Massage Program

Tuition and Fees

While we work toward an accreditation that allows our students to take advantage of Federal and State loan and grant programs, we do offer an in-house interest-free loan program that you can learn about when you visit the school.

Tuition Includes:

• An excellent massage therapy education/all the classes that fulfill our curriculum
• All required texts
• A Dancing Prairie T-shirt or Apron
• A massage table or chair
• All the oils and lotions required for class and clinic
• Student liability insurance
• A Diploma when you graduate
• Dancing Prairie support during your transition from student to practicing therapist
• Your transcript will be kept on file for your future needs.

Other Costs—Approximately $140

• Lotion or oil for practice away from school
• Clinic uniforms
• Massage table linens
• Laundry expenses

Our excellent tuition rate reflects the understanding that our new program benefits from your participation as students. Thank you for your confidence! Full tuition or a down-payment with a signed Tuition Loan Agreement is due 1 month prior to the beginning of classes. Scholarships may be available. Ask about these when you visit.

Refunds

If you withdraw before the program starts your entire investment except the non-refundable $50 application fee will be refunded.

If you withdraw after classes start, Dancing Prairie will honor the laws in Iowa Code Section 714.23, subsection 2, regarding tuition refunds for early withdrawal from the program. Briefly, if you withdraw from the program before you were scheduled to have completed 60% of total program hours, your tuition—minus equipment, supplies, and application fee totaling $650—will be prorated accordingly and refunded.

If you withdraw after you were scheduled to have completed 60% of the program you will not receive a refund, unless you are withdrawing due to physical incapacity or spousal employment relocation. If that is your situation, the law described in the next paragraph applies to you.

There is an exceptional policy described in 714.23 subsection 3, paragraph a, for those who are withdrawing due to physical incapacity or spousal employment relocation—people in these situations will receive a prorated refund regardless of when they withdraw, even if they have proceeded in their education beyond 60% of the program hours. 

Clinics

Coming soon!

Testimony

To date 1/15/2020...100% of our graduates have passed the MBLEx licensing exam :)

Coming Soon...Now that we have enjoyed learning with two classes I will be posting Dancing Prairie student and teacher comments.

The following comments are representative of the feedback I (Dede Dancing -- Owner, Founder, Teacher) received about courses and materials I provided in the 6 years prior to opening Dancing Prairie Massage Therapy College.

"Hey Dede
I just had a moment to look at your CD and it is wonderful!! The students are really lucky to have you put forth all the effort to create that. I guarantee that they use it often, not in the next year but for the rest of their career!
–Katie Swenson, LMT (previous Western Massage course instructor at East-West)"

Student Evaluations...

"Dede has a great attitude and personality. Well spoken, easy to understand…Very helpful during hands-on session…Present and aware. Keep being awesome!"

"Dede was very helpful with techniques when I had questions—she’s been great!"

"I liked everything about this course! Dede is a wonderful instructor. I feel like I learned so much from her! Watching a technique and then doing it myself was perfect learning. Thank you times a million!"

"Can’t wait till you teach us more!"

"I love this course! The energy. The techniques. The fun. Thank you so much! Keep on dancing!"

"Know that you have amazing gifts and are so good at sharing them with others :) Thank you for letting me be a part of that."

"I loved Dede’s style of teaching. Her passion for massage is inspiring."

"Dede—you are the best instructor I ever had. Thank you for everything."

"This was a great course. I grew as a massage therapist and as a person."

Other Education

Continuing Education

View our full Calendar at Events @ Dancing Prairie

We at Dancing Prairie Massage Therapy School aim to assist you in your quest to continue learning your craft and enhancing your well-being. We are always adding new events so check back often. If you have suggestions for workshops and classes you would like to attend, please let us know by emailing events@dancingprairieschool.com

Featured Classes:

Community Education

Cancelled Event Series! We will let you know when it is rescheduled.

Building Your Medicine Body through Free Form Dance & Movement

Mar 22 – May 3 from 3:00 – 5:00PM
[6-week Sunday Series] – $90

(Note: No class on Easter, April 12th)

Our Team

We are looking for excellent teachers who have been/are successful massage therapists. Please contact Dede Dancing at 319-351-9766 or Om@DancingPrairie.com to apply for these positions.

