Basic massage course: from scratch to your first clients in 2 weeks
10 two-hour classes. Classic, sports, wellness and anti-cellulite massage, anatomy in plain words and a lecture on finding your first clients.
Individual techniques can be learned one-to-one on request — ask the administrator. Group classes are taught in Ukrainian or Russian; one-to-one training is also available in English.
Groups at 13:00 or 18:00, 10–12 people. For remaining spots, ask the administrator.
Who the course is for
Most of our students come with no experience and no medical background.
A new profession
You are changing fields and want work where you see the result right away — after every session.
Extra income alongside beauty or fitness
You are a beautician, trainer or beauty specialist — and want to add massage to your price list.
Working abroad
The course is the first step. Spas in the EU and cruise ships require hours of practice and English.
For yourself and your family
You want to help your loved ones without causing harm — to understand where you can press and where you can’t.
What you will understand and what you will be able to do
We don’t teach you to repeat movements — we teach you to understand the body and explain it to the client.
- why the neck, the area between the shoulder blades and the lower back hurt
- what a hernia, a protrusion and scoliosis are — and how to work with them
- when you must not work
- how massage affects circulation, breathing and the nervous system
- how to relax or, on the contrary, stimulate the nervous system
- give a classic, sports, wellness and anti-cellulite massage
- work through every area — back, neck, arms, lower back, legs and feet
- work with cups, inari, bamboo and honey
- explain to the client what you are doing and why
- work without pain in your own back and hands
Day-by-day programme
10 two-hour classes. Most of every class is hands-on practice.
Compare hours of practice, not prices: 10 two-hour classes in a group of 10–12 people.
- Classic, sports, wellness and anti-cellulite massage
- Cups, inari, bamboo, honey
- Anatomy and biomechanics in plain words
- A lecture on advertising and your first clients
How a class works
Nothing to fear as a beginner: first we explain, then we demonstrate, then it’s your hands.
We explain the body visually — just like in Ivan’s reels.
The instructor demonstrates the movement on a model and explains what it is for.
Most of the class is hands-on.
The instructor comes to each student and corrects their hands.
Formats and prices
One programme, three formats. Each includes the same content.
Groups at 13:00 or 18:00, 10–12 people. You can switch between groups if your schedule is irregular.
- Materials to keep — course videos, an anatomy guide and reading on Google Drive
- Private Telegram group for the course
- A lecture on advertising and your first clients
- Certificate in Ukrainian and English
- Missed classes can be repeated
Just you and the instructor, at a time that suits you.
- Materials to keep — course videos, an anatomy guide and reading on Google Drive
- A lecture on advertising and your first clients
- Certificate in Ukrainian and English
Ivan will build a personal programme around your needs: a strong start for a beginner; for an experienced therapist, a chance to level up, work through mistakes and take the treatment to a new level.
- Materials to keep — course videos, an anatomy guide and reading on Google Drive
- In-depth work with pain: neck, shoulder blades, lower back, headaches
- Practice on models and analysis of real client cases
- Pace and topics tailored to you, dates by appointment
- Certificate in Ukrainian and English
You can also take live online classes with an instructor
Not a recording but a live video call: the instructor demonstrates the movements on their own model and corrects your technique on the spot. Available in English.
- One-to-one, via a live video call with the instructor
- We fit the timetable around your schedule
- The same programme as in the studio
- Electronic or printed certificate — we will send it by post
- 01A phone or camera — set up so the instructor can see you and your model
- 02A stable internet connection
- 03A model to practise on
- 04Work materials — we will send you the list before the start
The administrator will tell you the price and the nearest available dates.
How much a massage therapist earns
Do the maths yourself — no promises of “from $1 500”.
- The average massage therapist salary in Odesa is from 30 000 UAH (work.ua, October 2026).
- An honest trajectory: 12–20 thousand UAH in the first months, 30–45 thousand UAH after a year (Gelios, massage therapist earnings 2026).
This is a rough estimate: excluding taxes, rent and consumables. We update the market figures every six months.
Start with a trial classA base rate plus 40–60% of the session price.
You work for yourself and pay only for the hours you rent.
Your own table and a flexible schedule; you set the price yourself.
What happens after the course
We don’t say goodbye at the last class.
Missed classes can be repeated
Free of charge — if something kept you from coming.
Practice sessions and staying in touch with the school
The course Telegram group stays with you, and you can keep asking questions after you graduate.
Graduate discounts
−50% to retake any group course — the basic course or advanced training.
Starter kit
A massage table, oils, cups, tapes — you can buy them at the school. Materials prices
Who stands at the table
The basic course is taught by instructors Tetiana and Maryna. Sometimes Ivan Savchenko teaches classes too.
