AIS class

[Daniel L]

I'm going to be taking a class with Bruce Baltz on AIS. I'm really excited about it, it seems like it would be a good fit with what I do and the clients I see. For anyone that has taken a class in this, what do you think? Is is something you ended up using? What is your opinion of AIS, good or bad?

 

[Mya A]

AIS class

AIS is amazing & has an incredible range of application for clients. I took one of the classes with Aaron Mattes & his great assistants in Quakertown, PA a few years ago & wish I had the time & $$$ to do more! Jason has done a number of the classes & I believe has assisted Aaron as well, so you might want to ask him.

I'm not familiar with Bruce Baltz as an instructor other than in his videos, which seem to be very well done.

 

[JarArrize]

AIS class

Of the 8 stretching methods I have studied, AIS is one of my favorites. I have studied under Aaron Mattes and acted as one of his TAs, and host AIS workshops for trainers and therapists throughout the year. AIS has an incredible range of potential applications once you understand the method and acquire some skill in using it.

Some of the best learning I did was self-stretching with AIS for my own needs. As I became skillful in self-application, I was able to slowly incorporate AIS into my massage and personal training practices. It took longer to bring AIS fully into my massage practice, but I am getting great results with it. The biggest challenge (for me) was learning how to introduce the concept to clients that are accustomed to more relaxing work. Once they've experienced it, many people want more... you've just gotta get them started.

I am interested in Bruce Baltz's course because he specifically calls it the "The Spa Method" - so I assume he addresses things like how to drape, how to make AIS flow as part of a massage session, etc. - things that Aaron Mattes does not cover in his seminars (he has a different kind of practice). I don't know if Bruce covers the full range of AIS techniques, which include self-stretching, positional variations, strengthening, etc... things which Aaron DOES include in his 4 day seminars. My guess is that participants will get a lot of excellent, useful info with either seminar, but not necessarily the same combination of info.

If I am able, I would enjoy attending a Bruce Baltz AIS Spa Method seminar so I can compare the two directly and hopefully improve my practice of AIS.

 

[Deren]

AIS class

According to the school, Bruce studied under Aaron Mattes, so some of it should be the same. I didn't want to take a class just to have my required CEUs, I wanted to take something that would be useful and interesting to me, and applicable to my work. So it's great to hear that you both have been able to use what you learned. Thanks so much for your feedback! Now I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Beth G]

AIS class

A thought just occurred to me. Does this benefit people with fibromyalgia? I have an old friend who comes in regularly for massage but she can't tolerate much deep work. Is this something that I could offer her that wouldn't hurt her and might help?

 

[jimmy4burnet]

AIS class

A thought just occurred to me. Does this benefit people with fibromyalgia? I have an old friend who comes in regularly for massage but she can't tolerate much deep work. Is this something that I could offer her that wouldn't hurt her and might help?

Yes! You could even learn to teach her how to stretch herself between sessions with you.

 

[runescape person]

AIS class

Awesome! Thanks! I talked to her today and offered her a few free half-hours to be my guinea pig, while I'm working on getting comfortable and fluid with it all. In exchange, I just want her feedback. This will give me a chance to get more practice on someone I'm comfortable with and hopefully help her too.

 

[Jim G]

AIS class

I have lupus and scleroderma. I purchased Aaron Mattes book.....can't afford the seminars Ben Benjamin teaches on the Mattes Method, he being in Boston and me being in Salt Lake City.........and do at least some of the self stretches every day. Definitely helps. I've also incorporated a few into my chair biz.

 

[Thinker]

AIS class

The class was awesome and I'm so glad I went. Bruce really knows his subject, is a good and patient teacher and made it very enjoyable. It was intensive training, he didn't cut us any slack but we learned. It wasn't a fluff CEU. We learned 3 sequences, upper body, lower body and hand/foot. Each sequence takes 30 mins. when done with the correct number of reps and in the right flow. The correct hand positioning and support is important and tricky to learn at first but made sense after awhile. It wasn't difficult but I need some work to make it flow nicely.

We didn't use draping, all stretches were done fully clothed on the bare tables, so that's something I'm going to have to play with while I'm practicing on family and friends. And most of the upper body ones are done sidelying so that's something else I'm going to have to work out, because when someone comes in for a 60 min massage, they aren't going to want to spend half of it on their side being stretched. But since each position isolates certain muscles during the stretch, I want to work out a way to do some of them during some of my sessions. It's just a matter of changing up what I do now, figuring out what works and how/when to do it, and not making it seem like a disruption of the massage but more a natural part. Unfortunately, that's on US to figure out!!

I'd recommend the class. Glad I took it.

 

[Gret37]

AIS class

Thanks for the report. Glad you enjoyed it! Sounds like I may need to attend a Baltz class when the opportunity arises. His class structure sounds very different from that of Aaron Mattes.

AIS is a different experience for most massage clients, and takes some practice to learn how it fits into YOUR practice. If you self-stretch with AIS, it is easier to explain the techniques and what to expect, which I have found helpful in client education. And practice, practice, practice. It was smart thinking to line up a practice client before you took the class. :idea:

If you get the chance, you may want to attend an AIS Mattes Method seminar - I think you will find it a great complement to what you have just learned. The therapeutic potential of AIS is astounding.

If you get to Minneapolis, contact me about the AIS technique and application meetings I host. It's a good time, and open to folks who have previously attended an AIS Mattes Method, Baltz, or Wharton seminar. It's a good time! Stay in practice, though - those who have not tend to struggle with the level of the material we cover.

 

[Charmaine]

AIS class

Anyone know of a class being taught in the Salt Lake area? I purchased the book by Aaron Mattess and have practiced some of the stretches on a couple of my clients. The stretches are amazing. I've been working on the self stretches on my left arm, which was rebuilt following a cycling (bicycle) accident 5 years ago which left it in a less than 100% useage seforum.xxxe. The progress is such that I can now stroke my chin and touch my left ear with my left arm. I can also manage a fork and glass much better...all which I couldn't do a month ago and which is great since I'm left handed. I'd really like to take a class. Finances keep me stranded at home so couldn't travel far.

 

[vivek]

AIS class

Aaron Mattes' web site http://www.stretchingusa.com has an AIS therapist locator here: http://stretchingusa.com/aistherapists.cfm These are AIS practitioners that Mattes personally recommends, not just people who have attended a seminar.

Any of those folks should be able to teach you about AIS. If there is an AIS seminar coming to Utah, one or more of them should know about it well in advance. Here in Minnesota, we already know who will TA for Aaron when he comes to teach another AIS seminar next year.