Massage Program

Curriculum

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.

Program Cost (Tuition--$8875 + Therapist starter kit--$1025)= $9900 

Includes:

• An excellent massage therapy education
• Preparation for the MBLEx licensing exam
• All required textbooks
• A Dancing Prairie T-shirt or Apron
• Earthlite Spirit Massage Table w/ facerest, bolster, and carry-case
• All the oils and lotions required for class and clinic
• AMTA membership
• 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.

Estimate of additional costs while in school—Approximately $275

• Lotion or oil for practice away from school
• Clothing for clinic
• Massage table linens
• Laundry expenses
• Laptop or tablet for research and clinic client managment

Costs to become licensed after graduation

Iowa licensing information and fees ($120) can be found here

Information and fees ($265) for the MBLEx [Licensing Exam] can be found here

Clinics

Students practice in Dancing Prairie's Student Clinic from late June through September.

• $45 for 70 minutes of massage therapy
• No tips are accepted (we consider ourselves health professionals)
• The large classroom is divided into private studios with temporary walls and we have 3 separate rooms. Students rotate through all studios

Please email om@dancingprairie.com with "Clinic Practice" in the subject line if you want a student to contact you when they are ready to start,

Dancing Prairie's Pain Relief Center

Graduates who are now Licensed Massage Therapists offer Integrative Massage Therapy and Bodywork in this clinic. They customize a massage to suit your particular situation and requests, using a variety of techniques and modalities, which may include:

• Swedish/Western techniques (gliding, kneading, compression, percussion, friction, stretching, deep tissue...)
• Myofascial work
• Eastern strategies 
• Energy work

Our goal is to help you accomplish your goals. We have learned that causing pain during massage therapy actually interferes with the process of rehabilitation and healing. We are able to go deeper faster and more effectively if we don't hurt you. 

Charges/Fees (We don't accept tips):

•  $40--30 min
•  $55--45 min
•  $85--60 min
• $105--90 min
• Buy 10, Get 1 Free 

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

If you would like to support Dancing Prairie by joining our team or by contributing in some other way, please contact Dede Dancing at 319-351-9766 or Om@DancingPrairie.com.

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 much of the curriculum and provides support to other Dancing Prairie teachers.

Dede: I created Dancing Prairie to provide an entry-level Massage Therapy education that helps students develop excellent massage skills while enhancing their health, well-being, and comfort in their own bodies.

My therapeutic techniques and strategies flow from my 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
• Effective Communication

Dancing Prairie’s first 5 years have been a super satisfying roller-coaster. Collaborating with others to develop and deliver an enjoyable curriculum which prepares students well for the licensing exam and to have fun with a successful, rewarding career—challenging during a pandemic, yet also very life-affirming.

Eric Dirks, LMT
APP Instructor / Clinic Supervisor

Eric is a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Dancing Prairie graduate. Throughout his education and massage therapy career he has placed a high priority on the study of anatomy and physiology.

Eric has a strong passion for discovering ways in which science relates to, and supports the practice of, massage therapy. Sharing those findings with others feeds this passion and has become a joy in his life.

He assisted with Dancing Prairie’s science curriculum for two previous classes and has become the lead Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology instructor for the class of 2022. Eric runs his own private practice as part of Eastwind Healing Center in downtown Iowa City and supervises a sports massage clinic for University of Iowa athletes. He also supervises Dancing Prairie students in their Student Clinic toward the end of their education. Eric is a music lover and an avid outdoor enthusiast. He spends much of his free time hiking, camping and paddling on rivers.

Gerald A. Anzalone, D.C., M.S.
Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology Consultant

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. Jerry left Dancing Prairie to teach in Florida, but still makes himself available for consultations.

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

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. Almost 10 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.

For Dancing Prairie, Darren offers an anatomy lab (within the College of Medicine) and collaborates 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 body 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.

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. At Dancing Prairie he teaches a large part of our Sports Massage Program.

Laura Christensen, M.A., M.Ac., L.Ac.

Laura Christensen attended Oberlin College where she studied biology with a specialization in neuroscience, and has master's degrees in acupuncture and in counseling. She has received extensive training in Japanese acupuncture from several teachers, has studied many acupuncture approaches such as Master Tung's style, Korean Saam acupuncture, and has completed basic training and extensive graduate training in Chinese herbology. She is also very well acquainted with the principles and practice of functional medicine, and currently studies electrical acupuncture from two master teacher/practitioners.

She taught at the University of Iowa for 6 years, and has helped massage students understand East Asian medicine for a total of 6 years. Laura is in the initial stages of a doctoral training program in neurological acupuncture. She runs a busy acupuncture clinic in Iowa City and sees about 60 patients each week. She specializes in treating pain and complex, difficult problems. She loves gardening, cooking, singing, and has two lovely greyhounds that work with her at her clinic.

Willow Pogue, LMT
Reiki Master-Teacher, Yoga Teacher, Meditation Teacher

Willow has dedicated herself to the art and integration of Holistic Bodywork, Energy Healing, Yoga, and Meditation since 2015. Her work weaves together the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of true well-being, helping her clients and students to access and embody their highest potential. She co-founded Twin Moon Transformational Arts, where she offers retreats, trainings, workshops, and individual sessions.

She was involved with Dancing Prairie from the very beginning, serving as the Student Services Coordinator for its first graduating class. Today, she is part of the Eastern Theory & Practice team at Dancing Prairie, teaching Reiki, Yoga, Meditation, and Developing Rituals to Support Your Practice.

Shiva Sundari, LMT
Reiki Master-Teacher, Kirtan Wallah, Wedding Officiant, Yogi & Martial Artist

Shiva graduated from East-West Massage Therapy School of Integrative Healing Arts 1000hr - Advanced Massage Therapy program with a focus in Holistic Therapeutic Massage & Pain Relief in 2016.

In January of 2017, Shiva became a certified Reiki Master Practitioner and Teacher through Mary Thompson, Reiki Master-Teacher (Illuminations--Cedar Rapids, Iowa). Later that year, during a 6-month sabbatical in India, Shiva also studied with Rupa Majmudar, Reiki Grandmaster, at Sivananda Yoga Ashram in Ahmedabad, India. This fulfilled Shiva’s desire to develop a deeper understanding of human energetic systems and how those systems can be used to interpret imbalances within the body.

He received a 225hr Yoga teacher Certification through Sivananda Yoga Ashram & Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, India while he was there.

Shiva began teaching personal wellness skills as part of Eastern studies at Dancing Prairie Massage Therapy College in 2018, and in 2020 he became Lead Instructor for Dancing Prairie’s Eastern Theory and Practice Course, including some instruction in yoga, meditation, and Eastern wellness practices.

In 2021 Shiva began a 500hr Yoga Teacher certification course with internationally renowned Yogi, Kirtan Wallah and Teacher Saul David Raye, who has been a dear friend and teacher to Shiva since 2018.

Shiva has always been a student of the world, with a goal to nurture a greater sense of wellbeing and health within our communities.

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. At Dancing Prairie Kristen teaches a course in Developing Therapeutic Relationships.

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.

At Dancing Prairie Monica teaches Prenatal and Infant Massage.

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 provides medical consultation and oversight.

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 include teaching Professional Communications Workshops, and collaborating/consulting in the evaluation of our educational programs.