Find out more about Champissage from a practicing massage therapist.  

 All about Indian Champissage Training & Massage Techniques

Laurie English answers your questions about Champissage massage training. FYI: If you scroll down further all the questions are typed with the accompanying answer without having to click on the question.

How did you find out about Champissage?

Of all the Indian head massage trainings, how did you pick Champissage?

Was it challenging to get certified as a Champissage practitioner?

Would you recommend Champissage massage training for the general public?

Is Champissage and Indian head massage popular with clients?

Is there a difference between Champissage and Indian head massage?

How long did it take before you were comfortable practicing Champissage?

How does Champissage compare to the other massage training classes you've taken?

Is Indian head massage different here in the States as compared to India?

Where do you see Champissage taking you?

Are there places you’d love to teach Champissage?

What advice would you give massage therapists interested in taking the Champissage massage training?

Are there Champissage videos or products available for sale?

Is Champissage ideal for chair massage therapists and/or for day spa massage therapists?

How is the Champissage or indian head massage technique different than "regular" massage?

How did you find out about Champissage?

I read an article in Massage magazine about Indian head massage. What really got me were the pictures. The woman getting the head massage looked euphoric. I was sold. When I was considering my next massage continuing education class, I knew I would be studying Indian head massage techniques.

Of all the Indian head massage trainings, how did you pick Champissage?

I did do some research and to me, it seemed like a three-day training would be more complete since I knew I had to travel out-of-state for it. I know there are one-day trainings; in fact I offer one-day trainings. These are especially great for massage therapists who live in-state. At the time, I also liked the Champissage training because it offered international licensure in Indian head massage. Plus, if you need massage continuing education CEUs, you get 21 CEUs with the Champissage class.

Was it challenging to get certified as a Champissage practitioner?

I wouldn’t say it was challenging because I was pretty motivated. But, I would definitely say that it requires advanced planning. There are case studies involved and coordination with the Champissage instructor to take the written exam and do the practical test-out. Again, advanced planning is critical to achieving the Champissage certification.

Would you recommend Champissage massage training for the general public?

I think everyone has the gift of touch. Someone just called me today, a telemarketer in fact. When he couldn’t sell me whatever it was he asked what I did. Come to find out he wants to give massages to his wife and doesn’t want to injure his hands from lack of proper massage technique. Massage continuing education classes are a great way for the public to get practical experience doing massage without going through a six-month long training with its attendant price tag. And, as far as massage training goes, I think Indian head massage training is great. Not only do you learn how to give a good head massage, which every person on the planet should be able to do, but also a great shoulder, neck and arm massage to boot.

Is Champissage and Indian head massage popular with clients?

Indian head massage is relatively new to America. To be at the forefront of this techniques’ rising popularity is fun and creative. You definitely need to tap into getting out there and meeting clients. I’ve been very fortunate in that I lucked upon a system for meeting lots of clients every week and getting paid for it. That’s a whole class in itself, probably. The response to my indian head massage at events and spa parties has been overwhelmingly positive. I always draw a crowd and a wait list.

Is there a difference between Champissage and Indian head massage?

Well, a good analogy might be something like Champissage to Indian head massage is like Lexus to cars. It’s one version of a larger body of work. A very good version.

How long did it take before you were comfortable practicing Champissage?

Well, as I said before, I always knew I wanted to get Champissage certification. Automatically that means spending a fair amount of time doing practice sessions on friends and then doing the case studies. I think after I finished my case studies, I actually felt pretty competent. It wasn’t until I took my practical exam with Narendra Mehta, the founder of Champissage, that I realized where the holes in my head massage techniques were. I’m really happy I did that; I would have had a false sense of confidence in my skill level without that reality check. I most definitely recommend that massage therapists seriously consider a feedback session with the instructor after taking the 3-day Champissage class.

How does Champissage compare to the other massage training classes you've taken?

I love massage and have both studied a lot and taken quite a few massage courses. In fact, by now I have almost 4,000 hours of massage training. For me, I like how each modality adds richness to my style of massage. I find invaluable my training in Thai massage, shiatsu, lomi lomi, reflexology and Champissage. At this point in my career, I feel like I offer a well-integrated, unique and thorough head to toe massage. The only other training I feel I “need” to get is the Mayan abdominal massage.

Is Indian head massage different here in the States as compared to India?

Oh yeah. It’s really quite humorous the expectations we have here for the how, where, when and why of massage. I absolutely love the chaotic environment and the carefree attitude of Indian head massage in India. I wish for more of that here.

Where do you see Champissage taking you?

Well, I love all aspect of Champissage in my life now as a practicing massage therapist. I love giving head massages to clients, I love that my training career from consulting in the early 90’s is now merging with my massage training career. I’m passionate about sharing massage technique ideas through Champissage. I see Champissage continuing to grow me in wonderful ways that I anticipate with relish. I find immense joy in the subject of Indian head massage.

Are there places you’d love to teach Champissage?

The field of massage training and massage continuing education is vast. Teaching is my background and it’s in my blood so to speak as my mother is a teacher. Wherever students want a class, I’d love to bring Champissage and Indian head massage training to them, wherever they are. And, my retreat center in Santa Fe is a healing place, if you’ve never been to Santa Fe, nothing beats coming and getting massage training in Indian head massage. It’s quite spectacular.

What advice would you give massage therapists interested in taking the Champissage massage training?

I would definitely say follow your heart or your gut. Head massage is a very special massage technique. You can definitely do it mechanically or you can tap into a powerful emotional source of upliftment. So, spend some time deciding why you want to study indian head massage. It'll be time well spent. Indian head massage training can grow your life, your massage career and your personal development in so many fascinating and powerful ways.

Are there Champissage videos or products available for sale?

Yes, here on the www.champissageusa.com website you can order products or you can wait until the class and get them (where I typically offer a 10% discount on bulk purchases). The Champissage products that you can buy are: the Indian Champissage dvd, True Champissage CD, a chakra meditation cd, a chakra poster and the Indian Champissage book. I also carry organic and natural head massage hair oils that I love and have used for almost two decades.  I am also creating head massage videos that students can subscribe to to help them remember the Champissage technique after the class.

Is Champissage ideal for chair massage therapists and/or for day spa massage therapists?

How to answer that...I think Champissage is a fantastic massage technique that can be seamlessly integrated into chair massage. Having said that, I had adapted 99% of the techniques to use in my massage table practice when I worked at day spas. I think depending on the massage therapist's experience and skill level, the techniques can work great for a client laying down, but it will take some imagination to figure out how to modify them (meaning, the adaption is not discussed during the 3-day course, there's just not enough time).

How is the Champissage or indian head massage technique different than "regular" massage?

Eventually, I will either write a whole article on this or do a video or something extensive. There are a lot of differences. I believe this is why people with no massage training can do as well as, or better even, than some massage therapists with lots of massage training/experience. The indian head massage techniques require a bigger spectrum of intent, if that makes any sense at all. To be vague but still get my point across, it's kind of like asking me, "How is the curry spice different from thyme?" We could discuss that for a long time, but until you taste it for yourself, what can I really say? 

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Laurie English is a licensed massage therapist, Champissage practitioner and certified Champissage practitioner from the London Centre of Indian Champissage International. To find out more about Laurie, click here.

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