"Be the change you want to see in the world."  Gandhi

 

 

 

Eloise Albrecht

Eloise has been rubbing people the right way since 1975. She went to school for massage in Gainesville, Florida in 1994, and has been working steadily as a massage therapist ever since. She has trained in many different modalities - NMT, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Trager, Deep Tissue, Reiki, etc. - but most enjoys her own style: 'sneaky deep tissue'. "Deep tissue massage does not have to be painful - in fact, when you actually get to the level of sensation that is pain, you are doing more injury than good," says Eloise. "What I laughingly refer to as 'sneaky deep tissue' refers to the idea that the muscles let go at their own pace, and when the therapist follows the muscles 'lead', instead of forcing them, deep work can happen that will hold longer and bring about true transformation."  Eloise was involved in the formation of our school 10 years ago, and was one of the first teachers here. She went back to the East Coast and became a New York State acupuncturist, but we are thrilled to have her back teaching her “sneaky deep tissue” once again!

 

Elyse Briggs, RYT, LMT. NCTMB, RTT

Elyse is a Registered Yoga Teacher, Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, a Licensed Massage Therapist and teacher with a private practice in Glendale,

CA, holding certificates in Medical Technology, Massage Therapy and has received her teaching certificate in Thai Massage from Thai Masters while studying for many years in Thailand. She travels yearly to Thailand with students of Thai Massage providing opportunity to study as she continues her own studies with the Masters. Elyse was on the faculty of the Massage School of Santa Monica since 1996 until it’s closing and is the owner of Yoga at the Village in Glendale.

 

Dan Cohen, LMT

Dan has had a long-term interest in bodywork for health.  His first massage class was in Hawaii over thirty years ago. In 1999 he finally got certification from Touch Therapy Institute.  Since then he has been working professionally and continuing his studies.  This study has taken him to places as diverse as Sedona, AZ, Japan & China.  He is presently studying Myofascial Release here at Hands on Healing Institute.  Dan has developed the “Touch of Jade” lymphatic treatment using traditional Chinese rollers combined with Western lymphatic drainage techniques. He enjoys the healing arts, finding great reward in helping others to improve their quality of life through bodywork.

 

Gloria Flores CST-D, HHP

Gloria received her massage certification from HHI. She has a private practice in Montrose, CA specializing in CranioSacral Therapy. She is certified by the Upledger Institute as both a Techniques and Diplomate level CranioSacral Therapist. She is also an Upledger approved Study Group Leader, and an Upledger Workshop Speaker and Presenter. Gloria is board certified as a Holistic Health Practitioner by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners; she is a certified Quantum-Touch Practitioner and a licensed Spiritual Health Coach. As an Alternative Medicine author, Gloria has had several articles published on the benefits of CranioSacral Therapy.

 

Robert Garza, LMT

Robert has lived in Hawaiian Islands for most of his life.   He graduated from the University of Hawaii with a degree in Liberal Studies in 1995.  He continued his education at the Maui School of Therapeutic Massage in 1997.  After massage school, he had the unique opportunity to study with practitioners of Hawaiian Medicine (Kahun La’qu lapa’av).  Lomilomi is the bodywork of the Hawaiian people.  Robert has taught Lomilomi and Hawaiian Hot Stone Therapy in California for 6 years.

 

Tom Hambright

Tom was drawn to Hands on Healing for his initial Certified Massage Therapist education, after years in the corporate/computer world.  He followed a calling reinforced by many friends throughout the years who commenting on his gifted touch.  After graduating in March 2005, he then pursued Myofascial Release & Myofascial Trigger Points as his preferred modalities. Tom has taken many John F. Barnes MFR seminars since then, and has been working at a physical therapy office providing MFR for more than 4 years. Tom teaches the Trigger Point classes at Hands on Healing, as well as the Myofascial Therapeutic Stretching class.

 

K. John McEnany, H.H.P

John offers a blending of:  Neuro-Muscular, Myofascial Release, Sports Injury Recovery, Reflexology, Trigger Point Therapy, Touch For Health, Reiki, Acupressure, Craniosacral & more. Graduating from the Utah College of Massage Therapy in 1997 with 1,100 hous of training John started with a Chiropractor in Burbank & worked in office for five years along with a private practice and added to his knowledge of bodywork with continued education courses. Former Officer of the A.M.T.A. Vice Pres. of Education (L.A. chapter).  His focus is chronic pain reduction & improved range of motion.  John works with athletes & performers (cast of Riverdance, singers, dancers, martial artist, and marathon runners) helping improve performance & endurance. Specialized work for the elderly offered; and stroke/brain injury recovery, Pregnancy massage, delivery assistance, infant massage classes and Reiki Attunements.

