A Week in the Life of a NASI Massage Therapy Student

Inside Illinois’ Premier Clinical Massage Therapy Program

Choosing a career in massage therapy means choosing purpose.

It means choosing a profession rooted in healing, anatomy, therapeutic touch, and human connection. And at the New Age Spa Institute (NASI)—one of Illinois’ most respected and nationally recognized massage therapy schools—students experience far more than a traditional program.

They experience confidence. Community. Growth. And a true pathway into clinical, spa, sports, and medical environments.

NASI’s part-time Massage Therapy Program is intentionally designed for real people with real responsibilities:

Two evenings per week (6:00–10:00 PM) + One weekend class (Saturday or Sunday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM).

Flexible. Supportive. Evidence-based.

Perfect for working professionals, parents, career changers, and anyone ready to step into a healing profession.

Explore the NASI Massage Therapy Program:
https://newagespainstitute.com/programs/massage-therapy-program/

Below is a real look at what a week in the life of a NASI massage student (with a flexible part-time schedule) feels like.

MONDAY EVENING (6 PM–10 PM)

Arriving & Getting Centered After a Full Day

Students arrive carrying the weight of real life—work scrubs, gym bags, dinner containers, backpacks, and determination. NASI becomes a reset button.

You begin by clocking in at the main office with your timecard. This simple step ensures NASI accurately tracks your hours and progress toward completing Illinois’ state requirements.

Then, the classroom lights dim slightly. The instructor leads a short grounding or breathwork exercise. The tension drops. You feel centered. Present. Ready to learn.

NASI respects the realities of adult learners. Many students are parents, full-time workers, or transitioning careers—creating a diverse, supportive learning environment where everyone brings unique experience to the table.

Mid-Evening: Science, Anatomy & Movement

Massage therapy is deeply scientific. Before you ever place your hands on a body, you learn what’s happening within the body.

Tuesday evening classes may include:

• Muscle origins, insertions, and actions
• Pathologies & contraindications
• How massage affects fascia, circulation & lymphatic flow
• Pain patterns & musculoskeletal dysfunction
• Postural assessments
• Documentation & SOAP Notes
  • (Learn more about SOAP Notes:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482263/)

This foundation prepares NASI students for clinical settings, chiropractic offices, sports performance facilities, and holistic wellness practices—not just spa environments.

NASI blends intuition, anatomy, kinesiology, and evidence-based techniques to create confident, safe, ethical therapists.

THURSDAY EVENING (6 PM–10 PM)

Technique Night, also called “Clients’ Night”: Hands-On Practice in the Massage Lab

Thursday is the highlight of every week because of the hands-on skill building. After changing into professional attire (navy or black scrubs), you enter NASI’s massage treatment room: calm lighting, warm linens, ergonomic tables, and all the clinical tools you’ll use in the field.

Here, as a massage student, you practice:

• Swedish massage foundations
• Myofascial release
• Deep tissue & pressure-control techniques
• Trigger point therapy
• Manual lymphatic drainage
• Clinical stretching and exploring ROM (range of motion)
• Sports massage techniques
• Body mechanics & ergonomics

NASI Massage Instructors guide you through:

• Pressure Adjustments
• Stroke Rhythm & Flow
• Safe and Proper Draping
• Communication Techniques
• Therapeutic Presence
• Preventing Body Fatigue

The massage class works with partners of all different body types—teaching you how to adapt, customize, and connect with every client you’ll treat in the real world.

By the end of the night, your hands are tired, your core is activated, your mind is focused… and you feel the rewarding buzz of progress.

WEEKEND CLASS (SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, 9 AM–4 PM)

Morning: Clinical Applications & Deeper Understanding

Weekend sessions allow students to dive deeper into concepts that require extended conversation, assessment, and practice.

Topics for Massage Classes on the Weekends may include:

• SOAP documentation (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan)
• Pain pattern analysis (sciatica, TMJ, migraines, low back pain)
• When massage is indicated vs. contraindicated
• Treatment planning
• Working collaboratively with healthcare providers
• Wellness vs. therapeutic session goals

Students begin to think clinically—not just mechanically—learning to build treatment plans that support clients over time.

Afternoon: Extended Lab + Advanced Massage Techniques

Weekend massage class subjects include:

• Full-body massage sequences
• Joint mobilization
• Advanced deep tissue
• Myofascial techniques
• Hydrotherapy applications
• Body treatment protocols
• Client draping confidence
• Effective transitions & flow

These sessions simulate real workdays, preparing you physically and mentally for the profession—even before you graduate.

Throughout the Week: Community, Encouragement & Purpose

NASI Massage Therapy students form strong bonds that continue long after graduation.

You’ll regularly see:

• Students practicing techniques before class
• MBLEx study groups forming naturally
• Classmates encouraging one another during challenging weeks
• Lifelong friendships rooted in shared growth

You’re not just learning massage—
you’re stepping into a profession that transforms lives, including your own.

Why Students Love NASI’s Massage Therapy Program

• Part-time schedule created for working adults
• Small class sizes for individualized training
• Highly experienced instructors with clinical, spa, and sports backgrounds
• Hands-on practice every week
• Strong clinical foundation for high-level employment
• Inclusive community culture
• Lifetime support + 20% off all NASI CEU classes
• Convenient Chicagoland Location: Serving Students From
  Maywood, Highland Park, Bartlett, Lake Zurich, Lake Forest and beyond!

Students travel to the New Age Spa Institute from all over Chicagoland thanks to our central location in Des Plaines and easy access via major expressways.

Maywood — Approx. 20–25 minutes

Esthetician School Near Maywood, IL
Via I-290 E, I-294 N, or Madison St → 1st Ave → I-290

Highland Park — Approx. 18–22 minutes

Esthetician School Near Highland Park, IL
Via US-41 S, I-94 W, or Green Bay Rd → Lake Cook Rd → I-294 S

Bartlett — Approx. 30–40 minutes

Esthetician School Near Bartlett, IL
Via IL-390 → I-290 E, or US-20 → I-355 N → I-90 E

Lake Zurich — Approx. 25–30 minutes

Esthetician School Near Lake Zurich, IL
Via IL-22 E (Half Day Rd) or US-12 S (Rand Rd) → IL-83

Lake Forest — Approx. 20–25 minutes

Esthetician School Near Lake Forest, IL
Via I-94 W, US-41 S, or Deerfield Rd → I-294 S

Plus, NASI offers convenient on-site parking, making your commute smooth and stress-free—no city parking headaches, no meters, and no long walks.

NASI Massage Therapy graduates work in:

• Chiropractic clinics
• Medical offices
• Sports performance centers
• Rehabilitation environments
• Luxury spas
• Wellness centers
• Private practices

Ready to Begin Your Massage Therapy Career?

Your journey as a licensed massage therapist starts with choosing a school that supports your growth from day one.

The New Age Spa Institute offers the training, mentorship, and hands-on experience you need to succeed in today’s wellness, clinical, and therapeutic bodywork fields.

Learn more about NASI’s Massage Therapy Program:
https://newagespainstitute.com/programs/massage-therapy-program/

Discover a career that transforms others—and transforms you.

Visit www.newagespainstitute.com or call 847-759-0900 to explore enrollment options today.

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