AS any advocate can tell you, the benefits of massage are innumerable.

In the hands of a knowledgeable therapist, circulation improves, tension and stress are reduced, and a general feeling of well-being is achieved.

For many years Alison Keyes was a great proponent of the experience. Anchored to a desk from nine to five, she often set aside time for a massage to help cope with her hectic work schedule and life's usual stresses.

Unlike many who allow themselves that luxury, however, Ms Keyes became fascinated with the physics behind the technique and enrolled in an intensive programme with an arm of one of the industry's leaders ? British-based group Steiner Leisure.

The 35-year-old Bermudian returned to the island a month ago and started her own business, offering massage treatments from her Pembroke home.

"I'm very interested in the physiology of the human body, which is basically about how the human body functions," she explained of her life-changing decision. "But one of the main reasons I decided to go to massage school, was because I wanted to get involved in the holistic field.

"I could talk forever about the benefits with massage. It reduces stress. It increases circulation ? something which is good for the entire body but also, if you do have any muscle tension, it's really good for alleviating any pain. There's also a very healing energy exchange that goes on during massage.

"As the person relaxes, good energy surfaces. It leaves the person it leaves the person feeling relaxed and in a happy mood. Many of my clients say it makes them feel as if they're floating ? it's a feeling that comes from within the person.

"So those are just a few of the benefits but an additional ? and very important ? one nowadays, especially with the way Bermuda's going with the development of the corporate world, is that massage alleviates stress. I think people's stress levels are higher today, than when Bermuda was more of a tourist destination."

In October of last year Ms Keyes left the island for Miami to attend the Florida College of Natural Health (FCNH). Operated by the Steiner Education Group Inc., FCNH boasts four accredited campuses ? in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Sarasota ? through which students are taught Swedish massage, Shiatsu massage, aromatherapy and skin care techniques. Similar programmes are also offered by the Steiner Education Group in Virginia and Baltimore.

if she found it terrifying to quit her job and the guaranteed income it provided, Ms Keyes said her genuine interest in the course made the decision easier.

"It was something I knew I really wanted to do," she explained. "I chose Miami for a number of reasons ? the climate was a factor. I wanted a six-month programme, and the school offered that. I have always wanted to live in a city and also, I knew there were going to be a mix of people there and I wanted that.

"I knew it would be more international than some of the other campuses. The majority of the students American, but there were also a few Bahamians, some other islanders. There were a handful of girls and guys from South America ? it made it a nice group."

The six-month course was divided between lectures and clinical work, Ms Keyes said. All students are schooled to the high standards of Steiner Leisure, the largest spa company in the world.

As described by the group's web site: "Since its beginnings in the 1930s, Steiner Leisure has grown from being a London-based hairdressing salon to a global leader in the spa industry. Presently Steiner operates spas on board over 100 luxury cruise ships that sail all over the world.

"(We are a) culture that believe inner health and outer beauty are interdependent and embrace daily self-nurturing rituals to empower and contribute to the quality of life. As the leader of an ever-growing industry it is our responsibility to ensure every human being understands and believes that relaxation heals.

"Our focus is to provide concepts, education, spa-therapies and products that nurture a person both internally and externally."

from being instructed in Swedish massage, Ms Keyes said she was also tutored in such modalities as hot stone therapy, sports massage and deep tissue massage.

Ms Keyes said she found it "challenging" to return to school as a mature student but having background in science proved of great assistance. "At 35 years old, I'm definitely a mature student," she said.

"There was quite a range of ages ? 18 year olds to people in their 50s. Going back to school at this age, I think, is harder than when you're a teenager. Your learning skills aren't as sharp. I haven't really studied as hard since I finished my science degree back in 1990.

"It definitely took a lot of discipline to get back into the routine of studying again. And it was a very intensive course so it was challenging. But, for me, because I have a biology degree, I found the science side of it fairly fun. What was challenging, but was also very interesting, was that we had to learn all the muscles in the body and the bones and their landmarks ? that was all new to me.

"The course was organised so that people started at approximately two-week intervals ? there was a constant changeover. And it actually works, the way they have the programme set. I think there were maybe 12 to 20 people at a time in a clinic or lecture although that varied from day to day. It was mandatory to make all the hours but if you did miss a day you could catch up at a later date."

In April, Ms Keyes graduated from the programme with a therapist training certificate in Swedish massage.

"Basically, Swedish is a massage strictly for relaxation," she explained. "The majority of people come to a massage therapist because they are suffering from pain. I've been trained to work on specific areas so I will, on request, offer deep tissue massages as well and eventually, I'm going to want to incorporate stone massage."

Ms Keyes hopes to attract customers through word of mouth ? relying on the recommendations of satisfied clients and referrals from other therapists. She believes her unique location in Point Shares, only minutes outside Hamilton, offers a true spa experience.

"It's close to town," she said. "I can do a massage in a lunch hour. It's also a nice escape for people.

"That's one of the main benefits I think ? they can get out of Hamilton and they don't have to travel too far.

"I'm offering good rates at the moment and hoping that friends or acquaintances that have massages will spread the word that they've enjoyed their massage here. One way that I'm advertising is by trading with other therapists.

"It's nice to receive a massage when you are giving maybe ten or 20 a week. It's also a way of having the other therapists learn what I can do.

" If I give them a good massage, hopefully they will spread the word. So it's also about having them see what I offer so they can tell others about me."

4 To book an appointment or buy a gift certificate for a massage with Ms Keyes, telephone 504-4263 or send an e-mail to sakeyeslogic.bm.