Spa Education Vacations

Spa Education Vacations combines quality continuing education with exotic travel experiences. Each trip is designed to immerse participants in the traditions, the landscape and the healing techniques of other cultures. Join us on a tax-deductable* escape and come home relaxed, rejuvenated and educated.

*Consult a tax expert for more information.

Spa Education Vacations & Massage Pro C.E. proudly present:

Island Rejuvenation Retreat & Training:  Blending Lomi with Nature

September 5-15, 2012

Sunrise over Hilton Head Island

Here is the perfect opportunity to relax, rejuvenate & commune with nature.  Join us for a beach retreat like none other and gather with like-minded people to learn, share and grow.

If you’re like most massage therapists, you have been too busy taking care of others to take care of yourself.  Now’s your chance to walk the walk.  Here’s what you can expect during your retreat:

 1.      A much-deserved island vacation.

Join us on the pristine island of Hilton Head, SC for an unforgettable continuing education retreat.  This nature-lovers paradise boasts 12 miles of unspoiled beaches, home to nesting Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles.   Lush, moss-covered forests and hidden lagoons are habitat to a myriad of wildlife including deer, alligators and over 250 species of birds.

You will be housed on a quiet lane, just steps from the sea and minutes to numerous restaurants, shops, a bakery and a grocery store.  During your stay, you will explore vibrant tidal waterways, teeming with playful dolphin, and observe pelicans and osprey diving for their dinner.   A bicycle will be provided so you can meander through the island’s numerous paths and trails or catch the sun setting while riding along the hard-packed beaches at low tide.

Imagine sipping your coffee or herb tea on the porch, relax with a good book or just enjoy the sound of the breeze rustling through the massive oaks and pines.   If you want to work on your tan or nap in the shade, head to the pool deck.  This “grill and chill” space has plenty of room for massage tables, should we decide to move our class under the clear blue skies.

2.      New techniques that will enhance your practice.

Earn 60+ hours of NCBTMB and Florida approved continuing education in an ever-flowing format that combines ancient wisdom with modern spa protocol.  We begin with an introduction to Lomi Lomi and then seamlessly layer on techniques that incorporate healing with shells and hot stones for ultimate muscle pain relief.

We’ll get creative in the kitchen as we blend natural ingredients to make healing scrubs and masks.  With an emphasis on ideal body and hand mechanics, you will expand your current knowledge of the healing arts and acquire new skills that you can immediately incorporate into your bodywork practice.  Before you leave our island, you will have learned a full-body Lomi Lomi routine as well as a full-body hot stone ritual.

Your instructor’s, Gloria Coppola and Linda Beach have over 45 combined years of experience in the massage and bodywork field!  Gloria is the founder of Massage Pro C.E. and the Marion Wellness Center, both in North Carolina.  A well-known leader in the industry, she has studied and taught many modalities, including medical massage, Lomi Lomi and advanced CranioSacral techniques.   Read more about Gloria on her website:  www.massageproce.com.

Linda is the founder of the International Spa Institute and Spa Education Vacations.  She spent her early years as a massage therapist specializing in injury and pain management before expanding into the increasingly popular spa arena.  Linda has been teaching others how to blend spa techniques into their existing practices since 1993.  You can read more about Linda on her website:  www.isiSPAeducation.com.

3.      Nurturing for your body, mind and soul!

It’s time to continue our journey towards a positive, prosperous future.  As massage therapists, we are hard-wired to nurture others and help them along the path to wellness.  We can only achieve that goal by taking care of our own needs first.  We plan to provide you with new skills that will remind you to honor your entire being and take care of yourself so you can better take care of your clients.

A sage man named Michael Bridge once said, “When our eyes see our hands doing the work of our hearts, the circle of creation is complete inside us, the doors of our souls fly open and love steps forth to heal everything in sight.”

4.      Healthy foods and nutrition lessons.

All meals will be provided with the exception of the last Friday night dinner.  We’re saving that night for a graduation celebration* in town!  With an emphasis on whole, natural ingredients, our menu will include vegetarian and pescetarian choices lovingly prepared by our personal chef.  We will teach you how to make healthy choices that will make a profound difference in your energy level and clarity of mind.

