Questions and answers

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.

No, all that matters is the wish to learn. Our oldest graduate who opened their own practice is 65. We also take students under 16 if the child wants to study and the parents agree. You can come to a trial class together with your child and talk to the teacher. Ivan himself took his first courses at 14.

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 🙂

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.

Usually 10⁠–⁠12. That way the instructor has time to come to each student and correct their hands.

Yes, through PrivatBank “Pay in Parts” instalments. The administrator arranges it at the reception desk.

A change of comfortable clothes, a change of shoes, a notebook, a pen and a good mood.

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 🔥

Yes. Most of our students start with no experience at all, and you can see what they have achieved in our student interviews. Over 10 two-hour classes we explain anatomy in plain language, show each technique and practise it. The teacher comes to each student and corrects their hands. A missed class can be repeated for free, and after the course you stay in a private Telegram group where the teachers answer questions.

It is an intensive: we study every day, not twice a week, so the number of hours comes out about the same as elsewhere. We tested a twice-a-week format, but students remembered the material less well. Many schools also count academic hours and add homework, while we count only time spent studying at the school. We don't teach memorised movements, we teach you to understand what you are doing. That is why we are confident the course gives much more than it says.

No. Massage relies on correct body position, not hand strength. On the course we teach you to work without hurting your own back. Watch the interview with Kseniia: a slim young woman who wins clients over with a grip of steel. There are no health restrictions for studying. We have taught people with disabilities, including partial and complete loss of sight. Teachers adapt the programme to your needs.

Every group is different in age and make-up. Most often everyone comes with no experience. Massage therapists and medics join sometimes, but they usually choose private lessons.

On the course you study contraindications, red flags, how to take a client's history and when not to work. A massage therapist without medical training does not diagnose or promise to cure a disease. If there are contraindications, they refer the client to a doctor.

No, you don't need to bring a model. In a group you practise on each other: you feel the movements and pressure from the client's side, your style forms more clearly, and it is also an extra course of massage for you. For private lessons we provide the models. They vary, so you learn to work with different backs.

The teacher explains the topic and shows the technique, and then you practise it. During practice the teacher comes to each student and goes through mistakes.

The exam is oral and held in a group, and the teacher assesses your practical work during the course. You can retake it as many times as you need. If you wish, you can repeat the group course with a 50% discount. Out of more than 2,100 students, literally a few have not passed.

Yes. Groups meet at 13:00 and 18:00, and you can alternate between them as it suits you. You can even attend both groups for an extra fee. A missed class can be made up for free with the next group. And if the group schedule doesn't work for you at all, you can take private lessons with a teacher at a time that suits you.

Yes, one-to-one with a teacher live over video. Or choose private lessons in person: the course can be taken in an accelerated format over a few days. The administrator will advise on the price and details.

Group of 10–12 people, 10,000 UAH: suits most beginners, 10 two-hour classes. Private lessons, 16,500 UAH: classes around your schedule, practice on different models. Base PRO, 40,000 UAH: a 20-hour individual programme built around your goals, a strong start for a beginner or a new level for a practitioner.

We provide all consumables. You only need comfortable clothes and shoes to change into, a notebook and a pen. Course materials and videos stay with you on Google Drive forever. The only extra charge is for a duplicate certificate: if you lose it, change your name or gave incorrect details.

The school has power. There is a shelter nearby in the neighbouring building. If a class is cancelled because of an emergency or a teacher's illness, we reschedule it or replace the teacher.

The basic course is taught by Tetiana and Maryna, teachers and therapists at the Savia studio. Sometimes Ivan Savchenko, the school's founder, leads a class.

Ivan likes this comparison: there is sausage at 100 UAH/kg and at 300 UAH/kg, both are sausage, but the ingredients matter. Knowing what goes into our courses and how qualified our teachers are, we can't sell them for less. We teach understanding, not just stroking. We take advanced training ourselves almost every month, so quality keeps growing. We also offer a free trial class, more than 300 reviews, repeats of missed classes and a Telegram group after the course.

Yes: 10% for military personnel and 50% for repeating a group course. We'll tell you about other special offers at the trial class, so come along: you'll get plenty of knowledge for free and good terms for your studies.

The basic course is the best fit: you will learn massage thoroughly, with practice under a teacher's supervision. If you are far away and can't come, there is the online course Massage for Loved Ones.

Massage becomes a new service for your clients, and anatomy knowledge helps in your main work. Practitioners often choose private lessons. Next you can move into body contouring, facial massage or pain work. See all the advanced courses.