... then Body Therapy Institute is the natural choice for you!

Our 150-acre campus, located in the heart of the North Carolina Piedmont, provides a wonderful place for you to realize your goals and dreams. The school is known nationally for its leadership and innovation in the field of massage and bodywork.

Massage Therapy Diploma Program
For more than twenty-five years, Body Therapy Institute has offered a complete entry-level training program for those interested in pursuing a professional career in massage therapy, for health care practitioners seeking to enhance their range of clinical skills and knowledge, and for those who are interested in the exploration and integration of body, mind, emotions and spirit. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the National Certification Examination in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, and to apply for state licensure with the North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy, and the Florida Board of Massage Therapy.

An Integrative Curriculum
Throughout the program, our dedicated and experienced faculty guide you in the process of achieving excellence in the therapeutic knowledge, sensitivity and personal awareness necessary for the effective and successful practice of massage therapy. Our curriculum is organized sequentially, and is designed so that the courses integrate with one another. In the first half of the program, we establish a solid foundation in fundamental hands-on skills, optimal body mechanics, knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, and awareness of the mind-body connection. In the second half, we present additional hands-on modalities, deepen the understanding of the client/therapist relationship, and explore the elements necessary for creating a successful professional practice. A complete listing of courses is available in the School Catalog.

What Makes Our Program Special
At BTI, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the therapeutic experience as you develop a high degree of technical skill and sensitivity. Our approach embraces a synthesis of both Western and Eastern bodywork traditions and is founded on these core attributes:

• Optimal Body Mechanics
  Using the principles of structural alignment, centering and grounding to create the most relaxed and efficient way of doing massage

• Development of Inner Resources
  Bringing the qualities of presence, contact, mindfulness and self-awareness to the therapist/client relationship

• Excellent Hands-on Skills
  Working with time-honored methods of massage in carefully organized sequences of practice and therapeutic application

• Mind-Body Connection
  Exploring the dynamic relationship between the psychological level of thoughts, feelings, emotions -- and their corresponding patterns of muscular and sensory expression on the somatic level

• Energetics
  Recognizing the flow of life force in the body, and the corresponding states of balance/imbalance

• Movement, Rhythm & Creative Expression
  Using methods designed to bring more creativity, enjoyment and vitality to the massage environment

• Community Service
  Offering massage therapy to the general public and other health care providers through individual and group projects

A History of Success
As the first school in the Carolinas to be accredited by COMTA, BTI consistently demonstrates its commitment to a rigorous set of standards that represent a high level of accountability. We choose to operate at this level so that our students are assured of receiving quality education -- and so the public receives quality therapeutic services.

Applicants to the Diploma Program are required to: be at least 18 years of age, take the BTI Introductory Massage Workshop, submit an Application Form, and have a personal interview. Complete requirements are detailed in the School Catalog. Career Training Loans are available through SLM Financial Corporation.

We invite you to join our satisfied students and our successful graduates for an experience which will enrich your life and open new horizons!

OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:

BTI Introductory Massage Workshop
This enjoyable day-long workshop is designed for those considering professional training at BTI. You'll get an overview of the exciting career opportunities that await you in this rewarding natural health field, and an orientation to integrative learning model presented in our renowned Massage Therapy Diploma Program. BTI faculty members will also demonstrate some of the finely-crafted massage modalities that are taught in the program. You'll learn fun and effective hands-on techniques, and experience the optimal body mechanics and quality of touch exercises that help BTI graduates excel in the profession. Pre-registration is required.
Workshops are offered monthly throughout the year, and the cost is just $25.

Continuing Education
Each year, BTI features a schedule of short courses and extended programs with some of the leading experts in the field of massage and bodywork therapy. BTI is designated as an Approved Provider of Continuing Education Programming by NCBTMB. The BTI Website contains a complete listing of all courses, and provides secure online registration for workshops. Courses include: Reflexology, Hot Stone Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Medical Massage, Movement Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, Professional Ethics, Sports Massage, Mind-Body Integration, Optimal Body Mechanics, and Energy Work.

Teacher Training
BTI is home to The Spirit of Learning. - A Teacher Certification Program for Massage, Bodywork, & Spa Educators. Developed by Co-director Carey Smith, this is one of the nation's first and only comprehensive trainings of its kind.

Our Campus at South Wind Farm
BTI features one of the most ideal settings in the country for personal and professional development. Located in a historic farming community, South Wind Farm encompasses 150 acres of meadows, woodlands, ponds, streams and native wildlife. The classroom building is an open timberframe structure filled with natural light, and surrounded by gardens. Students, faculty and staff are nourished by the beauty and serenity of this spectacular place.

The school is situated in Chatham County, North Carolina -- between the Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill "Triangle," and the Greensboro / Winston-Salem / High Point "Triad." This puts us halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Blue Ridge Mountains, in a region blessed with abundant educational, cultural and natural resources -- and a whole lot of friendly people!