Your are invited to read Erik Dalton's article, Home-Study CE Conundrum, and post your comments.

http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=7523&catid=2...

Hello all,
What's the good word?

Peace

Just joined this group. I do myofascial release as part of my craniosacral practice. I'm a certified craniosacral therapist and an R.P.P.(registered polarity practitioner).
I think they are divine and am grateful for the gift. Look forward to communicating
more but it's getting kind of late here.
Ciao for now

It is a conundrum but not so much for me as I am in the UK, but I must say I myself am a massage video junkie, I have hours of video on my iPod so I can easily watch something new whenever I have a spare minute like those empty slots in the middle of the day or whilst travelling to and from work.

For me it also gives me the opportunity to watch techniques from educators I am unlikely to get the chance to work with or do a workshop with and I do know it isn't ideal and hands on training is always best, but it is a great addition to the CPD courses I already do.

Once in a while you could also get luck.

I ordered some instructional DVD's from Joel Tull on Kinetic Massage and the next thing I know he's emailing to say he will be in the UK briefly, for his first time, on his way back from the Berlin World Championships and would I like to meet up and do some hands on learning?
Needless to say I am Joel's first UK student and count myself lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work with him and all because I bought the DVD!

Erik Dalton's article: CE Conundrum: Sigh.... I can see big concerns on both sides of this issue. I myself would be uncomfortable if I found out my doctor, for instance, had taken an online course in colonoscopy. Hahaha! Truly, we are not talking about such drastic claims. However, the truth of the matter is that the few, and usually damaging, people out there who watch these CE's without some kind of accountability are doing great harm in this industry. They need watchdogs out there for integrity's sake. However, for the mass majority this changes the dynamics and is upsetting at best. Someone commented earlier about making those who get just online CE's to recieve less than those who go to live training. I like that.

Somehow or another I get the feeling this whole transition has way more to do with who's making money and how to get more. Sigh....I hope I am wrong.

Overall, I would hope there would be flexibility on NCBTMB's side to reconsider their decisions on, in my opinion, limiting factors to training outside of a live workshop scenario. So much of acquiring CE's is so expensive. I would hate to see costs go up because of this.

I guess I've been sceptical about online/home study courses, but I find myself turning to home study more now. I simply cannot afford the time or money to travel all over the country to the various classes, and it seems that not a lot is on offer in my state (PA). I have had very good experiences with home study, thankfully, but I can see that it is not for every student. Given that the course itself is thorough and professionally presented, whether through texts, online classes, or DVD, the student must be self-motivated and able to learn on his/her own from the material. For those who learn through supervised hands-on experience best, it can be daunting and perhaps not the best avenue. I think the most important thing is for the student to have a genuine desire to learn (not just a need to acquire CEUs) and to be realistic about the manner in which they learn best. Having said all that, it is also a good idea to do your research before purchasing a home-study course and try to be as sure as possible that you aren't being taken advantage of. I actually purchased Erik Dalton's home-study course, which is excellent, and do not feel that I'm missing anything. The DVDs are better than being in a crowded seminar where I would probably be viewing the work on a large-screen from the back of the room anyway, without the ability to rewind and view the work again.

I think home study courses can be a great start, and then it seems there is nothing like in person, hands on learning. I could have studied mfr on a video, but at home, I would not know what it feels like to receive, and wouldn't know how it feels for someone else. there is no feedback with a video. I have taken courses with John Barnes and practiced over the last l7 years, for me a huge part of the learning experience was experiencing the work myself. I got treated a lot, great for my own healing and great for learning how to work with others. If you are in PA, John's clinic is in Paoli, and there are classes offered all over the country, it's a great foundation to build on. I have run across people who have learned it from a book and something is missing. check out http://www.myofascialrelease.com for their course list. The have a great program where you can go for a week and work with all the clients with an MFR therapist, a great skill and confidence builder.
Antonia

Hi Group,
Well if you are interested in home study my new instructional massage DVD on forearm massage is officially released. The DVD is 74 minutes and teaches how to give a full body massage using the forearms as the primary tool. To watch a preview please visit authmethod.com.
Peace,
Shari