Let’s face it; as much as we might want to, we often can’t afford regular massage. For many, it’s a luxury, though most massage therapists would claim it’s a necessity for better health and well-being. But sometime the price is just too high.

Well, color me uninformed, but I just found out that Bozeman is home to a premier massage and esthetician school, the Health Works Institute. And guess what? All those students have to practice on someone. And that someone could be you — for a ridiculously low price of just $30 for an hour. The only caveat is you have to be willing to get there 10 minutes early to fill out paperwork, and stay a few minutes afterwards to give honest feedback to your therapist. The so-called “student clinics” are every Tuesday and Saturday and are open to all.

As an alternative heath and wellness epicurean, I will confess I had initial skepticism about how good and how relaxing the experience would be. I am a bit of a princess when it comes to body work and was decidedly dubious about whether the experience at the Institute would live up to my snooty standards.

But being ever in search of a good alternative wellness bargain AND a good massage, I had to try it. So off I went. And I was pleasantly surprised by what I encountered.

Health Works Institute is located on the main floor of the Emerson Cultural Center’s northwest annex. Park on the annex side of the lot and enter through the western-most doors. While the atmosphere is, well, school-like (in more ways than one since the Emerson is the former Bozeman middle school) and it’s not exactly like going into the Golden Door in San Diego or Esalen in Big Sur, you are greeted warmly and promptly by smiling staff. You fill out a questionnaire, and then meet briefly with your massage therapist.

I was pleased to get a student who was warm and kind. She was genuinely interested in my sore shoulders and neck and reviewed the questionnaire thoroughly. So far, so good.

We then entered into the area where the massages occur. Huge aqua damask curtains hang from the ceiling and create individual “rooms” — nine of them– where the massages take place. So yes, it’s not private. This is not the place to engage in conversation with the therapist about anything too personal. It was a little off-putting at first, but as soon as I hopped on the table, I forgot all about it due to the skill of my therapist. Soothing new age music played over a surprisingly robust sound system. While I could hear murmurs from other “rooms” it was not ultimately distracting.

The massage itself was skillful and relaxing. I felt comfortable and melted into the table, warm and cozy under the blankets. The hour was up before I even knew it.

After getting dressed, I rejoined my practitioner in the hallway to give her feedback about my experience to help her learn. I had very little; it was a great experience. I filled out a written evaluation and was on my way.
All of this for $30? A bargain, folks.

But wait! There’s more! Yes, the school ALSO offers training in various esthetician services commonly found at day spas such as facials, waxing, eyebrow and eyelash tinting, paraffin treatments, body wraps and more. It is a fully accredited, comprehensive esthetics program that qualifies graduates to take licensing exams. That classroom is on the other side of the hallway, and those students, too, need practice. While I wasn’t able to fit in a facial in time for this article’s deadline, I have no doubt they are as professional as the bodywork offerings were with prices that are equally compelling. You can get a body wrap for $30, a lash and brow tint for $15, and a bikini wax for $15. They also offer student clinic rates for chemical peels ($30) and men’s facials ($30).

So whose brainchild is Health Works anyway? Ruth Marion is the owner and director of the institute. She‘s the former Director of the famed Boulder CO College of Massage therapy and has extensive other credentials in the field. I was surprised to hear the school opened way back in 2000 and has trained hundreds of massage therapists since. The esthetics curriculum was added in 2007. Both the massage therapy and esthetics programs are nationally accredited and qualified to offer a full range of federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and student loans, as well as financial aid to military through retraining programs. Tuition is $9525 for the esthetics school, and $9950 for the massage school. If you’ve had a massage in Bozeman, you’ve probably had one from a graduate of the Health Works Institute!

Health Works Institute is a terrific community resource for healing and beauty, and for aspiring estheticians and massage therapists. Be sure to check them out the next time you need some pampering; it’s a great deal and features great practitioners. And one day when you are on vacation at some expensive spa, and look up and recognize the face of your massage therapist, you’ll be able to say, “I knew you when!”

111 S. Grand, Annex 3
Bozeman MT
406-582-1555
www.healthworks.edu

Liz Harrison is an alternative health and wellness junkie who lives in Bozeman. This column explores the many alternative wellness offerings and practitioners in the Gallatin Valley. Suggestions, raves and rants may be sent to wellnessepicurean@gmail.com