FAQs @ College
How can the college survive with no tuition?
Praxis College is actually paid your tuition, it is just provided as a gift to you out of funds from several of our corporate On-site massage accounts and other sources. In addition, we have revenue from the student clinic where the clients pay for services. This with low overhead allows us to continue and even grow.
Why Did The school start so early on? Is 1903 correct?
It is true. The sisters at St. Anthony's hospital seeing a need to educate and obtain jobs for as many people in Indian Territory as possible, started a nursing school (Now the Kramer Nursing Program at UCO), a Physical therapy training (now at Langston University,) and a massage program which became Praxis College in 1985 (we conducted classes inside the hospital for the first several years while we shopped for our current campus). The demand for massage was driven by the Governor of Indian Territory who required a daily massage. The leaders of Oklahoma City followed his lead, getting massage at the Downtown YMCA well into the 1970's.
what is the "flipped classroom"?
Dr. Khan, Founder of Khan Academy, an on-line free education for K-12 students, describes it as the student doing "homework" at school with the teachers guidance, and the student reading and studying at home. Praxis College adopted this model in 2010.
Our students read and study at their own pace, when and where it is most comfortable. 15 minutes to as many hours as they care to, with no set classroom lecture hours that they must meet. When they are ready for hands-on skills classes they schedule a convenient time with the instructor for one-on-one skills transmittal.
Why such rigid admission standards?
Since the tuition is free to the student we can be very precise in our selection of students. Our experience in in the last 35 year, even the last 5 years, is that many clients and most corporations/medical establishments and businesses do not want smokers, or who have poor personal lifestyle choices. Part of this is the increased cost of medical insurance for these individuals. We limit acceptance because we do not wish to spend our time/resources training students who may not be successful.
What about the "upper 10% of natural Talent"?
First thing is why we test. Our experience has taught us that those at the 90 percentile and above are so gifted that they could be successful at massage with no training at all. Think of how many great composers, artists, singers, dancers and every art form had no formal training. The same is true for massage. So why do we teach at all? First and foremost is that most states now require it. Secondly, we know that we can make them better with less effort. We want the best possible graduate to represent Praxis College.
How can you "test" that? Is it even possible to know?
Yes we can, it actually is quite easy. If we have learned anything from shows like "American Idol" and "AGT" not everybody who thinks they can sing, actually can sing. You don't have to know anything about music and maybe can't sing yourself, but you know talent when you hear it. On occasion there will be someone whom you are not particularly impressed with, but the judges go wild. That comes from a lifetime of studying music and being successful at doing it. That is the situation with our instructors, we know talent when we see it, because we have been successful doing massage for decades.
FAQs @ SPA
WHAT is the Praxis student CLINIC all about?
We want, no you need, as students to experience what a large real health SPA requires and feels like as a working environment. Gaining clinical hours sitting and waiting on clients to "drop-in," doing laundry, folding towels, serves no educational purpose. Our graduates are "work ready" the first day out of college.
Why are the students prohibited from taking TIPs?
THERE ARE MANY REASONS.
- We train health care providers, not beauty workers. You don't tip your doctor or nurse. Accepting a tip is unprofessional behavior. Your attorney doesn't and it is illegal for you to tip your accountant.
- Tips should be reserved for those who are menial hires. Praxis graduates and even as students are compensated above minimum wage. Does someone making $15 to $60 an hour need or deserve a tip? An ethical massage therapist acting in a professional manner will always provide the best care possible to every client. Gratuities damage that dynamic. Best possible service without being bribed is the core of professional behavior. An ethical therapist gives nothing but legitimate services and provides the best service possible to every client.
- Tips in massage establishments are historically, and still commonly associated with prostitution. A tip is frequently a subtle request for something "extra."
What Should I call my massage provider?
The proper term is massage therapist or just therapist and by their first name. they should address you as Mr./Ms. or by your first name if you request it.
Never call your therapist a "masseuse" or a "masseur." Why? There are two reasons.
- It is a gender specific title and is considered politically incorrect or sexist.
- More importantly it is often used to designate that the person is a sex worker and not a legitimate therapist. It may sound very European or cosmopolitan, but we would never want you to find your self in an embarrassing situation.
I am chemical, dye, detergent, fragrance sensitive. Will I have a problem at the praxis student SPA?
You shouldn't, but if you have a concern or special needs, tell us.
We routinely use only unscented, pure coconut oil and unscented lotions. anything else we apply is also hypo-allergenic. If we use Lavender essential oil or any other organics, we will discuss it with you and test to make sure you do not have a sensitivity.
WHAT ABOUT CIGARETTE SMELL? All of our students are non-smokers (any substance) and "vape" free.
WHAT ABOUT LINENS? ARE THEY WASHED IN HOUSE? CLEAN? DETERGENT FREE?
WE OWN OUR LINENS:
This means they are never shared or mixed-in with linens from other institutions like Nursing homes, salons or hospitals. Preventing them from hair clipping, dyes, blood, chemicals or other unpleasant or unsanitary materials.
THEY ARE PROCESSED AT A COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY, NOT IN HOUSE.
Rest assured that they are cared for with the highest standards, they are never home washed or laundered in our SPA. Assuring that they are handled in a sanitary and safe manner.
OUR LAUNDRY SERVICES USES OZONE:
O3 sterilizes not just cleans or disinfects. This is the same process used by hospital burn units and other areas where the patient can not be exposed to germs, chemicals or detergents for the safety of the patients. You can relax and be comfortable knowing our linens will never cause a rash, contact dermatitis or skin irritation since there are no germs, dyes, perfumes or chemicals to cause an issue.
THEY ARE STORED IN DEDICATED CABINETS AND CLOSETS IN SEALED WRAPPERS:
This Prevents them from coming in contact with any contaminates. They are unwrapped and brought to the treatment cubicle prior to each service and never "stacked" or stored inside the cubicle.
EACH SHEET, PILLOW CASE OR BLANKET IS INSPECTED BY THE THERAPIST AS THEY ARE PLACED ON THE TABLE:
Any linen that shows wear, stains, has odors or is suspect is removed from service use. Should you at anytime find or feel that a linen is unpleasant or you doubt its cleanliness, notify your therapist.
WE ARE PROUD OF OUR STANDARDS IN PROTECTING OUR CLIENTS HEALTH:
We regret that we must make this an issue and bring it to our guests attention. It has been brought to our attention that issues have occurred in other facilities and wish to calm and reassure you of your safety.
WHY IS THE SAUNA FREE IN FLU SEASON?
Research conducted by the National Institute of Health and the CDC has shown that a frequent 20 minute sauna visit reduces your risk of catching the flu.
If we are truly interested in our clients being healthy, why would we not provide something so basic?