About this course
At the Toronto Lymphatic Academy (TLA), we’re passionate about teaching practitioners how to support their clients through the power of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). In this training, you’ll learn the theory and practical techniques to effectively drain the face, neck, and full body—unlocking transformative health outcomes for your clients.
Why is this so impactful? Imagine helping someone with concussions, brain fog, or sinusitis find relief through effective lymphatic drainage. By optimizing fluid pressure, MLD moves stagnant fluids carrying toxins, pathogens, and waste while delivering essential nutrients, hormones, and healing compounds to tissues.
The results?
A healthier terrain and often significant symptom improvement.
This skill set is invaluable for clients dealing with autoimmune conditions, IBS, skin issues, infertility, or those recovering from chronic stress. MLD combines the calming effects of parasympathetic activation with the powerful physical benefits of fluid movement, giving clients the support they need as they work on improving their overall lifestyle.
Through this course, you'll gain a deep understanding of the TLA philosophy, exploring the intricate connections between the nervous system and metabolic function. We'll also examine the close relationship between the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems, which work together to support overall health.
You’ll also learn essential techniques for working with post-op and pregnant clients, and we’ll dive into important conversations about common pathologies, the medical benefits of MLD, and how to educate your community.
We’ll even guide you on finding your niche and positioning yourself as an expert, so you can confidently serve the unique needs of those who walk through your clinic doors. Join us to diversify your skills and make a meaningful difference in your clients' lives. Our friends at Hotel Victoria provide a healthy lunch on both days. You'll have a chance to share any dietary restrictions during registration.
Why This Training Matters
You got into this work to help people feel better in their bodies — not to run yourself into the ground.
Whether you’re a manual therapist with overworked wrists or a holistic practitioner looking to deepen your impact, the lymphatic system is one of the most powerful (and underutilized) systems in the body. Our programs give you the tools to support real transformation — for your clients and for your career.
Common challenges our students face:
You're working hard, but feel capped financially.
Your body is burning out from hands-on work.
You’re ready to offer more than surface-level results.
You want a niche that sets you apart — and pays you what you’re worth.
Dates
This course will take place on July 12 + 13, 2025.
Duration
Our trainings run over two days, from 10 AM to 5 PM each day, typically scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.
Sample Schedule
Day 2
10 AM - 11 AM - Review
11 AM - 12 PM - Students practice on models
12 PM - 1 PM - Lunch from Hotel Victoria
1 PM - 5 PM - Students take turns practicing on each other
Day 1
10 AM - 12 PM - Theory
12 PM - 1 PM - Lunch from Hotel Victoria
1 PM - 4 PM - Teacher demonstration of steps
4 PM - 5 PM - Q+ A
Modules
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Explore the deep connection between the autonomic nervous system and metabolic function. When working with clients whose goals are to improve regulation, detoxification, and repair, understanding how to nurture their nervous systems and bodies to best support positive health outcomes is a skill we dive into refining. Enjoy this scientific, yet deeply heart-centred conversation and expand your confidence in regulating your clinic environment to best support your clients’ ability to fully engage with optimizing visceral organ function and genetic expression.
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Discover the intricacies of the circulatory system, a vital network composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood, responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste throughout the body. This sophisticated system facilitates crucial functions like maintaining homeostasis and regulating body temperature and includes the lymphatic system, which is essential for returning excess fluid to the bloodstream. With the heart as its central pump and a variety of blood vessels — arteries, veins, and capillaries — working in harmony, the cardiovascular system ensures that every cell receives the sustenance it needs to thrive.
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At the Toronto Lymphatic Academy, we provide fundamental training on how the nervous and lymphatic systems work together, and how environmental triggers and stress can impact metabolic function and the body’s ability to heal. Many of our clients face unresolved trauma, chronic stress, and a nervous system often stuck in a fight-or-flight state. This sympathetic dominance can make it difficult for the body to shift into its parasympathetic self-healing mode.
As manual lymphatic practitioners, we have a unique opportunity to create a safe, regulated environment that encourages healing and restoration. Our approach equips you with the knowledge of both the nervous and lymphatic systems and provides you with the tools to help clients understand how this holistic method can support their recovery journey.
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The lymphatic system is a complex network of tissues and organs that play a crucial role in the body’s immune system and fluid balance. In this module, you will learn the anatomy of the lymphatic system, how it connects to the circulatory system, how disease presents when fluids are stagnant, its role in the emulsification of fats, and where lymph goes when it is drained.
What makes lymphatic drainage different than other styles of massage is the sequence and direction of massage strokes. Learn the laws of watersheds, meaning how to approach the pressure, rhythm and direction of specific pathways to facilitate lymphatic drainage.
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Manual lymphatic drainage has several benefits. In this module students learn which conditions are supported by MLD, how it promotes healing, reduces pain, supports immunity and transports key nutrients to tissues around the body. Although this modality is very safe, you will learn the absolute and relative contraindications.
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In the practical part of the training, students are first shown the steps of face, neck and full body drainage by the instructors. After, each student will have a chance to both receive and give the massage to learn the appropriate pressure, movements and sequence. Your instructors offer one-on-one guidance on both days 1 and 2.
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At the Toronto Lymphatic Academy, we understand that mastering any skill takes practice and support. That’s why we offer access to future training sessions (on the Sunday of the trainings) at no additional cost to our students. We’re also here to answer your questions—whether about refining your technique (send us videos, we love to provide feedback!), marketing your services, setting your pricing, or anything else you need.
Graduation is just the beginning. Our commitment to you doesn’t end when the course does. We're dedicated to supporting you as you launch and grow your career in manual lymphatic drainage, ensuring you have the confidence and resources to succeed.
Accepted Payment Methods
Register for our Foundational MLD Training
In-Person Training: 2 days, 10 am - 6 pm
About This Course
Learn the theory and practical steps to offer face, neck, and full-body lymphatic drainage in your practice. Understand the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic, circulatory, and nervous systems, and learn which tools and oils you’ll need to purchase to launch your new business confidently!
At the Toronto Lymphatic Academy, our foundational level 1 course is required to take any other course. However, once you complete level 1 you can take any other courses in any order you wish!
Payment Plans
Flexible payment options are available through Klarna at checkout. Simply select Klarna to view the payment options available to you. Eligibility, payment terms, and any applicable interest are determined by Klarna.