Massage Therapy 101 is a DeCal offered by the Suitcase Clinic in order to recruit volunteers for our massage service. The Suitcase Clinic, and specifically its Womxn's clinic, is a UC Berkeley student-run nonprofit organization that aims to create a safe space for children and female-identifying individuals. We provide undergraduate and professional services as well as a common space for students and community members to socialize and get to know one another. Our purpose as a women’s clinic is to provide a space that recognizes the unique challenges that women, particularly low-income and homeless women, face and works towards alleviating these challenges through advocacy, friendship, and solidarity. This DeCal will give you an opportunity to engage in this space through the practice of massage and reflection with your peers.

No previous experience with massage if required! Previous experience working with diverse populations is appreciated, but not required.

From this class, you will learn how to do a complete full-body massage in the Shiatsu and Tui Na styles. In addition, students will be encouraged to bring in their own questions, which will help determine the direction of any additional content learned in the class.

As a volunteer, you will work with other students to practice the skills taught in class. The students will practice on each other fully-clothed and on massage tables provided by the facilitators. The instructors will be roving around to answer questions and provide feedback. Then, in three sessions over the course of the semester, you will work with Suitcase Clinic at a weekly Women's Clinic on Monday nights from 7-9 PM helping to provide the massage service to our clients.

The time commitment for this DeCal are the weekly class sessions Tuesday nights from 7:30-10 PM and the three required volunteering sessions with Suitcase Clinic. For more information on homework, absence policies, final exams or any other information, please refer to the syllabus. If you cannot find it, please contact us at suitcase.massage@gmail.com.

We are looking for passionate volunteers who can work with our clients well and will benefit from learning massage! If you are one of them, please do not hesitate to apply!

IMPORTANT DATES:
1. Application due Friday, August 31st at 11:59 PM
2. Interview invitation sent the morning of Saturday, September 1st. Please respond by Sunday, September 2nd at 11:59 PM.
3. Interviews will take place from Monday, September 3rd to Saturday, September 8th.
4. Decisions come out Saturday, September 8th if you have been accepted to the DeCal or waitlisted. Admitted students please confirm your participation in the class by Sunday, September 9th at 8 PM. Waitlisted students will know by the morning of Monday, September 10th at the latest if you will be able to attend the class.

Application is due by Friday, August 31st at 11:59 PM. Refer to the "Important Dates" above for following deadlines and actions. Please read through the instructions in the form and if you have any more questions or concerns, email us at suitcase.massage@gmail.com. Good luck!