A massage therapist needs not golden hands but a golden head. Hands are only a tool; knowledge is our main strength.Ivan Savchenko
- Paramedic: medical college, “General Medicine”, practice in hospitals and on ambulance crews
- Psychologist, psychology teacher (KhHEU, 2016)
- Kinesiologist — trained with Viktoriia Pozyhun and Wayne Topping
- In massage since 2008, teaching since 2016
Course instructors and Savia studio massage therapists: they lead group practice and see clients in the studio.
Reviews of the basic course
Videos from our students and reviews from Google — an average rating of 5.0 from 302 reviews.
My certificate has just been recognised, and I’ve been cleared to work fully independently with clients at the wellness centre of a well-known ski hotel in Switzerland. So much of what I showed at the exam and at work is exactly your foundation and your way of teaching. At first they told me: “If this turns out not to be enough, be ready to take courses here in Switzerland.” Now that question no longer arises!
I don’t recommend this school if you don’t like learning, practising and becoming more confident 😉 When you finish the course, you are already a fully fledged therapist — confident in your knowledge and actions, with no fear or doubt in front of a client. I only finished the course yesterday, and today I already saw my first clients!
I definitely recommend these courses to anyone who wants a good knowledge base, to improve their skills and to study in a pleasant atmosphere. Many thanks to Ivan, and to Tetiana and Maryna, for the useful knowledge, support and valuable experience. I especially liked that they pay a lot of attention to practice, so you can work on the technique straight away and understand all the moves better.
I finished the courses at the Savia massage school and was absolutely delighted. The lessons were clear, accessible and given with great attention to every detail. Our instructor Ivan is demanding but a very professional and talented teacher, and his assistants supported the learning process wonderfully.
Big thanks to Ivan and Maryna for the great training! Everything was super interesting, accessible and professional. Savia school, you’re awesome! I will definitely come back for other courses.
Certificate
After the course you receive a Savia school certificate in Ukrainian and English.
- In Ukrainian and English
- Presented at the last class
An honest note on where the document is valid: in Ukraine, no medical background is needed to work in a spa, a salon or private practice; for therapeutic massage in a medical facility, it is.
Learn more about the certificate
Watermarked samples: the name, date and number will be yours.
Questions about the basic course
Can I do massage without a medical background?
Yes, you can. A medical diploma is needed only for therapeutic massage prescribed by a doctor.
Wellness and preventive massage can be done without a medical background — legally and officially. This includes relaxing, classic, sports, anti-cellulite and cosmetic massage for a healthy person.
Why this is legal:
- Massage is a service industry. Massage salons fall under code 96.04 of the Classification of Economic Activities (KVED DK 009:2010). You can register as a sole proprietor (FOP) and work with peace of mind.
- A licence is required only for medical practice: Law of Ukraine No. 222-VIII. Wellness and preventive massage for healthy people is not considered medical practice.
- A medical education is required in hospitals and clinics where patients are treated: Art. 74 of the Fundamentals of the Legislation of Ukraine on Healthcare No. 2801-XII.
The only rule: a massage therapist without a medical background does not make diagnoses or promise to “cure” a disease. If there are contraindications, they refer the client to a doctor.
At Savia school we teach anatomy, contraindications and safe technique. You will work with confidence, even if you have never studied medicine.
Is there an age limit?
Age is no barrier. Our oldest graduate who opened his own massage room is 65.
What happens at the trial class?
A lecture on anatomy and physiology in plain words, a chance to meet the instructors and all the information about the course. The class lasts 1.5–2 hours. No obligation — after the class you decide whether you want to study or REALLY want to study 🙂
What if I miss a class?
A missed class can be repeated free of charge — the administrator will tell you the nearest date. Groups meet at 13:00 and 18:00. Or you can take a one-to-one lesson with an instructor.
What document will I receive and where is it valid? Can I work abroad?
A Savia school certificate in Ukrainian and English. In Ukraine, no medical background is needed to work in a spa, a salon or private practice. To work in a medical facility, it is.
Many of our students work abroad. Requirements for providing massage treatments differ from country to country — check with your employer.
How many people are in a group?
Usually 10–12. That way the instructor has time to come to each student and correct their hands.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, through PrivatBank “Pay in Parts” instalments. The administrator arranges it at the reception desk.
T-12 · draftWhat should I bring?
A change of comfortable clothes, a change of shoes, a notebook, a pen and a good mood.
What do I do after the course, and where do I find clients?
At the last class you will have a lecture on how to find clients, where to advertise, how to communicate and how to set up your social media. After the course you keep access to a private Telegram group where you can ask questions — the instructors will always answer 👍🏻
You can also join a Telegram channel with job openings from our partners and offers of massage rooms to rent. It also has announcements of advanced training at our school 🔥
Message us — we will reply during working hours. Or come to the trial class: it’s a convenient chance to ask the instructors your questions in person.
+38 (095) 041 64 23Free trial class
1.5–2 hours: a lecture on anatomy and physiology in plain words, a chance to meet the instructors and all the information about the course.