Training & Background

Even before training at Cumberland Institute of Health and Wellness, my interest in massage has been an ongoing pursuit through much of my life.  My training centered around greeting each client with awareness, presence, intent, and creating a safe space for the client to relax and self-heal.  While at Cumberland, I studied Swedish, Acupressure, Advanced Techniques, Lymphatic Drainage, Reflexology, Integrative Therapies and Neuromuscular Therapy. 

Although I come from southern Indiana, Nashville has been my home for 8 years.  My move to massage comes after 6 years in a software corporation.  I have always had an interest in massage, and in the past few years, while I worked in the corporate world, I have begun a journey of inner exploration and assessment.   Management of teams of people is rewarding in aiding employee development.  However, in looking inward, I discovered I wanted to focus on the emotional and spiritual facets of life.  One of the things that has always drawn me to massage is its holistic nature – the mind is fully embodied, and partners with the spirit and the body to facilitate self-healing. 

The study of massage draws together information from various cultures and time periods, and links the physical, emotional and spiritual sides of people – just as my study of religion did.  I graduated from Transylvania University, a small liberal arts college in Lexington Kentucky with a B.A in philosophy and religion.  From Vanderbilt University, I obtained a master’s degree in religion – focusing on the a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of religion.  In my study of religion, I relished the diversity of religions and the many messages and approaches they take to spiritual life – I also enjoyed exploring the perspectives of other cultures and approaches to the study of religion. 

Both of my areas of study – massage and religion – address multiple dimensions of what it means to be human.  Both also represent vast differences in culture and time periods that are synergistically combined into a full field of knowledge and experience.    - heather