Jill Kristin Berkana Leaves CRSMT and Opens the Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy
MASSAGE Magazine | March 13, 2012
New, cutting-edge massage therapy institute opens in Denver, Colorado, on March 26
The Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy has announced its grand opening on March 26, 2012. Located in the heart of Denver, Colorado, in the historically celebrated Wyman District, the institute operates out of the elegant Hugh D. McAllister House at 1565 Race Street. The school offers a 545-hour basic certification program in massage therapy, which will prepare graduates for licensure in the state of Colorado, most of the U.S., as well as some international regions. This elite program is accelerated and is completed in only five months during the day program, and just more than six months in the night program.
Jill Kristin Berkana is also offering a six-week intensive, 250-hour continuing education program and certification training in her original modality, “Mindful Expressionism.”
Berkana is the founder and firector of the institute. She is an industry expert and massage therapy education pioneer. She has been active in the massage industry since 1990. She co-founded the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (CRSMT) in 2005, and was its full-time director, academic dean and senior bodywork instructor. She has educated and granted diplomas to 167 world-class bodyworkers whom have gone on to have successful careers in the art of massage therapy, and who have met legislative licensing and certification requirements in more than 30 states and 13 countries.
Berkana was the curriculum originator and creator of the CRSMT style of bodywork taught at CRSMT from June 2006 through September 2011. She has trained five special apprentices in her exclusive and specialized style of bodywork instruction. Hillari Ladd, Cheryl Adams, Katherine Wilson, Rebecca Webb and Megan Leach are certified bodywork instructors and certified Mindful Expressionists.
As of Dec. 15, 2011, Berkana transferred her interest in CRSMT to Russell Bennett, her former partner. Berkana no longer is affiliated with or otherwise involved in any way with the operation or future direction of CRSMT.
Berkana is excited about her new venture: an exclusive, high level education in the art of massage therapy, located in an elegant Victorian mansion, in the “Mile High City.” She has gathered some of the most influential bodywork educators in the industry today as her advisory board members and instructors.
The Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy is approved and coded by the U.S. National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association Council of Schools, is a member of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education, and is approved and regulated by the state of Colorado Department of Education Division of Private Occupational Schools. The school has a strong emphasis on yoga, movement, bodywork and professional ethics.
The Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy offers a unique and exceptional approach to massage therapy education with its commitment to the following ideals: small classes of committed and dedicated students; instructors who have proven themselves to be experts in the field; a no-nonsense and direct delivery of the specific information students need to launch themselves into the massage therapy industry as a powerful competitor; an allegiance to an artistic style of bodywork; and ongoing community service. Yoga and meditation classes are offered to all students for no additional cost.
The Berkana Institute will be donating massage, scholarships and a percentage of proceeds to the following causes:
- The SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) Recovery Project of Denver
- The Dumb Friends League
For more information, visit www.berkanainstitute.com