Read what Michelle's clients have experienced with abdominal therapy

Student Testimonials

This course has been a transformative addition to my midwifery practice!

After 35 years as a practicing midwife and clinical herbalist, I am always seeking evidence-based approaches that can enhance the care I provide to my community. Michelle Hansen's Embodied Traditions® Holistic Abdominal Therapy Training exceeded my expectations and has become an invaluable addition to my practice.

The digestive challenges and fertility concerns I regularly encounter in my community have found new pathways to healing through the techniques Michelle teaches. Her comprehensive five-day program masterfully weaves together the science, philosophy, and hands-on application of ancient abdominal therapy methods. What impressed me most was how these techniques specifically enhance pelvic circulation. A foundational element for both reproductive health and digestive wellness.

The training's structure made it remarkably easy to integrate these methods into my existing practice. Michelle's 16+ years of experience serving thousands of clients is evident in every aspect of the curriculum. Her curated sequence of techniques draws from various established abdominal therapy approaches, creating a cohesive system that feels both authentic and practical.

For midwives, this training offers several unique advantages. The techniques provide a gentle, non-invasive way to support clients experiencing fertility challenges, menstrual irregularities, and digestive disorders—conditions we encounter daily. The improved pelvic circulation these methods promote can enhance reproductive health outcomes and support the body's natural healing processes. Additionally, these skills complement our holistic approach to care, offering another tool for supporting women throughout their reproductive journeys.

Michelle's passion for this work is infectious and creates a learning environment where ancient wisdom meets modern understanding.

I wholeheartedly recommend this training to any midwife looking to deepen their practice and offer their clients more comprehensive, integrative care.

~ Katia LeMone, Certified Professional Midwife, Clinical Herbalist
- Senior Midwife, Director at Cuauhtémoc School of Midwifery.
- Chihuahua, Mexico - You can find Katia on her facebook page: Labyrinths, Llamas and Herbs

I loved the whole class and the different points of view provided by the students. I found Michelle's teaching style, light, supportive, and passionate. Her years of experience bring inspiring stories of hopeful, changes and healings. And her intuitive, knowing combined with her humanity and openness to others experiences… I found this so empowering! She is a gift of encouragement and curiosity. And as her client, you feel like you are the only person in the world at that moment. As her student, you feel like you can do this, because she did it. And you will do it with your own particular style and that is celebrated! A rare teacher, and a rare healer.
~ Katharine

The class exceeded my expectations with all of the hands on practice and the great feedback to improve my techniques. This was the best professional and personal growth class I’ve taken.

~ Susanna Goldstein, Certified Nurse Midwife
- Minnesota Birth Center

This was such a great course! It was moving to be on the other side of the table after being a client of Michelle’s for a long time. I believe a value can not be put on the experience and outcome’s that will come from taking this class. I felt like I was at an empowering retreat and have gained knowledge for myself, my loved ones and all those that I will cross paths with.

Michelle, thank you forever for the gift of such important knowledge! Thank you for giving it whole heartedly. I can’t wait to change other women’s lives like you have changed mine.

~ Amina, RN

Michelle set the tone for the class with daily check-ins, attuning to the students and our needs. I really enjoyed her as a teacher. Her instruction using props and visuals and checking hand placement was so helpful. I’m a little sad class came to an end and look forward to future classes.

This class was very inspirational to me. I have received lots of different massages all over the world, but nothing like this! Knowing all of the benefits to women's and men's health has been very informative. I can't wait to teach my clients about all the ways they can help themselves!

Thank you Michelle for the opportunity to learn from you, it sure has been a week with you! I felt very nurtured and taken care of. Now I can pass it on to others! You are a great example of an excellent teacher.

~ Jeannette, RN

Life changing! you helped empower me to heal my self. Now I am ready to give back!!

~ Jill, RN

If anyone feels called to learn and do this work, Michelle is an amazing guide and teacher. Take the leap and do the training! It was a lovely experience on so many levels, professionally and personally. This work is so important! This is part of the body that does so much and doesn’t get much care. I’m leaving this class inspired, empowered and grateful.

~ Nicole Lange, LicAc
- Minneapolis, MN
- Life Healing Life Acupuncture

I really enjoyed the class and learned a lot. Michelle made the class environment very warm and welcoming. The other students were great! I felt comfortable asking questions and just being myself.

