Ruthie Piper-Hardee
2006 Massage Therapy Hall of Fame Inductee
Deep Feet


Ruthie Piper Hardee is the founder of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy® and created the first nationally approved course-study for a western barefoot effleurage technique using bars on the ceiling. Her modality-technique has enhanced the careers of thousands of therapists, especially those who suffer from lumbar pain, wrist and hand problems. Hardee is the pioneer of gravity assisted barefoot-bar massage used in the spa and massage industry today. She invented the Hardee-Ashiatsu Portable Bar apparatus which is used world wide today. Denver, Colorado is home to the corporate headquarters. She also holds seminars and receives clients year round at her training studio.


Many doors were slammed in her face while trying to research 'bars on the ceiling' and many regulatory agencies considered it 'massage parlor activity'. But with determination and her 'aching back' she created Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy®, and she is now one of the most popular massage instructors in the country.


Ruthie's course study is completely different that any barefoot course on a mat through clothing, and her company has reserved the rights to set high standards in the massage industry for safety and liability for this style of massage. Ruthie has presented her work all over the country and went international when introducing her workshops in the Dominican Republic in the fall of 2002. She was chosen to be a presenter at the 2005 AMTA National convention and was spotlighted as an approved provider by the NCBTMB.


Ruthie, in addition to her non-stop barefoot seminar schedule, is also a certified Hatha Yoga instructor. Her work has been featured in Massage & Bodyworks Magazine, Massage Magazine, American Massage Journal, USA Today, Massage Today and has appeared on many television shows. She feels the best part of being 50 is the confidence that comes with knowing what you have created has actually changed people's lives in a positive way.



Introduction to Ashiatsu Barefoot Basics
6 CE Hours

Get ready for a fun and interesting class and learn a different way to give deep tissue effleurage without ever using your hands.




For 12 years, Ruthie Piper Hardee has helped improve the massage careers of men and women at all levels of ability. Recognized as one of the top teachers and innovative pioneers in the massage industry, Ruthie launched Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy® in 1998. She and her team have trained thousands of body workers to respect the art of comfortable bodyweight compression. She developed a unique form of barefoot effleurage, combining western science and contemporary American ingenuity, for therapists who specialize in deep tissue work using Swedish techniques.

She has taken a 6-hour portion of the critically acclaimed 3-day barefoot basics workshop taught nationwide and re-designed the best cuts exclusively for the World Massage Festival forum.

Students will be shown a full posterior demonstration with live interactive hands on. Groups will be instructed how to perform effective Ashiatsu strokes for hip adductors, upper thoracic and a shoulder sequence warm up. Bar installation, detailed lecture and notes will follow with formal 3-day training immediately following the festival in Kentucky.

Class size is limited to 16 people only and you must bring the following: Adjustable deep tissue massage table with adjustable headrest, Fitted sheet, queen pillow, 3 hand towels, spray alcohol, beach towel, face cover, cream and oil, comfortable lose pants for working and bathing suit for receiving.




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World Massage Festival * festival@worldmassagefestival.com * 830-214-0827