Lea GagnonThe 5 best massage schools in Montreal for hands-on learning
Montreal is a city where wellness naturally fits in. On one block, you might pass a yoga instructor leading a class. Next, a clinic where bodywork supports recovery plans from orthopedists.
People have different coping mechanisms to address any pain in their bodies. Different practitioners earn a lot from this. Not many realise, but there’s a path that’s practical but also high in demand: learning how to knead the tension away.
If you’re interested in exploring that route, no worries. Our team has looked for the best massage schools in Montreal so you can start helping people better, one sore muscle at a time.
How much does enrolling in a massage school cost in Montreal?
Enrolling in a massage school in Montreal generally costs between $3,300 and $18,000 CAD. It depends on the program length and specialisation.
How we chose the best massage schools in Montreal
1. Lotus Palm Montreal
Address: 5244 Rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal
Phone: +1 514 270 5713
Business hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Friday: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
For those who want to become a Thai massage wizard, Lotus Palm is your Hogwarts. They spent nearly thirty years leaning hard into this niche, which is great for those who prefer this specificity.
We noticed how they offer some cool developmental paths (clinical, immersive, and energetic). It’s great because you get to choose what class you want to take!
Students pointed out that the atmosphere here is magical. The teachers make sure everyone feels comfortable and confident during the hands-on sessions.
They also balance theory and practice. Workshops kick off with engaging demonstrations and thorough explanations. They’re backed by detailed paper instructions, so you aren’t just guessing where your elbows should go.
The best part is, they make the learning process accessible. There’s a time given to students so they can take notes before diving into practice.
I’m so grateful to have had the privilege to learn Thai yoga massage
“Wow!! What an amazing school! The teachers are knowledgeable, experienced and so kind! I’m so grateful to have had the privilege to learn Thai yoga massage and am proud to say I have studied here! I cannot wait to put my new knowledge to use and come back for more studies!!! It is not goodbye it’s see you soon! Thanks again to all the teachers and fellow students who have helped me in this beautiful journey I can’t wait to see your beautiful faces!!!”
Tamara Myatte, Google review
The teacher has the best techniques
“Attended a massage training here for fun and loved it! The teacher has the best techniques and so good at explaining it! Came back for massages and totally in gratitude of this school for healing the world!”
Hoa Du, Google review
2. IKRA School of Massage Therapy
Address: 5101 Wellington St, Montreal
Phone: +1 514 507 7399
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 7 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
If you’re the type of person who is juggling a lot of things, IKRA might be the answer you’re looking for! They’ve got a flagship Swedish Massage course that’s around 400 hours.
The good news is, you can blitz through it in 15 weeks or stretch it out over nearly a year. They seem to have a schedule that won’t make you want to pull your hair out.
Their bread and butter might be Swedish massage, but they also lean heavily into sports massage and Eastern techniques.
One student who is actually a professional kinesiologist and sports therapist mentioned that the techniques he picked up at IKRA were an immediate hit with his athletes. We just know they can give you the toolkit that you can use in a high-stakes environment.
However, their curriculum is very advanced in science. The heavy focus on anatomy and physiology might be intimidating for some.
But hey, that just means they really lean into how the body works on a deep level.
My experience at IKRA truly surpassed my expectations
“I recently completed both the Swedish Massage & Chair Massage Courses at IKRA & I can say without a doubt that you will not find a better massage therapy training anywhere else. From a thorough & well structured curriculum to amazing & devoted teachers (shoutout to Amy & Moïra), my experience at IKRA truly surpassed my expectations. You walk in as just a student, but you walk out feeling like you are part of a big massage therapy family. I am looking forward to taking more courses with them, starting with Prenatal massage next month, & recommend IKRA to anyone looking for top tier massage therapy training.”
Olivia Jerebic, Google review
Best massage school there is!
“Best massage school there is! It’s more of a family at Ikra! The professors and instructors are very patient, down to earth, and very informative with their teachings. I recommend it! Take their classes seriously, and they’ll take you seriously. They also work with your budget – monthly payments available! English and French teachings are available!”
Natasha Bella, Google review
3. Ecole Setsuko
Address: 2111 Av. Northcliffe Suite 11D
Phone: +1 514 482 1991
Business hours:
- Monday: 11 AM – 9 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday: 10 AM – 9 PM
- Friday: 9 AM – 9 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Ecole Setsuko offers a full-on immersion into becoming a skilled and intuitive massage therapist. The big draw here is how it’s founder-led.
