No Hands Massage
Hey there,
A month back I did the 2-day Foundation for Gerry Pyve's No Hands Massage and am very excited about doing the Practioner course in September.
I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced No Hands, receiving, watching a demo, or indeed trained in it - what are you thoughts about it. Is is something you have looked into?
I thought I would share my experience of how I discovered it, and am becoming a huge advocate.
My first exposure was at the Complimentary Health Expo in ExCEL London in October last year where they were demonstrating the No Hands Chair Massage. I paid to receive a treatment, and it did feel as wonderful as it looked. I was interested in the technique but not enough to want to book onto a course or buy a book, but I did know that one day I was to come back to it. It just clicked for me, the technique the idea of prolonging my hands and the way the company was presented. They had four therapists all choreographed demonstrating the massage - i liked that, something I hadn't seen before.
A few weeks later I booked myself onto the Protect Your Career seminar being held by Gerry in London as part of the national tour. It was fascinating, going through the stages of injury and finding out about how we injure ourselves. But also Gerry himself, here is a man with tremendous energy and enthusiasm who loves what he does. The seminar then finished with Gerry's massage performance (not demonstration) - "Come Fly With Me and Bring Your Body Home". Choreographed to the music of Tim Wheater's Incantation album, with lighting effects this is an amazing way to see how you can flow and fly with your massage.
Well, I was sold, that evening I signed up for the Foundation, Practitioner, Advanced Practioner and Chair Massage courses.
Then in April I did the Foundation course, I was very excited to find out that Gerry was taking the course along with one of the other No Hands Practioners. The two days were run very differently to any other course I had been on, no manuals till be finished, feedback from bodies was only allowed when we had finished practicing stokes, there was a lot more energy and buzz in the room, and it was a large group - 20 of us!
The first morning and part of the afternoon was dealing with the introduction, basics and learning how to let go and fall onto your client - the key to No Hands, and also the hardest part to learn. We learnt the seven postural secrets and basic strokes. By the end of it I felt pretty confident of the technique and am now practicing it and also incorporating it into my traditional Therapeautic work with clients. Even now I can still here Suan telling us to "Floooow" and Gerry just giving us soo much energy and excitement. And now I am looking forward to the Practioner Course in September!
Thanks for letting me share this with you.
Love and Hugs
Foz xx
:o)
Answers:
I think it's amazing.. been on a few of the workshops and intend to do the practitioners course when I've raised enough cash to fund it... with the VAT and all it's gone up lots!! Love the techniques and it looks so incredibly graceful without comprimising the power of the movements. I'm hoping I can have a peek at the no hands chair massage and the no hands reflexology.. how that works I really want to know! I'm a convert.. just not a practioner. *sigh* Soon.. maybe.. I hope.
Answers:
Hey Gussie,
They are very graceful, which is infact part of the third Postural Principle / Secret - Flow. Have to admit the reflexology fascinates me too, Gerry was saying that a lot of reflexologists have told them how great it is, really helps save their thumbs for when they really need them.
I hope you get on a course soon, it really is worth it.
Love and hugs
Foz xxx
:o)
Answers:
Hi There Everyone,
I went to a NO Hands Massage 'workshop' (which was not a workshop but a talk and handed over £22.50 to listen to Gerry drone on and show his dance off, I was very disappointed) at Olympia this year and thought the concept behind the training is great but I am a hands on therapist who has not got the time or great deal of money to invest in going on 10 lots of training to be a 'grand high god master practitioner of No Hands. LOL
Instead while walking round Olympia I found Injury Prevention Massage. I had seen articles about them but did not realise they had similar ideas about protecting your hands, back, arms but none off the woof, these guys gave me an Injury Prevention Massage for FREE and I loved it. They are really helpful, friendly people, their courses are cheaper, CPD approved and I have been on their Level one course and find I am doing fantastic. There is a Level 2 but it is not neccesary to do after the level 1 it is just if you want to learn more strokes, I do full body massages from what I do.
They are doing some workshops at the Complimentary Health Expo in ExCel this October, and have a DVD of their training too.
