What made you decided to become a massage therapist?
It was a long process. I did a lot of research into different possible medical fields. I discovered that massage therapy is a great way to help people feel good. Then I did a lot of research into massage schools and settled on Florida School of Massage Therapy in Gainsville, Florida. The program there is awareness-based and provided me with the knowledge I needed to help the whole person. It had a more holistic approach to massage therapy.
What sets you apart as a practitioner?
I think it's important for me to really understand and work with what the client's needs are and to help facilitate positive change in whatever direction they want to go.
What aspect of healing are you most interested in?
Working with different levels of discomfort or pain caused by soft tissue imbalances or injuries and working to give space to the connective tissue.
How did you arrive in Asheville?
Asheville's been on my radar for a long time as a great place to live. I moved here from New Jersey about two years ago. I think I was looking for a greater sense of community and I found it here.
What's your favorite nature spot in Asheville?
I think my favorite is Graveyard Fields. The drive out there is one of the most beautiful I've ever taken in my life and the water is cold and refreshing.
What do you love about Asheville?
I love the importance of community, the good, healthy food choices, and the appreciation for healthy lifestyle and wellness.
What is your philosophy about health?
I believe that health and wellness is a delicate balance of how we live our lives and treat our bodies. This balance includes lifestyle, food choices, rest, and preventive medicine.
What do you like about working at the Center for Holistic Medicine?
I love the peaceful atmosphere, the great support from the community, and the opportunity to work with excellent practitioners from other holistic health modalities.
What's your favorite music?
I love all kinds of good music, anything that is positive and danceable and makes me feel good when I dance to it. This includes anything from bluegrass to hip hop to european dance music.
What are your hobbies?
I like dance, photography, swimming, and exploring the mountains of North Carolina.
How has your practice evolved over time?
I began working in spas to get exposure to a high volume of patients to get as much experience as I could. Over time I started to really enjoy seeing someone that might have years of chronic pain or discomfort in their body leave feeling better than they have in a long time. Because of that, I've started to focus more and more on learning new techniques and working to correct imbalances that might be contributing to their condition. Now in my own practice I really appreciate having the time and space to discover what a patient's goals are and to work with them to support healthy lifestyle changes.
What were you doing before you entered your field?
I always enjoyed working with people and was actually in retail sales designing home theaters. The human connection part was cool but I wanted something more rewarding and I really wanted to help people with the things more important in life.
What is the most common response after a treatment?
My patients say that they have a feeling of more space and movement, that their pain is reduced and that they have increased flexibility. Some even say that they feel lighter.
xxxx