FACILITY
Instruction is provided in a spacious facility featuring comfortable classroom and lab instruction with room to accommodate a maximum of 50 students. The main classroom features an open floor plan with a multi-leveled ceiling and lots of natural light. It also contains a reception area, an administrative office, a kitchenette, and two restrooms. The Institute is also equipped with 20 adjustable height massage tables, 2 massage chairs, lecture tables and chairs, and two large marker boards.

Lecture and lab instruction is supplemented through the use of slides, overhead transparencies, the highly acclaimed Maniken muscle sculpting system by Zahourek, various anatomical models and wall charts. Our spacious classroom is outfitted with an audio visual system consisting of 3 networked computers, a digital overhead projector, high speed internet, and VHS/DVD player.  This gives us the capability of projecting VHS/DVD movies, powerpoint driven lecture presentations, and accessing the latest research live online.  Our textbooks also contain computer CD/DVDs as part of the electronic classroom and have supplemental textbook information on the EVOLVE web site. There is also an interactive student section of the school web site as well as utilizing the email system for classroom assignments, lesson notes, and feedback. 

LOCATION
The Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy is located at 3750 Nelson Road in Lake Charles, LA. The building rests on the corner of Nelson Road and New School Street, located just south of the Nelson Road Exit off I-210 (Exit #4). Prien Lake Elementary School is right across the street. The Institute is within easy driving distance to shopping, hotels, and numerous restaurants including Starbucks, Coffee Beanery, Paradise Smoothie, Sonic, Subway, Quizno’s, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Bennigans, Buffalo Wild Wings, McAlister’s Deli, Olive Garden, O'Charley's, and Texas Road House.

Hotels
The Institute is in close proximity to the L'auberge du Lac Casino Hotel, a Microtel, and the Inn on the Bayou.  Several other hotels in the area are under construction including a Springhill Suites by Marriott, a Holiday Inn, and a LaQuinta.

The following link will assist students in locating overnight accommodations.  
http://www.visitlakecharles.org

La Massage Institute - Map © Google Maps

THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The Institute is dedicated to each student receiving caring attention and closely supervised instruction. Generally, only one instructor lectures at a time. In all massage lab classes; the ratio of faculty to students will never exceed 1:10 (one instructor for 5 massage tables).

Training is primarily hands-on, with an emphasis on the learning experience. Our instructors teach that one of the most important aspects of massage therapy is the connection between the therapist and client. The skill of accepting a client and their condition is taught and reinforced throughout the program, as students practice on each other, on their friends, family members, and the public during internship. Such acceptance creates an environment of safety, which promotes a climate of self-acceptance and ultimately, of healing for the client.