Help BSMT with Start-up Capital
Our Story
In 1975, the original Boulder School of Massage Therapy was founded as a non-profit organization and later became Boulder College of Massage Therapy. BCMT closed its doors in 2013. During the institution's existence, it was considered one of the best schools in the nation and a leader in massage therapy education. The Denver Post referred to BCMT as the "Harvard" of Massage Therapy. When the school closed the intellectual rights were purchased by a local university. There was great sadness as well as hope that it would reopen in a matter of time. Years passed with no headway although several attempts were made by different individuals.
Crista de la Garza, who had been a long time massage therapist in Boulder county, and a newer teacher at BCMT at the time it closed, continued on with her massage therapy career assuming that the school would reopen as an Associate's degree program at the University level.
From 2019-2022, Crista began volunteering at the national level for the massage profession. She joined a NCBTMB committee and was elected to serve as a Practitioner Member on the NCBTMB Board of Directors. Crista enrolled in graduate school to study Organizational Leadership & Psychology but then changed her focus to Higher Education.
She knew she wanted to be qualified and prepared to teach and administrate when the massage school finally reopened, for luck often happens when preparation meets opportunity.
With the events of the Covid-19 pandemic there was a major pivot in massage therapy education towards hybrid online learning formats. After mandated government shut downs, many massage schools, including long standing well known and respected schools in Colorado, closed their doors and did not reopen.
In 2022, as the covid dust began to settle, the need for high quality massage education became even more pressing and obvious while the grim hopes for BCMT ever reopening came to an end. Crista earned her MA in Leadership Higher Education then began having more serious conversations with former BCMT community and faculty about how too many years had passed with no progression. It became clear to her that it was time to shift focus, pick up the torch that no one was passing, and open a school herself.
In 2023, Crista established Colorado Conservatory of Healing Arts. She created curriculum and sought out allies to fine tune the Program. She met with former BCMT teachers and board members about what was amazing and worked well, and what was not so great that should not be repeated. She met with BSMT's original founder and board member, Honora Wolfe, and was given wonderful advice on how to avoid pitfalls of what historically did not go so well in business and for the college. Crista was especially thankful to also receive Honora's encouragement to move forward with opening the school.
In 2024, as the Programmatic Advisory Committee grew closer to completing the task of curriculum review, Crista became aware that the business name Boulder School of Massage Therapy had just become available to claim. She promptly filed with Colorado's Secretary of State, and Colorado Conservatory of Healing Arts officially began to do business as Boulder School of Massage Therapy.
CoCoHA will remain the umbrella business for the massage school as the intent of the conservatory is to offer education in many disciplines that fall under all that Healing Arts encompasses. Down the road, at the very least, CoCoHA plans to offer Yoga Teacher Training and Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture programs in addition to massage therapy education.
In 2025 BSMT hopes to open the academic admissions doors offering a robust 700 Hour Massage Therapy Program. With the blessings and advice of those who came before us, BSMT is purposefully established as a for-profit educational organization with curricular checks and balances by the PAC. BSMT's Program is designed to operate as a 100% in-person one-year-long immersive educational experience for students.
In honor of all of the teachers, volunteers, and students of the original massage school, this newly established Boulder School of Massage Therapy will continue to teach the legacy of Integrative Therapeutic Massage. BSMT's curriculum emphasizes research education and requires high standards of ethical and professional conduct. BSMT will apply for COMTA Endorsed Curriculum upon state licensure and hopes to quickly earn accreditation. BSMT hopes to offer a 1000 Hour Associates Degree Program in the future.
Crista is committed to being a mindfully and physically present on-site school owner, administrator, and educator. Her role is to teach, foster community, encourage personal growth, and assist in advancing the integrity of the massage therapy profession.
Mission Statement
Boulder School of Massage Therapy's mission is to develop the most proficient, successful massage therapists, with the highest ethical standards, while cultivating excellence in the massage therapy profession.
Vision Statement
Boulder School of Massage Therapy will be known for its academically rigorous and transformative curriculum, its exemplary leadership in massage therapy education, practices, and research.
BSMT will prepare students to learn to be of service, working collaboratively with their communities. BSMT will teach students to provide a professional massage therapy experience, enhancing quality of life for all beings.
Boulder School of Massage Therapy's mission is to develop the most proficient, successful massage therapists, with the highest ethical standards, while cultivating excellence in the massage therapy profession.
Vision Statement
Boulder School of Massage Therapy will be known for its academically rigorous and transformative curriculum, its exemplary leadership in massage therapy education, practices, and research.
BSMT will prepare students to learn to be of service, working collaboratively with their communities. BSMT will teach students to provide a professional massage therapy experience, enhancing quality of life for all beings.
Crista de la Garza
BSMT owner & Administrator
www.artsyhealer.com
MA, Leadership Higher Education
BCTMB Board Certified Massage Therapist with NCBTMB
LMT, Licensed Massage Therapist
APCE, Approved Continuing Education Provider with NCBTMB
Yoga Alliance E-RYT200, RYT500, YACEP
Registered Advanced Yoga Teacher & Continuing Education Provider
|
|