Their contact details are http://www.injuryprevention.org.uk or tel 01924 223225 they also are suppliers of height-adjustable EarthLite massage products for the UK, we worked on them in the course and they are fantasic.
I hope I have not offended any bodyby expressing my experience of Gerry Pervys No Hands, I know some of you guys are really in to him but there is a much more down to earth alternative out there.
Answers:
I LIKE your mis-spelling of Gerry's name Healingtouch - made me smile
Answers:
Oh no Healingtouch not a problem at all. I was actually hoping that someone who had done the IPM training would comment as I would love to know more about their training. What do you do in their Level 1 course?
I totally understand what you mean, he is a very excitable guy. When I was talking to him we talked about the training style of the No Hands Massage company and courses, it isn't for everyone. Some people do prefer a more relaxed, methodical - dare I say traditional approach to their training. I think it cam be something that you can either get into or for others really doesn't work, is almost counter productive. Clearly for me it works and how I wish to train and develop.
That really made me laugh, brighted up what has been a fairly bad afternoon - thanks.
The comment about the EarthLite tables - can't agree with you enough on that. I bought mine two years ago and instantly fell in love with it, as do a lot of my clients whent hey lie on it for the first time. Can't recommend them enough if you can afford one, they are at the higher end of the price market.
I know it hasn't been released yet, but has anyone seen any of the IPM DVD? Although I am following Gerry's training program I am considering ordering a copy of this too.
Love and hugs
Foz xx
:o)
Answers:
I did the No Hands foundation course last year in London. Suan was the trainer and I thought she was fantastic. The course really got me excited again about massage. I'm hoping to do the practioner course later this year. I must admit that Gerry's dance performance can put people off because it is a bit theatrical but when you actually work on clients it isn't this way. I work at a spa and massage between 5 to 10 clients a day and use a lot of the techniques I learnt on the course. I would be interested in checking out the IPM DVD.
Answers:
Hey Foz! I got hold of an advance copy of the IPM DVD from a friend who works for a magazine - it's really great, not like most of the stuffy training videos that I'm sure we've all been exposed to. It's all interactive and you can dot around from part to part, replay bits and skip bits or play it start to finish - like having a training course in your front room! I understand that the DVD will be available from the end of this month - check out their website for info (I think you can pre-order) - [link]http://www.injuryprevention.org.uk[/link]
love 'n' health
justin
Answers:
soooooooo, if you dont use hands... what do you use?
Answers:
hmmm i just found a website and i have to say, it looks bizarre! you cant go rolling your back and head all over your client... can you?!
Answers:
Don't worry ro§ie, its not quite that bad.
The majority of the strokes are done using the soft front of the forearm. The key and most basic movement is to place the soft fronts on the clients back, nearest side from the spine and to gently fall on them. Obviously no pressure or weight is applied to the spine, and then using the same position you can allow your arms to glide apart along the muscles giving a wonderfully deep and powerful stroke.
In order to achieve this kind of movement the table height is considerably lower then you would normally have it for a traditional massage. There are many ways in which the massage is given without applying pressure through your wrists, fingers and thumbs. The majority of the strokes are applied using the forearms.
And you are correct, it is incredibly bizarre, at the end of the Foundation Course you have all the knowledge you need to use No Hands, so the final part of the weekend is to give and receive a 45minute No Hands Massage. Just using the ten strokes learnt in the two days - it is quite difficult, you do have to rethink your working methods.
Application of oil is still done using your hands, provided your posture is correct there is no strain involved to the practitioner so therefore can be used. To be 100% correct in the description of the technique Zero Strain may be better, but No Hands provokes much interest and imagery.
Love and hugs
Foz xx
:o)
Answers:
Hello to everyone - my first post here. Really interested to read everyones comments re No Hands Massage. I have very recently been looking for ways of saving my hands which have begun to feel painful after giving deep remedial work.
After surfing around the net for a while I did explore the possibility of attending one of Gerry's courses but was put off for various reasons. I then came across Darien Pritchard's site and also received feedback on the FHT's members forum about his course for Hands Free massage. I consequently booked on a weekend workshop run by Darien which I attended last weekend and now feel very inspired that there is an alternative way of working and that I can save my hands from future damage.
