Welcome to Down to Earth Massage Education
Mission Statement
We believe in a quality education and genuinely care about our students while empowering them. Our School is committed to excellence in a supportive, comfortable, learning environment while optimizing their full learning potential and preparing them for a successful career path.
Welcome to Down To Earth School of Massage!
We are excited that you are looking into a life changing career. Down To Earth School of Massage is more than learning; it is a transformative experience-putting you in touch with what is best for you and in yourself and giving you the inspiration to grow in a rewarding career. Our massage program is a one-of-a-kind curriculum that provides you with the education requirements to become a licensed massage therapist in Texas and be successful in the path you choose for your massage career.
Why Down To Earth School of Massage?
We are here to provide you with the most comprehensive education that educates students to the state professional standards of massage therapy. We also will be preparing you for the real world of massage by also giving above and beyond hands on experiences and business education. We offer a healthy learning environment that encourages each student to become their own unique therapist. We keep our classes small, so that everyone gets to have more benefits from one-on-one time with instructors and no one gets left out or alone. We know that there is more to your career then traditional massage, and this will be accomplished through the carefully developed classroom and clinical training guided by our experienced practitioners who are dedicated to teaching their skills and share their knowledge. We are excited for you to take this step in becoming a licensed massage therapist.
Why Become a Massage Therapist?
The most rewarding part of being a massage therapist is helping those in pain, recovering from injury, or suffering from stress. Massage therapy speeds up the healing process, improves circulation, and can even restore emotional balance. Massage therapy has grown and has a wide range for different types of work settings. Massage work setting types like massage therapy clinics, chiropractor and physician offices, hospitals, alternative medicine centers, airports, health clubs, sport teams, salons / spas, cruise ships and shopping centers to name a few. Another reason for becoming a massage therapist is that you can choose to work for yourself, or you may want security of hiring on as an employee or subcontractor for an established massage provider. You can be a mobile massage therapist where you have a portable massage table or chair to provide on-site massage. Or you can choose to work in a special segment of the population, becoming an expert in the use of massage to meet the needs of elderly, pregnant women, athletes, infants, or those battling the effects of a particular disease or other health conditions.
Down To Earth School of Massage Programs
Basic Course 500 Hour Course
Mastery Course 575 Hour Course (Basic Course with a choice of one Reflexology, Cupping or Hot Stones and 75 extended internship)
Advance Course 615 Hour Course (Basic Course with a choice of two Reflexology, Cupping or Hot Stones and 115 extended internship)
Each of the offered courses will have the State of Texas minimum required of 500 hours of instruction for licensure as a massage therapist in the following core subjects:
Massage Theary and Techniques – 200 hours – This subject allows us to teach the basic principles of massage therapy. Our goal is to impart the science and art of massage therapy to every student so they can provide the best massage possible. We start with basic Swedish massage (effleurage, petrissage, friction and tapotement) gradually helping each student give a relaxing massage. Students will refine their skills in massage, as well as expand on their knowledge of massage therapy.
Anatomy – 50 hours – Physiology – 25 hours – This subject brings an understanding of all the body’s systems to the student and how massage affects those systems. It also brings the understanding of the structure and function of the human body with emphasis on the muscular and skeletal system is of utmost importance to the skilled massage therapist. Classes will use live models and class projects to help students better comprehend the structure and functions of the human body. Additionally, our textbooks are specifically designed for students of massage therapy and correspond with full-color, animated presentations used in class.
Kinesiology – 50 hours- This subject brings understanding in the study of moment. Students will learn the interaction of the bones, joints, and muscles. They will be able to better identify which specific structures are involved in an area of pain when working with clients.
Pathology – 40 hours – This subject brings the understanding of the study of human diseases and the effects of the disease. This information is important to the massage therapist as there are conditions where massage would require caution, or not recommended. It also focuses more in-depth on different diseases and their effects, as well as how medication reacts to massage.
Hygiene and CPR – 20 hours - 8 hours will be for CPR & First Aides and then the remaining 12 hours students will understand the indication and contraindications to massage, the effects of stress, the benefits of massage, the importance of proper body mechanics, disease recognition and understanding, the importance of good personal hygiene practices and universal precautions.
Hydrotherapy – 20 hours – This subject student will learn to use hydrotherapy in a safe and effective manner through demonstrations and hands on practice. Types of hydrotherapy will be discussed to include whirlpool, hot and cold packs, paraffin, steam, body wraps and body scrubs.
Business / Laws - 45 hours – This subject will not only focus on professional ethics and standards within the massage field. We will discuss in detail the scope of practice for massage therapy, laws pertaining to massage therapy, and other business practices in general. Will discuss from advertising practices to maintaining your zeal for massage therapy. This insightful course will equip you to build a massage practice you can be proud of and in which you can enjoy.
Clinical Internship – 50 hours– Students will be eligible for clinical internship once they have attended 250 actual attended hours of classroom and lab training. This is where students will put all classroom theory into real practice. This is also where students will find their niche as they get ready for the massage world.
Admission Requirements
Class Schedule Times and Start Dates
Both our day class and night classes will be Monday through Friday. (Some Fridays we can extend later hours) (Weekends will be for make-up hours for school closures example severe weather) Day class is “school friendly” if you have kids in school. Night class is “work friendly” and “senior high school student” if you have a daytime job or still in high school with school directors’ approval. A clock hour of lecture / hands on is at least 50 minutes with a 10-minute break given. In some cases, breaks can be combined.
Part Time Hours
Day Class will be 9am to 1pm M-TH & Fri 9am to 2pm
Night Class will be 6pm to 10pm M-TH & Fri 9am to 2pm
Full Time Hours
Will be both day and night part time hours.
Students can come to the other day or night class to get more hours and finish the program faster with approval from the school director. Clinicals can be scheduled in either day or evening class time, only when all required 250 actual attended hours are completed.
Next Class Start Dates
Full Time Class
Starts May 6, 2024 Estimated Graduation Aug 12, 2024
Aug 19, 2024 Estimated Graduation Nov 22, 2024
Dec 2, 2024 Estimated Graduation TBA, 2025
Part Time Class
Starts May 6, 2024 Estimated Graduation Oct 31, 2024
Dec 2, 2024 Estimated Graduation TBA, 2025
Bad Weather Days and School Holidays Off
Severe weather days will go by the Hamlin ISD. Surrounding towns will be taking into consideration the weather conditions also. These days will not count against your attendance but will be made up on a rescheduled day set by the school director.
Here are the Holidays and Dates for School closed for year 2024 thru beginning 2025.
May 27th Memorial Day
July 4th thru 6th 4th of July Weekend
September 2nd Labor Day
November 11th Veterans Day, 28th thru 30th Thanksgiving
December 23rd thru Jan 3rd 2025 Christmas and New Year Break