Barefoot Massage Modalities and Resources

Barefoot massage is more common than one might think. As you research barefoot massage more, you will find there are many different barefoot modalities, with long histories that are still being practiced today. Here are just a few great resources if you want to learn more about barefoot massage.

Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage
This is a course I designed for massage professionals who would like to learn ashiatsu safely at home. This is a thorough approach for beginners, but also a great study for experienced barefoot practitioners. It includes 160 page manual with photos, bar installation instructions, and embedded instructional videos.

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy ™ AOBT
Ruthie Hardee is credited with the widespread recognition of ashiatsu. Only seminar courses are available.

Barefoot Masters Ahh Shiatsu™
Michelle Mace conducts ashiatsu seminars along with seminars in Fijian, bamboo, and stone massage.

Fijian Barefoot Massage (Second Website BarefootMassage)
Fijian massage uses no parallel bars. A chair or stool is used for sitting and balance. Clients may be clothed or unclothed.

Barefoot Lomi Lomi

This barefoot massage originated in the Pacific. It includes the philosophies and long, head-to-toe flowing strokes characteristic to traditional lomi lomi massage.

Chavutti Thirumal

Chavutti Thirumal is thought to be one of the earliest ancestors to ashiatsu. See history. Although it is not widely practiced here in the United States, there are a limited amount of training stateside.

Barefoot Thai / HandsFree™ Thai
Thai practitioners commonly use their hands, feet, knees, and body weight during a massage. Chuck Duff conducts a specific HandsFree Thai course for practitioners that only use their feet.

Trisoma®
John Harris has a great video and manual about using barefoot compression techniques. A staff is used for balance and the client remains lying on a floor mat.

European Barefoot Massage
Sue Kent is a successful barefoot massage professional across the pond. Born without hands, she developed her own style of barefoot massage. She sits on a bench over her client during the barefoot massage. Here is her YouTube video:

You may also watch her video on YouTube. A DVD is also available on her website.

If you choose to learn more about barefoot massage techniques, check out a few of these sites. Many of them have great learning resources.