Choose a bodywork school that helps you grow
Learn Soma Structural Integration and start changing lives
Get the Highest Quality Massage Therapy Education at the Pacific Northwest’s Premier Structural Integration School
∙ Our program provides 768-hours of training for a Certificate in Structural Integration, exceeding the requirements for Washington, Oregon, and 43 other states.
∙ You will learn Soma bodywork, and you will be exceptionally prepared to sit for the massage licensing examination that is required to practice hands-on work in most states.
Receive Individual Attention to Support Your Personal Growth
∙ The Soma training program is individualized and specialized to challenge and accelerate your growth.
∙ Our classes are kept small, with a student-to-teacher ratio maximum of 10:2 for hands-on learning, to ensure you receive personalized attention for your development.
Begin Your New Career in Under 1 Year
∙ Through our program, you will gain all the skills you need to pass the licensing examination in your state, start your own business as an advanced manual therapist, and confidently practice Soma Structural Integration in your community.
Select your experience level to discover your next steps:
I’m totally new to bodywork…
I’m a currently licensed massage therapist…
I’m a healthcare provider, but not a massage therapist…
I’m totally new to bodywork:
Exciting! You are required to attend Soma Essentials: Somassage®, Module A: Soma Principles, and Module B: Soma Training. (Modules are best taken in order. Exceptions made with permission.) Learn more about the modules here.
Ready to jump in? Take the first step toward your new career at the next Soma Essentials Workshop.
I’m a currently licensed massage therapist:
You are required to attend Soma Essentials: Somassage® and Module B: Soma Training.
You are considered a TRANSFER student as we will need to evaluate your massage therapy school transcript against IASI requirements for the Structural Integration certificate. We may request that you attend portions of Module A: Soma Principles if you need to complete additional hours to meet IASI requirements. Learn more about the modules here.
Ready to jump in? Take the first step toward your new career at the next Soma Essentials Workshop.
I’m an ND, OT, PT, MD, LAc—a licensed healthcare provider, but not a massage therapist:
You are considered a TRANSFER student. You are required to attend Soma Essentials: Somassage®, likely portions of Module A: Soma Principles, and all of Module B: Soma Training.
We will need to evaluate your transcript(s) and conduct an interview to determine what portions of Module A you will need to fulfill. You may also be asked to take a test so we can assess your understanding of the material we cover in Module A. Learn more about the modules.
Ready to jump in? Take the first step toward your new career at the next Soma Essentials Workshop.
Soma Certificate Module Descriptions
PREREQUISITE: Soma Essentials: Somassage® Certificate (32 hours)
The Soma Essentials workshop is a prerequisite course for the Soma Certificate Program. It was developed as a simple yet effective way to apply Structural Integration principles to an individual session. This technique can be used as an introduction to Soma, as a treatment protocol, or as a flexible foundation to address the varying situations that arise in a practitioner’s career. It is also offered as a Continuing Education workshop and holds its own trademark and certificate. It provides the basic information needed to begin studying Soma and work toward becoming a Soma Structural Integration practitioner.
See upcoming workshop dates here
Once you have completed the Soma Essentials prerequisite, you will be invited to apply to the Certificate Training Program. The Program consists of two Modules that are best taken in order, Principles then Training. Exceptions made with permission.
FALL MODULE A: Soma Principles (266 hours)
Anatomy/Kinesiology/Physiology & test preparation for the national Massage Licensing exam (MBLEx) and Certification Exam for Structural Integration (CESI). There is an emphasis on fascia, kinesthetic awareness, and current and classic writings in the lineage of Ida P. Rolf. The curriculum includes all necessary science and learning to become a certified and licensed practitioner.
Learn more about becoming a Soma practitioner here
SPRING MODULE B: Soma Training (502 hours)
Extensive hands-on and experiential learning of fascial manipulation and therapeutic approaches, Structural Analysis and treatment planning. Emphasis is on completing the 11 series with 5 model clients with faculty supervision and support, movement re-education, ethics, and business and client development. (This course is required for all Soma students.)
Learn more about becoming a Soma practitioner here
Together, the modules meet requirements set forth by the governing bodies for Structural Integration and Massage and allow graduates to become appropriately licensed for practice. Students with no license or bodywork education must complete all hours of the certificate program at the Soma Institute.
Students that have a current massage license, a license in another health care field, or relevant educational experience can apply for transfer credit against hours in the Soma Principles Module A. There is a $180 transcript evaluation fee and applicable credits will be assessed on a case by case basis. Tuition and recommendations for Soma Principles classes will be arranged individually. All hours for the Soma Training Module B must be attended and all assessments must be passed to complete the certificate.
Certificate & Licensing
Upon successful completion of all Modules you will be required to follow the laws in the state you plan to practice. In many states, including Washington and Oregon, you are required to pass the MBLEx, the national certification exam, before applying for your massage license. Learn more about state regulations here
Once you receive your license, congratulations! Now you can share your heart, skills and Soma with the world! If required, the Soma Institute will send information directly to the state body that governs the practice of bodywork.
The Soma Institute is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education provider under Category A. It is also an approved provider by the International Associate of Structural Integrators (IASI).
The Principles and Training modules, taken together constitute the full Soma Certificate program, and prepare students to take the Certification Exam for Structural Integration and the MBLEx Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination, which is the universal massage licensing method in the United States.
International Students
We will consult with you to best fit your needs depending on your previous education, training, and license requirements within your country. We welcome your questions; please use the contact page.
