Massage Education
Anatomy / Kinesiology / Pathology
Learn the body systems and their
functions to gain an understanding of
the basic structure, functions, and
pathological conditions of the body.
Study human movement (physical
activity) which plays a vital role in the
overall health and wellness of individuals
and of society as a whole.
Modalities / Spa Treatments
Our massage therapy students have many
opportunities to learn a vast and diverse
number of the modalities of bodywork. It is
estimated there are 350 modalities of massage,
in addition to the added spa treatments.
Business / Ethics / Law
Body Wellness Massage Therapy Academy
opens the rich history of massage ethics that
carries into your career. Education in
Arkansas rules, regulations, and business
principles will help in advancing your
career in Massage Therapy.
TUITION & APPLICATION FEE
APPLICATION FEE
Beginning 1/1/2024 per the Arkansas Department of Health; all applicants must submit for a student permit complete with a federal background check prior to acceptance into classroom instruction. The non-refundable deposit is applied for the cost of these items.
500 Hour Basic Massage Therapy Certification Program (BMTCP)
2000 Hour Apprenticeship Massage Therapy Program (AMTP)
Our Partners
Our Educators
Owner / Ed. Director Massage Therapy Instructor
Owner / Ed. Director Massage Therapy Instructor
Owner / Ed. Director Massage Therapy Instructor
R. Michelle Christen, BBA-M, MTI, CMLDT
Michelle is a native of Conway, and is a graduate of The University of Central Arkansas holding a Bachelors in Business Administration. She is a graduate of Touching America School of Massage and is licensed as a Massage Therapy Instructor by the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy. Michelle is a believer that education never stops; and therefore, she is in constant pursuit of continuing education opportunities in advancement of her practice. As such, she has also obtained her national CMLDT (Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist) in the Vodder technique through Klose Training. This certification along with continuing education in oncology massage allows her to assist those suffering from cancer, effectively reduce traumatic and post-surgical edema, and can provide symptomatic relief of migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, ehlers danlos syndrome, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), stress, fatigue, .
As a therapist, Michelle is empathetic to those dealing with the management of chronic pain syndromes and and post surgical rehabilitation providing assistance in this area. Her neck and shoulder work have helped many of her clients with persistent headaches to include cervicogenic, tensions, and all types of migraines,. She enjoys use of several modalities of massage, and believes that benefits of massages are far greater than relaxation alone. Michelle is an integrative bodyworker who intuitively uses a combination of modalities of massage to deliver very effective therapeutic massage. Some of her favorite practices are trigger point therapy, Thai massage, sacred lomi lomi, and hot bamboo. She also enjoys the use of deep tissue, reflexology, hydrotherapy, cupping, gua sha (IASTM), and aromatherapy.
Michelle is also the founder of THE SPA'AH, LLC in Conway Arkansas where she employees massage therapist, cosmetologist, estheticians. She founded the business in 2014 and grown it into a successful Medi-Spa having won Conway and Faulkner County awards for best therapist and best medical spa several years running consecutively.
Educational Background
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist
Intro to Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Donna McGriff, MTI
Advanced Anatomy & Physiology: Lymphatic System & Drainage
Donna McGriff, MTI
Introduction to Myofascial Massage
Donna McGriff, MTI
Rain Drop Therapy
Introduction to Cupping
Donna McGriff, MTI
Massage Cupping/Medicupping –ACE Medicupping
Fijian Barefoot Massage
Lomi Supine
Lomi Prone
Pathologies for Massage Therapist
Ashiatsu
Intro to Full Body Hot Stone
Hot Bamboo Massage
Fijan Barefoot Massage
Thai Massage
Table Thai Massage
Essential Oils; The Chemistry
Donna McGriff, MTI
Muscle Stimulation
David Clarke
Reiki I & II
Tuning Fork Therapy
Donna McGriff, MTI
Rock Tape: FMT Basic –
Rock Tape: FMT Advanced
Prenatal Massage, Pathology & Pregnancy
Intro to Acupressure
Donna McGriff, MTI
Acupressure Techniques for Cupping Massage
Donna McGriff, MTI
Targeted Muscle Testing & Quick Self Fix Techniques
Targeted Muscle QSF Cross Reference with Connective Tissue Stretches
Basic Oncology & Lymph Drainage
Johnnie Minor, MTI
CORE 1 Intensive -
(Fascial Release Bodywork)
Instructor: Roxanne Portman MTI.
