History and Founding Principles
The New School for Massage, Bodywork & Healing was founded in early 2002 by Emmanuel Bistas, B.S., M.B.A., L.M.T., C.P.T., following extensive research into how massage therapists were trained—and how schools were preparing students for their future. Drawing from his education at the oldest massage school in the country, as well as his experiences in smaller skill-based programs, Emmanuel recognized a gap in essential hands-on and professional development training. With a background in the service industry, strong entrepreneurial credentials, and a passion for advancing the healing arts, he set out to create a new kind of learning environment.
The school emerged from deep industry analysis and conversations with students, graduates, and employers. It was built around a simple but powerful idea: make the old new again. Take the best of traditional massage education and reimagine it with fresh ideas, a forward-thinking curriculum, and a commitment to long-term career success.
This philosophy shaped everything—from the curriculum to the instructors, from class sizes to school policies, and even the physical space itself. The facility was designed to reflect the values of the healing arts: warm, welcoming, and filled with positive energy.
The school quickly became a hub for talented instructors and motivated students. It also attracted support from individuals who shared its vision and wanted to contribute to its growth.
Since its founding, the New School for Massage has continued to innovate, expanding its curriculum, developing new programs, and staying ahead of industry changes through active participation in professional organizations and advocacy efforts.
Key Milestones
From pioneering fast-track programs and all-inclusive tuition to championing licensure standards, advanced certifications, and career-focused training, the New School for Massage has consistently led the way in innovation, educational quality, and student success.
Today, with over 150 graduating classes and an average starting wage of over $40/hour (as reported to the Illinois State Board of Education), the New School for Massage continues to uphold its legacy. Its commitment to small class sizes, personalized instruction, and industry-aligned education has earned it a reputation for excellence throughout the region.
At its core, the New School for Massage believes in treating its students the way it hopes they’ll one day treat their clients—with compassion, respect, and a deep sense of responsibility.
To us, “New” isn’t just a name—it’s a promise.
The school emerged from deep industry analysis and conversations with students, graduates, and employers. It was built around a simple but powerful idea: make the old new again. Take the best of traditional massage education and reimagine it with fresh ideas, a forward-thinking curriculum, and a commitment to long-term career success.
This philosophy shaped everything—from the curriculum to the instructors, from class sizes to school policies, and even the physical space itself. The facility was designed to reflect the values of the healing arts: warm, welcoming, and filled with positive energy.
The school quickly became a hub for talented instructors and motivated students. It also attracted support from individuals who shared its vision and wanted to contribute to its growth.
Since its founding, the New School for Massage has continued to innovate, expanding its curriculum, developing new programs, and staying ahead of industry changes through active participation in professional organizations and advocacy efforts.
Key Milestones
- Late 2001: Emmanuel Bistas conducts market research revealing a fragmented massage education sector. Over six months, he assembles a faculty drawn from top area schools, develops proprietary administrative software, and signs a lease at 800 N. Wells—a loft space with soaring ceilings and natural light in the heart of Chicago’s gallery district.
- Early 2002: The school is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. It becomes the first program in the area to offer small, all-inclusive classes, blending massage and science education with professional development.
- Late 2002: A student and professional clinic opens, later featured in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago’s Best. To date, students have completed over 100,000 supervised sessions for more than 20,000 clients.
- Early 2003: Community outreach programs begin.
- 2004: After exploring accreditation and the possibility of offering federal financial aid, the school chose to remain state-approved and independent. This decision preserved its ability to offer a flexible, market-responsive curriculum without being bound by federal regulations—ensuring that students’ tuition dollars directly support their education, not administrative overhead.
- 2005–2006: With state licensing introduced in Illinois and the MBLEx developed, the school becomes the first in the state to build MBLEx preparation into its curriculum.
- 2008–2009: The curriculum expands to include equal hours in Eastern and Western modalities. The school becomes a founding member of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE).
- 2011: To focus on academic excellence while expanding real-world opportunities for students, the school transitioned its clinic and outreach operations into a separate entity: River North Massage Therapy Center. This move allowed the school to concentrate on teaching, while the new center provided students with hands-on experience, community engagement, and pathways to potential employment.
- 2012: Emmanuel Bistas is appointed to the Illinois Massage Licensing Board. The school relocates to 747 N. LaSalle.
- 2014–2019: Emmanuel Bistas serves on several key national committees with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and represents Illinois as a delegate for five consecutive years.
- 2017: The school becomes the first in the nation to receive COMTA-Endorsed Curriculum status.
- 2021: A second campus opens in Tinley Park. The school also receives full COMTA accreditation—the highest recognition a massage therapy school can earn.
- 2022: The school joins the WIOA program to train individuals seeking career change and reintegration into the workforce.
- 2023: The school launched a state-approved introductory program for those exploring a career in massage therapy. This low-risk entry point offers foundational training and a seamless path into the full Licensing track.
- Late 2023: The school relocated to 40 E. Huron Street, expanding its footprint and reinforcing its presence in the heart of the city’s vibrant educational and wellness community.
From pioneering fast-track programs and all-inclusive tuition to championing licensure standards, advanced certifications, and career-focused training, the New School for Massage has consistently led the way in innovation, educational quality, and student success.
Today, with over 150 graduating classes and an average starting wage of over $40/hour (as reported to the Illinois State Board of Education), the New School for Massage continues to uphold its legacy. Its commitment to small class sizes, personalized instruction, and industry-aligned education has earned it a reputation for excellence throughout the region.
At its core, the New School for Massage believes in treating its students the way it hopes they’ll one day treat their clients—with compassion, respect, and a deep sense of responsibility.
To us, “New” isn’t just a name—it’s a promise.