Are you thinking about taking an ashiatsu course, but have some questions about the overhead bar installation in your office?
For most practitioners, a permanent set of ashiatsu barefoot bars is the best option for the safety of you and your client, and the most cost effective bar solution. They are not really permanent. They are removable-but not portable.
What is the purpose of ashiatsu bars?
The ashiatsu bars are used primarily for your balance and support. They allow the massage professional to provide consistent, fluid pressure during the massage. You can also use them to pull up on to take your weight off your client. You can use them to push your body weight down in the event your client wants more pressure.
All ashiatsu bars are not created equally.
In order for the bars to be installed safely and to maximize the reduced stress on your body, adding ashiatsu bars to your office requires a little bit of planning.
Ashiatsu bars are not a “one size fits all” installation. For your benefit, ashiatsu bars should be built to suit your body. Proper height and width of the bars will help ensure proper body mechanics. Measurements for your ashiatsu bars, and the type of bar installation required, are based on a few factors:
- Your height
- Your shoulder width
- Your room size
- A small room is actually a plus in the event you do not have access to ceiling support structures.
- Your massage table
- Do you have a hydraulic, portable, or stationary table?
- Do you have the ability to adjust the table easily if you use other modalities?
- Ceiling type / Access to ceiling supports.
- Drop ceilings, low basement ceilings, eight or nine foot ceilings, cathedral, or loft ceilings are factors in the height and difficulty of the installation of your ashiatsu bars.
- Room situation
- Do you rent? Will your landlord be okay with 8-10 very small patchable holes, or a few more if a loft style bar set-up is necessary?
- Do you share an office with another ashiatsu practitioner?
- You may need to be a little creative depending on your room situation.
Is this a DIY project?
I have installed all three of my bar sets with the help and guidance of my constructionally-inclined family. Each set took me, with some help, a day to complete. If I did not know how to do it, I definitely had family members who I could have enlisted for this project. For those without construction knowledge, or someone who knows their way around a drill and saw, then I would most definitely hire someone to complete this project for you.
There are dozens of ways to install ashiatsu bars. Which ever way you build your bars, do it safely! You and your client’s safety is dependent on your bars being installed safely and correctly!
What is the cost of installing ashiatsu bars?
For a DIY person that needs a standard set of bars installed (no tricky ceiling/room situations), a bar set up should be $50-$100. If you hire someone to complete this job for you, you should expect to pay a few hundred dollars.
Soon, you could be learning at home while your ashiatsu bars are being built.
Now that you have starting thinking about the possibility of adding ashiatsu bars to your office, it is time for the next step – ashiatsu barefoot massage training. My home study ashiatsu barefoot massage course includes a detailed bar installation guide within the eBook to help you on your journey to the hardware store to buy all the supplies you will need to hang your ashiatsu bars up and ready for practicing on willing volunteers (family, friends, or colleagues) and eventually your clients.
Click here to start learning more about the powerful benefits of ashiatsu for you and your clients.
P.S. If you have questions about bars, your room situation, or anything else ashiatsu related, Email me at : ivy@advancedmassagetechniques.com
About Ivy
How do I install the bars in a vaulted ceiling….having lots of trouble finding someone who can do it.
Vaulted ceilings are trickier, but not impossible. How large is the room?
I have doing massage for 13 years. I took your online course a year ago but have yet to install bars in my room. My hands and arms are tired and more and more worn out. I wanted to work with my feet to give my hands and arms a rest. My concern now is that if I am doing ashiatsu massage with my arms elevated above my head, will my wrists and arms go numb or ache from using them this new way?
Hi Cecily,
I had the same concern before I started ashi. But, remember, your arms are not holding you up. They are there for balance. This should not be strenuous on them if they are at the proper height. If this becomes too much of a concern for you, think investing in a floor (thai) mat and something like a walking stick for balance (Kind of an example – here).
Please tell me how I may find a qualified person to install my bars? I’m in Novi, MI Thank you!
I would contact a reputable construction company in your areas and explain what you need to have installed. Most skilled construction companies (even small – one person construction workers) can help you with this project.
Hi,
I’m an Ashiatsu Practitioner, and I was looking at a space today to rent. The ceiling is low and I’m concerned about not being able to install bars in the room. I’m 5′ 7 and I want to say the ceiling is about 7 feet high. Do you think it’s possible? I might be able to raise the ceiling because it looked like standard office ceiling panels that you would see in a business office.
I have had low ceilings and had it work before. I have a table that is able to go very low, though (ADA compliant). If you are able to get around the ceiling tiles I think someone with construction skills and an imagination should be able to make something work. If it is a small room, a loft style may work too. Best wishes!
Hello, I am trying to put the bars into my “massage room” inside my new home. But I’m not sure if i should make the bars myself or just find some online to buy? If they sell them online do you know of a goof place where i can purchase them? And if i buy make them what kind of wood should i use, and are there any tutorials that can help me with the schematics? Your advise would greatly be appreciated in this matter as I was just going to purchase some “pull-up” bars for the job lol.
Hi Jasmine,
I would contact the place where you have signed up to take a course on ashiatsu. Most ashiatsu instructors should be able to give you an idea of what you will need to buy and what materials you will likely need to purchase at a hardware store.
H Ivy,
, I am unable to bring up the site for the online course.
Thank you! I fixed the link. Here it is – https://www.advancedmassagetechniques.com/ashiatsu/
Do you have instructions for installing bars from a dropped ceiling?
What eye hooks were used and inside diameter for poles?
Hi Patrice,
This information is all contained within my course ebook. Please let me know if you have any other questions about the course.
https://www.advancedmassagetechniques.com/ashiatsu/
As long as you have access to the permanent structure underneath the dropped ceiling you can install stable and safe bars.
I want to find a qualified construction person to help me install the bars, could you help me? I live in Wichita, KS 67212 USA
Any reputable contractor should be able to help you with this project. As around and find out who friends recommend for small construction projects.
what kind of bars do you use? metal or wood? thanks
I use wood, but know others that have used metal.
Ivy
where do u get the bars? any home improvement store?
What is the ideal height from the floor for the bars?
It varies according to your height.