Having Jennifer Setsuko Lee actually teaching the courses is a massive win! Students raved that she’s phenomenal at her craft and really kind.
Some even noted that they learned more in a few workshops here than in entire programs elsewhere.
They do great at combining the eastern and western techniques too. You get the fundamentals of the Swedish massage, but then they’ll also hit you with Shiatsu and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
We also found it valuable that they throw in bits about nutrition, herbs, and even how to actually run a business.
It’s worth noting that they have higher tuition fees here, though. But considering what they offer, it’s definitely worth the buck!
Amazing holistic school, with some of the best teachers you’ll ever find
“Amazing holistic school, with some of the best teachers you’ll ever find. Enrolling here was the best thing I’ve ever done! Worth every penny! Also heard countless Ikra students coming by for a class say how they wish they had enrolled here instead because they just loved their short experience. Thank you Jenni, Nick, Nathalie, Tony, Michelle, Marco, Jeff, Nana, Paule & Shanice. I’m so grateful for all your teachings!”
Lili Sweet Coaching, Google review
My classes at Setsuko have been life-changing
“My classes at Setsuko have been life-changing. I signed up a year ago to learn skills for my healing practice and am getting so much more out of that decision! Positive life shifts and deep personal growth. Jenni has also done a phenomenal job transitioning our classes online, making space for a safer learning environment during these times. I am looking forward to sharing my new healing skills! Feeling seen and supported, I am forever grateful for Ecole Setsuko.”
Carolynn Rohsler, Google review
4. Académie de massage scientifique (campus de Montréal)
Address: Est, 910 Rue Bélanger Suite 202
Phone: +1 800 475 1964
Business hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 12 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Massages aren’t just for relaxation. Sometimes, people book an appointment because they want something to get fixed.
Académie de massage scientifique seems to understand that because they often focus on orthotherapy and sports massage.
The teachers here are competent and friendly, so you won’t get scared to ask where the rhomboids are for the fifth time.
We also appreciate that students aren’t just reading a textbook. Here, they also learn the business workflow and clinical decision-making that actually keep a practice alive.
They even throw their students into the deep end with real clients sometimes, which is great for exposure.
Just remember that they prioritise hands-on teaching here, so the schedule isn’t that flexible for those with busy schedules.
A very good school for learning massage therapy
“A very good school for learning massage therapy. The teachers are competent and friendly. The management is understanding and flexible, and it’s very conveniently located. The school’s clinics are affordable, and the massage therapy treatments are professional.”
Manuel Gagnon-Bujold, Google review
Everything is well thought out to ensure a positive experience
“Very good place to get a massage at a low cost. The students are all very attentive and the quality of the massages is always very good. Everything is well thought out to ensure a positive experience.”
Clement Marty, Google review
5. A Plus Massage Academy
Address: 3675 Sources Blvd #206, Dollard-Des Ormeaux
Phone: +1 514 458 9389
Business hours: Contact for more info
What A Plus Academy does best is offering a foundational training in Swedish massage paired with an insane level of scheduling flexibility.
Whether you’re a night owl or someone trying to juggle a full-time job while learning, they seem to have a time slot that fits. Plus, they offer interest-free payment plans!
We got to talk to some students about their mentors too. From what we’ve heard, they’re pretty impressive.
Amanda was mentioned a lot. She seems to focus on building confident therapists and better humans out of her students.
They’ve managed to design manuals that are optimal and fast-paced. It’s great for people who want to get in, learn the skill, and get out into the workforce quickly.
However, if you’re the type of student who wants to be a master in the complex stuff, you might find the shorter speciality workshops a bit light. We’ve found that many of the add-on courses are really designed as short intensives.
I couldn’t be more pleased with my experience
“I completed the Swedish Massage Diploma at A+ Massage Academy and I couldn’t be more pleased with my experience. Amanda is an incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and supportive teacher. The class size was small, which allowed for plenty of hands-on practice. The material was explained clearly, and she was always happy to answer any questions. I started with no prior knowledge of the field, and just a few months later, I feel confident in the quality of my work. I look forward to continuing my learning journey with the specialized courses they offer!”
Leonora Bassrei, Google review
Amanda is an amazing teacher who is very passionate about her work
“I took the Swedish massage class here and it was an awesome experience. I’m so glad I chose this school as first of all Amanda is an amazing teacher who is very passionate about her work and helping others achieve their goals. Everyone was so friendly and I’m leaving confident in my skills. Definitely will be taking specialization courses. Thanks Amanda!!!”
Federico Cantador, Google review
