MASSAGE THERAPY AND RELATED BODYWORK
Lotus
Center massage therapists…
- are licensed by
the State of Arizona
- are graduates of accredited
and respected massage schools with high academic standards
- are members of the respected American Massage Therapy
Association
- regularly attend continuing
education courses, often beyond the number of hours required for
licensing
Laura Key, LMT,
NCTMB
Massage Therapy
Laura received her Massage Therapy Certificate from the Desert Institute
of the Healing Arts, where she graduated with over 1150 hours of
training. In addition, she has a B.A. in psychology, an M.S. in ecology and
evolutionary biology, and over 20 years professional experience in
the field of environmental education. She considers her work as a
massage therapist and as founder of Lotus Center, as well as her
previous work in environmental education, to be ways of living in
accord with her personal values and contributing toward healing our
world. Laura has lived in the Tucson area since 1980. She treasures
massage as a valuable tool for healing physical problems, releasing
mental and emotional stress from the recent and distant past, and
being more present in the body and in the moment. Her intention as
a professional therapist is to help others experience the potential
of massage and bodywork in all these ways.
Melissa Buckheit, LMT, NCTMB
Massage Therapy
Melissa graduated from the Providence Institute in 2009, where she studied traditional Western massage therapy, as well as Eastern and alternative bodywork modalities. She also holds her BA in English and American Literature / Creative Writing, Theater/Dance and French, from Brandeis University in Boston and her MFA in Poetry / Creative Writing, from Naropa University in Boulder. In addition to her work in the healing arts, Melissa is an adjunct lecturer in literature and creative writing at Pima Community College and an instructor at Zuzi Dance Company and School. She has also previously worked and volunteered with diverse organizations in the nonprofit social services. Melissa believes that massage and bodywork therapy requires a balanced dynamic of somatic and verbal communication between therapist and client. She specializes in integrative massage using myofascial release, trigger point therapy, orthopedic assessment, Swedish massage, as well as Shiatsu and cranial-sacral techniques, to address the whole being, from postural concerns, to injury, pain, and the mind/body connection. Melissa enjoys prenatal and elder massage and working with clients on long-term wellness goals. She is also a published poet, translator, and photographer.
Ingrid Klune, LMT
Massage Therapy
Ingrid received her Massage Therapy certificate from The Providence Institute in Tucson in 2007 and became fully certified in Manual Lymph Drainage in 2012. A native Chicagoan, Ingrid received an M.A. in anthropology from Northern Illinois University. She moved to Tucson in 2001 to pursue a career as an archaeologist. When she decided to change careers, she discovered she had a true gift and passion for massage therapy. Ingrid works with the belief that with the right combination of knowledge and compassion, massage can be an effective method of relieving physical and emotional pain, decreasing stress, and increasing one’s sense of overall well-being. She specializes in deep tissue massage, sports massage, hot stone treatments, Swedish massage, pre-natal massage, and manual lymph drainage. Ingrid has also had basic training in cranio-sacral therapy and Chi Nei Tsang, and plans to pursue further training in each of these modalities. Her personal interests include gardening, belly dance, sewing, reading, and of course, archaeology.
Ellen Rose Kuhn , LMT
Massage Therapy
Ellen received her certificate in massage therapy from the Cortiva Institute in Tucson. She also holds BA and MS degrees in psychology and human development counseling from Syracuse University and Vanderbilt University. Ellen came to the southwest from California and New York where she practiced as a behavioral health therapist. Ellen's focus is on promoting wellness and joy through therapeutic touch for mind and body. She continues to delve deeper into the aesthetic and technical aspects of massage and currently practices modalities that include Swedish massage, myofascial release, hot stones, prenatal and trigger point therapy. Ellen enjoys working with a diversity of clients. Besides her work in massage, she enjoys interacting with her children, hiking, writing, rollerblading, swimming and occasionally skydiving.
Greg Nichols, LMT
Massage Therapy
Greg received his massage therapy certificate through Cortiva Institute (formally the Desert Institute of the Healing Arts). He is a Tucson native with a love of the desert and outdoor activities like hiking and camping. Greg has a strong background in mechanical service and repair, and has learned to apply his excellent diagnostic abilities to planning effective massage treatments. He is enthusiastic about learning new skills and is always looking for ways to further his education. Greg is passionate about massage therapy because he loves being able to work with his hands and see the positive changes he can make in clients’ physical wellbeing. He is trained in general Swedish massage, sports massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and muscle energy techniques.
Jeff Tambor, LMT, NCTMB
Massage Therapy and Energy Work
Jeff received his Massage Therapy certification from the Sedona School of Massage. He began his formal training in bodywork and energy work, his true passions, after spending six years in the field of youth development and outdoor adventure. Jeff had been interested in massage from a young age and his focus only intensified as he began his personal study of health and wellness. He believes strongly in the power of massage to stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms, bring greater self awareness and embodiment, and aid in releasing stress and tension from all levels of being – body, mind and spirit. Jeff is an avid reader, hiker, backpacker and a new father, and is passionate about his personal practice of meditation, Qi Gong, self-exploration and growth. Jeff’s bodywork interests include therapeutic and deep tissue massage, injury management and recovery, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, reflexology, and cranial-sacral therapy. Also, he has studied several energy work modalities and is able to integrate them in uniquely tailored and highly effective combinations.
Beryl Varno, LMT
Massage Therapy
Beryl began her bodywork career in 1989 in Vermont. While working as a chiropractic assistant for three years, she completed a six month training course with a local massage therapist. Internally compelled to bring quality therapeutic massage to her clients, Beryl knew there was more knowledge to be gained by attending a nationally certified school. She moved to Tucson to attend the Desert Institute of the Healing Arts (DIHA), where she graduated from a 1000-hour program in 1997. Beryl's passion for her profession developed into a teaching career at DIHA and Cortiva Institute from 2002 through 2010. Teaching gave her the ideal means of returning her gratitude for "the work" to future massage therapists. Now in her 23rd year of practice, Beryl offers therapeutic massage with adjunct therapies including sports massage, senior massage, and cancer and post-cancer massage for survivors and their caregivers. Beryl is a recumbent bicycle enthusiast who appreciates Tucson's weather and numerous bike paths.
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