Dede Dancing, AA—Human Services, LMT, BCTMB
Dancing Prairie Founder and Director
Adjunct lecturer Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Website: www.dededancing.com

Dede teaches: Introduction to Massage Therapy, Western Massage Theory and Practice, Pain Relief, Thermal Stone massage, and provides support to instructors teaching in the other arenas of Dancing Prairie’s curriculum.

While enjoying more than 15 years of successful private practice, I have focused on developing skills that help clients establish and maintain health and comfort. I am a passionate proponent of massage therapy as an important aspect of health care, embracing both the science and the wonder of this excellent profession.

My therapeutic techniques/strategies integrate foundations in human services and Swedish/Western massage with continuing studies and practice in:

• Orthopedic massage
• Myofascial forms of manual therapy
• Neuromuscular massage
• Heated stone work
• Visualization/Meditation

I have been honored to teach in a variety of environments including the trucking industry, human services, and most recently, five years with East-West school of Integrative Healing Arts.

At Dancing Prairie, I collaborate with others to develop and deliver an enjoyable educational curriculum which prepares students well for the licensing exam and to have fun with a successful, rewarding career.

Gerald A. Anzalone, D.C., M.S.
Adjunct faculty for Dancing Prairie

Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Anzalone received his Doctor of Chiropractic and his Master of Science in Human Anatomy and Physiology Instruction through New York Chiropractic College. He has a strong interest in evidence-informed practices and is dedicated to excellence in teaching. Jerry is a member of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. An avid dog-lover, he has three canine companions (Taylor, Tiffany, and Marty), each a rescue from the Dutch Carribean. 

Kent Ambler, RN, BSN
Adjunct faculty for Dancing Prairie

Ken teaches Pathology as part of our Science Team.

Having spent 6 years in pre-hospital Emergency Medical Service, then more than 30 years as a Registered Nurse in Critical Care settings, Kent is now retired from nursing and available to share is wisdom with Dancing Prairie students.

“My favorite part of Critical Care Nursing has been teaching and mentoring students and new staff, both in the clinical setting and in the classroom as an Education Coordinator for ICU and Telemetry nurses. I look forward to working with the students and faculty at Dancing Prairie!”

Since retirement Kent loves traveling with Amy (his wife), playing with grandchildren, and daily hikes with German Shorthaired Pointer, Oscar. He also enjoys playing drums and guitar, and teaching drum lessons.

Darren Hoffmann, PhD, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology
UI Carver College of Medicine
Adjunct Faculty at Dancing Prairie

Dr. Darren Hoffmann received his PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology from The University of Iowa in 2006. Since then he has been faculty at The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and College of Dentistry, teaching gross anatomy in multiple health professions programs. His educational research is focused on how students learn best outside of the classroom. He was part of the Iowa City team that developed Cyber-Anatomy, a 3D virtual cadaver program, now used by students at The University of Iowa and around the world. Four years ago, Darren and Dede started collaborating around their shared interest in anatomy, massage and self-care. Since then, they have taught multiple massage and anatomy courses together, working with students from Medical and Massage Therapy programs to create a novel learning community, and enhance the education of future doctors with advanced skills in palpation, massage for pain relief, and self-care.

At Dancing Prairie, Darren will teach Gross Anatomy. He'll also collaborate in developing educational programs and educational outcomes research. He hopes to help bodyworkers and other medical health care providers find a common language in the complex relationships of the human bodys systems, and inform the work of all health care providers by providing experiences in touching with therapeutic intent and taking care of their own bodies.

Lucy Marsh, LAc

Lucy has studied and practiced Asian bodywork since 2003. She owns a successful Acupuncture practice—Deep Roots Acupuncture—and has taught Shiatsu for two years at East-West School of Integrative Healing Arts. At Dancing Prairie she teaches Shiatsu with an introduction to Eastern Theory and Practice. Learning with Lucy will deepen students’ bodywork toolbox and broaden their experience with alternative health practices.

Ralph Stephens, LMT

Ralph has been practicing massage therapy to successfully treat the injuries and pain complaints of his clients for the last 32 years. While his particular focus is on athletes with clients ranging from Olympians and Paralympians to passionate amateurs, he also works with other populations from couch potatoes, pre-natal, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia to MS, post-surgery, and brain/cord injuries.