I was really interested to discover on this forum that there is an IPM DVD and will give that a try as well. It is sometimes difficult to remember all you have been taught over a weekend when there is no-one locally who has done something similar.
Glad to have discovered this forum and will certainly be visiting again.
Best wishes
Piglet
Answers:
Hi all,
This is an interesting post and has helped me to understand more about the 'no hands massage'.
I recently went to a massage therapist because I have really bad shoulders and need them worked on. Didn't know where to go or who to see but the therapist i went to did the Elemis treatment - which she explained was using the elbows and forearms onlyu - no hands.
I asked her advice about my problem and she really didn't know what she was talking about! She didn't know about the Trapezium muscle - where it was etc... Said that the massage had to be the whole back and not directed at any one area and that she didn't know if it would help!!!
Needless to say - I didn't bother having it done and am still searching for a therapist that can help.
I feel certain that massage is the best thing for this problem but can't find anybody in this area so if any of you can recommend someone in the Trowbridge / Melksham area of Wiltshire (or anywhere in a 30 mile radius) i'd really appreciate it.
In the meantime, i'll stay sore and stiff and knotty!! [sm=cry.gif]
Lorraine
x
Answers:
Hi Lorraine,
I'm in Glasgow and don't know of any individual therapists in your area, but you might like to contact the Academy of On Site Massage who are in Gloucestershire. I trained with them and they may be able to recommend an On Site Therapist near to you.
This form of massage takes place on a specially designed chair which gives maximum comfort and support while allowing ease of access to back,neck, shoulders, etc for the therapist. A lot of the moves incororate use of soft fore arms, etc, and one of the founders (David Woodhouse) has collaborated with Gerry Pyvs to produce a book on No Hands Char Massage. While it is not a specific treatment for any particular conditions or injuries, regular uptake can help minor problems from getting any worse. It is performed fully clothed and no oil is used.
The website is.
http://www.aosm.co.uk/
Best wishes,
Pete
Answers:
Hello there Lorraine
Sorry to hear that you are suffering with your shoulders. I dont live in Wiltshire myself, but if you visit the Federation of Holistic Therapists website there is a list of therapists in your area. You will need to check to see what kind of therapy they are trained in, and I would suggest that you find someone either qualified as a remedial or sports masseur/therapist.
Hope that helps.
To me as a practising massage therapist, I feel I could not give an appropriate treatment without knowledge of individual muscles. Each client should have their treatment tailored specifically to their needs.
Good luck in your search.
Piglet
Answers:
Piglet, surely part of all of our training as a massage therapist is to learn the name and function of ALL muscles of the body - the A&P part of our knowledge.
I fail to see how you can give any sort of therapeutic massage without this kind of knowledge?
Don't mean to be rude, jusst seems a bit bizarre.........
k
:)
Answers:
Hello there K
It seems I have been misinterpreted. The point I was making was that I need the knowledge of the individual muscles which I think is what you are saying. As for knowing the functions of all 600 or so muscles, I cannot claim that but, yes, I obviously learned the main ones during A&P training and am constantly referencing any I am not so familiar with.
No offence taken.
Piglet
Answers:
I am a very happy bunny today!! I have just spent the most fantastic four days doing the No Hands Practitioner course ... which I passed I am excited to say.
Over these four days I think I have experienced some of the most amazing touch and bodywork. I can't wait to get on using it, now being fully qualified with No Hands Massage think it will be very rare when I use a traditional swedish stoke. We spent four days hard work learning 70 strokes and integrating them, and the great thing is my body and back feel amazing!! Better then ever before, no pain no twinges just great open muscles.
If you are thinking about No Hands massage, or are in any of the stages of Injury I would strongly encourage you to either go to one of Gerry's Protect Your Career seminars that are coming up or book an appointment with a No Hands practitioner to experience it for yourself.
Love and hugs
Foz xxx
:o)
Answers:
Well done Foz. Enjoy using your new skill.