The hands on practicing really helped me. My body feels light and I’m feeling more mobility. My leg pain went away and everything in my body just feels great.

~ Mai Her
- St. Paul, MN
- Mai Her’bal & Holistic Abdominal Therapy

Awesome content! I loved the laid back atmosphere and how you were so open to questions.

Deep understanding and experiences to draw from and share — so generous and wonderful for the world and profession. Really great from start to beyond…. Thank you for offering this course Michelle!

The pregnancy demo was amazing! Really well organized and layered experience. Great experience learning Michelle’s perspective and experience, with beautiful open dialogue for all to participate and chime in. Michelle managed everything beautifully. The props, the supplies, the set up, the structure and the teaching. Really well done and went by so fast!

You have poured so much love into the course and it shines through!

I loved the content of this course! You made me feel so confident throughout the whole process that I’m going to be able to get the techniques down and make them my own and help others, which I love to do! I love that you have all of the forms and resources available for us so we don’t have to created them. I loved learning about supportive modalities to increase the help and healing. I love that you would repeat whatever we needed to see till we understood it.

The content of the class was very well laid out. Thorough. Easily digestible. Feels like a course that will grow exponentially over time, but does not feel like it lacks anything. I feel like I can start working on clients tomorrow. I’m glad the course went beyond the hands on techniques. I like knowing the “whys” and I got my answers.

Michelle is very good at delegating and leading group discussions. The course materials were professional, thoughtful and very helpful. The hands on instruction cemented the techniques. I really liked performing the treatment on 3 different classmates of different sizes and ages. I liked that class started later in the morning so I could practice on my wife before class. That was helpful in learning the techniques better.

~ Christopher

Thank you for doing what you do! You have a gift and I'm grateful you are willing to share your gift with others! The content of this class was extensive and well thought out. Having a systematic approach to abdominal massage was especially helpful. It was also valuable to learn about special topics, like steaming, herbs, etc. The process was methodical with clear instructions, time for questions, and time for practice. The material was amazing and very helpful.

Amazing knowledge & enthusiasm!
~ Anna Larson, Massage Therapist

I have just completed Michelle's December 2025 practitioner training for Embodied Traditions Holistic Abdominal Therapy.  I could not be more grateful and inspired by my experience.  Michelle has a warm, intentional way of teaching the material that would suit any learning style.  There is ample hands-on work, group discussions, learning tools, models, videos, and demos.  I tend to shy away from a lot of bookwork or lecturing simply because it does not help me absorb the material as well as visuals and hands-on training.  I felt supported throughout the process and encouraged that I could make this work my own.  I think more massage therapists and holistic practitioners should familiarize themselves with abdominal work.   This course is an accessible, affordable, and beautiful way to step into the practice of abdominal therapy.

~ Jessica Watson, Massage Therapist
- Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

I am feeling so much more in tune with my body and grounded after practicing the personal care massage and learning these techniques.

I am incredibly excited to use these techniques on my clients and to build my business around the abdominal therapies.

~ Aimee McKennon
- Minneapolis, MN
- Lemon Balm Massage

I had the pleasure of taking the Embodied Traditions Abdominal Therapy training from Michelle recently and it was truly life-changing. Nothing about the training is made difficult to understand, and everything in it works together to create a whole system for the client that works more ideally toward a fully healthful experience. The curriculum was well delivered, and flowed beautifully. Michelle is an excellent teacher, and impossible to not love. She is incredibly open and giving of your knowledge, time, and friendship. I would highly recommend anyone who wants to further their business in massage therapy to invest in this training. After using it several times now, my clients are blown away by the results they are getting, as am I.

~ Christina Shane Mustoe
-The Little Pink Cottage Spa
- Eugene, Oregon

Today is the last day of class and my heart is filled with gratitude for Michelle and my classmates. Each person in my class is a Massage Therapist+ so we are all very tactile people. The hands on experience was just what I needed. The information was presented clearly and was repeated enough so that I walked away feeling confident in using the techniques in my practice.

Michelle is a gifted instructor! Her willingness to teach with her whole heart is such a unique experience. She shares instruction freely and without judgement and creates space for every person to use the techniques in a way that is their own. I'll be adding this work to my personal care practices as well as offering it to my clients.

