Advanced Bodywork Department

The Naturopathic Institute is excited to launch the Advanced Bodywork Department as one of the nine departments in our new Emphasis Certification Program launching in January of 2026.

Department Overview

For massage therapy professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and experience in therapeutic bodywork, this department enables them to acquire a broader skill set beyond the basic training program and advance their techniques in multiple services. 

Required Courses · Course Breakdown · 2026 Course Schedule

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Required Courses

To earn an Emphasis Certification in Advanced Bodywork, eight core classes and eight emphasis classes are required. The Naturopathic Institute’s Emphasis Certification program is registered with the state of Michigan and meets the educational requirements.

Program Core Courses

These classes need to be taken in order by year:

1. NHE/TBP: Beginning Bodywork
2. NHE/TBP: Reflexology
3. NHT/TBP: CranioSacral Bodywork
4. NHT/TBP: Meridian Work / Light Healing Touch
5. NHP: Advanced Reflexology / Meridian Work / Hands-on Techniques
6. NHP/TBP: Advanced Bodywork
7. CN: Magnets and Polarity Therapy
8. CN: Color Therapy and Sound Therapy

Advanced Bodywork Emphasis Courses

Not all courses are offered each year. Review the class schedule guide to learn what is available in any given year.

There are 13 Emphasis Courses offered in the Advanced Bodywork Department. You only need to take 8 of the following 13 Emphasis Courses (in combination with the eight core classes above) to earn an Emphasis Certification in the Advanced Bodywork Department:

• Active Isolated Stretching (Lower Body)
• Active Isolated Stretching (Upper Body)
• Advanced Lymphatic Techniques
• Advanced Myofascial Release
• Core Balancing and Alignment
• CranioSacral in the Mouth
• Facial and Scalp Massage
• Hot and Cold Stone Techniques
• Introduction to Stretching
• Nutrition for Bodyworkers and Their Clients
• Oncology Massage
• Post-Operative Massage
• Pre- and Post-Natal Massage

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Course Breakdown

Diploma Students

If you are enrolled in the Natural Health Program, you have already completed some of the core classes required to earn the Advanced Bodywork Emphasis Certification. Below are the additional classes you are required to take, based on the number of years in the program you completed, to earn an Emphasis Certification in the Advanced Bodywork Department.

Program Year Completed	Core Years Completed	Additional Core Classes Needed	Advanced Bodywork Emphasis Classes
Natural Health Educator	1	6	8
Natural Health Therapist	2	4	8
Natural Health Practitioner / Certified Naturopath	4	—	8

Emphasis Certification Only (Non-Diploma Students)

You must complete 8 Core Program Classes + 8 Advanced Bodywork Emphasis Classes to earn an emphasis certificate.

Personal Development and CEUs

Advanced Bodywork is the only department where classes are offered for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). Each emphasis course in this department offers 8 hours of CEUs. You will be mailed a certificate of attendance after you take the class.

If you are taking an Emphasis Course for personal development or CEUs, you will not be responsible for the homework or taking the test.

If you choose to take classes for personal growth or CEUs in the Emphasis program, then you are not held to the same academic requirements as Certification Students. Please go to the Emphasis Personal Development Page to fill out and submit the Alumni/Guest Individual Class Registration Form. Look for this icon when searching for a class from this department.

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2026 Advanced Bodywork Emphasis Course Schedule

1-Day Emphasis Courses are held from 9 am – 5 pm at 503 E. Broadway St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858, unless otherwise noted.

Not every Emphasis 1-Day Course will be offered every year. Here are the courses in the Advanced Bodywork Department that are being offered in 2026:

 

Enroll Today