can help me? (ps. i also want to start infant massage classes but something is holding me back on doing that as well.

 

[Joelsmom85]

I have only worked with one couple, and it was fairly informally done. I taught from the therapeutic standpoint, and helped them know how to work to relieve each other's specific issues. He had low back pain and she had upper back pain. It was a lot of fun, and they took notes and really worked at it. I, too, would be interested in doing some more of this type of teaching. One thing I did focus on was posture, as they wanted to alleviate some pain and posture was a major contributor to both problems. Showing them which muscles were shortened and how to stretch them (for each other and for themselves) was something else they really appreciated. I did show them some swedish strokes, for relaxation and not just pain relief.

 

[haag_jeffrey]

does anyone teach couples massage classs?

Hello, I teach couples and infant massage class. I work in a woman's center within a hospital so the classes are every 4 months. What did you wish to know?
The hospital charges $25.00 per couple and I teach approx. 15 to 20 couples in an auditorium setting. The class is two hours in length. I have them bring two pillows and I have floding chairs available as they straddle or sit sideways on the chair while their partener watches /demos the techniques on them. Then they switch ups for downs and we repeat the sequence. It's just basics and I stress kindness and positive affermations to the parteners while receiving massage from their mate. It's always surprising to me how good/bad they communicate with each other. What question do you have?

 

[bumblebee2k9]

I've done this a couple of times. It was fun, but not really something I want to put on my service menu. Both times it was special request. I charged $100 for a two hour session. Made them fill out client intakes, as everyone does. Taught them one at a time how to do a half hour back & neck massage plus a couple of leg stretches, so the whole back of body felt "worked". I just made up a simplified protocol of my particular 'most-used' style. I gave them the bottle of lotion/oil gel mix I used for the class. It wasn't hard work at all, so I felt good about charging less than I would make for 2 x one hour sessions. We took a water/restroom/stretch break in between (the turn-over). I made sure to preface it with how to translate the table work to at home use without purchasing a table.
One couple asked about specific moves for a chronic complaint (not in the protocol I taught). I told them I would give one or two pointers for helping, but that the class is not a substitute for professional care & was simply for their own entertainment & enjoyment - I wanted to be helpful, but didn't want the liability for teaching them therapeutic measures.
sagetherapist
jill/sagetherapist

 

[Ray <3]

thank you all for your replies so far.

lovely day, i wish i had more questions for you! sounds like you had some pretty large classes. that must have been fun. i am wanting to teach my classes more how sagetherapist has described. i've considered teaching them techniques while sitting but i really am interested in teaching on the table with creme/lotion. i know what you mean about couples communicating. most people just don't know how. another reason i want to teach this class. there is so much that can come from simple communication, respect & caring for eachother.

sooo...

sagetherapist, how did you teach them to translate the table work to home use without a table? i really want to teach using the table but most people do not have a table. how do you teach them the techniques knowing it's going to be more challenging for them once they get home? after all, part of the reason i want to teach the class is so they learn how to position themselves so that they won't get tired after 2 minutes. on the floor or bed, even i get tired after only a few minutes. how did you go about teaching that part??

 

[Fhayme]

Couples Classes

Hi Terab.

I teach couples classes out of my studio. I limit it to one couple per class, so it is friendly and intimate. I charge $200 (per couple) for this and include a manual. Here is the way I do mine...

First, I limit it to a single couple (and I am looking for couples, not some dude looking to take his girl somewhere on their second date). I define a couple as two people that have been together a little while whether they be married or not, male and female, male and male, or female and female (have I left out any possible combinations?), basically a pair of partners. Because these people are partners, they will be comfortable with each other, with each other's touch, with each other's nudity (even though draped). I feel that if I added others to the class, it would make them less comfortable, and I would not be able to teach them as much. Right now, I'm the only thing that they might be uncomfortable with.

The class runs four hours and includes a manual (three hours of that is hands on massage). This manual includes a class description, limit of liability (something you should have to protect you in case they go out and try to do this for money and hurt someone), massage definition, massage terms defined, information on posture, speed and lubricants, health issues and contraindications, areas to avoid, draping (not that I expect them to be draped at home), suggested equipment (and what to use if not available), and proper atmosphere.

What it also contains is a 1-hour massage routine on paper (using the terms defined previously). The routine is what I show them (and they do) during the class. When they go home, and wonder what they did, it is there on paper. And the pages are in plastic so oily hands won't hurt them.

My thing is information and helpfulness. The more information I can guve them to take home in print, the more they are likely to actually do this and not let it go like a passing fad. The manual itself is only 16 pages, but quickly and easily covers the information they need to know on the topics listed above. It even goes far enough to help them find an oil even if it is corn oil purchased at the grocery.

I was like you not too long ago. A friend said they were going to put together a class like this, and I had actually thought of it a long time before. This was what spurred me to make it happen. Of course, I did it my way where the clients actually get something for their money. I advertise this on my website and in flyers in the studio.

I hope this helps give you some idea what the possibilities are. Some do it very informally. I go to the other extreme to make everything just so.

Let me know what you finally put together. Take care.

Brian

 

[bluetigerpaw4]

Great information here, we're thinking about putting together a class too.

Brian, would you entertain the notion of emailing your 16 pages to me?

We're thinking of several different options, leaning towards 4 couples that know each other for guarenteed date night. Yeah, sounds kinda odd. Esp when we'd do it on Sat or Sun afternoon.

If the ideas will keep coming....I'd be most appreciative!