Before purchasing a massage DVD or bodywork DVD, consider what your true objective is with such a purchase. If you really want to learn a specific modality, I recommend you take a live class. It is better use of your time and money to have hands on instruction that provides immediate feedback. DVDs are a wonderful adjunct to the classes you take. Sometimes they help to refresh your memory if you have forgotten a move or a sequence; you have that fabulous rewind button to make sure you are performing the move correctly; you can see the movement in slow motion, so it helps you to further break it down into steps; there is always dialog that accompanies the DVD, which can provide some very useful information or quick tips; workbooks that come with the DVDs are very beneficial in further retaining what has been reviewed. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to find a willing person to practice on who won’t mind putting up with you while you rewind, go in slow motion etc., (a consideration that eluded me many times when I went to hit that ADD TO CART button!) and using these resources without a live body to work on at the same time is almost impossible, as it is very hard to recall everything you are seeing just by watching. You will be able to pick up some useful things here and there, but don’t trick yourself into believing you will have one more modality under your belt just by watching a tape a few times. (I have made purchases with that mindset before - it doesn’t work.) No matter how good the tape is. Here is the beginning of a list of instructional videos and DVDs that I have found very helpful and well presented. Please feel free to comment and add to the list. Thanks!

Dr. James Mally, Swedish Massage Workbook and DVD

Dr. James Mally, Sports Massage Workbook and DVD

Dr. James Mally, Deep Tissue Massage Workbook and DVD

Ralph Stephens, Medical Massage for the Cervical Region

Ralph Stephens, Medical Massage for the Lumbar Region

Ralph Stephens, Seated Therapeutic Massage - Vol. 1: Neck and Back

Ralph Stephens, Seated Therapeutic Massage - Vol. 2: Shoulder

Ralph Stephens, Seated Therapeutic Massage - Vol. 3: Forearm, Wrist and Hand