Hi, I'm currently studying VTCT L3 in Aromatherapy (which incorporates full body massage techniques) & VTCT L3 A&P.
I'd like to develop the massage side of things by doing Swedish and I have two VTCT courses thta I can choose from. Now, I'm not into fast-track courses as a rule (both above mentioned courses are in FE and are 1yr long) but there is one course running local to me that is only two and half days long plus assessments - but that really doesn't seem long enough. The other is much further away, p/t of an evening and takes the full year.
Could anyone advise on which they think would be the most suitable to opt for considering by the time I enrol on either I will have L3 A&P and also body massage experience by doing the aroma course? If anything, I much prefer longer courses but I have heard Swedish is a lot of A&P and wondered if something shorter is more suitable?
Thanks : )
The level 3 A&P is the same on all L3 courses, so it you'll achieve it through aromatherapy you wont need to do it again for Swedish massage.
Once you've learnt the art of massage its fairly quick and easy to learn new techniques.
I did the same as you, Aroma then Swedish. On the Swedish (and Aroma, I already completed a&p in Reflexology) we were given a&p refresher booklets to complete, maybe ask the college to see if they will do the same
Hi, thanks for the replies 🙂
Just to clarify, I'm doing VTCT L3 A&P as a seperate qualification to the Aroma.
That's why I wondered, seen as though I'll have the massage experience through doing the Aroma course plus the full L3 A&P qualification, would a shorter Swedish course be OK, or would you recommend that it would still be better to go the longer route?
I guess, I'm just a bit unsure about having these 2 days of training and then just being packed off to do case studies without any further on-site practice. OTOH, would the year long course be rather more drawn out, considering I'll have done the A&P & won't need to cover that again?
JoJo - did you do a year long swedish after doing the Aroma?
when I trained, you had to do Swedish massage first before you could do aromatherapy!
Anyhow, I did one year swedish with A&P, then one year aromatherapy and massage.
If you have already done A&P, and massage techniques and blending of oils then I do think a short massage course would be suitable for you.
the benefit of short courses like you mention is that the theory is kept to a minumum (as you have already done most of it) and it really concentrates on the practical side of it. Realistically you need to be self disciplined and set yourself say 10 practises before you think about offering it to the public, some academies expect case studies, others certify you, but all expect you to have the sense to practise, practise, practise.
what lets short courses down is the fact that some people go on them, expect to be competant by the end of the day and have a paying client in the following day.
Hi, thanks for the replies 🙂
JoJo - did you do a year long swedish after doing the Aroma?
Sorry for late reply was working.
Yes I did, you couldn't learn all that in a fast track course 🙂
Thanks for the info Maychang 🙂
Yes I did, you couldn't learn all that in a fast track course 🙂
Ah, right. See this is what I'm thinking in regards to the fast-track route, and as I say, I wouldn't ordinarily go for this route, I just wondered having the massage experience with the aroma & the A&P, whether it would generally be OK.
When you say you couldn't learn "all that" - what specifically? All the new techniques, etc?
The one I was looking at is VTCT L3 with two & a half days practical training. You're then sent away with your theory, assignments and case studies and go back for your first assessment after 12 weeks.
Does this not sound too good?
To be honest I only needed a&p to get onto the Aroma course, I had no prior massage qualifications, but I am glad I did the years course, purely because it was another routine to learn (not that I use it now lol), I felt I wasn't confident in my massaging skills at the time. You may feel that the one you're talking about may be right for you as may chang said up above 🙂