As a Massage Therapy Hall of Fame inductee, textbook author, regular Massage Today columnist, AMTA National Meritorious Award winner and 2017 CE Provider Teacher of the Year, Ralph stands out as one of the few Master Instructors in the field of massage and soft tissue therapy. Ralph’s focus is on ensuring that students learn what it is they need to become more effective, successful massage therapists.

Dusti Dalton
LMT & Reiki Practioner
Dancing Prairie Adjunct Faculty/Instructor
Iowa State - Bachelors of Science in Family Services
East-West School of Integrative Healing Arts - 2012
Iowa Licensed Massage Therapist since 2012

Jenna Davis
LMT & Reiki Practioner & Yoga Teacher
Dancing Prairie Adjunct Faculty/Instructor
Kirkwood Community College- Associates of Fine Arts
East-West School of Integrative Healing Arts - 2012
Iowa Licensed Massage Therapist since 2012
Completed Yoga Teacher Training Programs in 2012 & 2017

Roles at Dancing Prairie: Adjunct Faculty instructing in the areas of Professional Ethics and Career Development

Dusti and Jenna met in 2011 while attending school for Massage Therapy and Energy Healing. The two quickly formed a deep bond that would continue to grow over the course of their education. Each completed a 1,000+ hour program through East-West School of Integrative Healing Arts.

Upon graduation and state licensing in 2012, Dusti and Jenna founded Soul Centric, where they provide Massage Therapy, Energy Healing & Yoga. They are passionate about hands on body and energy work, empowering others to take an active role in their wellness, being truly present during the healing journey (body, mind & spirit) and building community.

Having grown side by side during their education and training, Dusti and Jenna cultivated not only their individual growth and expansion, but also a dynamic synergy of energy together. While they each practice one on one with clients, they often use this unique synergy in tandem healing sessions as well and in collaborating to lead group classes and workshops.>

Dusti and Jenna are honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the Dancing Prairie tribe and look forward to co-teaching Professional Ethics and Career Development!

Marcy Rosenbaum, PhD,
Professor of Family Medicine
UI Carver College of Medicine
Adjunct Faculty at Dancing Prairie

Dr. Rosenbaum introduced Dede and Darren to one another in 2011, and originally inspired their development of the Massage and Medicine course.

Her roles in Dancing Prairie will include teaching Professional Communications Workshops, and collaborating/consulting in the evaluation of our educational programs.

Lauren Hanna, MD
Mercy Family Medicine
Adjunct faculty for Dancing Prairie

Dr. Hanna received her medical education from University of Iowa, completed her residency at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

At Dancing Prairie, Lauren will provide medical consultation and oversight in addition to teaching a course in Pathology.

Kristen Richardson, ARNP

Kristen has worked in mental health since 1995. After becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in 2001, from the University of Iowa, she followed her dream and created a Holistic Mental Health Care private practice in 2005. Kristen believes we are to heal the emotional pain we experience, not just cope with it or medicate it. Emotional pain that isn’t transmuted or processed doesn’t just go away, it accumulates and lives inside us until we begin a healing journey.

Monica Basile, PhD, CPM, LMT, CD(DONA), CCE, RMT

Monica Basile is a Certified Professional Midwife, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Doula, and Reiki Master-Teacher with more than 20 years of experience working with people and families in the childbearing year. She holds a PhD in gender, women's and sexuality studies from the University of Iowa and is the mother of an adult son.

In her bodywork practice, Monica offers massage therapy, craniosacral therapy, and Reiki (energy healing). She is certified in prenatal and postpartum massage, and has had advanced training in maternal and infant craniosacral therapy. Monica is also trained in Swedish massage, Thai massage, scar tissue release, reflexology, and neuromuscular therapy. She enjoys working with people of all ages and genders.

Monica believes that everyone deserves access to culturally appropriate care, and the opportunity to make informed choices. She is passionate about the transformative power of pregnancy and birth, and facilitating joyful embodiedness through compassionate, healing touch. She is committed to partnering with clients to facilitate peace, balance, and deep healing in mind, body, and spirit. Her own daily yoga and meditation practices support her approach to bodywork and birth work.