A One-Day, Hands-On Training for Massage Therapists

Side-lying is one of the most versatile and underused positions in massage therapy. Whether working with pregnant clients (please see our Pregnancy Massage Diploma specifically for this), individuals with mobility challenges, or simply offering variety for regular clients, side-lying massage opens up a whole new world of therapeutic potential.

This practical one-day workshop is designed to give massage therapists the confidence and skills to use side-lying positioning effectively and safely. Through demonstration, discussion, and supervised practice, you’ll explore how to work on the entire body in this position—while maintaining good body mechanics and client comfort. 

Side-lying is also an amazingly effective position for doing focused work on the shoulders and hips—areas that can be hard to fully access in supine or prone. The ability to open the chest and shoulder girdle makes this particularly helpful for clients with neck and shoulder, or breathing issues.

We would also highly recommend you do this workshop before our Pregnancy Massage Diploma if you would like more confidence, or have no prior experience of working in side-lying. 

Course Aims

Recognise when side-lying positioning is appropriate for different clients.

Confidently position and support clients using pillows, bolsters, towels or sheets.

Deliver an effective massage to all areas of the body in the side-lying position.

Adapt your own body mechanics to work efficiently and comfortably.

What We’ll Cover

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How to support and stabilise the client using pillows and bolsters.

Maintaining client modesty with effective draping.

Turning the client safely and smoothly.

Exploring optimal body mechanics to protect yourself and enhance your flow through mindful body use. Use of forearms, soft fists, and body weight for comfortable and effective pressure.

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  • Dates:

    Next date TBC - please email info@schoolofbodywork.com to express your interest.

  • Time:

    10am to 5pm

  • Venue:

    Exeter, Devon. UK

  • Fees:

    Full Course fee: £175

  • Tutor:

    Lisa Tate

  • Pre-requisite:

    Minimum level 3 Massage qualification, with minimum level 3 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology qualification. 

  • Important - please read:

    Upon booking your place on any of our courses, you will automatically receive a receipt and an email containing course information. Please ensure that you check your spam folder as this email contains vital information about attending your course, what to bring and how to access online course material that may form part of your course. Please inform us if you haven't receive anything within 24 hours of booking.

    Please ensure that you read our Terms & Conditions prior to booking onto this course.

     

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Demonstration & Practice

Back & Torso

Shoulders – including chest opening, mobilisations and traction.

Hips, pelvis and QL – effective techniques for deeper work.

Lats, obliques, and ribcage – often overlooked yet highly beneficial.

Arms & Hands

Supporting the arm in various positions

Accessing the entire arm and hand.

Incorporating mobilisations and tractions to enhance mobility and comfort.

Legs & Feet

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Providing effective support and stability for the client in side-lying.Supporting the arm in various positions

Working into key areas including the glute medius, TFL, and surrounding hip structures.

Applying hip mobilisations and tractions to enhance range of motion.

Massaging both front and back of the thigh, including the adductors.

Accessing and working deeply into the calf and foot.

Who is this for?

This workshop is ideal for qualified massage therapists who want to broaden their skillset, offer more inclusive treatments, and feel more confident working with clients who may not be suited to traditional supine or prone positions. We particularly recommend joining us for this workshop if you are wanting to do our Pregnancy Massage Diploma and lack the confidence or skills with side-lying techniques, which will enhance your experience on this course.

Ready to feel confident and creative with side-lying massage?

Join us for a dynamic, hands-on day that will expand your practice and enhance client care.

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