About Me

The abundant potential of good health means being able to wake up pain-free, having the energy to do whatever needs to be done, enjoyment of active entertainment, and living a longer, richer life. 

Jason Erickson, NCTMB, ACE-CPT, AIS-TA, BBA, BA, AA is a nationally certified massage therapist and personal trainer who loves helping his clients regain their wellbeing, improve performance, and enjoy greater success and a better quality of life. A survivor of frequent medical treatments and unhealthy habits, Jason now appreciates the joy and freedom that come with good health.

Summary of Qualifications:

CIRCULAR STRENGTH TRAINING

Circular Strength Training Instructor (CST) 2004-2010

  • No Longer Certified to Teach Circular Strength Training - find currently certified CSTs at www.CSTCoach.com
  • Taught Intu-Flow joint mobility, Prasara Body-Flow Yoga, and Clubbell Athletics 2004-2010
  • Developed Mill Pivot-Switch transition for International Clubbell Sport (ICS) competition, 2005
  • Editor of Going Ballistic: CST for Boxing by Brandon Jones, CST Head Coach, 2005
  • RMAX International web site development team, product copy writer, 2004-2005
  • Circular Strength Magazine, contributing author 2004-2009
  • Midwest Director of International Clubbell Sport (ICS), 2004 to 2005
  • Provided pre-event coaching services for Kelly Moore and Lynn Pitts, the first women to achieve ICS Master of Sport numbers in competition, 2005
  • Host/Instructor of numerous workshops on various aspects of CST 2004-2008
  • Host/Assistant Instructor for "CST: Self-Care for Health Professionals" seminar taught by Coach Jarlo Ilano, 2005
  • Prasara Yoga class instructor at Bally Total Fitness, 2006-2008
  • First CST Instructor in Minnesota, 2004

CST Events Attended

  • 2004 Epsilon CST IC
  • 2004 Softwork seminar
  • 2005 Theta CST IC
  • 2005 CST: Self-Care for Health Professionals seminar
  • 2006 FlowFighting seminar
  • 2007 Lambda CST IC
  • 2008 Nu CST IC

PERSONAL TRAINING

  • American Council on Exercise certified Personal Trainer (ACE-PT) since 2006
  • Personal Trainer at Bally Total Fitness (Richfield, MN) since 2006
  • Leader of Active Isolated Stretching workshops for personal trainers since 2007
  • Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening (AIS) seminar Teaching Assistant since 2009
  • "Personal Trainer of the Month" award May 2010. Ranked #1 in Region, and in Top 10 for Bally Total Fitness nationwide
  • "Personal Trainer of the Month" award June 2007. Ranked #1 out of over 120 Bally Total Fitness personal trainers in Minnesota and Wisconsin
  • Most recommended trainer for medically "at-risk" clients
  • Clients range from accident survivors to "no prior experience" to professional athletes
  • Training services include improving basic function, injury prevention training, physical conditioning, and enhancing competitive performance
  • In 2009, provided services for Nordic Ski and Biathlon competitor Caitlin Compton, who went on to compete on the 2010 U.S. Olympic Ski Team 

Personal Training Continuing Education Completed

  • 2006 Principles of Human Nutrition at Northwestern Health Sciences University (10.0 CE Hours)
  • 2007 Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening (AIS) with Aaron Mattes (32.0 CE Hours)
  • 2007 Partner-Assisted Stretching Certification from Bally Total Fitness "Bfit University" (8.0 CE Hours)
  • 2007 NASM Foundations for the Health and Fitness Professional
  • 2008 Effective Examination and Treatment Techniques for the Foot and Ankle (6.0 CE Hours)
  • 2009 Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening (AIS) with Aaron Mattes (32.0 CE Hours)
  • 2009 Integrated Neuromuscular Re-Education: Positional Release and Muscle Energy Technique (6.0 CE Hours)
  • 2010 Active Isolated Stretching for the Lower Body with Roger McNear (16.0 CE Hours)

MASSAGE THERAPY

  • National Certification Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB) since 2007
  • Northwestern Health Sciences University School of Massage Therapy, Magna Cum Laude, 2006
  • NWHSU Student Leadership Hall of Fame, inducted 2007
  • American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Professional Member and MN State Board Member
  • Practicing massage therapist since 2006, co-owner of Keep In Touch Massage of Eagan
  • Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening (AIS) Teaching Assistant since 2009
  • Specializations in musculoskeletal problems, pain management and injury care
  • Sports Massage Therapist for invited Elite Runners at Grandma's Marathon since 2009
  • AMTA Sports Massage Team official member since 2009
  • Volunteer AMTA Sports Massage at Grandma's Marathon, Duluth, MN, 2007, 2008, 2009
  • Volunteer AMTA Sports Massage at Lakeville Ironman Bicycle Ride, Lakeville, MN, 2010
  • Coordinator of Sports Massage services and volunteer therapist for Get In Gear since 2010
  • Volunteer massage therapist at Mt. Olivet Cancer Retreat, Farmington, MN, 2010
  • Volunteer massage therapist at the 2010 AMTA National Convention in Minneapolis, MN
  • Volunteer massage therapist at Minnesota Oncology Center, Minneapolis, MN, 2010

