Japanese Facial Massage Certificate Course (4 CE)

Originating in 1472 in Japan, two master anma practitioners merged to create a specialized facial rejuvenation treatment once reserved for the imperial court and samurai, especially female royalty.

Trace the samurai roots of Japanese facial massage in the muromachi period, revealing its role in post-conflict recovery, nervous system balance, and mental clarity.

Align therapist and client energy through harmony, balance, and qi flow along meridian lines to promote facial rejuvenation, deep healing, and a lifted mind, body, and spirit.

Learn how frontalis, corrugator, orbicularis oculi, zygomaticus, and orbicularis oris interact with the superficial musculoaponeurotic system to lift, tone, and refresh the face.

Improve facial circulation and lymphatic drainage with rhythmic techniques to brighten skin and reduce puffiness. Target arteries, veins, and lymph nodes, including preorbital, preauricular, submandibular, submental, occipital, and parotid glands.

Learn how cranial nerves, including the facial nerve's five divisions, drive expression and sensation. Gentle Japanese facial massage tones muscles and promotes parasympathetic rest via the vagal reflex arc.

Aging is a natural, multidimensional process that affects skin, muscle, fascia, and bone. Japanese facial massage uses touch to boost circulation, lymph flow, release adhesions, and recontour tissues for rejuvenation.

Master the essence of Japanese facial massage through structured kata, mastering tapotement, lifting and sculpting strokes, and effleurage to build muscle memory, rhythm, and mindful therapeutic integrity.

Prepare the client’s hands by trimming nails, washing, and sanitizing in warm water, then use diaphragmatic breathing and a brief ritual—ground, rub, hover, exhale, and begin with intention.

Move with purpose by aligning posture, rhythm, and flow in Japanese facial massage; keep feet hip-width apart, neutral spine, relaxed shoulders, elbows by your sides, and hands grounded and tension-free.

Japanese facial massage improves facial blood flow and alertness, but avoid deep techniques with chronic inflammation, lymphatic issues, or post-surgical swelling; blend relaxation with stimulation and tailor through thorough intake.

Begin with a clean, warm, calming space and aromatherapy to set the mood for cleansing. Apply a hot towel to soften skin and boost lymphatic drainage from chest to shoulders.

Warm up with hand warming and jojoba oil application on the chest, neck, and face, then rhythmic effleurage to drain toward the chest and open supraclavicular and axillary nodes.

Explore superficial neck and face massage, starting with neck traction and stretches to relax fascia, then rhythmic jawline and lip stimulation to boost circulation and lift.

Explore deeper fascia and jaw muscles, releasing masseter tension to ease tmj discomfort, drainage of submandibular lymph nodes, and frontalis and scalp techniques to lift forehead and calm the face.

Perform lifting and sculpting techniques in the Japanese facial massage using gentle upward strokes, plucking the jawline, tapotement on cheeks, and fascia-focused myofascial release to counteract gravity and boost tone.

Flow from stimulation to relaxation with plucking and jaw grounding, then apply acupressure points Li 20, UB 2, Yin Tang, and GB 14 to ease sinus tension and eye strain.

Balance blood and lymph to promote detoxification by draining interstitial fluid toward ears and drainage points, including the auricular space, with brief five-pass strokes across the forehead, cheeks, and neck.

Close and ground the client after the facial massage with lavender oil. Use a hot towel, three deep breaths, and a four-week course followed by monthly maintenance.

Master a 60-minute Japanese facial massage protocol that blends warm cleansing, aromatherapy, lymphatic drainage, lifting and sculpting, acupressure, and grounding techniques for a radiant, relaxed appearance.

Practice Kobido facial massage in a 60-minute session with music, refining techniques from the Kobido Japanese facial massage certificate course (4 CEU).

Develop Kobido massage techniques in a 45-minute practice session accompanied by music, building confidence for certification.