The Pura Vida Program

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We offer a challenging 725 hour curriculum of anatomy, physiology, pathology, as well as a unique blend of Eastern and Western massage techniques taught by local and nationally skilled health care professionals. There are two options for our graduates for licensing 1)National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork or 2)Federation of State Massage Therapy Board NATIONAL AND FEDERATION of STATE CERTIFICATION PURA VIDA's educational curriculum meets two standards set forth by, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. National Certification is a formal credential recognized in over 30 states that regulate and license massage therapy. www.ncbtmb.org Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards is also a formal credential recognized in 14 states. www.fsmtb.org UTAH MASSAGE LICENSURE In addition to the National Board Exam, and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards graduates must also pass the Utah Law and Rules exam to receive licensure as a massage therapist. PURA VIDA offers a course to prepare students to sit for the NCE, FSMTB and Utah Law Exam. *Please consider the state requirements for states outside Utah to ensure that your education at PURA VIDA meets the particular standards for your state. Program Schedule A new semester begins each August and January for the day class and in March for the evening class sessions. Classes will be held at Pura Vida College of Massage Therapy, 943 South Main # 4, Cedar City, UT 84720. *Program Schedule/Classes are subject to change. Day Class Schedule: 725 hours, 8 month course Monday - Thursday Friday Scheduled as needed Morning Class : 9 am - 12 noon , 1 hour lunch break , Afternoon Class : 1 pm - 4 pm Evening Class Schedule: 725 hours, 10 month course Monday - Thursday Evening Class : 6 pm - 10 pm Saturday Scheduled as needed 9 am - 4 pm with 1 hour lunch break Holidays Classes will not be held on the following days: New Year's Eve - Labor Day - New Year's Day - Thanksgiving Day Memorial Day - Christmas - Independence Day Tuition Tuition at Pura Vida is all inclusive.  The $9,800 fee covers all instruction, required textbooks, a deluxe massage table with carrying case and accessories, liability insurance, clinic uniforms and application fee. *Tuition is subject to change. Financial Assistance Financial assistance is available through a number of sources:         * Student Education Loans are available through Mountain America Credit Union and Sallie Mae.         * Career assistance is available through the State of Utah Department of Workforce Services and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation - if you reside outside Utah, check with your state department of workforce services for information on tuition assistance.  Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are also accepted.  For more information or financial counseling, email our school director - puravidamtc@yahoo.com

Faculty & Staff

Liz Young LMT School Director puravidamtc@yahoo.com "This is what I do, this is what I love"

Liz has been involved in the heath care profession for 20 years; in that time she has developed a strong background in health, nutrition and therapeutic bodywork. Liz grew up in a home where natural foods and healing were a way of life. This helped her establish a lifelong belief in the power of a healthy life through mind and body wellness. Liz lends these beliefs, and her experience, to the classroom where she creates a fun, stimulating and interactive learning environment. Liz graduated from Myotherapy College of Utah in 1996, and has been the head therapist for a local yoga retreat center since 1997. She also keeps a growing private practice in Southern Utah, with clientele ranging from Brianhead, Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada. Since 1997, Liz has studied over 20 different modalities; most recently, she spent a month in Thailand studying Thai Massage, Yoga and Buddhism. This background has helped Liz develop an eclectic blend of bodywork. As a therapist and instructor, Liz has seen many people improve their lives through the positive & beneficial aspects of bodywork. Liz specializes in Swedish and Thai Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Reiki, Feng Shui, and Clinic Orientation.

Dan Webster LMT, NCTMB Dean of Students

Dan has been in the Massage Therapy field since graduating in 1998 from the Desert Institute of Healing Arts (DIHA) in Tucson, Arizona.  He graduated from the 1000-hour, 1 year program with a grade point average of 4.0 and was elected class Valedictorian. After attending DIHA, he joined the therapy staff at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and Spa in Tucson.  Loews Resort is considered one of the top ten golfing resorts in the world, and Dan's clientele included the country's top golfers as well as numerous Hollywood personalities.  During this time, he continued his education studying neuromuscular therapy (NMT), a precise treatment that helps eliminate pain caused by muscle, tendon, or ligament injury and/or dysfunction.  It is a specific approach that addresses soft tissue pain, bringing balance between the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. After working with Loews Resort for over a year, he opened his own clinic in Tucson where he focused his work in NMT. He is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) in the state of Utah, and is nationally certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).  Dan started teaching at Pura Vida in 2006 and specializes in Functional Anatomy, Myofascial Integration, and preparing students for their national certification exam.

Tiffany Taylor Instructor

Tiffany was born and raised in Cedar City. She graduated from the Nevada School of Massage Therapy in Las Vegas in 2002 and is Nationally Certified and Licensed in Utah. Tiffany started working with Pura Vida in November of 2006 teaching Swedish Massage. Tiffany is also the Student Clinic Supervisor, and is a Gym Teacher at South Elementary in Cedar City.

Kristin Hunsaker Instructor Sarah Elkins Outside Events Coordinator Steven Lewis Instructor

Kristin teaches Anatomy and Physiology, and Sports Massage. Sarah graduated from Myotherapy College of Utah in June of 1996. She has worked on her own since the time. Sarah believes that massage can change your life, and has challenged friends and family to pursue the healing found in massage. Sarah is excited to be part of Pura Vida and the education of the next generation of massage therapists. Steven was born in Arizona and raised in Cedar City, Utah. He is currently finishing his degree in Communication Disorders through BYU Independent Study and plans to graduate this December. During his time at BYU he taught in the Cadaver Lab for a year and a half. He also tutored all the science subjects at BYU Independent Study during that same time. He loves to teach and hopes to obtain a PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences. Steven loves the outdoor recreation and is also the Assistant Coach for the SUU Frisbee Militia Club Team.

943 South Main Street #4 | Cedar City, Utah 84720 Phone: 435-865-6776 | Fax: 435-865-6814 puravidamtc@yahoo.com © Copyright 2005, Pura Vida, All Rights Reserved.