Reflexology & Related Modalities
Working with HIV/AIDS-
Donna McGriff, MTI
Soft Tissue Release of Neck & Shoulders
Donna McGriff, MTI
A Study in Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue & Essential Oils
Donna McGriff, MTI
Introduction to Polarity Therapy
Donna McGriff, MTI
TET-Therapeutic Evaluation & Techniques -Shoulder
Donna McGriff, MTI
Back to Basics - Swedish Review
Donna McGriff, MTI
Therapeutic Evaluation & Techniques for the Shoulder
Dona McGriff, MTI
Medical Terminology for the Massage Therapist
Donna McGriff, MTI
SOAP Charting for the Massage Therapist
Donna McGriff, MTI
Medical Massage
(NCBTMB approved)
Aromatherapy for Massage Therapist -
Business Practices for The Massage Therapist
Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia & Massage Therapy
HIV/AIDS & Massage
Immune System and Massage Therapy
Massage Techniques from Around the World
Professional Ethics, Roles, & Boundaries
Orthopedic Techniques
Otis Estes, MTI
Blending Essential Oils for Psychological Balance
Donna McGriff, MTI
Instructor & Master Massage Therapist
Owner / Ed. Director Massage Therapy Instructor
Owner / Ed. Director Massage Therapy Instructor
Trisha Atkins, MMT
Patricia (Trish) Atkins has been a massage therapist since 2016, after graduating from Milan Institute in Reno, Nevada. She is originally from California and has a bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Nevada, Reno. She decided to change careers and become a massage therapist after a car accident left her in chronic pain and the only thing that helped her was massage. After graduation she started my career working with the Reno Aces baseball team. They are the AAA team for the Arizona Diamondbacks. This is when she discovered that she prefers to work with athletes, and people with chronic injury and pain. Now she works as the massage therapist for two Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gyms and works exclusively on people with injury and pain management.
Educational Background
Table Thai
Cupping for Scar Therapy-
Understanding the Diagnosis Golfer's Elbow
Miranda Cox
Understanding the Diagnosis Tennis Elbow
Miranda Cox
Massage for Conditions of the Hips and Thighs
Joesph Bell
Conditions of the Leg and Knee- Gary Jones
Orthopedic/Medical Massage for the Neck
Shamaya Chah
Orthopedic/Medical Massage for the Back-
Shamaya Chah
Assessment of Posture & Pain
Tamlynn Cameron
Orthopedic/Medical Massage for the Lower Extremity
Tamlynn Cameron
Insurance Billing
Tamlynn Cameron
Orthopedic/Medical Massage for the Upper Extremities Tamlynn Cameron
Fijian Barefoot Massage
Total Rejuvenation Therapy Chad Bolding
Ashi stretch
15 min Neck and Shoulder Blast
Angie Dubis
A Detailed Approach to General Neck Pain
Allison Denney
A Detailed Approach to Low-Back Pain
Allison Denney
Active Isolated Stretching
Bruce Baltz
Advanced Deep Tissue Muscular Therapy Techniques: Shoulder and Knee-
Assessing and Treating Tennis and Golfers Elbow
Joe Muscolino
'Balancing the Shoulder: Practical Clinical
Tom Meyers
Fascia Fundamentals: What Every Massage Therapist Needs to Know
Rachel’s Claudia, David Kesondak
Fascial AnatomFijian Barefoot Massage
Tiffany Diaz, MMT, RN
How Microscopic Images of Fascia Inform our Understanding
Gil Hedley
Myofascial Techniques: Hands on for the Hands
Til Luchau
Myofascial Techniques: Sciatica, a New Look
Til Luchau
Palpating the Psoas Major
Joe Muscolino
Ethics: Create a Zero-tolerance Practice
Joyce Gauthier
Instructor & Master Massage Therapist
Instructor & Master Massage Therapist
Instructor & Master Massage Therapist
Robin Maynard, MMT
Robin is a native of Sherwood, Arkansas, where – in 2013 - she began, and currently maintains, her personal massage practice. Robin graduated from Touching America School of Massage in Maumelle, Arkansas, and immediately completed additional continuing education hours in oncology massage and ahshiatsu. Working with clients during their cancer journey is some of her most beloved work, as her son is a brain tumor survivor. She feels a distinct connection with this community and knows the importance of relaxation and maintaining stress levels during treatments and recovery. Robin is a firm believer that massage therapy is so much more than a relaxing spa day but truly a pursuit of wellness for living your best life. Her approach is a blended mix of massage modalities which provides a therapeutic massage with a layer of love. She cares about her clients and students – what they do, their families, and building relationships that will positively propel them into the days ahead. Robin added a new adventure to her massage career when she began teaching in 2021. Her students success as they begin their own careers is what motivates her to pass along not only textbook learning but also business knowledge garnered over the years in her personal practice….and life. Teaching others to build relationships within their community and client base is one of her top priorities.
