School Information:
Our Mission
The Institute was founded because of many requests from the community. The modern culture of this region is strongly influenced by Finnish and Nordic immigrants. Massage and sauna are integral facets of the region's traditional life style and philosophy of family.
The philosophy of the school includes the quantum connection of the heart, mind, body, and spirit. We understand that our body is a temple and we honor the holy spirit within.
We have established this school to serve the community and provide a positive creative outlet for those who hold natural therapies arts close to their hearts.
We are committed to provide professional training programs designed not only for students to successfully compete but allow them to become innovators and leaders in the therapeutic massage field.
No fees are charged to the public that are given by massage students.
Classroom Environment
Being human we store a variety of energies, memories, subconscious and conscious emotions in our tissues. The classroom community provides a safe place to experience the therapeutic relationship. Together we tap into the power motivation of massage therapy allowing students the process of edification. We appreciate and respect our bodies, minds, souls and emotions which are the tools we have to explore and co-create our future professions. We accept each other and come together with a common vision.Frequently students tell us how much they look forward to the class weekends. They say it's a perfect retreat from their normal lives, a "spa weekend."
Student Profile
The students we attract to our school have a passion for the pursuit of professional massage and the healing arts as a way of life. They realize wisdom is not a product of learning, but a lifelong attempt to acquire it. Our oldest graduate was 70 years old and our youngest graduate was 16 years old. Classmates consist of nurses, physical therapists, lay people, high school students, or those who have not finished high school, and professionals with masters degrees, all with the common energy of becoming the best therapist they can be. The way is long and at times difficult, but challenging, so we achieve together as a group. We value life as a celebration of our highest selves and the spirit within us.
Class Locations
Weekend classes will be meeting in Houghton/Hancock, Marquette, St. Ignace, and now summer classes in Thailand. For directions to class locations please go to Open House and Directions. In the class of '97 the students voted and decided to meet every other weekend, which proved to be a major success and convenience for all! There are two weeks between classes to study, and students do not sacrifice every weekend away from family and church. It is also great for long-distance commuters who only have to travel twice a month.
Dogs and Cats
Our Hancock and St. Ignace facilities are pet friendly. At the St. Ignace location there are often on the premises dogs from the sled dog racing teams. Students are allowed to bring their pets for the weekend and pets may stay in their room, but they are not allowed in the classroom. In Hancock, pets are permitted in class if they are well behaved. No animals are permitted in the Marquette facility. Please be advised that students with severe animal allergies may need to attend class in Marquette.
School Facilities
The main campus and administration building in Hancock, is located at 21464 Paavola Road. (Please do not send mail here.) Quite unique and historically significant, the building was constructed by the neighborhood Finnish Nouse Society in 1897 and served as a temperance social club. It was also headquarters for the "Workers of the World" communist party, an Apostolic Lutheran Church, township hall, and a health club in the 1930's. After being dormant through the 60's it was purchased by the Paavola Senior Citizens club which modernized and renovated the building in 1975, making it quite a comfortable meeting place. Sharing the vision of it becoming a school of natural therapies, the seniors generously donated the building to INT in 1994. Today the Paavola Hall hosts INT and serves the neighborhood for small wedding receptions and business meetings. It is located within the boundaries of the Keweenaw Historic National Park just two miles north of Hancock. The campus located in Hancock adjoins an 80 acre wildlife preserve. Students are welcome to enjoy crosscountry skiing, hiking, meditation, and camping around class times.
The St. Ignace class regularly meets at the St. Ignace Public Library, US-2 in St. Ignace.
Teacher-Student Ratio
Our classes are exclusively limited to 22 students per class. We offer very specialized multi-level advanced training which requires explicit individual attention. During our foundations period we usually have one practical instructor to four students. We offer occasional class mentoring days where students work one to one with a professional C.M.T. We guarantee never less than a 1:12 practical student teacher ratio although 1:24 for lecture. Recently our classes have had a waiting list by late August so please enroll early. We do not plan to expand our student enrollment and to keep this a very special program.