Lesley
A month back I did the 2-day Foundation for Gerry Pyve's No Hands Massage and am very excited about doing the Practioner course in September.
I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced No Hands, receiving, watching a demo, or indeed trained in it - what are you thoughts about it. Is is something you have looked into?
I thought I would share my experience of how I discovered it, and am becoming a huge advocate.
My first exposure was at the Complimentary Health Expo in ExCEL London in October last year where they were demonstrating the No Hands Chair Massage. I paid to receive a treatment, and it did feel as wonderful as it looked. I was interested in the technique but not enough to want to book onto a course or buy a book, but I did know that one day I was to come back to it. It just clicked for me, the technique the idea of prolonging my hands and the way the company was presented. They had four therapists all choreographed demonstrating the massage - i liked that, something I hadn't seen before.
A few weeks later I booked myself onto the Protect Your Career seminar being held by Gerry in London as part of the national tour. It was fascinating, going through the stages of injury and finding out about how we injure ourselves. But also Gerry himself, here is a man with tremendous energy and enthusiasm who loves what he does. The seminar then finished with Gerry's massage performance (not demonstration) - "Come Fly With Me and Bring Your Body Home". Choreographed to the music of Tim Wheater's Incantation album, with lighting effects this is an amazing way to see how you can flow and fly with your massage.
Well, I was sold, that evening I signed up for the Foundation, Practitioner, Advanced Practioner and Chair Massage courses.
Then in April I did the Foundation course, I was very excited to find out that Gerry was taking the course along with one of the other No Hands Practioners. The two days were run very differently to any other course I had been on, no manuals till be finished, feedback from bodies was only allowed when we had finished practicing stokes, there was a lot more energy and buzz in the room, and it was a large group - 20 of us!
The first morning and part of the afternoon was dealing with the introduction, basics and learning how to let go and fall onto your client - the key to No Hands, and also the hardest part to learn. We learnt the seven postural secrets and basic strokes. By the end of it I felt pretty confident of the technique and am now practicing it and also incorporating it into my traditional Therapeautic work with clients. Even now I can still here Suan telling us to "Floooow" and Gerry just giving us soo much energy and excitement. And now I am looking forward to the Practioner Course in September!
Thanks for letting me share this with you.
Love and Hugs
Foz xx
:o)
Answers:
I think it's amazing.. been on a few of the workshops and intend to do the practitioners course when I've raised enough cash to fund it... with the VAT and all it's gone up lots!! Love the techniques and it looks so incredibly graceful without comprimising the power of the movements. I'm hoping I can have a peek at the no hands chair massage and the no hands reflexology.. how that works I really want to know! I'm a convert.. just not a practioner. *sigh* Soon.. maybe.. I hope.
Answers:
Hey Gussie,
They are very graceful, which is infact part of the third Postural Principle / Secret - Flow. Have to admit the reflexology fascinates me too, Gerry was saying that a lot of reflexologists have told them how great it is, really helps save their thumbs for when they really need them.
I hope you get on a course soon, it really is worth it.
Love and hugs
Foz xxx
:o)
Answers:
Hi There Everyone,
I went to a NO Hands Massage 'workshop' (which was not a workshop but a talk and handed over £22.50 to listen to Gerry drone on and show his dance off, I was very disappointed) at Olympia this year and thought the concept behind the training is great but I am a hands on therapist who has not got the time or great deal of money to invest in going on 10 lots of training to be a 'grand high god master practitioner of No Hands. LOL
Instead while walking round Olympia I found Injury Prevention Massage. I had seen articles about them but did not realise they had similar ideas about protecting your hands, back, arms but none off the woof, these guys gave me an Injury Prevention Massage for FREE and I loved it. They are really helpful, friendly people, their courses are cheaper, CPD approved and I have been on their Level one course and find I am doing fantastic. There is a Level 2 but it is not neccesary to do after the level 1 it is just if you want to learn more strokes, I do full body massages from what I do.
They are doing some workshops at the Complimentary Health Expo in ExCel this October, and have a DVD of their training too.
