Careers in Massage and Esthetics


Privai Academy is proud to offer 2 of the newest most
comprehensive and innovative trainings in North Carolina.


Why Privai?

Privai is dedicated to your growth!
Our four pillars of success tell our story.

Connection to NATURE

Privai respects the earth. We use exclusive, results driven, botanically based, paraben free skincare products committed to preserving the planet and habitat through earth friendly packaging and eco-conscious values.

Connection to BEAUTY

Beauty surrounds us, inspires us and becomes us. Privai enriches your essence of beauty.

Connection to COMMUNITY

Welcome to your new community. Our network is vast and ever expanding. We champion connection and care about the greater good.

Connection to ONESELF

At Privai, you are the most important person. You are Privai. Dedicated to lifelong learning and self improvement, the "I" in Privai is for you.



Finding the Right School for You

We know that choosing the right school is important. More so, we know the programs should excel so that you are successful!

Privai has chosen the leaders in the industry to create our programs. With over 40 years combined experienced our massage curriculum writers will offer you one of the most indepth, comprehensive and amazing trainings to make you a successful practitioner. One of the writers owned her own school, has been a program director for a major school and has written curriculum for several schools across the US.

Our Esthetics program was coordinated by a former nurse of 25 years and now an esthetician along with another esthetics instructor and our Director of Education, over 30 years combined experience in the field!

Compassionate and eager to share their knowledge all of our instructors are waiting for you to join the Privai team.

Just so you know our instructional applicants go through an intensive process of interviewing and demonstrating their skills for teaching, motivation and inspiration. We want the best for you.

Massage therapists often seek a variety of paths. So we wanted all our students to gain the knowledge and experience of the two major roles of massage therapists. Medical massage and spa modalities. Your training will shed light on how both modalities work together and how you as a practitioner will develop the necessary business skills to bring your talents and gifts to the community seeking qualified therapists. Developed with a foundation in healing we know our students will have a true understanding and working knowledge of this healing art.


So whatever your career path, independent contractor, private practice, spa management, medical setting, spa environment we got you covered!

As spa owners and consultants, Christina Stratton and Ilana Alberico know how difficult it is to find quality therapists. We have seen students coming out of schools that can barely give a proper massage. Our challenges have been many to find the skilled and professional practitioner. Spa is not only for relaxation as many might assume. Our practitioners need to be prepared for everything.

This is why we created Privai Academy. Our students will be ready for success. Whether you join our massage program or our esthetics program you will know how to identify different pathologies your client may have and how to take the necessary actions and precautions before treatment.

Our students will get to see the behind the scenes operations at our locally owned spa properties.

Just in case you don't know already, one of the main reasons practitioners fail is because they do not have enough business sense. Even if you work for someone you need to understand that your clients are your business.

Privai has a Superb business course in both our programs that takes you through a process of understanding the full aspect of a successfully run business. We want you to succeed!

Privai is Excellence! Our standards are high. We expect professionalism. You deserve it.

We are New and we are up to date on everything you need in your career.

We are New but we have loads of experience on our team.

We are full of energy and excitement and new ideas!

Our graduates will also be the first selected for our spa property opportunities in the U.S. and Caribbean offered through Innovative Spa Management, our sister company.

Privai believes in your future. We offer continuing education courses as well. Several of our talented instructors are NCBTMB providers and teach nationally.

Visit Privai and feel the difference.



Here's what our Esthetics students are saying about our program:

"The teachers are amazing" ~ Heather

"I started in a different school and left. Privai gives you so much more
to prepare you for success. They include microdermabrasion and LED, while some schools do not." ~ Denise

"I always wanted to work with formulating skin care products. After my education at Privai they made me a part of their team on Privai skin care products. I am so excited about my future." ~ Sara


Continuing Education Student comments:


"Privai is beautiful. Everyone is so nice."

"The location is perfect."

"Great interactive course. Gave a chance to explore & express out feelings & experiences"


"The instructor was one of the most grounded and compassionate beings I have ever met."

"I have taken several courses at Privai and love them all"

"Enjoyed focused work on specific body parts. Inspirational and eager to get out and use these techniques!"

"Good demonstration, Instructor knowledgeable, gave room for creativity and experimenting with stones"


Privai Academy Student Spa Services
Read what clients have to say about their experience with our esthetic students

My skin is looking better and better. I’m excited to have the opportunity to get a full series. Thank you. I really enjoyed everything ~Christy R.

