SARGA BODYWORK's barefoot massage therapy courses are physically and mentally demanding, technique-based programs. Be sure to prepare your body and mind for a rigorous learning experience! Please refer to the information below before coming to class. 

Beginner's Mind

We celebrate the diversity of therapists who attend Sarga Bodywork courses, and whether one is still a novice bodyworker or has 10+ years of barefoot massage experience, cultivating a “beginners mind” is your best asset when preparing for a Sarga Bodywork Course.

Previous barefoot massage and/or Ashiatsu experience is usually an advantage when learning Sarga Bodywork, however if one expects this prior experience to translate into an effortless mastery of Sarga Bodywork, you can be sure to prepare for some frustration and disappointment!

The body mechanics employed in barefoot bodywork practices are a world unto itself, and the body mechanics required for Sarga Bodywork are considerably different than those employed in an Ashiatsu practice. When compared to the body mechanics used in an Ashiatsu practice, practitioner stability is gained from tensional force by pulling upwards on a fabric strap. This is almost completely opposite from gaining stability by grasping onto fixed overhead bars.

As a student of Sarga Bodywork it is in your best interest to cultivate an attitude of Shoshin. Shoshin is a word from Zen Buddhism meaning "beginner's mind" and refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would (paraphrased from Wikipedia).

Fitness & Conditioning

Sarga Bodywork will absolutely get easier with practice, however learning this modality can be quite rigorous at first and excellent physical conditioning (particularly isometric strength), is a must to gain the most from a Sarga Bodywork course. Yoga, Pilates, dance, martial arts, or any full-bodied practice that encourages both strength and flexibility will help to condition you for practicing Sarga Bodywork.

Sarga Bodywork does not have specific weight restrictions for students who attend Sarga Bodywork courses. We recognize that a person’s weight is not necessarily indicative of fitness level, however we reserve the right to deny applicants based upon our evaluation and will inquire further with applicants who are more than 175 pounds in weight and/or more than 6 feet in height. This is especially important for Sarga Bodywork practices on raised massage tables. For more on practitioner weight and safety considerations, please review our “Safety Considerations for Sarga Bodywork on Raised Massage Tables".

Here are four basic fitness measurements that can help to gauge your ability to learn and perform Sarga Bodywork with success:

1. The ability to balance on one foot for at least 1 minute without holding onto anything for support.
2. Excellent cardiovascular conditioning and the ability to jog for 10-15 minutes without stopping.
3. The ability to perform at least 3 sets of 20 squats.
4. The ability to isometrically hold a plank for at least 1 minute.

If you do not feel confident that you could meet these four requirements, but would still like to attend a Sarga Bodywork course, then our Sarga Floor 1 Course would be the one for you! While basic strength and conditioning is still important here, a floor-based practice provides practitioners a much wider and more stable working area, and fitness level is less of a consideration.​​​

Arrival & Departure

- We suggest that you do not book non-refundable travel arrangements until your course is confirmed (meets minimum enrollment). As per our Course Policies, in the event that a course has not reached the required minimum student enrollment 25 days prior to the class start time, Sarga Bodywork reserves the right to postpone a particular course to a later time or to cancel it altogether. In such an event, registrants have the choice to either transfer to another course without paying the $75 transfer fee, or to be refunded their full payment.
- If you are arriving from out of town, please book your flights so that you arrive (at least) the day before the first day of class and leave (at least) the day after the last day of class. 
- Class times are 10:00am-5:00pm (with a one-hour lunch break between noon and 2pm each day). Please arrive 10-15 minutes early, or with enough time to get settled before class begins. Please allow up to 15 minutes "flex time" after 5pm each class day.
- Since we are a certified CEU provider, any missed class time has to be made up, case by case.

What to Bring

- Depending on your learning style, you may want to print out the entire course manual. If not, please just print a copy of the “IN CLASS MATERIAL” section of the course manual (Sarga Table 1 & Sarga Floor 1). Access to the online manual and a printable PDF version will be available to you after completing your registration). Please conserve resources by selecting double-sided printing in Black & White. 
- One clean hand towel and one clean washcloth per day.
- One set of clean sheets per day (one fitted sheet, one top sheet, and one face rest cover). If you are packing lightly and plan to launder your sheets each day, make sure your lodging has access to a washer/dryer. For raised table courses (SARGA TABLE 1 & 2), please make sure that your sheets are cotton flannel or cotton jersey massage sheets (not bed sheets!). Note that this is a safety consideration as synthetic/polyester sheets can be slippery for standing practitioners.
- Some course locations may offer a linen service if you would prefer to not travel with your linens. If you are interested in this service, please inquire. 
- A pair of clean rubber flip-flops to wear exclusively in the classroom for treatments. These should be made entirely of rubber, without fabric straps, for ease of sterilizing and drying in-between practice sessions.
- You do not need to bring massage lotion or a lotion holster as we will provide Myo.Rub and the Sarga Holster for use in class.
- A nail clipper and nail file in case you need a trim.
- Snacks, drinking water, and a lunch if you will not be eating out during the 1 hour break.​

TABLE 2 & FLOOR Courses: 

​For Sarga Table 2 and Sarga Floor Courses, practitioners must bring non-slip rubber slippers instead of flip-flops. These must offer more support than thong-style flip-flops, and must be made entirely of rubber, without fabric straps, for ease of sterilizing and drying in-between practice sessions. We recommend open toe style slippers such as these Cloud 9 Spa Slippers or the Classic Slide by Crocs.

Required Reading

- After your registration for a course is complete, you will receive a link to access the online course material.
- You are welcome to review all of the course material, however please finish reading "Pre-Course Required Reading" before the first day of class.

What to Wear

- Wear comfortable clothes that you can move freely in. Ankle-length capri leggings, yoga pants or shorts are best. Do not wear anything that has loose/trailing bottoms as this will get in the way when working with your feet.
- For those with long hair, we recommend wearing it back to avoid it getting in the way while working.​

Personal Care & Other Considerations

- Please come with clean, pedicured feet every day of class (clipped and clean toenails and cuticles, filed calluses, etc.).
- Please purchase a foot file for personal use. We like the Swedish Clover Foot File which can be purchased online at Amazon.com. 
- Participants must be willing to disrobe (with appropriate draping) to receive bodywork every day of class.
- We recommend not eating a heavy meal at breakfast or lunch, as this is not ideal for receiving/giving bodywork.
- Please arrive 10-15 minutes early on class days.
- Keep your evenings free with plenty of time to rest. You will be learning a lot of new information and new ways of using/moving your body. The work is deep at every level and it may stir up layers of thoughts and emotions. Give yourself space to integrate the work and use your free time to rest and relax.