Reflexology 1992
Redfern Training Systems (RTS)
Massage Therapy 1993
Redfern Training Systems (RTS)
Applied Kinesiology Training 1994
School of Shiatsu and Massage, Harbin Hot Springs, CA
Cranio Sacral 1994
School of Shiatsu and Massage, Harbin Hot Springs, CA
Integrative Movement Specialist and Advanced Training IMS 2011
Integrative Movement Institute
by Evan Osar
Posture and Movement Instructor
Level 1, 2013 Massage Therapy Insider/Fitness Education Seminars
NKT ™ Neurokinetic Therapy™
Level 1, 2014 Certified Practitioner
From his early years, Michael always felt a need to help others. After attending North Central Bible College in 1977, Michael worked with troubled teenagers, street gangs and homeless youth.
In 1992, Michael's calling led him to pursue a career as a certified massage therapist and reflexologist. In 1993 he opened his own practice, "The Holistic Massage and Reflexology Center".
TEACHING/LECTURE EXPERIENCE 1993- 2013
Michael had the vision to share his gift of healing with others and began teaching and lecturing in the Chicagoland area. Michael was an instructor and student outreach coordinator at RTS Massage School in Darien. He also taught Spa Reflexology at The Academy of Nails in Downers Grove. He has lectured at the Chicago Cosmetology Association's Midwest Beauty Show, Downers Grove North and South High School Athletic Departments, Glen Ellyn Runners Association and sponsored many local 5K's and sporting events.
In 2011 he was chosen to be a subject matter expert with the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Body workers (NCBTMB) and travels to Minneapolis, MN twice yearly to assess the test materials for National Certification.
SOHMAR A SCHOOL WITH HEART
Michael and his wife opened the school in 1999 and began offering reflexology classes. In 2000 the school became certified with the Illinois Board of Higher Education and expanded the program to include massage, reflexology and CE classes. Since our inception SOHMAR has graduated hundreds of massage therapist and reflexologist. We are a small school with a big heart. We have worked with students ranging in age from 18- to 72. We have taught visually and hearing impaired individuals as well as bilingual students.
SOHMAR is conveniently located at 3051 Oak Grove Road, Suite 104, Downers Grove, IL 60515. 45 minutes from Chicago and minutes from Downers Grove train station. There is also a Pace bus stop right across the street from our school.
Our Philosophy
The School of Holistic Massage and Reflexology is dedicated to teaching holistic massage and reflexology by utilizing natural techniques that allow the body to heal itself. The school offers affordable training in the growing field of massage therapy, reflexology and the alternative health care.
The School combines a variety of techniques which embrace physical, mental and spiritual healing. Our goal is to incorporate these techniques in a friendly, non-threatening environment. Class size remains small so we can work individually with each student.
In the community
SOHMAR is well known in the sporting community as both an athlete and sports massage therapist, Michael and SOHMAR students provide massage therapy at many Chicagoland sporting events. By participating in these events the students gain an edge working in real world situations while gaining invaluable training outside the classroom.
Over the years Mike and the school have graduated hundreds of students in Massage Therapy and Reflexology. SOHMAR has also given out scholarships which have helped people change their lives.
SOHMAR sponsors many sporting events and takes his students to them to give them "real life experience" while in school. Some of these include, The Chicago Marathon, Downers Grove Turkey Trot, Bonfield Run, MS Indoor Triathlons and much more! If you are a runner, you might even see SOHMAR students on the Glen Ellyn Prairie Path with the Glen Ellyn Runners on Sunday mornings during Marathon trainings!
There is no such thing as a coincidence.
I started my career in Massage and Reflexology when I was 35 years old. I was a single dad with 2 kids, and worked a 12 hour shift in the printing industry. I was burnt out just trying to make ends meet, but deep down, I knew my calling was to help people. I heard about holistic health & reflexology and felt drawn to it.
The coincidence:
My wife Star woke up one morning with a very stiff neck and started calling around to find a massage therapist. During her appointment she starting talking to the therapist and it turned out they were also a massage school that offered reflexology and massage classes. I was really drawn to the reflexology program but did not have a lot of money for classes. I was pleased to find out they had a payment program that fit our budget, so I enrolled in the 10 week program for Reflexology. After that class I decided to take the Massage program. It was during this time that the owner of the school saw leadership skills in me and asked me to teach part time. I loved it! Their part-time program allowed me to continue to work at my printing job, and teach what I learned to others.
Do What you love:
I started doing massage and reflexology within a chiropractic office in Downers Grove. My space was literally the size of a closet, but it was my business and I was finally doing something I loved! My business really started taking off, but I was not sure how I was going to be able to quit my dead end job.
Hard work and dedication = success:
Anything worth while comes with hard work and determination. I successfully built my business through networking, pounding the pavement, and doing a lot of "free" massages at local events, high schools and non-profit organizations. Through this hard work my skills as a massage therapist and business owner grew in leaps and bounds. I really wanted to share what I learned with others so in 1999, my wife and I opened SOHMAR, the School of Holistic Massage and Reflexology. I still have a private practice since I love working one on one with my clients, but teaching is my passion!