I've been doing massage since 2003, and herbalism since 1999 and I've done lots of training. This is one of my favorites! Thank you!!

~ Molly Johnston
- MollyJohnston.net -Molly is in the process of restoring her website.
- Silver City, New Mexico

The Embodied Traditions Holistic Abdominal Therapy Course is completely amazing - i am beyond excited to get back to clients and implement the techniques learned to help so many individuals to a better and healthier life.

~ Meg Hames
- Baxter, MN

This class and the instructor, Michelle, are fantastic. It gave me so much joy, knowledge, and support. The hands on portion was empowering and I can't say enough about how much this training is needed for bodywork and self care.

~ Melany Kidd
- Connect With Massage
- Osseo, MN

What a great, thorough training! I’m very picky about my trainings that I attend and Michelle is amazing. She was happy to brainstorm with me on how to incorporate techniques that I’m already using with Embodied Traditions. Highly recommend.

~ Kate Scheele
- Midwest Massage
- Fort Wayne, MN

Taking the Embodied Traditions® Holistic Abdominal Therapy Practitioner Training with Michelle was truly one of the best decisions I could've made, both personally and professionally. I left the training feeling confident, supported, excited, and prepared to take what I had learned and begin using it in my practice.

Michelle is one of those rare teachers who gives you everything she has. The amount of time, care, and heart she has poured into this training is evident in every detail, from the incredibly thorough practitioner manual and the way the classes structured, to the hands-on learning, demonstrations, resources, forms, recommendations, and ongoing support.

One of the things I appreciated most is that Michelle truly does not want her students to have to reinvent the wheel. She openly shares the forms she has created, the resources she has found, where she purchases supplies, what has worked for her, and the knowledge she has gained through years of actually doing this work.

Michelle also has an incredible ability to make a tremendous amount of information feel manageable. She takes the time to explain not only how to do something, but why we are doing it. She demonstrates techniques repeatedly when needed, answers questions without ever making you feel like you should already know the answer, and makes sure each student feels comfortable and confident before moving forward.

What stood out to me just as much as the education was how much Michelle genuinely cares about every person in the room. She pays attention to how people are learning, what they need, and where they may need a little more guidance. She creates an environment where you feel comfortable asking questions, practicing, making mistakes, and finding your own way of incorporating this work into what you already do.

Michelle continues to be such an open and generous resource after the class is over. I have so much love, respect, and appreciation for her, not only for the knowledge she shared with me, but for the kind of person and teacher she is.

If you are considering taking this training, I cannot recommend Michelle enough. I am beyond grateful to have learned from her.

~ Patty Yantes
~ Be Spoiled Body Works
~ Hanover, MN

Very useful for personal care. Very interesting topics. Bonding with other students. Great learning. Thank you Michelle for a wonderful class!

~ Irina

I absolutely loved the Embodied Traditions Abdominal Therapy Practitioner Training!

I have been a massage therapist for 22 years and this class is by far my favorite!
The materials taught by Michelle are relevant, easy to incorporate into the massage/bodywork session and a must for your tool box of techniques! Michelle makes the class time engaging, fun, therapeutic, and easy to practice in class. The facility is easy to get to and quite comfortable.

Abdominal therapy skills are a must for all
Bodyworkers and Massage therapists. I’m so happy I took this class and highly recommend it.

~ Sharon Smith
~ Valeo
~ ssmith@valeowc.com

I took the Holistic Abdominal Therapy Course in October 2026. The reason I decided to take the course was because I had been receiving abdominal therapy with the class instructor (Michelle Hansen) for more than two years and I have found it very beneficial for myself. I wanted to more fully understand what Michelle was doing specifically during abdominal therapy. The class was fabulous! Everyone in the class was so supportive and helpful even though I have zero experience with massage or any form of body work. There was lots of opportunity for hands on practice! I will only be doing this on my own family members, however, I left the class feeling very capable of providing Abdominal Therapy.

It was actually a physician that recommended I start receiving abdominal therapy after having some miscarriages. Also, I found abdominal therapy to be extremely helpful after completing egg collection for IVF. I just felt bloated after doing the a collection for IVF and the abdominal therapy made my body feel normal again.

~ Carol Nelson