Robin currently holds an Arkansas massage therapy license as a Master Massage Therapist.
Educational Background
Oncology Massage: Compassionate Touch – Sarasota, Florida
Jennifer Funk
Ashiatsu Bar Basic – Fort Smith, Arkansas
Direct-Indirect Techniques: Upper back, Lower Back, Leg, Knee, Foot – Fayetteville, Arkansas
John Ray
Massage Cupping – Fayetteville, Arkansas
Michael Clark
Scar Therapy, including cupping – Little Rock, Arkansas
Prenatal Massage – Conway, Arkansas
Advanced Ashiatsu – Fort Smith, Arkansas
Body Wrap Basics – Fayetteville, Arkansas
Patricia Kulish
Intro to the Masso Facial – Fayetteville, Arkansas
Patricia Kulish
Business Building for the Massage Therapist – Fayetteville, Arkansas
Patricia Kulish
Total Rejuvenation Therapy – Sherwood, Arkansas
Chad Bolding
Fijian Barefoot Massage – Fort Smith, Arkansas
Structural Kinesiology, Spine – Conway, Arkansas
Donna McGriff, MTI
Sequential Orthopedic Release Technique, TMJ & Migraines – Calico Rock, Arkansas
Kimberley Yutsus, LMT
Quick Manual Therapy Techniques for Musculoskeletal Pain Relief
James Waslaski
Instructor & Master Massage Therapist
Instructor & Master Massage Therapist
Instructor & Master Massage Therapist
Jamie Moody, MMT
Jamie is a native Arkansan, having lived in Conway for 25+ years. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in May 2001 with a Masters in Speech Pathology. As a lifelong learner, Jamie returned to school in 2021 to become a Licensed Massage Therapist. She completed her program right here at Body Wellness Massage Academy, earning Licensed massage Therapist certification in Sept of 2021 and immediately began taking continuing education courses to add to her knowledge of bodywork. She set her sights on upgrading her massage license to Master Massage Therapist, in order to train future Massage Therapist for a rewarding career. Jamie’s teaching background includes Speech Therapy and Math in Public schools, Supervisor in the Speech and Communications Disorders Department at UCA, 13 years volunteering with the AWANA program, and 8 years with Boy Scouts.
As a Massage Therapist, Jamie enjoys working with a variety of clients. She has studied several modalities and works with the client to find the best way to meet their goals. Neck and shoulders are her favorite area of the body to work. Jamie understands the restorative value of relaxation massage, while being skilled in many techniques to meet more specific needs of the client.
Educational Background
Working with Low Back Pain
Donna McGriff, MTI
Tuning Fork- A Vibrational therapy
Donna McGriff, MTI
Thai Massage: With Adaptations for American Therapist
Wendy Finn
Medical Massage
Bryan K Hawley
Ethics Part 1 and 2
Bryan K Hawley
Table Thai Yoga Massage
Direct-Indirect Technique for treating Shoulder, Arm, and Hand Conditions
Direct-Indirect Technique for Treating Neck Pain, Hypertonicity and Related Conditions
Direct-Indirect Technique for TMJ Dysfunction, Jaw Pain, and Related Conditions.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage -
Acupressure Techniques for Cupping Massage
Donna McGriff, MTI
Upper Back and Neck Secrets
Thai Style Foot Massage
Medical Terminology for the Massage Therapist
Donna McGriff, MTI
Client Documentation and SOAP charting
Donna McGriff, MTI