Massage/Bodywork Continuing Education Completed

  • 2006 NWHSU Winter Symposium on the Knee, Ankle, and Inflammation (As student, ~14.0 hours) 
  • 2007 NWHSU Winter Symposium on the Medically Frail Client (12.0 hours)
  • 2007 Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening (AIS) with Aaron Mattes (32.0 hours)
  • 2007 Partner-Assisted Stretching Certification from Bally Total Fitness "Bfit University" (8.0 hours)
  • 2007 NWHSU Fascia Certificate Series - session #1 Lower and Upper Extremities (13.0 hours)
  • 2007 Anatomy Trains  with Eli Thompson at AMTA-MN Fall Educational Conference (14.5 hours)
  • 2008 NWHSU Fascia Certificate Series - session #2 Neck and Head (7.0 hours - series completed)
  • 2008 NWHSU Winter Symposium on Orthopedic Assessment with Whitney Lowe (12.0 hours)
  • 2008 Effective Examination and Treatment Techniques for the Foot and Ankle (6.0 hours)
  • 2008 Bodywork for the Childbearing Year with Kate Jordan (32.0 hours)
  • 2009 NWHSU Winter Symposium on Neck Pain and Headaches (12.0 hours)
  • 2009 Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening (AIS) with Aaron Mattes (32.0 hours)
  • 2009 Ethics and Professionalism with Dianne Polseno at AMTA-MN Spring Conference (6.0 hours)
  • 2009 Elevate Your Practice Using Kinesio Tex Tape, BioFreeze, Prossage and Massage at AMTA-MN Winter Conference (7.0 hours)
  • 2009 Integrated Neuromuscular Re-Education: Positional Release and Muscle Energy Technique (6.0 hours)
  • 2010 NWHSU Winter Symposium on Low Back Pain (13.5 CE hours)
  • 2010 American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) National Convention (over 24.0 CE hours)
  • 2010 Active Isolated Stretching for the Lower Body with Roger McNear (16.0 CE Hours)
  • 2010 Orthopedic Massage workshop with Pam Latterell (2 hours long; No CE Hours awarded)
  • 2010 Unlocking Computer Shoulder (7.0 CE hours) and Where It Is, It Ain't: Successfully Treating Low Back Pain (7.0 CE hours) with Eric Stephenson at AMTA-MN Winter Conference
  • 2011 Orthopedic Massage 5-Day Intensive with James Waslaski in St. Paul (40.0 CE hours)
  • 2011 NWHSU Winter Symposium on Headaches (14.5 CE hours)

 

 PUBLICATIONS/SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Active Isolated Stretching Practitioners Facebook page administrator since 2010
  • Keep In Touch Massage of Eagan Facebook page administrator since 2010
  • Touching Lives newsletter for Keep In Touch Massage, author and editor since 2009
  • BodyworkOnline.com forum moderator since 2010
  • Marketing Matters 2009 January blog at NaturalTouchMarketing.com, contributing author
  • JasonEcst Youtube Channel since 2007
  • Crack, Poke, Rub 2005 Winter newsletter, contributing author on self-care for massage therapists
  • Elements 2005 Fall newsletter, contributing author on self-care for massage therapists
  • Editor of Going Ballistic: CST for Boxing by Brandon Jones, CST Head Coach, 2005
  • RMAX International web site development team, product copy writer, 2004-2005
  • RMAX International strength and conditioning forum moderator, 2004-2005
  • Circular Strength Magazine, contributing author 2004-2009

 

GROUP TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • Co-Taught "Fitness Mythbusters" workshops at Bally Total Fitness in Richfield, MN, 2011.
  • Hosted Orthopedic Massage workshop taught by Pam Latterell, 2010.
  • Member of AMTA-MN State Board during planning and hosting of 2010 AMTA National Convention in Minneapolis.
  • Designed and taught numerous CE and non-CE workshops for massage therapists on the following topics: Active Isolated Stretching, Pregnancy Massage, and Treating the Hip Flexors since 2008
  • Hosted and lead many non-CE workshops on Active Isolated Stretching and Client Assessment for massage therapists and personal trainers since 2007
  • Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening: The Mattes Method (AIS) seminar Teaching Assistant since 2009
  • Prasara Yoga class instructor at Bally Total Fitness, 2006-2008
  • Host/Instructor of numerous workshops on various aspects of Circular Strength Training 2004-2008
  • Host/Assistant Instructor for "Circular Strength Training: Self-Care for Health Professionals" seminar taught by Coach Jarlo Ilano, 2005
  • Created and taught free Functional Fitness classes for massage therapy, chiropractic, and oriental medicine students via a student club at Northwestern Health Sciences University, 2005-2006
  • Assistant Instructor of martial arts at Warrior's Cove Martial Arts Center, St. Louis Park, MN, 1999-2001

