Infant Massage USA is the Us Chapter
to the International Association of Infant Massage
founded by
Vimala Mc Clure
The Infant Massage USA
program is based on the work of Vimala Schneider
McClure. Following her experiences working in an
orphanage in northern India, Vimala brought the
age-old practice of infant massage to the West. She
says, she had a need to "do something for others, to
realise one's greatest potential and to contribute to
the welfare of humanity."
At first Vimala taught
parents the art of infant massage out of her home.
She incorporated Swedish Massage, reflexology and
yoga into the massage practices she learned in India.
She named the strokes and designed a special routine
for colicky babies. In 1978, at the request of Audrey
Downes and other nurses and childbirth educators, she
developed a training program and began to train
instructors to teach it.
In that same year
(1978) Vimala wrote her groundbreaking first book,
"Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents." The
theory, curriculum and focus that Vimala writes about
are unique and have been carefully developed and
refined through research and practical experience
since first introduced in 1976.
The work of infant
massage expanded globally and in 1992 the
International Office for the International
Association of Infant Massage was opened in
Sweden.
To date the
organization has instructors and representatives in
44 countries and chapters in over 22.
Infant Massage USA
is the
U.S. affiliate to the International Association of
Infant Massage-Sweden. Infant Massage USA is a
non-profit organization that promotes nurturing touch
through training, education, and research so children
and caregivers are loved, valued, and respected
throughout the world community.
Infant Massage
USA members have access to infant massage
resources including a members-only eNewsletter,
marketing materials for developing infant massage
business, and invitations to participate in
networking events and conferences within the infant
massage community.
Your
first year of membership in Infant Massage USA is
free for students who are enrolled in one of our
certified instructor courses. After this first year
of student membership or for anyone else who would
like to become a member, there is a $75 annual fee
for full membership or a $35 annual fee for associate
membership. (Associate members will receive email
newsletters & information, but are not certified
instructors so will not be listed in our instructor
database or be invited to attend instructor-only
events.)
Infant Massage USA
