MY PRACTICE

I have been practicing massage therapy for about 25 years, in between returning to school and raising children. I originally trained in California in a basic Swedish style massage. Further experience exposed me to Esalen (developed by the Esalen Institute in California, see Definitions) and I consider the continuous touch of Esalen to be essential and fundamental to an un-interrupted and free flowing massage, and routinely incorporate it into my sessions.

The client's preferences are always paramount, and I am happy to provide you with a more invigorating massage instead of a relaxing type if that is your desire. I typically include aspects of accupressure and shiatsu to areas of specific problems, though I do not practice a pure massage of either type. I also use some reflexology techniques for targeted problem areas if desired. I also believe that 'cranio-sacral therapy', 'bioenergetics' and 'therapeutic touch' (See Definitions) are critical aspects of a truly effective massage, and routinely incorporate them all in my sessions.

While massage induces relaxation in the client, it can ALSO at times can induce an almost trance-like state in ME. I believe that it is very beneficial to be on the receiving end of massage at these times, because of heightened awareness and connection I have with you then. While I will not claim to be psychic, or a healer per se, I do believe that areas I instincively tend to linger over are areas that need the attention. My massages are very fluid, due to these naturally occurring intuitive aspects, and I believe it is exactly this 'intuition' that guides the course of your massage for the best outcome.

* Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, 1971

HPH's nurse's training program provided me with an essential background and body of knowledge that became invaluable when I began the study of massage. The coursework heavily emphasized anatomy, physiology and nutrition; and provided a solid foundation from which to build.

* Aesculapia West School of Massage, 1981

Here I learned the basic techniques and modalities of massage, with heavy emphasis on the muscular and nervous systems. I also learned trigger point and accupressure point therapy, and some reflexology.

* Indiana University, 1988-1992

I entered a degree program with a double major in anthropology and history. In anthropology I studied archaeology, with a focus on physical anthropology. My main areas of interest were osteology (study of bones), paleopathology (study of disease in the remains of historic and prehistoric man) and forensic anthropology. At that time, there were fewer than 100 certified forensic anthropologists in the country. In history, my area of study was the medieval era, with specific focus on disease, epidemiology and early types of medical intervention. I came to Milwaukee as part of a field school sponsored by Marquette University to excavate the old county grounds pauper's cemetery.

* Bloomington Massage Co-op, 1988

While at Indiana University, I co-founded and helped run the Bloomington Massage Co-op. Its purpose was to promote massage as an integral portion of one's lifestyle and met weekly for three years. We did not charge, and offered massage to anyone who walked in. It was a free exchange of modalities, technique and information for practicing therapists as well as laymen. Since then, weve all scattered to different parts of the country, but I still use my old hand-made table!

* Became NCTMB certified, 1995.

The designation "Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork" indicates that the therapist has met certain basic standards in terms of knowledge and training or experience, and has subscribed to a code of ethics. This is currently the highest certification available to massage therapists, and indicates that one has achieved a degree of excellence in study and practice of massage.