Everything was great! From beginning to end, I was totally relaxed. I even fell asleep, which I never do. Great information and pampering. ~ Lee L.

Again a wonderful experience I felt very cared for. ~ Robin

What wonderful experience I enjoyed the schooling part of the facial massage. I will be back. ~ D’Arcy

Yum – spa is beautiful! Enjoyed and appreciated the professionalism ~ Jackie


Visit www.privaiacademy.com
Contact Admissions at (828) 227-3883
Asheville's Newest Innovative Massage
and Esthetics Trainings


700 hr. Massage Therapy Training
600 hr. Esthetics Training

Choosing a Massage School

As a former owner of a massage school I would like to share some thoughts on choosing a massage school.

Back in the day when classes were intimate, programs were more than 6 months and individuals were not only in the profession for money but came because of a calling and a passion....those were the days.

Massage Schools have been popping up all over the country. It has become a huge industry and I caution you on choosing our program wisely.

Ask yourself? Why do I want to be a massage therapist?
If your answer is only to make a lot of money. You can stop reading now.

Seriously, if you have the calling to help others, to live a life of service and passion and enjoy what you do not only for the money then you want to make sure you choose a program that will give you the quality in the healing arts that you are seeking.

First and foremost I am personally against 6 month programs that crank out students promising them that they will make $50 or $60/hr.

I want to make sure a program that I would choose offers a solid foundation in the healing arts. I would be concerned not only with the content of the curriculum, which is very important, I want to know who is qualified to teach the topics.

Many schools across the U.S. literally hire people because they are desperate for instructors. Many will take a student right from a graduating class and throw them in a classroom teach. This is NOT the type of school you want to attend.

How do I know this? I have taught in these school systems. It is no joke. I was a program director in one school where I had to fire half the staff. I was hired at another school out of their desperation for an instructor. I did not feel I was qualified for the topic and agreed to only substitute until they found someone. This happens often believe it or not.

Ask questions. Who teaches your anatomy and physiology? How long have your instructors been teaching in a massage program. I specify massage program because it requires a special type of instructor to teach and be able to integrate knowledge, motivation, inspiration and healing in these classes.

How many hours is the program?

Do not take any class less than 500 hrs. Quite honestly the more hours the better in my opinion. There is so much to learn. Massage training is way more than giving a back massage. You have to know and understand the physiology of the body, the pathologies that a client may have and how they interact with the techniques you will apply.

Visit the school. Don't choose a school just because it might be convenient. Make sure it will provide you with the best education you deserve. You are making an investment into your future. You want to be prepared well. Make sure they offer a solid business class as well. Two reasons massage therapists fail.

1. NO BUSINESS SENSE. They think it will be so easy to get clients. It takes marketing knowledge. It takes time and creativity. Whether you think you know how to run a business or whether you think you don't need to know - YOU DO NEED TO KNOW how to run a Massage Business!

2. BURNOUT! Many massage therapists get excited about doing 7-10 massages a day and making loads of money. They are on a high for a while and then they crash and burn. Make sure the program you choose encourages self care. Teaches you ways to take care of yourself and encourages proper body mechanics and pacing.

What is COMTA approved? Comta is an organization set up to approve massage programs specifically.

Does it mean if a school is not COMTA approved it is no good? Absolutely not.

There are several accrediting agencies that can approve courses. Also your states might approve them through a governing board or the department of education.

When I owned my school in New Jersey, it was not a licensed state. The Department of Education approved the program. I did not choose Comta for personal and political reasons. This did not create any difficulties for students obtaining licensing in other states, as some schools might lead you to believe. Just be sure that a reputable agency has approved the program.

In the state of North Carolina the Massage Therapy Board scrutinizes curriculum carefully. They are very detailed and organized. They do site inspections, interviews, etc. Their process is intense. If a school has received an approval from a massage governing agency, then they have passed the basic entry level status.

Some schools offer programs that include more intense curriculum as an option to prepare their students for the work field. These are the type of programs I would suggest.

While we all need to continue our education, we still want to come out of our training employable. You would be surprised how often I hear students are having difficulty getting hired because they just can't perform a thorough massage and be able to explain what they are doing.

Do you have a question about a career in massage? Contact me at massageproce@gmail.com

Visit my website www.MassageProCE.com
I also offer approved continuing education courses
Provider # 336538-00

Thank you
Gloria Coppola, LMBT #6902
Lead Massage Instructor
Privai Academy
Continuing Education Provider