Student massage in Calgary
Student massage in Calgary with Jennifer, an Alberta College of Massage Therapy student: 60 min $60 up to 120 min $130. Not an RMT service, so no RMT receipt.
By The Renu lymphatic and massage team · 5 min read
Renu offers student massage with Jennifer Negoescu, a massage therapy student at the Alberta College of Massage Therapy who is completing her clinical hours at the clinic. Sessions are 60 minutes for $60, 75 for $70.50, 90 for $78.50 and 120 for $130. Student sessions are not Registered Massage Therapist services, so check your benefit plan before expecting to claim, and book an RMT instead for injuries, surgery recovery, swelling or pregnancy.
Student massage in Calgary at Renu means booking Jennifer Negoescu, a massage therapy student at the Alberta College of Massage Therapy who is completing her clinical hours with us. Her sessions cost roughly half of an RMT massage of the same length, and they come in four lengths, including a two-hour option. The trade-off is that a student session is not a Registered Massage Therapist service. This page explains who Jennifer is, what the lower price buys, what it does not, and when you should book an RMT instead.
Who your student practitioner is
Jennifer is not new to bodywork. Before training in Calgary, she owned and operated a holistic bodywork practice in Los Angeles, working with a varied clientele who came for both therapeutic relief and restorative care. She describes bodywork as running in her family, with healers on both sides.
She now brings that experience to formal training at the Alberta College of Massage Therapy, and her clinical hours are done at Renu. Her approach, in her own published words, is calm and attentive: helping the nervous system shift out of protective tension so the body can release what it has been holding. Her sessions may address:
- stress-related tension;
- postural strain from desks, driving or screens;
- general muscular discomfort;
- circulation and recovery support.
She puts a lot of weight on clear communication and on meeting each person where their body is that day. You can read her full profile on our team page.
Student massage prices at Renu
Student sessions are the lowest-priced massage on our menu, and the longer lengths are especially good value.
| Length | Student massage | RMT massage, same length |
|---|---|---|
| 60 min | $60 | $120 |
| 75 min | $70.50 | $141 |
| 90 min | $78.50 | $157 |
| 120 min | $130 | Not offered |
The 90-minute student session works out to less than 90 cents a minute, the lowest per-minute rate we have. The 120-minute session is the only two-hour massage on our menu, which some people use for an unhurried full-body session with time for feet, hands and scalp. If you would like more ways to keep massage costs down, see affordable massage in Calgary.
What the lower price does not include
The main difference is the receipt, and it matters if you plan to claim. A student session is not provided by a Registered Massage Therapist, so you should not expect an RMT receipt from it, and a plan that pays for RMT massage may not accept it. Read your plan wording, or ask your provider, before you book on the assumption that it will be reimbursed. Our page on student massage clinics and insurance receipts explains the reasoning insurers use.
It helps to know how the RMT credential works in Alberta. The Massage Therapist Association of Alberta’s active RMT membership requires a two-year, 2,200-hour diploma in massage therapy, along with first aid and CPR, a criminal record check and other documents. Alberta has not yet regulated massage therapy as a health profession; the association reports that its regulation application reached the stage of Minister Review as of March 2025, and that the RMT title is not protected until regulation is proclaimed. A student is still working through that training, which is why the title, the receipt and the price are all different.
For a side-by-side look at the two kinds of session, read student massage vs RMT massage.
When to book an RMT instead
A student session suits general tension and relaxation. It is not the right choice when you need clinical care that depends on advanced training. Book one of our RMTs, or a lymphatic therapist, if you:
- are recovering from surgery or have new swelling;
- have lymphedema, lipedema or have had lymph nodes removed;
- are pregnant (our prenatal massage is adapted for each stage);
- have a recent injury, or ongoing pain you want assessed and treated;
- need an RMT receipt for a benefit plan or another claim.
Talk to your doctor before any massage, student or RMT, if you have had a blood clot, throbbing pain and swelling in one leg, osteoporosis, or are in cancer treatment. NCCIH notes that the risk of harm from massage appears to be low, but rare serious side effects such as blood clots, nerve injuries and fractures have been reported, sometimes with vigorous techniques or in more vulnerable people such as older adults. NCCIH also suggests asking about a practitioner’s training, experience and credentials; Jennifer is open about being a student, and you are welcome to ask her about her training.
What to expect on the day
A student massage at Renu feels much like any other massage here. You will be asked about your health and what you would like from the session, you undress to your comfort level and are draped with sheets throughout, and pressure is adjusted as you go. Speak up if anything is too much: Cleveland Clinic’s advice is that if a technique does not feel therapeutic but simply feels like pain, you should say so. Some mild soreness for a few hours to about a day and a half is common after massage.
Booking a student massage
Jennifer has her own Jane booking page, linked from her profile on our team page; choose the length you want. We are in West Hillhurst on 19 Street NW, open seven days, with free street parking. If you are not sure whether a student session or an RMT appointment suits what you need, call us at 403-270-2111 and we will help you decide.
Questions people ask
Is the two-hour student massage the full 120 minutes on the table?
The 120-minute student massage is booked as a 120-minute appointment at $130. If you want to know how the time is used, including any talk at the start, ask when you book.
Can I book a student massage as a gift for someone?
Call the clinic to ask about arranging a session for someone else. Make sure the person knows it is a student session, so they do not expect an RMT receipt.
Can I switch from a student massage to an RMT later?
Yes. Many people try both, and you can book any of our Registered Massage Therapists at any time if you need RMT receipts or treatment for a specific condition.
Does Jennifer do deep tissue?
Her published approach is calm and attentive, focused on helping the nervous system let go of protective tension, and she tailors each session to you. Tell her the pressure you like, and if you want firm, focused clinical work, an RMT session may suit you better.
Sources
Page reviewed October 5, 2026. This page is education, not a diagnosis. For your own situation, talk to your doctor, surgeon or care team, or ask us.
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