Breakfast will include an array of fresh fruits, whole-grains and a rotating menu of eggs, oatmeal, granola and other light fare.  Lunch will be served buffet-style and will feature salads, veggie chili and soups.  Dinner will be a social affair with plenty of dishes served family-style.  Expect grilled fish and vegetables, casseroles, rich seasonal soups, crusty breads and wholesome desserts.  Coffee, herb tea, filtered water and healthy snacks will be available throughout the day.

5.      Exercise, Lomi movement & Hula lessons.

A beach cruiser will be provided for the week so you can pedal to your heart’s content.  Over 50 miles of bike paths and coastline offer ample opportunity to increase your heart rate.  If your passion is running, pack your joggers and hit the trails or the sand.  Day passes to a local gym can be arranged* for anyone who needs to pump a little iron or shake some booty in Zumba class.

Whether a seasoned pro or new to Lomi, we will start our day greeting the sun and “flying” on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.  Excellent for developing flexibility, balance and muscle strength, Lomi “flying” will help release stiff muscles in your back, neck, shoulders and legs.  Combined with horizon meditation, breathing exercises and Hula lessons, our morning rituals will help you focus and prepare you for a day of mindful learning.

We will reserve one morning for a scenic kayak or boat trip through the salt water estuary called Broad Creek, which runs right through the center of the island.  Fish and shrimp come here to hide and dolphins come to dine.  The oyster beds grow by the millions and provide food and shelter for turtles, fish, crabs and shrimp, which in turn feeds egrets, herons, ibis, wood storks and many other interesting species.  Keep your eyes open…you may even spot a mink or otter!

6.      LOTS of massage!

Has anyone ever asked how often you get a massage and you choked?  Are you too busy taking care of others to take care of yourself?  Our Rejuvenation Retreat promises to make it up to you through oodles of hands-on learning.  You and a partner will rotate between practicing new skills and being pampered.  At the end of the week, your body will be refreshed and renewed and our home-made scrubs and masks will leave your skin glowing!  We’ve even included your choice of a massage or facial at our favorite island gem, the Ahh Green Spa!

7.      Small groups for a personalized experience.

Don’t wait until the last minute to sign up for this unique opportunity.  There are limited spaces available and several ways to secure your spot.  Our 2012 Island Rejuvenation Retreat & Training is an all-inclusive* 10-day training that includes accommodations, meals and activities.

For only $1995, Spa Education Vacations and Massage Pro C.E. will provide the following:

• 60+ hours of NCBTMB approved continuing education hours
• Certificate of completion suitable for framing
• Luxury shared accommodations in a spacious home
• All meals, snacks and beverages*
• Bicycle rental for the week
• Sunrise Lomi “flying”, Hula & meditation on the beach
• Kayak or boating adventure
• Massage table and other necessary equipment
• Massage oils and ingredients for scrubs and masks

*The following items are not included in the price of the retreat:  Transportation to and from Hilton Head Island, final Friday night graduation celebration, any beverage other than coffee, tea or filtered water (including alcohol), daily gym passes or other unplanned activities.  Participants must bring massage table linens and personal sundry items including but not limited to beach towels, sunscreen and bug spray.

A $500 non-refundable deposit will hold your spot.  Remember, there are a limited number of spaces available!  Once we have received your deposit, you can then choose to pay the balance in full or make installments:  $500 due June 1^st, $500 due July 1st and the final payment of $495 received by August 1, 2012.   Note: Cashier check or money order preferred.  Personal checks accepted with prior approval.  There is a 3% fee for payment by credit card or PayPal and a $35 fee for non-sufficient funds.

