From the perspective of Chinese Medicine, a tense nervous system is expressed as Constrained Chi; a weak one, as Deficient Chi. 

In this course, we examine several manifestations of Constrained Chi: shoulder/neck tension, insomnia due to racing mind, digestive tension, hypervigilance and menstrual tension. Likewise, we look at a variety of manifestations of Deficient Chi: fatigue, low immunity, weak digestion, poor memory/concentration, and lack of motivation. 

To address these imbalances, we explore the energetics of essential oils, specific acupressure points to address these imbalances, and a system called Aroma Acupressure in which the vibration of an oil is matched to that of an acupressure point for a synergistic effect on healing. We learn and practice Aroma Acupressure sequences for each of the nervous system imbalances listed above.

Further, we dive into herbs, learning individual and formulated herbs for each of the nervous system imbalances.

This class will include hands-on practice time of Aroma Acupressure on both the self and a model client, each week. 

Upon completion, you will receive 20 continuing education units, approved by the National Certification Board in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Hi, I’m Raizelah Bayen,

Approved CEU Provider by the National Certification Board

in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

With a passion for learning, Raizelah was certified in Integrative Massage in 1991, and never stopped taking classes in the healing arts. She followed her initial massage training with certifications in Eastern Massage and Acupressure, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Chinese and Western Herbology, Aroma Acupoint Therapy and Yoga instruction.  

Most naturally, Raizelah began to weave together the modalities she studied, in her work, developing a unique style of Integrative Health Care that combines hands-on Meridian Massage and Aroma Acupressure, with home care regimes that include essential oils, herbs and yoga poses or stretches to address client complaints. Her hands-on work was informed by her own practices in mindfulness and embodiment, which provided the foundational ground for her work and life.

Early in Raizelah’s career, she discovered her passion for teaching. She first started teaching massage in 1998, at Twin Lakes School of the Healing Arts in Santa Cruz, and followed that with 15 years as a core instructor at the Sebastopol Massage School in Sonoma County. From massage instruction, Raizelah moved into massage management at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, where her gift for teaching was recognized, and where she was given the opportunity to train the staff in not only massage modalities, but also aromatherapy, body mechanics and safety. . 

Concurrently, taught wellness workshops at yoga studios and the spa, all blending self-massage and self-acupressure with aromatherapy, herbs and yoga, in service of embodiment and self-care. These integrative workshops were a foreshadow of what she would create when she launched her own massage school.

In 2020, Raizelah took a leap, leaving her job as a spa manager, in order to fulfill her dream of opening a massage school. Open Pathways Institute for Integrative Massage is the fulfillment of this dream. Her passion is to support Massage Therapists who envision expanding into Integrative Health Care, weavers of hands-on healing with herbs and aromatherapy, all informed by the principles of Chinese Medicine, to provide in-depth and holistic care for their clients. Her classes include Eastern massage modalities, Chinese Medicinal Theory and Practices, Aroma Acupressure, Herbal Formulation and more.