By Hillary Arrieta

​This year I joined the teaching crew at the Center for barefoot massage!

I've been in a teacher training program since January and I've learned SO MUCH this year.
Even though I've already trained for years in this technique, I can see how I've barely scratched the surface. There's so much to know, refine, and refresh. I think that is why I am so drawn to this massage - and massage therapy in general. I've been truly lucky to have such amazing mentors and now students who teach me so much about my work. Yes, I'm the one teaching but it's incredible how much I also learn. 

September was my final teacher evaluation in the teacher training program and I had it in my brand new teaching studio. It's small but MIGHTY!!

I'm so grateful to the students who challenged themselves physically and mentally through this three day workshop to learn or fine tune their skills. Also, I'm so thankful for my teacher, Jeni Spring who flew up here from San Antonio to make me first class a success. I couldn't have done it without her guidance.

I'll be teaching a semi-monthly FUNdamentals class for 2018 and I'll be adding some new barefoot massage modalities and workshops to the training schedule in 2019.

I've been wanting to bring more barefoot massage to Dallas and to the North Texas area for a long time and it's finally happening.
Trainings are open to any licensed massage therapist. Find out more at on our Texas Ashiatsu training website.

Enjoy some pictures from the workshop!

​Take a mini-vacation to Dallas, Texas, to earn your CE credits from a nationally recognized advanced massage education company. 
Gaia Bodywork is considered the "Dallas" campus for the Center for Barefoot Massage. Yes, we are not "technically" located in Dallas, but we are close enough. (Seriously, It's like two exits South on Central Expressway.) If you are traveling or are taking a "staycation" to attend your workshop, I've got some suggestions to help make it a smooth and enjoyable time here in Dallas.

Training Location
The Studio is in a one-story office building at 
2060 N. Collins Blvd. Suite #102
Richardson, Texas 75080
There's an East and west entrance to the building. I'm closest to the East door in suite 102.  I ask that you don't arrive any earlier than 8:45 AM the mornings of the training, but don't be late! The class starts on time at 9:00 AM each morning and ends at 6:00 PM. 
We have so much to cover during our time together, so don't be late!

​Watch this before class: 
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk064hS_ikY
Lodging Suggestions
All these places are walking distance to the Studio. 
Double Tree (Richardson)
Hyatt Regency North Dallas
Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel
Airbnb is a great option too. Just search for places in the 75080 zip code or the Canyon Creek/Prairie creek neighborhoods to get close.

Another alternative option that many have enjoyed is to visit the Korean style saunas in the Dallas area, the King Spa and the Spa Castle. Please note: These are not high-end day spas but Asian style bathhouses. They are open 24 hours a day, and some students even stay overnight. Buying a pass (Pro tip: check Groupon!) will give you 24-hour access to the lockers, hydrotherapy tubs, pools, spa/saunas. Check it out! 
Spa Castle has a hotel on site. 

Coffee + eats
Richardson prides itself on the vast array of food options in the city. We have two of everything within walking distance from the workshop studio. Pizza, Tacos, Sub sandwiches, salads, smoothies, Indian, Thai, Mediterranean. You can find it all in the shopping center behind the training facility. 

For coffee, try Communion neighborhood co-op, the Pearl Cup, or Cafe Brazil (a Dallas favorite.) Also, Starbucks is across the street next to the DoubleTree.

If you love Mediterranean food, Afrah is a local gem and was featured on a popular food channel show. 

See the sights
After a long workshop, it's nice to take a nature hike at Prairie Creek Park. There's a lovely neighborhood within a short walk with a creek and waterfall that runs through a wooded, linear park with trails and picnic tables. Also, check out South Fork Ranch. It's about 20 minutes East of us in Parker, Texas.

You can play a game of darts or pool at Fox and Hound (Just over in the next parking lot) or head out to Free Play for some old school arcading. Take the nearby DART rail to Downtown Dallas, Klyde Warren Park, Uptown, Lower Greenville and Deep Ellum for city nightlife.    

If you're flying, I suggest flying in to Love Field airport. It is possible to take the DART light rail from a nearby station to a nearby station in Richardson but it may take a long time. I'll do a test run and update this blog but for now just keep that in mind.
 
From Love Field, take the Dallas North Tollway (North) to George Bush Turnpike, head East to Central Expressway (75) South and exit Campbell Rd. Go West on Campbell and we are in the North West corner directly behind FreeBirds Burritos. For best results, Use the address to map your trip on GPS....or just Uber!