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Let's get physical
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Work your body from head to toe with these alternative hands-on courses
by SIOBHÀN O'CONNOR
Along with the sweater weather creeping in, so comes that nagging back-to-school feeling. But for those of you who are higher-learning retirees, dropouts or the like, here are some body-related course ideas to keep your hands busy over the next while. Whether you want to give massages as well as you get them, find out how to dangle from a trapeze or perfect the pedicure, these classes can help usher you into the wild world of body work.
Back stroke
While practising in the bedroom is a great starting point for aspiring masseuses and masseurs, making it as a professional is a little more rigorous. To legally practise massage, there are two kinds of certificates that can be obtained and the Natural Heath Consultants Institute offers both. The first degree, which gives students "Practitioner Status," is a 400-hour curriculum which includes seven courses. Among them are perfection of Jin Shin Do (acupressure) and therapeutic massage, counselling, sexology and anatomy/physiology. The second degree is more advanced, giving students "Therapist Status" and is recognized by the Association des massothérapeutes du Québec (AMQ). At a lengthier 1,000 hours, it includes all the above courses as well as training in homeopathy, the business aspects of the trade and "energy work." Info: NHC (4240 Girouard), 485-3859 or the AMQ, 597-0505.
Hair play
Been practising on Barbie your whole life? Your friends too, eh? Well maybe it's high time you found a new venue for your deftness with 'dos. When it comes to hairdressing school, there are two principle options in Montreal. There's the well-recognized Secondary School Vocational Diploma--a pricey one-year program offered at College Inter-Dec. And there's a basic certificate course needed for any kind of salon work--a six-month course offered by smaller schools. Both types of training balance theory with practical work, sometimes on plastic heads, sometimes on volunteer models. Info: College Inter-Dec (2120 Ste-Catherine W.), 939-4444. For a basic certificate course, try Ecole de coiffure unisexe (7125 St-Hubert), 278-0440.
Once you've finished a basic hairdressing course and you want to join the world of fancy-shmancy salon types, Tonic Salon offers a Stylists' Perfecting Course. It can range from six months to a year, during which time students work as assistants to experienced stylists, perfecting six popular cuts. The course and the glory are free in exchange for labour. Info: Tonic (3613 St-Laurent), 499-9494.
Follow your nose
Since smell is considered our most powerful sense, it follows that people incorporate essential oils and other yummy-smelling things like incense and perfume into their lives. Besides being odour eaters, though, some of these scents have curative qualities. The NHC offers a 42-hour certificate course in aromatherapy in which students learn how to use smells therapeutically. The curriculum includes the history of the use of essential oils (and their use goes way back), essential oil chemistry, methods of use and more. The course is recognized by the International Aromatherapist and Tutors Association. They also offer interest classes on the same topic. Info: NHC, 485-3859.
Makeup rundown
If you're anything like me, the words "Beauty School" conjure up images of those poodle-skirt-wearing la-dee-da girls of the '50s learning how to get that rouge on their apple cheeks just so (think Grease). But these days, in addition to learning the basics of cosmetology, beauty-school students learn how to do facials, manicures/pedicures, massage and hair removal techniques. The Ecole de beauté Lise-Watier offers a year-long beauty program as well as an Artistry certificate. The latter includes morphology, photo makeup, and screen makeup. Info: College Inter-Dec, 939-4444.
Exploring inner space
Along with the co-opting of all things "spiritual," yoga centres have been sprouting up like mushrooms. And whether or not you've been flipping your legs over your shoulders and standing on your head for years, those with the teaching bug--including beginners--are now eligible to take the Sivananda Yoga Teachers' Training Course. The four-week intensive prepares yogis-to-be with basic teaching techniques and a rudimentary understanding of human anatomy. Among the things you can expect to learn are: how to perfect the 12 basic yoga postures, yogic meditation/chanting, breathing techniques, the basics of the Hindu Bhagavad Gita and vegetarian cooking. Sadly, yogic flying is not part of the curriculum. The TTCs take place several times a year at various places including their bucolic Val Morin site. Info: Montreal Sivananda Yoga Centre, 279-3545.
Crazy human tricks
If you've been joking for years about running off and joining the circus, you no longer have to go very far. As it happens, Montreal has its very own downtown Ecole nationale de cirque (ENC), and the Ministry of Education has actually started issuing DECs to graduates of their three-year program. The curriculum of their Circus Arts program is split between circus theory/history and practical stuff including contortion, circus acting (like "How to Be a Mime" class), trampoline, trapeze arts, juggling and acrobatics. Some of the school's graduates have gone on to join the oh-so-esoteric Cirque du Soleil; others have no doubt amused friends with their crazy party tricks. Applications are due by late-fall. Info: ENC (417 Berri), 982-0859.
Playing footsie
Foot-fetish types take note: there are close to 30 major pressure points in the foot that, when stimulated, can make and break parts of the human body. These pressure points are the stuff of reflexology, a therapeutic technique that uses said pressure points to realign the body, relieve stress and fix all kinds of body trouble. The Professional Reflexology Certificate Courses are part practical and part theory, and they vary in length from six months to one year, depending on the level of study. Call the Institut québécois de réflexologie integral (4642 St-Urbain) at 845-1049.
Herbal healing
Since naturopathy's now recognized as more than just magic potions and mysterious herbal blends, it's become a more popular field of study for inquiring hands and minds. While it's steeped in controversy--there seem to be as many naysayers as there are positive testaments to its usefulness--the field is growing rapidly in terms of participation, reputation and regulation. Montreal's NHC offers a complete program that is accredited by all provincial and national guilds regulating the field. The curriculum is vast and includes nutrition, psycho-spiritual counselling, sexology, prevention and touch/non-touch healing. To become a certified naturopath, the program usually takes about three years and a sweet sum to complete. Info: The Institut pour l'étude de la naturothérapie (319 St-Zotique E.), 279-4419, or the NHC, 485-3859.
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