Barefoot massage encompasses many techniques you may not be aware of, this post is here to help you discover the differences in Fijian Barefoot Massage & Hot Ashi. 

Barefoot Massage is the umbrella term that encompasses a type of therapeutic application using a foot (or feet) as the tool. 

Many Americans used to believe there was only one way. And that way was a style of sliding, unclothed massage called Ashiatsu which roughly translated to mean “foot pressure.” We now know there was a lot of problems with that translation/understanding. 

At the Center for Barefoot Massage, we specifically call our style and approach to this work Myofascial Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage, or FasciAshi for short. (Follow this link to review the differences between styles of Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage.)

Understand that all westernized Ashiatsu styles as they are generally known across the American massage industry includes a massage table, overhead bar system, and usually involve an unclothed, lubricated session that is styled similar to Swedish massage. The gravity of our foot & body weight lend itself to the experience of a “deep Swedish” session. 

However, there are various other types of massage using feet as the therapeutic tool that do not include Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage. 

In this message, we’ll discuss the differences in Fijian Barefoot Massage & Hot Ashi. 

Fijian Barefoot Massage is the adaption of the ancient medicine system in Fiji brought to the United States by Lolita Knight. The Center for Barefoot Massage felt this work was important to continue as Lolita began retiring her work. CBM has received Lolita’s guidance and blessings to continue her work while adding the fundamental principles of Myofascial Barefoot massage. 

This floor based class continues the understanding of the Fijian people that a deep and fast paced connection with the skin and nervous system would increase healing possibility. They developed a series of specific movements that Lolita adapted to become footwork instead of handwork, and we teach that approach in our course. The receiving person will remain clothed and there is no use of lubricant. 

Hot Ashi is the course designed by Center for Barefoot Massage instructor and author of this post, Sara Newberry. After many years working with a mentor and creator of the Mother Earth Pillows, I began to understand the deep healing of heat combined with pressure. Hot Ashi used shearing gliding that requires the therapist to have control and finesse using their legs and feet. In our course, the therapist is taught the foundation to thermal therapy and nervous system health along with many ways to incorporate the pillows into what they are already offering. The client is clothed and the focus is not to allow lubricant to come in contact with the pillow. 

Thermal therapy can be activating for some clients with a history of trauma but for most, heat can be a transformative for the down regulation into their parasympathetic nervous system where the healing can occur. 

Fijian Barefoot Massage & Hot Ashi Comparison: 

💧 Both techniques keep the client clothed 

🔥 Both techniques use zero lubricant 

💧 Both techniques require specific use of your foot/leg 

🔥Both could be great travel options for marketing assuming you have the correct set up 

Fijian & Hot Ashi Differences: 

🔥 Fijian is on the floor

💧Hot Ashi is on a massage table 

🔥 Hot Ashi should be soothing and PNS in nature 

💧Fijian is energizing and uplifting 

🔥Hot ashi uses the overhead bars 

💧Fijian uses the floor, a chair, & the FasciAshi Strap 

To finish up, one technique is not better than another but instead different for different applications. Both courses will challenge your feet in new ways and what I often encourage as “cross training your feet.” Either of these classes will inform your other Barefoot Massage applications even if it’s not directly a stroke difference, instead another way to move. 

Sign up today and your clients will begin to notice the more nuanced and dynamic way you move your feet right away. They will feel you respond to their tissue that’s specific to that day and time rather than simply moving through the motions.