a letter from Sheryl~The Journey of Bear Heart School
Bear Heart School provides a dynamic, contemporary education in hands on healing and beauty arts. We have introductory certification programs in massage and esthetics as well as advanced manual therapy and esthetician classes and programs. The foundation of every educational program is rooted in ancient healing and beauty arts that blend beautifully with current scientific and holistic theories on healing the mind, body, and spirit. Encouraging students to become skilled massage therapists, estheticians and hands on healers able to educate and support their clients’ individual needs is our primary focus. This is the first step to creating a successful business as a massage, esthetician or holistic healing professional. Our instructors have had successful practices in their field of specialty for at least 20 years and currently maintain clients. Bear Heart School instructors teach because they are passionate about thier field of specialty and enjoy lifting others up with their knowledge. The faculty of Bear Heart School are fully committed to supporting our students and graduates in creating success in their businesses and in their lives. Discovering with each student what their personal best looks and feels like is a particularly exciting part of the journey to graduation for all of us at Bear Heart School.
LAST CHANCE, Massage Licensing is changing!!
July 1, 2024 the required hours for licensure will increase from 500 to 650.
Enroll before July 1, 2024 and graduate before Oct 1, 2025 and still get in under the current 500 hour requirement.
2024 Massage Intensive June - Sept 2024
This is the last class to get in under the 500 hour requirement.
Pricing and time commitments will increase in 2025.
Esthetician June 2024
Specializing in helping massage therapists get dual licensure!
Deep discounts for already licensed LMT's
Flexible schedule weekly hours in clinic and testing lab
Program completion in 4 months
Accepting Applications for January 2025 Massage and Esthetics
Massage Program Jan 2025 Day/Evening /Weekend Schedule Forming
8-10 hours of class per week, plus clinic times
Hybrid distance lessons can start as soon as enrolled
In person classes start in Feb 2025
Program completed in 6-8 months
Bear Heart School
Where Education Meets Intuition
Online Catalog Vol 15, Feb 2021
420 S. Howes, A-201 Fort Collins, CO 80521
Our Mission
Dear Students,
Let me introduce myself and share a little about my background and the history of Bear Heart School.
In 1991, after I graduated from the University of Texas Austin with a BA in Psychology, minored in education and communication, I started getting interested in natural healing from Tom Brown, Jr. Tom is a renowned author, spiritual teacher, and has devoted his life to passing on the teachings of his mentor, Stalking Wolf. I continued to study with Tom for several years absorbing everything he had to pass on. I feel blessed to have found this powerful way of living, learning, and teaching.
After studying with Tom Brown Jr., I was empowered about personal and spiritual growth and ways of healing that are in harmony with our natural way of being and the earth itself. That is when I started following the direction of the vision I had in a sweat lodge in 1991 when I was deeply called to do healing work as my life’s journey. I moved from Texas to Fort Collins, Colorado where I began my studies in massage therapy, neuromuscular therapy, herbology and aromatherapy, and body-mind therapy.
I have also had the privilege to study with Dr. Paige Bailey. Dr. Bailey created a study program to help reorganize the nervous system through education and study in an attempt to correct and heal illnesses and conditions not responding to conventional medical treatments. His Educotherapy work is groundbreaking and has shown great success.
Natural therapies were a great help to my Mother and myself. Mom’s diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia took me even deeper into natural healing, especially as it relates to stress, mind-body issues, attitude, holistic methods like herbs, nutrition, and massage, and general joy and happiness about life. Her courage and openness to try everything to heal herself created a permanent driving force within me that helps me as a woman, teacher, and a therapist every day.
It was during this time that my Father, John Daniel, bought me my first professional massage. I recall how fabulous I thought it was and was instantly hooked. My Dad and I also took a buddy chair massage class for my first organized learning in the discipline and that ignited the initial spark for me to study massage. He was a continual support for my education in massage and in life. My parent’s support and belief that I would be successful at whatever I chose to do continues to be expressed in the way I support my students and clients along their journey of growth and healing. My sister, Pam, continues my parents’ legacy of love and is a major contributor of support and wisdom for me and my school.
I eventually moved to Fort Collins with my best friend, and thought I would to go to massage school and massage my way through graduate school in psychology. Twenty seven years later, I am still a massage therapist and I still love it! I also hold certifications in Body Mind therapy, Neuromuscular therapy, cranial manipulation, trauma informed touch and more. As an abuse survivor myself, I understand the amazing healing capacity in hands on healing and the bodymind connection, which is reflected in my Holistic Structural Release Method, exclusively taught here at Bear Heart.
I started my massage practice in Ft. Collins, Colorado in 1994. A few years later I began teaching an herbs and nutrition course at a massage school. Eventually, I moved into teaching many other courses. I then began working in an administrative capacity focused on instructor support and curriculum development which led to a COMTA accreditation for the school. I moved on because I wanted to teach in the manner and integrity in which I thought today’s massage students deserved and needed to evolve into today’s healing professional with the focus on students, instruction, and professionalism.
Today, the massage and holistic healing professions are going through tremendous growth and change, I believe fresh ideas and approaches to ancient, tried and true healing modalities are needed for today’s massage student.
My earlier vision is manifested as Bear Heart School. My school is my passion and my joy and I can honestly say I love what I do! Creating this learning and growing community with you in mind has been a wonderful, exciting, and deeply fulfilling experience that nourishes my spirit. My life journey is one of healing and growth, I work daily to be the hands and feet of Christ and to integrate His love into everything I do. I hope you will feel comfortable allowing me to guide and support you as you step into your own VISION and JOY. It is truly my pleasure.
My school has evolved and expanded over the years to meet the changing atmosphere in the wellness, health, and beauty industries. I can promise you a wonderful, supportive, and exciting time at Bear Heart School. I am passionately committed to helping you realize your own highest potential in your career. We joyfully offer continued support for the rest of your career and the rest of your life. I look forward to hearing from you and assisting you on your own amazing JOURNEY!
Blessings,
Sheryl D. Daniel BA, LMT, NMT, BMT, HNC, Lic. Esthi