The Sheremeta Self-Stretching Method (SSM)
Created by Taras Sheremeta, method is built on years of clinical application, competitive excellence, and real-world implementation within the massage therapy profession.
Taras is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Illinois, a six-time medalist in professional massage championships held in the United States, and was recognized by the International Beauty Association in 2022 as one of the Top 10 Best Massage Therapists in Europe.
Today, SSM principles are actively implemented by 30+ massage therapists across the United States and internationally, supporting practitioners in maintaining physical capacity, improving biomechanical efficiency, and sustaining consistent clinical performance under demanding workloads. Based on documented practitioner feedback and real-world implementation, SSM continues to grow as a structured professional system for long-term sustainability in manual therapy.
Why SSM Exists
The Sheremeta Self-Stretching Method (SSM) was developed from a critical observation: many gifted therapists leave the field prematurely because their bodies succumb to physical strain. SSM is engineered to solve this industry-wide challenge. By weaving targeted stretching, postural precision, and biomechanical adjustments into your active workflow, this method minimizes cumulative fatigue and optimizes movement efficiency. It preserves the vital physical capacity your practice relies on. This is not a post-work recovery routine. This is active structural preservation as you treat.
Core Principles of SSM
Dynamic Stability
Active In-Session Recovery
Kinetic Efficiency
Flow with movement, not against it. SSM empowers therapists to maintain perfect alignment via fluid micro-adjustments, expert weight transfer, and postural refinement. This approach eliminates static overload while sharpening your clinical precision.
Heal while you work. Unlike passive recovery, SSM integrates controlled self-stretching directly into client contact. You will learn to rejuvenate your tissues without disrupting your pressure, flow, or the continuity of the therapeutic session.
Harness biomechanics, not muscle effort. SSM trains you to utilize body weight, center-of-gravity control, and kinetic-chain mechanics. Deliver powerful, consistent pressure while protecting your hands, shoulders, and spine from burnout.
Interactive Online Training Guide
Zoom Portal
Once your application is submitted, we will contact you to verify eligibility and coordinate your schedule. You will then receive a private Zoom link alongside preparation guidelines. Please ensure a high-speed internet connection with active audio and video to facilitate comprehensive real-time biomechanical analysis and feedback.
Camera Setup
Set your camera at an elevated angle to ensure your full posture and biomechanics are clearly visible.
Live Practicum Setup
To ensure immediate practical results, participants must have a live client available during the Zoom session. I will personally analyze your mechanics and provide professional biomechanical corrections to your workflow and client contact at no extra cost.
Intensive Chicago Labs
Experience SSM through immersive, hands-on training in the Chicagoland area or at exclusive workshops across the US. Each session features a personalized biomechanical audit, postural recalibration, and real-time structural feedback. These labs are designed to protect your physical health while significantly elevating the quality and longevity of your professional manual practice.
Select Your Training Path
Live Coaching
Virtual Mastery
$399
Master SSM protocols from any location via personalized Zoom workshops focused on biomechanical precision and active self-stretching.
Hands-On
Regional Workshop
$599
Immersive clinical training in Chicagoland. Includes deep-dive biomechanical assessments and advanced SSM methodology for professionals.
Elevate Your Career
This is not a pre-recorded course or a generic seminar. Every SSM session is delivered live and tailored to your specific working style. Our focus is on direct observation and immediate practical application, ensuring you improve from the very first hour. Choose your format to begin.
Professional Insights
Does the training offer CE credits currently?
Not yet. SSM is currently undergoing the approval process with Continuing Education (CE) providers. Once accredited, the certification framework and pricing will be adjusted to reflect those educational credits.
What is the session length?
Duration varies by format: • 90–120 minutes for private virtual coaching • 2–4 hours for regional hands-on workshops • Half-day or full-day intensives for group clinics and professional teams
Is this a new massage modality or a technique?
Neither. SSM is a proprietary biomechanical operating system. It is designed to be integrated into your current expertise, whether you practice Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, or any other manual therapy.
Can I train if I am currently dealing with pain or an injury?
Typically, yes. Many therapists seek SSM specifically to resolve work-related strain in the wrists, neck, or lower back. Each training session is individually adapted to your specific movement patterns, physical needs, and current professional workload.
What Licensed Therapists Are Saying
After implementing the Sheremeta Self-Stretching Method across our team of 11 massage therapists, we observed noticeably lower physical fatigue, improved consistency in treatment quality, and an average increase of 2–3 additional sessions per therapist per day—without compromising service quality.
SSM has become an essential part of our operational standards.
Before SSM, physical fatigue in my shoulders limited my workload. After integrating the method into my deep tissue practice, I was able to increase my schedule from 5 clients per day to 6+ clients daily, while maintaining the same pressure, consistency, and quality of work.
What stands out about SSM is its ability to integrate controlled self-stretching directly into active treatment—something relatively uncommon in our field. From both a biomechanical and educational perspective, I consider SSM a meaningful and practical contribution to the massage profession