Bristol College of Massage & Bodywork

Bristol College of Massage & Bodywork BCMB is a not for profit company providing high quality, person-centred approach to massage and bodywork at introductory, practitioner and advanced levels.

For those new to massage, we offer fun Introductory Holistic Massage Workshops in Bristol and Worcester. The weekend workshop will give you some effective massage skills to use on friends and family. This is also taster of our massage and teaching style should you be interested in training further with us. For beginners and experienced practitioners, we also offer an Introductory Thai Massage Work

shop. The aim of the workshop is to provide a fun and informative introduction to this exciting therapy. If you wish to go further, our Professional Training Courses in Bristol or Worcester will enable you to become a massage therapist. Holistic Massage and Bodywork
Remedial and Sports Massage
Indian Head Massage
Thai Massage

If you have done some massage, our Massage Practice Days and Supervision Groups are an opportunity to refresh and build on your skills, according to your individual needs.Our Post-Graduate Advanced Workshops, for professional bodyworkers, will help you extend your skills in specific areas. As well as courses and workshops, a selection of our teaching team and selected BCMB graduates also offer 1-2-1 treatments from the college during the week. Our practitioners are experienced in massage, hypnotherapy, yoga, and more.

🌀Developing a Polyvagal Informed Practice with Sarah Mclellan📅5th-7th October🕙10am-5.30pm📍BCMBThis three day course is s...
05/08/2026

🌀Developing a Polyvagal Informed Practice with Sarah Mclellan
📅5th-7th October
🕙10am-5.30pm
📍BCMB

This three day course is suitable for any bodywork and touch therapists of any modality both freshly qualified, deep into your practice and everything in between. If you are a bodywork therapist working primarily with movement without touch, contact the college, I can speak with you directly, to see if the course would also meet your needs around this subject.

Touch is our cornerstone. To be present with ‘self’ and ‘other’ is at the heart of the power and potential of touch therapy. Polyvagal Theory explores the way the body speaks of the experience of what it is to be human and feel safe and connected or not. As bodywork therapists, this science based theory exploring the intricate pathways and functions of the vagus nerve is a gift to our practice.

This course will present the work of Stephen W. Porges and Deb Dana. There will be theory interwoven with lots of practical exploration including applying the learning via touch and movement exchange practice.

The intention is to:

~ Deepen our appreciation of the profound impact and potential of body work therapy.
~ Create the bedrock to develop a ’trauma informed’ practice, working towards greater safety and connection for our clients and ourselves as practitioners. Please note this is different from a training which supports you to actively invite and work with people who are experiencing 'trauma'.
~ Begin to befriend our own autonomic nervous systems in order to explore ways of working with clients which embrace and embed the implications of Polyvagal Theory in our practice.

This is a big topic and attendance of the three day CPD will give access to a monthly 'Heart of Trauma Study Group' a themed supervision group supporting the integration of this learning into practice - Sarah will provide more details about this during the course.

Book now via the website!

👣Mini CPD: Gait Analysis with Aaron Lightbody📅Monday 28th September🕙6pm-9pm📍BCMBThis workshop is an Introduction to Gait...
03/08/2026

👣Mini CPD: Gait Analysis with Aaron Lightbody
📅Monday 28th September
🕙6pm-9pm
📍BCMB

This workshop is an Introduction to Gait Analysis.

Everyone is unique: limb lengths, posture; muscular strengths and weakness; old injuries; body weight, shape and size are some of the varying factors that may affect how we walk and run. While the textbooks may advocate for an ideal or "normal" gait, in practise, we all have imbalances of varying degrees that our bodies adapt around in their own way. Just because someone runs in an atypical manner doesn't mean that they're doomed to suffer from shin splints or back pain.

However, there is a limit to how much the body can adapt before the accumulation of excess stress and strain takes its toll - that's where Gait Assessment can be beneficial. By observing how we walk / run can help to uncover causal factors at the root of existing pain and, ideally, highlight and address them before they develop into painful conditions.

Come and find out the fundamentals of this skill to extend your practice and further help your clients.

Book now via the website!

🤲3D Side Lying Massage with Sarah Mclellan📅Monday 14th - Tuesday 15th September🕙10am - 5.30pm📍BCMBWorking in the side ly...
30/07/2026

🤲3D Side Lying Massage with Sarah Mclellan
📅Monday 14th - Tuesday 15th September
🕙10am - 5.30pm
📍BCMB

Working in the side lying position offers many creative opportunities and is not just for pregnancy. The human body is 3-dimensional. Yet many massage approaches work only with clients in a prone or supine position.