Their contact details are http://www.injuryprevention.org.uk or tel 01924 223225 they also are suppliers of height-adjustable EarthLite massage products for the UK, we worked on them in the course and they are fantasic.
I hope I have not offended any bodyby expressing my experience of Gerry Pervys No Hands, I know some of you guys are really in to him but there is a much more down to earth alternative out there.
Answers:
I LIKE your mis-spelling of Gerry's name Healingtouch - made me smile
Answers:
Oh no Healingtouch not a problem at all. I was actually hoping that someone who had done the IPM training would comment as I would love to know more about their training. What do you do in their Level 1 course?
I totally understand what you mean, he is a very excitable guy. When I was talking to him we talked about the training style of the No Hands Massage company and courses, it isn't for everyone. Some people do prefer a more relaxed, methodical - dare I say traditional approach to their training. I think it cam be something that you can either get into or for others really doesn't work, is almost counter productive. Clearly for me it works and how I wish to train and develop.
That really made me laugh, brighted up what has been a fairly bad afternoon - thanks.
The comment about the EarthLite tables - can't agree with you enough on that. I bought mine two years ago and instantly fell in love with it, as do a lot of my clients whent hey lie on it for the first time. Can't recommend them enough if you can afford one, they are at the higher end of the price market.
I know it hasn't been released yet, but has anyone seen any of the IPM DVD? Although I am following Gerry's training program I am considering ordering a copy of this too.
Love and hugs
Foz xx
:o)
Answers:
I did the No Hands foundation course last year in London. Suan was the trainer and I thought she was fantastic. The course really got me excited again about massage. I'm hoping to do the practioner course later this year. I must admit that Gerry's dance performance can put people off because it is a bit theatrical but when you actually work on clients it isn't this way. I work at a spa and massage between 5 to 10 clients a day and use a lot of the techniques I learnt on the course. I would be interested in checking out the IPM DVD.
Answers:
Hey Foz! I got hold of an advance copy of the IPM DVD from a friend who works for a magazine - it's really great, not like most of the stuffy training videos that I'm sure we've all been exposed to. It's all interactive and you can dot around from part to part, replay bits and skip bits or play it start to finish - like having a training course in your front room! I understand that the DVD will be available from the end of this month - check out their website for info (I think you can pre-order) - [link]http://www.injuryprevention.org.uk[/link]
love 'n' health
justin
Answers:
soooooooo, if you dont use hands... what do you use?
Answers:
hmmm i just found a website and i have to say, it looks bizarre! you cant go rolling your back and head all over your client... can you?!
Answers:
Don't worry ro§ie, its not quite that bad.
The majority of the strokes are done using the soft front of the forearm. The key and most basic movement is to place the soft fronts on the clients back, nearest side from the spine and to gently fall on them. Obviously no pressure or weight is applied to the spine, and then using the same position you can allow your arms to glide apart along the muscles giving a wonderfully deep and powerful stroke.
In order to achieve this kind of movement the table height is considerably lower then you would normally have it for a traditional massage. There are many ways in which the massage is given without applying pressure through your wrists, fingers and thumbs. The majority of the strokes are applied using the forearms.
And you are correct, it is incredibly bizarre, at the end of the Foundation Course you have all the knowledge you need to use No Hands, so the final part of the weekend is to give and receive a 45minute No Hands Massage. Just using the ten strokes learnt in the two days - it is quite difficult, you do have to rethink your working methods.
Application of oil is still done using your hands, provided your posture is correct there is no strain involved to the practitioner so therefore can be used. To be 100% correct in the description of the technique Zero Strain may be better, but No Hands provokes much interest and imagery.
Love and hugs
Foz xx
:o)
Answers:
Hello to everyone - my first post here. Really interested to read everyones comments re No Hands Massage. I have very recently been looking for ways of saving my hands which have begun to feel painful after giving deep remedial work.
After surfing around the net for a while I did explore the possibility of attending one of Gerry's courses but was put off for various reasons. I then came across Darien Pritchard's site and also received feedback on the FHT's members forum about his course for Hands Free massage. I consequently booked on a weekend workshop run by Darien which I attended last weekend and now feel very inspired that there is an alternative way of working and that I can save my hands from future damage.
