Vancouver School of Bodywork & Massage

This place is absolutely fantastic, and definitely the best value in town! $ 30 for a quality 60 minute massage is absolutely unheard of. The location was small (I was quite surprised with the inside setup at first), but very welcoming and well-​equipped.
Emi was a great masseuse. She was very patient, and she took the time to get to know my pain points, and preferred pressure before we began the massage. This was the only place, other than the spa at Nita Lake Lodge, that actually made me fall asleep in the middle of the massage. Emi checked up on me every now and then to make sure the pressure was still okay. Her techniques were wonderful, and very on-​point; it’s hard to believe she’s only a student. I felt fantastic, and all my muscles pain were gone!
We will definitely come back again (maybe even every other week)!

The students here are all very consistently good at massage. High value.

How did I not know about this before now? I went for my first student massage last week… I have to admit I was a little unsure what to expect but it was a great super relaxing experience. Had I not known it was a school I’d never have guessed the therapist was a student. Apart from hearing the guy doing creepy loud breathing in the booth next to mine it was as good as any expensive spa massage just at a fraction of the cost.

Student clinic! Cheap massages! Book early! They fill up fast!
Of note: do not expect a massage therapist style rubdown here; that’s not what these peeps be learning to do. This is a spot for the spa-​lovers of the world who can’t afford the prices that go with it. I’ve had everything from mindblowing Swedish massages to mediocre fishy handshake style «relaxation» massages at VSBM, and really, it’s all good because it’s all for the betterment of some poor child’s education. Well, adult’s education, but who’s counting?
Set in a pretty stunning (and very typical) Gastown loft-​ish space, the studio has the classic spa station playing (complete with chirping birds and Himalayan hymns and whispering grass), but the «rooms» themselves are nothing more than spaces divided by curtains. Also, why don’t they turn down the lights? Just a smidge? But really, these are just details. It’s totally fine here. Slightly clinical, but totally fine.
Now the «therapists» — some of these students are lost souls who think that massage is the way to happiness but will never get paid or see the light of a real massage studio. Others, however, are truly gifted with magic hands, and for that beautiful hour they grant me, I’ll gladly fork over 30 bills. It’s a game of chance when it comes to student clinics — you win some, you lose some. However, if I may be so bold to suggest: go later in the school year (but book early!). They be learned by then. Your chances just got better.

This review is for the student clinic. As someone who has suffered with extreme upper back pain (knots and tension) for the past couple of YEARS, and has never done anything about it due to an irrational fear of being touched by strangers, I’ve come a long way to be able to set aside my apprehensions to participate in the student clinic (admittedly, the prices were a huge draw).
I had received a professional and far more expensive massage (my first one ever) a couple of weeks prior to my visit to the student clinic, and so the bar was set a little bit high. According to the friend I cajoled into making my appointment for me due to my intense dislike of the phone (yeah, I have issues), it was a bit difficult to get through to them, but persistence won out at the end of the day. The student clinics are run on Thursdays and Saturdays by appointment only. The clinic itself is actually a very nice space, with aromatherapy diffusers, soothing music, water, and magazines available in the waiting area. It’s a very quiet and calming atmosphere, so learn from my mistakes and don’t wear clicky shoes.
The staff working the front desk area were very friendly, and have you fill out a pretty standard intake form before leaving you to wait for your therapist. Once your therapist emerges to greet you, they will then lead you to the massage area, which is essentially one big room separated into smaller massage areas by curtains. This can get a little bit dicey for those who strongly value privacy, as voices carry easily in the quiet space and I could hear some of the other patients and practitioners conversing. The curtain will also be left open a crack so that supervisors can look in and provide feedback as necessary.
Unfortunately, my massage itself left a little bit to be desired. I think it really depends on the luck of the draw, and the student you have working on you that day can either make or break your experience. I really do empathize with the fact that the student practitioners are still learning, but mine fumbled about trying to locate my knots and eventually kind of gave up. It was kind of awkward at times, not that awkward really fazes me much anymore.
In the end, I would return, simply because the prices are very fair and the services have the potential to be great, but I would recalibrate my expectations accordingly.

First as a recipient of the very affordable student-​clinic massage and later as a graduate of the Part-​Time Spa Therapy Program at VSBM I can say this school has A LOT to offer.
I wanted to become a Registered Massage Therapist but the 3 year $ 28,000 commitment dampened my spirits a bit. Besides, I was always drawn more to the pampering, feel-​good aspect of massage and not so much the fix-‘er-upper sports injury type massage.
After receiving a massage at the student clinic, I really wanted to find out more about the program… Can I just say: they had me at Hot Stone Massage! And aromatherapy, and shiatsu, and reflexology and hydrotherapy and business skills and deep tissue.
VSBM offers a well-​rounded curriculum taught by qualified instructors and they keep graduates well informed about employment opportunities all over the world.
Check out the student clinic. It’s open to the public most Thursdays between 2pm and 8pm and every other Saturday from 2pm to 7pm. You can book a 60 or 90 minute massage and sometimes they offer hot stone massage, ayurveda treatments and shiatsu.

VSBM offers both full-​time and part-​time programs in bodywork, massage, and yoga for those wishing to become certified in these industries.
For prospective students or those wishing to explore massage for personal use, a 12-​hour introductory program is offered several times during the year. This review is for the weekend massage workshop.
I participated in the course this past weekend as I have been considering a career change. The class contained 12 students of varying ages and interests.
The school is located in a historic building in Gastown overlooking the steam clock. The instructor was extremely friendly and knowledgeable, making it comfortable for everyone.
Over the two days we practiced swedish massage techniques and learned the basics in order to perform a full body massage. The course is very hands-​on and you immediately begin practicing massage on other students.
After finishing the class, it made me decide to enroll in the full-​time 18 week spa therapy program beginning next week.
For all my fellow Unilocalers seeking a free massage in the coming months, make sure to friend me so I can let you know when I need a body to train on!