Let’s take a look at the schedule:

~ Wednesday, September 5^th

• 4 pm:  Arrive at beach house
• 5:30 pm: Opening circle
• 6:30 pm:  Dinner
• 7:30 pm: Optional sunset bike ride
• 8:30 pm+:  Leisure time

~Thursday, September 6^th

• 7 am:  Morning meditation & movement on the beach
• 8 am:  Breakfast
• 9 am – 12:30 pm:  Introduction to Lomi concepts
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:  Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 5 pm:  Lomi hands-on back
• 5 pm –6 pm:  Leisure time
• 6 pm:  Evening circle
• 6:30 pm:  Dinner
• 7:30 pm: Optional sunset bike ride
• 8:30 pm+:  Leisure time

~Friday, September 7^th

• 7 am:  Morning meditation & movement on the beach
• 8 am:  Breakfast
• 9 am – 12:30 pm:  Introduction to Hot Rock Magic
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:  Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 6 pm:  Leisure time
• 6 pm:  Evening circle
• 6:30 pm:  Dinner
• 7:30 pm: Optional sunset bike ride
• 8:30 pm+:  Leisure time

~Saturday, September 8^th

• 7 am:  Morning meditation & movement on the beach
• 8 am:  Breakfast
• 9 am – 12:30 pm:  Hot Rock Magic hands-on
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:  Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 5 pm:  Ho’oponopono concepts-The healing art of forgiveness
• 5 pm –6 pm:  Leisure time
• 6 pm:  Evening circle
• 6:30 pm:  Dinner
• 7:30 pm: Optional sunset bike ride
• 8:30 pm+:  Leisure time

~Sunday, September 9^th

• 7 am:  Morning meditation & movement on the beach
• 8 am:  Breakfast
• 9 am – 12:30 pm:  Beach time!
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:  Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 5 pm:  Lomi hands-on legs.  Ha breath & Hawaiian healing
• 5 pm –6 pm:  Leisure time
• 6 pm:  Evening circle
• 6:30 pm:  Dinner
• 7:30 pm: Optional sunset bike ride
• 8:30 pm+:  Leisure time

~Monday, September 10^th

• 7 am:  Morning meditation & movement on the beach
• 8 am:  Breakfast
• 9 am – 12:30 pm:  Adventure
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:  Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 5 pm:  Create natural spa products
• 5 pm –6 pm:  Leisure time
• 6 pm:  Evening circle
• 6:30 pm:  Dinner
• 7:30 pm: Optional sunset bike ride
• 8:30 pm+:  Leisure time

~Tuesday, September 11^th

• 7 am:  Morning meditation & movement on the beach
• 8 am:  Breakfast
• 9 am – 12:30 pm:  Hot Rock Magic full body demo & trade
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:  Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Hot Rock Magic trade, cont.
• 3:30 pm –6 pm:  Leisure time
• 6 pm:  Evening circle
• 6:30 pm:  Dinner
• 7:30 pm+: In Remembrance:  9/11 & Hawaiian Healing video

~Wednesday, September 12^th

• 7 am:  Morning meditation & movement on the beach
• 8 am:  Breakfast
• 9 am – 12:30 pm:  Lomi upper body front demo & trade; Opu Huli
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:  Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 5 pm:  Lomi lower body front trade & integrate
• 5 pm –6 pm:  Leisure time
• 6 pm – 6:30 pm:  Evening circle: E Ho Mai
• 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm:  Dinner
• 7:30 pm: Optional sunset bike ride
• 8:30 pm+:  Leisure time

~Thursday, September 13^th

• 7 am:  Morning meditation & movement on the beach
• 8 am:  Breakfast
• 9 am – 12:30 pm:  Shopping!
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:  Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 5 pm: Healing with shells
• 5 pm –6 pm:  Leisure time
• 6 pm:  Evening circle
• 6:30 pm:  Dinner
• 7:30 pm: Optional sunset bike ride
• 8:30 pm+:  Leisure time

~Friday, September 14^th

• 7 am:  Morning meditation & movement on the beach
• 8 am:  Breakfast
• 9 am – 12:30 pm:  Full body Lomi Lomi exchange
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm:  Lunch
• 1:30 pm – 4 pm: Lomi Lomi exchange cont.
• 4 pm –6:30 pm:  Leisure time
• 6:30 pm:  Graduation celebration on the town!

~Saturday, September 15^th

• 7 am:  Breakfast
• 8 am – 9 am:  Closing thoughts
• 10 am:  Check out
• 10 am+:  Explore the island on your own.  Safe travels!!

View the Spa Education Vacations calendar.