We know the massage and bodywork community is full of passionate instructors possessing caring hearts and expert hands-on skills who give their all to students. But so many are often trained in the “trial by fire” method. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren speak with ABMP Chairman Bob Benson about his motivation for creating Cornerstones, the ABMP Instructor Development Program, why there is a need for this type of program in massage education, and why he was committed to creating this resource for the profession.

Bob Benson is Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals’ (ABMP) chairman of the board. Taking the reins in 1996, Benson has served as ABMP’s president and CEO. Benson is a champion of the massage and bodywork profession, serving on the board of directors of CAMTC, enlisting ABMP’s resources toward the development of the Entry-Level Analysis Project, and spearheading the development of Cornerstones: The ABMP Instructor Development Program. Under his 26 years of leadership, Benson helped grow ABMP into a leading association in the profession, and created sister associations for estheticians, cosmetologists, and nail professionals.

Resources:

Get Started Now with Cornerstones: ABMP Education Center

Hosts:

Darren Buford is senior director of communications and editor-in-chief for ABMP. He is editor of Massage & Bodywork magazine and has worked for ABMP for 22 years, and been involved in journalism at the association, trade, and consumer levels for 24 years. He has served as board member and president of the Western Publishing Association, as well as board member for Association Media & Publishing. Contact him at editor@abmp.com.

Kristin Coverly, LMT is a massage therapist, educator, and the director of professional education at ABMP. She loves creating continuing education courses, events, and resources to support massage therapists and bodyworkers as they enhance their lives and practices. Contact her at ce@abmp.com.

Sponsors:

Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com 

Elements Massage: http://www.elementsmassage.com/abmp

Precision Neuromuscular Therapy: www.pnmt.org

Massage Heights: www.massageheights.com/careers

Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function.    

Website: anatomytrains.com    

Email: info@anatomytrains.com          

Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA  

Founded by a massage therapist for massage therapists, the Elements Massage® brand is a network of independently owned and operated studios dedicated to changing lives--including yours! The Elements Massage brand believes massage therapists deserve a supportive team, business and marketing resources, and the chance to learn as much as they want, so many Elements Massage studios offer and reimburse continuing education on an ongoing basis. It's no surprise Elements Massage therapist and client satisfaction leads the industry. That's because from day one, the brand has kept an unmatched commitment to deliver the best therapeutic massage experiences possible for both clients and massage therapists. Elements Massage studios expects the best. So should you. If this sounds like a fit, reach out. Studios are hiring!

Website: https://elementsmassage.com/ABMP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elementsmassage

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elementsmassage

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLHkAYMgmA6_MJ8DSEZm-A

Disclaimer:

Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated. Franchise owners (or their designated hiring managers) are solely responsible for all employment and personnel decisions and matters regarding their independently owned and operated studios, including hiring, direction, training, supervision, discipline, discharge, compensation (e.g., wage practices and tax withholding and reporting requirements), and termination of employment. Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (ETM) is not involved in, and is not responsible for, employment and personnel matters and decisions made by any franchise owner. All individuals hired by franchise owners’ studios are their employees, not those of ETM. Benefits vary by independently owned and operated Elements Massage® studios. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.

Therapists who are drawn to Precision Neuromuscular Therapy are problem-solvers who want to learn new approaches, but also understand the “why” behind the “what”. This desire resonates with our emphasis on the problem-solving process, rather than the teaching of a singular technique or approach. Led by founder Douglas Nelson, each PNMT instructor is a busy clinician with decades of practical experience.

We have taught hundreds of hands-on live seminars for more than twenty years, emphasizing precise palpation and assessment skills. PNMT online courses are another rich source of discovery and deeper understanding. Also available is a video resource library (PNMT Portal) with hundreds of videos of treatment, assessment, pathology, and practice pearls.

Learn more at www.pnmt.org

Massage Heights is a chain of spa retreats in the U.S. and Canada. Our Retreat owners are passionate about creating positive work environments that value and inspire their staff. Massage Heights is dedicated to supporting the massage, esthetic and spa industries through charitable donations, sponsorships, scholarships, and volunteer leadership.

In 2022, we created Outside the Room, a virtual show and podcast, to support the work of massage therapists and estheticians and honor their careers.

Please visit www.massageheights.com/careers to learn more.

Ep 293 – Cornerstones: The ABMP Instructor Development Program with Bob Benson

The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession