barefoot | Ashiatsu | gravity-assisted massage therapy
why choose barefoot based contact for your treatments?
Step into the art of barefoot massage training with Continuing Kneads’ barefoot based, gravity-assisted (aka Ashiatsu, pronounced ‘ash-at’su’) certification courses, designed exclusively for Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) seeking continuing education. These CEU-accredited workshops teach the biomechanics, balance, and precision needed to deliver deeper, more effective treatments — all while preserving your own body’s longevity.
Our hands-on (or rather, feet-on) approach ensures that every participant masters the principles of barefoot techniques and the science behind effective gravity-assisted, barefoot massage therapy. Learn body alignment, pressure control, and client safety techniques that elevate your professional practice.
Gliding & compressive barefoot massage therapy techniques offer a niche paradigm of practice and set you apart in your profession. Graduates of our barefoot massage certification programs report improved vitality, new treatment capabilities and a deeper connection to addressing client needs. Whether you’re new to barefoot work or building on previous trainings with Sarga, DeepFeet, Ashiatsu Canada or other professional curriculums, our courses offer professional support and mentorship every step of the way.
“Since adding barefoot massage to my practice, I finish my days with far less physical and mental fatigue and have more energy for my life outside of work.”
seated
barefoot
This workshop explores the art of seated barefoot massage techniques—a deeply intuitive and surprisingly sustainable way to deliver effective pressure while staying grounded and relaxed as a therapist.
Whether you're looking to expand your skill set or preserve your hands, this method offers powerful possibilities for clinical work with minimal therapist strain.
You’ll learn to use your feet as expressive tools—capable of gliding, compressing, and engaging tissue in a grounded, responsive way—while staying in full connection with the client.
clinical barefoot:
shoulders, back & Neck
Designed specifically for RMTs looking to preserve their hands and wrists while still achieving profound results. This 3-day lab-style training explores how your feet can become expressive, therapeutic tools in your clinical repertoire with the focus on standing techniques & some integration of seated techniques.
You’ll learn barefoot applications that are intentional, responsive, and deeply effective—rooted in proper body mechanics, clear intention, and client comfort. All techniques are taught with clinical sensitivity and can be integrated into traditional treatments or offered as a stand-alone approach.
clinical barefoot:
lumbar, hips & legs
Designed for RMTs who are ready to expand their toolbox, this workshop offers sustainable ways to access deep tissue layers through seated or standing barefoot applications.
Learn how to deliver consistent, confident pressure to some of the body’s most tension-holding regions—glutes, hip rotators, IT band, hamstrings, quads, adductors, and lower back.
Nothing clunky or awkward here—just the intelligent use of your body to treat. Care for the lumbar spine, hips, and legs with fluidity, confidence, and ease—all from your feet.
student testimonials
“After practicing for 26 years, it was getting a bit much to do really deep work anymore. I had fractured my thumb and couldn’t use my hands the way I used to and needed an alternate way to treat my clients. In the past, I’d trained in pretty much everything like FST, Cupping, SDTT, IASTM & IHM but with my barefoot massage training I was amazed at how easy it was to go deeper and honestly to make your feet do what my hands normally would. I love having another option in my tool belt, especially with clients who prefer deeper work where my hands, elbows, and fists can’t cut it. I would recommend that RMT’s interested in learning how to elongate their career in body work take this training. It’s been a few years since I’ve taken my original training and I still love providing this technique for my clients and as one part within all my offerings.”
“I would definitely recommend this course to other RMT’s. The layout and speed were great. Not too much information coming at you at once. I didn’t know how much I would enjoy it, but I was pleasantly surprised.”
“After 10 years of practicing Massage Therapy, I knew it was time to consider what I wanted my practice to look like for my next 10 years. In my first decade as an RMT, I focused on finding my treatment style and growing the modalities that felt like they would fit my flow but everything still felt really repetitive for me and I knew I was missing something to really expand my career and bring new life into my work.
After seeing barefoot at an industry trade show, I signed up for the introductory, seated barefoot course immediately. After months of practice, standing barefoot was calling my name. Fast forward to today, I am growing my standing barefoot practice quickly and my patients are loving it. I appreciate the change in body mechanics it offers us as RMT’s. It creates change in my day, I don’t treat areas the same way as I would with my hands and this offers variety and options for my patients.
If you’re a deeper tissue RMT or want to offer deeper pressure safety, barefoot massage is the perfect next “step”. Barefoot doesn’t need to be deep but for the patients that feel best with more pressure this is a safe and effective way to offer that for you and them. If you love Massage Therapy but know you are needing a way to change the physical element of the career, consider barefoot massage - you won’t regret it!
Barefoot massage really gave me an outlet to be expressive in my treatments, offer new variety to my patients and change the load on my body which feels much lighter. (Even just seated is an amazing addition to your practice and easy to implement and set up quickly at barely any cost to the clinic or practitioner). Barefoot Massage Training was my favourite RMT CEU course I’ve ever taken. I can’t wait to keep learning more and expanding my barefoot practice. This training is worth every minute of time and money. It is a great investment in your future. It’s also really fun!!!
Thank you Jamie for bringing this training to Atlantic Canada and investing your time into the growth of Massage Therapists.”
what clients think of barefoot
“I love barefoot massage and have been receiving this type of treatment consistently for over 10 years. The pressure is a little more intense and, without question, more satisfying. The practitioner can easily adjust pressure based on therapeutic need and individual tolerance using their body weight while coming from a more effective vantage point. I am happy with a combination of modalities but preferably only when coupled with barefoot. Barefoot massage adds to the breadth and effectiveness of any treatment, in my opinion. I would recommend it to anyone who is active and likes a deep pressure massage.”
“I have chronic pain and a host of joint and muscle issues. I was receiving regular, hands-on therapeutic massage from RMT’s previous to trying barefoot treatments and they were good and really helped me keep things working. Previously, I had tried incorporating a Naturopath as well as Osteopathic treatments, but they really didn’t work that well for me. I was fascinated with the barefoot massage treatment style and was introduced to it by someone who had recently trained in the technique and seemed to know what they were doing. My first experience was all it took. I was hooked on barefoot massage and have been receiving barefoot massage ever since so over a decade now.
I still receive hands-on only because it is also a great treatment from talented therapists, but I would never give up my barefoot massages. The combination of hands-on and barefoot techniques have really made a difference in my quality of life and ability to stay mobile and remain active. I would recommend anyone who is dealing with chronic pain, specific muscle and joint issues and finally anyone who is looking for a really in-depth deep tissue experience to relieve stress and fatigue. I always feel like i have had a reboot of my system when i receive these treatments and I highly recommend this form of massage for anyone looking for a great massage, and or anyone who has been disappointed in the regular massage techniques that are just not getting to your issues. ”
“Over the years, I’ve tried a number of massage therapists, but I often felt like the treatments were temporary and didn’t truly address my root issues. I’ve dealt with both upper and lower back pain, and while traditional massage helped somewhat, it never fully resolved the problem.
Barefoot massage therapy completely changed that for me. They can access deep trigger points with precision and consistency that I hadn’t experienced before. I leave every session feeling noticeably better than when I arrived. The pressure can be deep yet controlled, and it feels far more therapeutic than anything I’d experienced previously.
I have tried many massage therapists over the years, but barefoot was the first time I felt real, lasting results. Deep, controlled pressure that resolved my problem areas. It was not just temporary relief. I honestly leave every session feeling better than when I walked in, a lot of times at a loss for words at how great I am feeling when I leave. I regularly practice stretching and yoga at home, and a lot of the techniques that I have learned from them over the years have been incorporated into my home practice.
I see a chiropractor approximately 6-8 times per year and go to physiotherapy when the situation arises. Both are excellent as well in terms of my well being but sometimes not as effective as deep tissue massage. This is particularly true in my forearms when I was getting treated for inflammation from my wrist up to my shoulders.
Having served as a guest body during the training sessions, I’ve gained firsthand insight into the level of skill and awareness needed for barefoot massage. Proper technique, balance, and pressure are essential for the therapy to be beneficial. I truly believe it’s one of the most effective therapeutic techniques out there.”