Hmmm, interesting. I am doing an IHM courseat a college - 24 weeks - 2 hours per week - cost £240. We have just written our theory exam and had to do some in class assessments and essays - was glad for having done anatomy & pshyciology last years as muscles,skeletal system, lymphatics etc. was a known quantity. From the first day in class we started learning the sequence and techniques (practised on each other)and have been treating clients for about 3 weeks now (will also bedoing that forthe rest of the course which is about 9 weeks).
Even with a tutor on hand in the class some of the techniques are difficult to grasp. Ifwe do not understand something the teacher will showhow it is doneon another person, then she willdo it onthe person she is explaining to so that you can get the feel and thenit is easier tounderstand a certain move/pressure etc.(i.e. reverse catepillar on the neck). We have the techniques written down as well but it is not so easy to get a technique from a written word.
Maybe it's just me as I have done no other form of massage but I am happy with my course as I know that when I get my diploma I will be a good therapist, be comfortable with what I do, be very aware of contra indications and contra actions and basically give my clients a treatment I would be happy to pay for myself.I do not think that I could have gained the hands on knowledge and experience by doing a correspondence course and having 1 day practical.I have also seen some weekend courses for a similar price - again I can not see how you could be competent after a weekend intense training (unless you are already doing massage because so many of the moves are the same).
So, if I had to decide where to do a course againI wouldchoose for alocal college. However, follow your heart! Maybe you have loads of people you can practise on at home and that would be enough for you.
Best of luck.
Jo