By Dar Mikula
Our History:
In 1974, the Florida School of Massage graduated its first students. The American Institute of Natural Health, Inc. and the Florida School of Massage, Inc. merged their programs of massage therapy and allied holistic health training in September 1979. The merger of these two Gainesville schools produced a vocational training center with outstanding instructional faculty and equipment resources for expanded and advanced programs of massage therapy and natural health care.
The Florida Institute of Natural Health was formed in the summer of 1980 and during the next seven years a new and larger facility was developed and several new programs were added to the curriculum of the Florida School of Massage. In the spring of 1987 the Florida Institute of Somatic Health (FISH) was formed, and on April 1st Paul Davenport became the owner-operator of the Florida School of Massage. In 2008 the corporate name of FISH was officially changed to Florida School of Massage.
In our various school incarnations we have had locations on North Main Street, above Lillian’s in downtown Gainesville, in what is now the Expressions Learning Academy charter school just up Rte. 441 and other various locations. The school made its home here at the edge of Payne’s Prairie in January 1992 at 6421 SW 13th Street (formerly Art’s Steakhouse),
In celebration of the school turning 40 we are excited to share some of the special events coming up in our community.
Later this month the FSM Staff gathers for their annual “Rounds”. Rounds is an opportunity for all our employees to share a meal together followed by the passing of the talking stick. During the circle, members are given an opportunity to tell co-workers anything they’d like us to know about them as we start the new year. It could be happy news of the adoption of a puppy, a description of a recent epiphany, or the sharing of a personal loss or gain. Those who are alumni will recognize this process as one they experienced in the classroom as part of our program. As a staff, we continue this ritual with each other to strengthen our friendships and practice compassion with each other.
In February, in honor of the occasion of Valentine’s Day and the intention to spread the Love, we have chosen to do a special outreach event. We will provide chair massage to the families of the Interfaith Hospitality Network one evening during the week of February 2-8. The IHN is a nonprofit organization created to provide shelter and comprehensive support for homeless families with children. Our goal is to touch a population that may never have experienced massage therapy before. We will also deliver heart-shaped hand soaps to the families as special gifts from our Bookstore.
On March 15, the school will host an Alumni Appreciation Day with $10 student clinic massages for all alumni and a musical performance by local Irish band An Gruir from 2-4PM at the Little House. Alumni are invited to bring a potluck dish to share and those who wear green will be entered into a drawing for some fabulous prizes.
Coming in April: Mark the date! FSM will offer an all-day Grand Open House from 10AM until 4PM Saturday, April 5, featuring Benny Vaughn and Vincent Cambrea as guest speakers. Benny is a graduate of the original school and he also taught our early classes of students in the 1970s. He will be speaking on what makes a massage practice successful and why the future looks incredibly bright! Vincent Cambrea teaches Sports at FSM and co-owns Go Primal Fitness in Gainesville and will talk about how he turned teenaged misdirection towards a successful career in massage therapy and fitness via his education at FSM.
Stay tuned for more fun and exciting events to be announced in the Connective Issue newsletter, as there’s more to come in our anniversary year!