 

Sharon Munatones, CMT

Sharon graduated from the Hands on Healing Institute's CMT Program in 2006 and continued to study while building her private practice and completing the HHI Teacher’s Training Program. Sharon loves the mind, body, spirit concept, nature and massage. With 18 years of counseling experience working in the mental health field as a behavioral counselor, with children’s programs for the YMCA and for Nino’s Earth Centro, an environmental awareness program, she has a realistic understanding of the issues that affect our mind/body/spirit connection in today’s world. Along with teaching classes and providing massage sessions, Sharon is also currently running The Health and Wellness Program for Community Care Center, an IMD hospital in Duarte, California. “With appreciation and gratitude I continue to develop my skills as a massage therapist while sharing with students and clients what my learning experiences have taught me,” says Sharon. Sharon holds certifications for various modalities such as: Aromatherapy, Gemstone Therapy, Crystal Therapy, Energy Healing, Reflexology, Vibration/Sound Therapy, Heated Stone Massage, Chair Massage, Thai Massage, and many more.

 

Frances Nicolais, LMT

Frances is our Director of Education and one of our original instructors.  Frances is the owner of the KELA-Kneaded Experience LA, a professional chair massage company in operation since 1995, staffed by many of our talented alumni.  She also is the owner of the Myofascial Release Center in Montrose, where she and several other MFR therapists share their love and respect for myofascial release with any willing participant!  Frances developed the 230-hour Focus on Fascia (myofascial release/trigger point) series at Hands on Healing and teaches them with as much passion and enthusiasm as any one person can! Frances also developed and co-teaches with Nora Stewart, the only 100-hour chair massage program in all Los Angeles.

 

Stefanie Sabounchian, AAR & ARCB Certified Reflexologist

Stefanie studied and practiced Reflexology for many years in her home country of Germany before she came to the United States in 2000. She earned her Professional Reflexology Certificate in Integrated Foot Hand Ear Reflexology from the American Academy of Reflexology in 2002 and is National Certified with the American Reflexology Certification Board. Stefanie is on the Board of Directors of the Reflexology Association of California and she has a thriving full time private Reflexology practice in Southern California. Stefanie teaches Foot Hand Ear Reflexology at several schools including the American Academy of Reflexology where her professionalism, passion for helping others and her genuine sincerity has endeared her to all of her students.

 

Andrea Schally, Aromatherapist, CMT

Andrea is Associate Director of HHI and a certified Aromatherapist, practicing in the United States since 1994, and originally from Austria. Andrea concentrates on healing with essential oils by revealing and unblocking physical, emotional, spiritual and mental imbalances in order to achieve homeostasis and restore the body's health. She had been studying essential oils for over 20 years and her knowledge of essential oils and their uses is extensive.  Andrea runs our Certified Massage Therapist programs and is the lead Swedish massage instructor. She is also the head of the Aromatherapy Program and teaches Crystal & Gemstone Therapy, as well as many other Swedish based classes.

 

Nora Stewart, LMT

Nora was moved to go into massage during a midlife time of transition.  “It was a calling!”, she says and she has never looked back.  Once graduating from Hands on Healing, she was strongly pulled towards Chair Massage and Myofascial Release, and spent several years as the General Manager of the Kneaded Experience LA, experts in the Los Angeles chair massage industry.  Nora currently supervises the massage department of Pro Fitness Network, a private gym in Pasadena, as well as being their lead massage therapist.  She is now sharing her extensive experience in the chair massage field, as one the instructors of our 100-hour structural chair massage program.

 

Mary Frances Spencer, LMT

Mary Frances began practicing Yoga in the early 1990's when she was experiencing high stress working as a designer in the textile industry. She continued with her Yoga during the pregnancies and after the birth of 2 children, and was certified to teach Hatha Yoga in 2001 by Naader Shagagi at Yoga Kingdom in Pasadena. Since then she has taught Mommy’s Me, All-levels Adult, and Children's Yoga classes at various yoga studios and schools in the LA/Pasadena area. In December 2004 she graduated from Hands on Healing Institute as a Certified Massage Therapist. She holds certifications in Thai Yoga massage, Kinesiology, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, and Chair Massage. She is also teaches Breath Awareness, Restorative Yoga and Expressive Movement at Hands on Healing. She seeks to encourage her students to work at their own level to build strength, increase flexibility, release blockages, and find peace and transformation.

 

Heather White

Heather was the Associate Director of HHI for many years, and delighted our students in teaching Swedish massage, energy healing, hot stone and meditation.  She grew up in a family that was very active in holistic therapies including energy medicine, which she has gone on to study and practice throughout her life. She began her meditation practice at age eight and traveled to Western Europe at age twelve teaching meditation for children. Heather has a degree in Philosophy from UCLA and has been studying and practicing the ways of the Tibetan Bön Buddhism tradition for the last fourteen years. Heather and Andrea both developed the famous HHI style Swedish massage, for which we are eternally grateful. Heather has moved out of the area, but returns often to teach the energy program.

 

 

To top of page

 

For Calendar Click Here

 

Hands on Healing Institute is approved by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education for MT150, MT250, MT500 Massage Therapy Programs and all continuing education courses.

 

Provider Approved by California Board of Registered Nursing.

 

MT150 & MT250 Programs are Approved for Veterans (Title 38).

 

 

 


 Aromatherapy Program | Chair Massage Program  | Deep Tissue Program | Energy Program | Focus on Fascia Program

 Introduction & Philosophy | Instructor Profiles | Admission Applications
Massage Therapy Programs | Advanced Electives
Recommended Reading & Resources| Schedules & Events | Testimonials | Contact Info | Links | Calendar