ABOUT ME

I came to bodywork through movement.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Oregon State University in 1998 and began my career working as a personal and group trainer. Many of the people I worked with were dealing with injuries, pain or physical limitations, and I found myself becoming increasingly interested in the hands-on side of helping them.

That eventually led me to become a licensed massage therapist and to begin integrating manual therapy with movement and exercise.

Over the years, my education has continued through the people I work with.

Early in my career, I spent a great deal of time studying biomechanics, posture, alignment and movement patterns. Those ideas gave me a useful foundation, but experience gradually made me less interested in finding one ideal way for a body to function.

People are too individual for that.

I have seen people with significant asymmetries move comfortably and people who appear beautifully aligned struggle with pain. I have also seen how much our bodies can adapt when they are given new information, new experiences and a little time.

That has shaped the way I think about my work today.

I strongly believe in exploration and experimentation. There are many useful ways to approach the body, but very few hard and fast rules that apply equally to everyone. What works extremely well for one person may not be particularly useful for another.

My role is not to provide all the answers. It is to bring my experience, observation and knowledge to the process and help each person discover what seems most useful for them.

That philosophy extends beyond my work. I have always enjoyed learning physical skills and exploring movement in different ways. Over the years that has included strength training, slacklining, martial arts, golf, kiteboarding, drumming, piano, guitar and working with my dogs.

I think being a student of movement myself has helped me appreciate something important: understanding often develops through experience rather than explanation alone.

After more than 25 years in this field, that continues to be what keeps the work interesting to me. There is always more to notice, more to learn and another way to look at something.

Background

Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science, Oregon State University, 1998.

Licensed Massage Therapist, Oregon School of Massage, 2001.

More than 25 years of experience in bodywork, movement and exercise.

Extensive continuing education in manual therapy, anatomy, biomechanics, movement and the nervous system.

I have spent the last 25 years studying soft tissue manual therapy, bodywork, exercise, movement, mobility, biomechanics and neurology. My passion is helping people move more efficiently and comfortably.

Certifications & Accomplishments

  • Bachelor of Science Exercise and Sport Science, Human Health Performance - Oregon State University, 1998

  • Oregon School of Massage, 2002

  • Licensed Massage Therapist #9601 - Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT), 2002

  • Chiropractic Assistant - Oregon Board of Chiropracic Examiners (OBCE), 2006

  • National Certification Board of Massage Therapy and Bodywork (NCBTMB), 2002

  • Certified Neurological Bodyworker, Diplomate American Functional Neurology Society, 2013

  • Associated Bodywork and Massage Practitioners (ABMP), 2000.

  • CrossFit Level 1 trainer