Are you a massage therapist looking for NCBTMB approved CE classes? Join Cynthia Ribiero on June 14, 2025 from 9am-6pm for an in-person class on Releasing the Grip of Anxiety in the Respiratory System at our Ontario campus.

CE Class Details

When anxiety takes hold, one of the first systems to respond is the breath. But what happens when that response becomes chronic—and how does it affect the muscles we work with every day?

In this hands-on, science-informed workshop, we’ll explore how anxiety influences breathing patterns and creates adaptive tension in key respiratory muscles including the diaphragm, scalenes, sternocleidomastoid, intercostals, and accessory musculature. We’ll examine the physiological stress response through the lens of the autonomic nervous system and learn how sustained emotional stress can contribute to hypertonicity, altered posture, and chronic pain patterns—particularly in the neck, shoulders, and thorax.

Participants will learn:

• The neurobiological relationship between anxiety and respiration
• How dysfunctional breathing reinforces neuromuscular holding patterns
• Assessment strategies for identifying breath-related muscular tension
• Effective neuromuscular and myofascial techniques to restore respiratory function
• How to communicate about breath and anxiety in a trauma-aware, client-centered way

Whether you work with clients experiencing anxiety, stress-related tension, or chronic upper body pain, this workshop will deepen your understanding of the breath-muscle-emotion connection—and give you practical tools to support lasting relief.

WORKSHOP COST | $350

EARLY BIRD WORKSHOP COST | $250if registered by June 7, 2025

CURRENT NHI STUDENTS & ALUMNI COST | Contact your local SLCC for an exclusive discount code!

This class is NCBTMB Approved for 8.0 hours of continuing education credit

Instructor Bio | Cynthia Ribeiro

Cynthia came to the United States from Brazil, where she had attained a degree in Physical Education and studied Surgical Nursing. In the U.S., she graduated from two massage schools, and now specializes in Neuromuscular Therapy and Orthopedic Massage.

A highly dynamic teacher, she has taught advanced anatomy and injury rehabilitation skills since 1988. Her in-person Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy workshops are in high demand throughout U.S. and Canada. Cynthia frequently presents at state and national massage therapy conventions and has had great success with both her in-person and online course offerings.

As founder and owner of Western Institute of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (WIN) in Southern California, Cynthia developed highly effective therapeutic bodywork, and has brought that material to NHI for the 450 hour program in Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy.

In 2003, she was appointed Honorary Clinical Professor at the University California Irvine Medical School. In 2012 she became National President for the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). In 2017 she received the Jerome Perlinski, Teacher of the Year Award.

Cynthia has also served as a Board of Directors member of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

A continual inspiration to her students, she nevertheless says, “I am always a student myself, and I strongly believe in lifelong learning.”

Event Details