Yomassage is a modality that combines restorative yoga stretching with gentle massage and guided meditation in a group class. It’s a complete self-care package—one that can create a new income stream for massage therapists.
Aiyana Fraley, LMT, is a seasoned freelance writer and healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience in the massage field. She specializes in integrative wellness techniques and is passionate about educating therapists on innovative practices like Yomassage.
Massage Magazine is proud to have Aiyana share with us some of her interactions with those behind Yomassage.
The Origin and Growth of Yomassage
Yomassage was founded by massage therapist and yoga teacher Tiffany Ryan, PhD, LMT, and yoga teacher Katherine Parker in 2018, they say it’s a complete self-care package—one that can create a new income stream for massage therapists.
“When massage therapists started to hear about what we were doing, we could tell it was really resonating with them. It struck a nerve for something that was needed in the industry,” said Ryan.
Integrating Restorative Yoga, Massage, and Mindfulness
It was the combination of restorative yoga, massage and mindfulness that was exactly what massage therapist Leti Mathews, LMT, owner of Integrated Bodyworks in Kingwood, Texas, was intrigued by.
Leti Mathews
“I was immediately curious. I needed to know more about this combination of two of my favorite things,” said Mathews, who made the short commute to Austin for the training in 2019.
“I took away a newfound love and appreciation of the power of touch, stretch, and mindfulness,” Mathews said. “I left Austin with a sense of being more than just a massage therapist. I had new tools in tow and I was ready to share them with my clients and community.”
Ryan’s career prior to being a massage therapist and yoga instructor was as a social worker developing virtual curricula for universities. When the demand for Yomassage classes grew, the founders came together and developed a 25-hour online training course that included research on stress and mindfulness, restorative yoga, techniques for gentle touch, how to teach a Yomassage class, and business and marketing strategies. Yomassage training may be taken in person as well.
The signature course covers 10 gentle massage techniques that can be used during a class and variations that accommodate various populations. To learn Yomassage, a massage therapist doesn’t need to be certified as a yoga instructor. “We teach our therapists everything they need to know to facilitate a Yomassage session,” said Ryan.
Dawn Kuleana Freitas
Yomassage Signature, Barefoot Yomassage and Table Yomassage are all available only to massage therapists. There is a version called Mindful Touch by Yomassage that uses different touch techniques that are not massage, and that course is available to anyone. Yomassage Facial is open to estheticians.
Ryan said all the courses contain a trauma-informed language and approach, which many practitioners shared they were interested in.
“Combining mindful movement and hands-on therapy allows an opportunity for people to access and release trauma that they may not even be aware they’re still holding on to, in a safe, supportive setting,” said Dawn Kuleana Freitas, CMT, NMT, who owns New Dawn Therapies in Culver City, California.
Massage therapist and Yomassage practitioner Alison Blythe, LMT, of Alpharetta, Georgia, said she felt strongly about the benefits of the trauma-informed aspect of the course.
Alison Blythe
“Seeing a massage table can be intimidating to some people. In my massage, I assure people that they are going to be draped properly, but with Yomassage I don’t have to worry about that. Their clothes are on; there are no lubricants,” said Blythe. “It is great to introduce people to massage in a non-intimidating atmosphere.”
What to Expect in a Yomassage Session
In a Yomassage session, the practitioner guides the clients in meditation and offers instruction on how to position the props, which offer additional support and comfort to the clients. They then offer a gentle massage to each client while they are in a restorative yoga posture.
Teaching requires a specific skill set, said Ryan. Many massage therapists find that the Yomassage training helps them build the confidence to teach and learn how to maintain their presence in the room. It’s different from what they are used to with one-on-one treatments, but they gain so much from the experience and end up loving it, said Ryan. Students also learn about tone and speaking in a soothing voice and are given sample verbiage to use during the class to guide clients into each position.
For massage therapists who are also certified yoga instructors like Freitas, the course is a blueprint for combining her two modalities. Freitas already has experience teaching regular yoga classes and working with her massage clients one-on-one.
“I was curious about bridging the gap between two effective modalities for my yoga students and massage clients. Massage therapy alone was not enough for most clients, who needed more healing tools while off the table to balance out their high-stress lives. On the other end of the spectrum, many of my yogis were missing out on the powerful miracle of safe, loving touch,” said Freitas.
Massage therapist Jill Harding, LMT, owner of Day Dreams Wellness Studio for Women in Greenwood, Indiana, became a certified Yomassage practitioner in 2019 and was inspired to follow it with a yoga teacher training.
Jill Harding
“During the pandemic, when my studio was closed and I was unable to give hands-on work, I ended up taking an online yoga teacher training. I was inspired by Yomassage to go deeper and do different movements in addition to restorative yoga. It was a great kick-start for me, and in an odd way, the pandemic gave me time to get my yoga certification,” said Harding.
Harding was interested in Yomassage because her massage style takes on a gentle approach, and many continuing education courses she had taken in the past were focused on deep-tissue work. “This was a perfect continuing education class for me because the yoga part is soothing, and the massage is still therapeutic but slow and gentle,” she said.
Marketing Yomassage: Expanding Your Practice
The business and marketing aspect of Yomassage classes is very appealing to massage therapists looking to branch out of their treatment rooms and into community settings. With the option of offering a private or group class, the marketing opportunities are vast.
“It allows me to appeal to a larger group of people,” said Blythe, who is planning weekly Yomassage classes in a spa setting. Harding, who has a women-focused practice, sees an opportunity to facilitate connection among women.
“I love the idea that clients could come in with a group of girlfriends, or family members could come in and take it together. They could have a girls’ day, and from what I’ve seen in my classes with mothers and daughters coming in together, it creates a bonding opportunity for them. I also like the energy of having multiple people come in and relax at the same time,” said Harding.
Yomassage Coverage with Massage Magazine Insurance Plus
Yomassage is now proudly included as one of the 500+ modalities covered under the comprehensive liability insurance policy offered by Massage Magazine Insurance Plus (MMIP). This inclusion ensures that practitioners can safely integrate Yomassage into their services while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with full insurance protection.
Contact MMIP for more details about Yomassage and all the other modalities offered.
FAQs about Yomassage
What is Yomassage?
Yomassage is a wellness modality that combines restorative yoga with massage and mindfulness in a group setting.
Do I need to be a certified yoga instructor to teach Yomassage?
No, you do not need to be a certified yoga instructor. Yomassage training provides all the necessary skills.
How can Yomassage benefit my practice?
Yomassage can diversify your offerings and attract new clients seeking holistic wellness services.
How is Yomassage integrated into Massage Magazine Insurance Plus coverage?
Yomassage is covered as one of the 500+ modalities included in the comprehensive liability insurance policy offered by Massage Magazine Insurance Plus. This ensures that practitioners are protected during Yomassage sessions, allowing them to confidently expand their services.
Can Yomassage help with stress reduction and trauma release?
Yes, Yomassage combines gentle touch, restorative yoga, and mindfulness to create a supportive environment where clients can access and release stored stress and trauma. This holistic approach enhances overall well-being and promotes deep relaxation.
Are there any prerequisites to enroll in a Yomassage training course?
There are no specific prerequisites to enroll in a Yomassage training course. Massage therapists of all experience levels can join and benefit from the training. The comprehensive course covers everything needed to conduct Yomassage sessions, from gentle massage techniques to teaching restorative yoga postures.
About the Author
Aiyana Fraley, LMT, is a freelance writer and health care professional with 20 years of experience in the massage field.