By placing clients in this position, without predetermined response, they are more easily able to let go. This workshop offers a range of bodywork and energy techniques including:

~ Spinal mobilisations and stretching
~ Connecting complementary muscle groups in the lower back and abdomen
~Accessing deeper muscles in the shoulder girdle
~ Deep relaxation and energy holds

Book now via the calendar page on the website!

Why Train in Pregnancy Massage at BCMB?Massage offers a powerful tool to support women and babies through the journey of...
29/07/2026

Why Train in Pregnancy Massage at BCMB?

Massage offers a powerful tool to support women and babies through the journey of pregnancy. This day offers an understanding of the benefits of massage, as well as the areas in which you need to exercise caution. You will come away feeling more confident and excited about working with pregnant women.

This one day workshop will be perfect for you if you:
🤰Feel unsure or daunted by working in pregnancy
🤰Would like to develop a better understanding of working with pregnant women
🤰Already work frequently with pregnant women but would like to learn new techniques and gain a better understanding of the postural changes
🤰Would like to review contra-indications and learn energy techniques that connect the Mother and Baby

The day will include:

🤰 Contra-indications and working safely
🤰Specific techniques, including integrating energy and muscle work.
🤰Gaining an understanding of the postural changes in pregnancy and how to work with them.
🤰Exploration of different positions for working in pregnancy including side position.
🤰Relevant anatomy and physiology

Massage and Pregnancy with Heidi Armstrong
Tuesday 8th September
10am-5.30pm
Book now via the calendar page on the website!

Remedial and Sports Massage Weekend 4: Our students are now familiar with basic and advanced massage techniques, so we b...
21/07/2026

Remedial and Sports Massage Weekend 4: Our students are now familiar with basic and advanced massage techniques, so we broke down the anatomy, physiology and pathology of each major joint.

Starting with the ankle joints - where there is in fact two joints in each ankle, the students then spent the practical part of the weekend learning how to assess and treat the ankles and lower legs. It's great to see them flourish as the develop their technical and analytical skills. 🦵

What is Meridian Massage?Meridian Massage is a massage approach that incorporates principles of Traditional Chinese Medi...
15/07/2026

What is Meridian Massage?

Meridian Massage is a massage approach that incorporates principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), working with the body's energy pathways to support balance and wellbeing.

This two-day course is designed for massage practitioners who are interested in incorporating these principles into their practice. Whether you're new to TCM or looking to deepen your existing knowledge, the course offers a comprehensive and practical approach to working with the body's energy pathways.

You will explore:

~The meridians and key acupressure points
~How to apply rocking techniques, meridian strokes, and targeted release techniques
~The energetic flow of the body and how to identify areas of tension or stagnation

You will receive a comprehensive manual, detailed charts, and access to theory videos to support your learning and help you integrate these techniques into your practice with confidence.

Book for Meridian Massage with Heidi Armstrong now via the calendar page on the website 🌀

We had a lovely time offering seated massage at Bristol Pride day on Saturday!We love to share the power of touch and co...
14/07/2026

We had a lovely time offering seated massage at Bristol Pride day on Saturday!

We love to share the power of touch and connection through massage, so a big thank you to Bristol Pride for having us!

Thanks for everyone who came by to see us in the heat! And thank you to all of our volunteers who are BCMB students and graduates who offered their skills.

We will also be at Bristol Harbour Festival this Saturday and Sunday in Queens Square - come and see us!

Our Remedial and Sports Massage therapists in training have reached block 3!One of the most popular weekends of the RSM ...
24/06/2026

Our Remedial and Sports Massage therapists in training have reached block 3!

One of the most popular weekends of the RSM course as our students start to learn advanced massage techniques.

They had lots of fun and laughs while learning and giving and receiving treatments using Neuromuscular Technique (NMT), Positional Release, Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Soft Tissue Release (STR).

We also put the students through their paces testing their on site sports event massage skills.

We’re looking forward to block 4!

BCMB attended the Health Hub on Gloucester Road last week, offering head, shoulder and hand massage to adults with learn...
22/06/2026

BCMB attended the Health Hub on Gloucester Road last week, offering head, shoulder and hand massage to adults with learning disabilities and their carers. It was great getting to know everyone and a lovely opportunity for our students to get in some touch practice outside of the college 💆

This week, two of our Remedial and Sports Massage tutors spent the day refreshing their skills on an Emergency First Aid...
09/06/2026

This week, two of our Remedial and Sports Massage tutors spent the day refreshing their skills on an Emergency First Aid at Work course, ensuring their knowledge, qualifications and practical skills remain current and up to date, while having fun!

It's important as professional massage therapists to have a in date first aid, and a requirement for MTI members. Holos Healthcare run regular first aid at work training at BCMB - check their website for more details and dates⚕️

Address

Lower Ground Floor, 109 Pembroke Road
Bristol
BS83EU

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm

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