 

MARTIAL ARTS

Jason started practicing martial arts in 1991. A self-described "dabbler", he trained in a wide variety of arts and competed on an amateur level in point fighting, judo, BJJ, and no-gi submission wrestling.

Competition Results

  • North Star Martial Arts Judo Shiai, 3rd place Middleweight Adult Men, 1994
  • Midwest Boxing/Hybrid Martial Arts Submission Grappling Open, 2nd place Absolute, 3rd place Middleweight Men, 1999
  • Midwest Boxing/Hybrid Martial Arts Submission Grappling Open, 3rd place Light Heavyweight Men, 2001
  • Greater Midwest BJJ/Submission Wrestling Championship, 2nd place BJJ Light Heavyweight Men, 3rd place BJJ Absolute, 3rd place No-Gi Light Heavyweight Men, 2001
  • Greater Midwest BJJ/Submission Wrestling Championship, 2nd place No-Gi Light Heavyweight Men, 2002 (NAGA Event)

Over the years, Jason has learned from many excellent instructors and fellow students. He is eternally grateful to everyone that helped him along the way, with special thanks to some long-term training partners and assistant instructors not listed here:

  • Self Defense, various approaches from college phy-ed courses to Bay Area Model Muggers (BAMM), between 1993 and 2002
  • Tae Kwon Do/Sport Karate, 1991 to 1994, under Brad Nelson and Tom Sullivan
  • Seidokan Aikido, 1993 to 1995, under Brad Bergeron and Frank Guldbrandsen
    • Honorable mention: seminars with Sensei Rod Kobayashi, founder of Seidokan Aikido, and Sensei Joe Crotty
  • Danzan Ryu Jujutsu, 1993 to 1998, under Ward Melenich and Sohn Wehseler
  • Kodenkan Judo, 1993 to 1998, under Ward Melenich and Sohn Wehseler
  • Kodokan Judo, 1994 to 1997, under Roger Jensen
    • Honorable mention: trained judo and DZR jujutsu alongside later MMA star Jeff Monson
  • Modern Budo Martial Arts Club of UMD (Mixed Martial Arts), 1996-1998, with fellow students 
  • Aikikai Aikido, 1998 to 2000, under Michael Ellefson
    • Honorable mention: seminar with Sensei Bill Sosa, founder of the International Aikido Association and developer of Police Aikido Control Tactics (PACT)
  • Kodokan Judo, 1999 to 2000, under John "Mad Dog" Snyder
    • Honorable mention: seminars with Senseis Tom Crone and Michelle Holtze
  • Chen Tai Chi Chaun, 1999 to 2000, under Rand Adams
  • Chi Gong, 1999 to 2000, under Rand Adams
  • Capuraginga Capoeira, 2000-2001, at the Warrior's Cove
    • Honorable mention: 2001 Batizado with Mestre Loka, founder of Capoeira Capuraginga, and with Mestrando Jamaika
  • Inayan Escrima, 2000 to 2007, under Chris McWethy
  • Shinbudo Crosstraining, 1998 to 2002, 2006 to 2007, under David Arnebeck
  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 1998 to 2002, 2006 to 2007, under David Arnebeck
    • Honorable mention: seminars with Rodrigo Vaghi, Wellington "Megaton" Diaz, Pedro Sauer, John Machado, Ricco Rodriguez
  • Rennaissance Martial Arts, 2007, under ARMA
    • Honorable mention: NTP 1.0 seminar with John Clements, founder of ARMA
  • FlowFighting, 2004 to 2008, under Scott Sonnon
    • Honorable mention: workshops with CST Head Coaches Ryan Hurst (judo), Brandon Jones (boxing), Scott Sonnon (sambo), Ryan Murdock (ninjutsu and multiple attackers), Dan Chomycia (multiple attackers), Joseph Wilson (kickboxing)
  • Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido, 2010, Bally Total Martial Arts

Miscellaneous

  • CPR/AED/First Aid certified since 2004
  • Get In Gear 10k Run/Walk, April 2007, finished in 1:01:43 (averaging 9:55 per mile) with less than two months of preparation. Trained two clients for 5k event the same day, and they finished with new personal records!