I was really interested to discover on this forum that there is an IPM DVD and will give that a try as well. It is sometimes difficult to remember all you have been taught over a weekend when there is no-one locally who has done something similar.
Glad to have discovered this forum and will certainly be visiting again.
Best wishes
Piglet
Answers:
Hi all,
This is an interesting post and has helped me to understand more about the 'no hands massage'.
I recently went to a massage therapist because I have really bad shoulders and need them worked on. Didn't know where to go or who to see but the therapist i went to did the Elemis treatment - which she explained was using the elbows and forearms onlyu - no hands.
I asked her advice about my problem and she really didn't know what she was talking about! She didn't know about the Trapezium muscle - where it was etc... Said that the massage had to be the whole back and not directed at any one area and that she didn't know if it would help!!!
Needless to say - I didn't bother having it done and am still searching for a therapist that can help.
I feel certain that massage is the best thing for this problem but can't find anybody in this area so if any of you can recommend someone in the Trowbridge / Melksham area of Wiltshire (or anywhere in a 30 mile radius) i'd really appreciate it.
In the meantime, i'll stay sore and stiff and knotty!! [sm=cry.gif]
Lorraine
x
Answers:
Hi Lorraine,
I'm in Glasgow and don't know of any individual therapists in your area, but you might like to contact the Academy of On Site Massage who are in Gloucestershire. I trained with them and they may be able to recommend an On Site Therapist near to you.
This form of massage takes place on a specially designed chair which gives maximum comfort and support while allowing ease of access to back,neck, shoulders, etc for the therapist. A lot of the moves incororate use of soft fore arms, etc, and one of the founders (David Woodhouse) has collaborated with Gerry Pyvs to produce a book on No Hands Char Massage. While it is not a specific treatment for any particular conditions or injuries, regular uptake can help minor problems from getting any worse. It is performed fully clothed and no oil is used.
The website is.
http://www.aosm.co.uk/
Best wishes,
Pete
Answers:
Hello there Lorraine
Sorry to hear that you are suffering with your shoulders. I dont live in Wiltshire myself, but if you visit the Federation of Holistic Therapists website there is a list of therapists in your area. You will need to check to see what kind of therapy they are trained in, and I would suggest that you find someone either qualified as a remedial or sports masseur/therapist.
Hope that helps.
To me as a practising massage therapist, I feel I could not give an appropriate treatment without knowledge of individual muscles. Each client should have their treatment tailored specifically to their needs.
Good luck in your search.
Piglet
Answers:
Piglet, surely part of all of our training as a massage therapist is to learn the name and function of ALL muscles of the body - the A&P part of our knowledge.
I fail to see how you can give any sort of therapeutic massage without this kind of knowledge?
Don't mean to be rude, jusst seems a bit bizarre.........
k
:)
Answers:
Hello there K
It seems I have been misinterpreted. The point I was making was that I need the knowledge of the individual muscles which I think is what you are saying. As for knowing the functions of all 600 or so muscles, I cannot claim that but, yes, I obviously learned the main ones during A&P training and am constantly referencing any I am not so familiar with.
No offence taken.
Piglet
Answers:
I am a very happy bunny today!! I have just spent the most fantastic four days doing the No Hands Practitioner course ... which I passed I am excited to say.
Over these four days I think I have experienced some of the most amazing touch and bodywork. I can't wait to get on using it, now being fully qualified with No Hands Massage think it will be very rare when I use a traditional swedish stoke. We spent four days hard work learning 70 strokes and integrating them, and the great thing is my body and back feel amazing!! Better then ever before, no pain no twinges just great open muscles.
If you are thinking about No Hands massage, or are in any of the stages of Injury I would strongly encourage you to either go to one of Gerry's Protect Your Career seminars that are coming up or book an appointment with a No Hands practitioner to experience it for yourself.
Love and hugs
Foz xxx
:o)
Answers:
Well done Foz. Enjoy using your new skill.
Lesley