About your teacher:
This program has been created from my passion and love of Thai healing arts and medicine. Since 2005 I have been a licensed massage therapist, and a student and lover of Thai massage. In early 2021 I relocated to Tucson from Portland, OR and opened a lovely residential massage studio and classroom on the NE side of town. During these last 19 years I have made several educational forays to Thailand, and have led groups of students to Northern Thailand and Chiang Mai for study trips. With over 800 hours of advanced Thai massage study, I have had the privilege of studying in Thailand with Ajahn Pichest Boonthumme, at ITM, Loi Kroh, Om Sala, the Old Medicine Hospital, and in Portland, OR with Nephyr Jacobsen at the Naga Center, Alli Longstreth Lurie, Chris Ray, Tevijjo Yogi, Janice Gagnon, and Gretchen Hogue, and study Reusi Dat Ton with David Wells.

My bodywork practice and my teachings are unique in that they are rooted in my long term studies of Thai massage as medicine, and because of this my classes contain Thai massage knowledge that you won’t typically find in the west or even in schools in Thailand that are geared for the tourist. Traditionally, Thai massage is one part of several therapies that aim to heal the whole person; body, mind, and spirit. Some of these therapies include working the layers of the body (skin, tissue, sen, bone and organs) according to Thai anatomy, sen work, neuromuscular release points, range of motion, therapeutic (and fun) stretches, wind gate work, arterial compressions, Tok Sen, compressions, scarf work, loving kindness practice and the Brahmaviharas, Buddhism, Reusi Dat Ton, breath, mantra, meditation, and more! While I often teach using a sequence, I encourage my students to eventually let the sequence go and trust their intuition to meet each person they touch with skilled, healing presence. I have a strong background in meditation, both Buddhist and secular, and Hatha yoga, all of which are part and parcel of my massage practice and teaching. Thai massage is my favorite bodywork modality, and I am so deeply happy to be able to share it, and my practice, with you. 

Intensive trainings like this are an incredible, life changing experience. In 2018-2019 I went through the 300 hour Thai Massage Specialist Program at the Naga Center. The program was what exactly I needed to expand and deepen my practice and I am forever grateful for the in depth training I received. I understand the time, expense and dedication needed for these kinds of programs, so please know that I value and honor what it takes for you to be a part of this course. You won’t be disappointed!