Dr. James Mally is a massage teacher, educational content producer, and creator of MassageLibrary.com. He has been doing massage professionally since 1976 and teaching massage classes since 1979. His initial training was a 1000-hour massage program at Lindsey Hopkins School in Miami. He later attended Bastyr University in Seattle where he graduated as a Naturopathic Doctor in 1984.

In 1990 he founded Healing Arts Institute, a California state-approved massage therapy school. He owned and directed the school until 2011, and graduated over 3000 massage therapists during that time.

He produced his first massage video, Deep Tissue Massage, in 1996. The video employed a 3-D computer skeleton and is believed to be the first massage video to use 3-D computer graphics. He went on to produce other videos (now DVDs) and workbooks on Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Side Lying Massage, and Massage Cupping. These DVDs and workbooks are being used in massage schools worldwide. His Side Lying Massage DVD has been translated into Japanese and is very popular in Japan.

Dr. Mally sold his massage school in 2011 so he could have more time to see massage clients and to develop, practice, and refine massage techniques. He operates a teaching practice where he works with massage therapists and their problem clients, sharing assessment techniques and strategies to help the clients. Selling the school also allowed Dr. Mally to travel more to teach his workshops internationally, do more DVD production, and develop an online massage library at www.massagelibrary.com.

Dr. Mally is approved by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider. Provider # 451329-10

Dr. Mally was inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2018.

Soft Tissue Release – Spencer, Iowa

August 17, 2026
Monday 9 am – 6 pm
(8 hours)

Unlock the power of Soft Tissue Release, a highly effective technique designed to provide immediate pain relief and transform your practice. By incorporating strategic client movement, you will significantly enhance the efficacy of every treatment you provide.

In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to masterfully work into muscles while they are being stretched, both passively and actively. Once you grasp these core principles, you will be able to apply this versatile technique to any area of the body with ease. We also prioritize your longevity as a practitioner by sharing expert tips and tricks for optimal body mechanics and positioning, ensuring your work is as effortless for you as it is effective for your clients.

Your registration includes:

– Extensive course notes to support your continued learning.
– Practical, career-changing skills you can implement immediately.

What to bring: Please bring shorts and a sports bra for women to facilitate hands-on practice.

Download a flyer to post at your workplace or share with your colleagues

For information and registration, please visit https://ce.iowalakes.edu/ce_program/massage-therapy-classes/