NHI Massages at Nike Women’s Marathon
Over 100 NHI students, staff, and graduates massaged at the 2009 Nike Women’s Marathon. The marathon raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Our Sports Massage Team gave over 1,000 massages on race day and another 1,200 massages during the accompanying 3-day Expo. Runners appreciated the work and our students received valuable experience. Big thanks to the NHI staffers who made this happen: Lucas, Beth, Al, Jenna, Laura, Conrad, Jaime, and the many others who contributed throughout. As an added bonus, all volunteers took home a free pair of Nike shoes!
- Mt. Fuji rises over a mountain of Nike shoes.
Click Here for more pictures of the Nike Marathon massage experience.
November 12, 2008 No Comments
Group 57 Graduates
NHI congratulates its most recent massage therapy graduates: Kristine Arismendy, Suzanne Bose, Ottavia D’Alelio, Eliza Duncan, Amanda Fernandez, Zach Hamel, Maria Hernandez, Kim Hixon, Hillary Holweg, Lesia Lopez, Martha Mintz, Katherine Osborn, Michael Paniagua, Gregory Perez, and Cody Young.
Suzanne Bose, Ottavia D’Alelio, Hillary Holweg, and Cody Young received Letters of Excellence for maintaining a 3.5 Grade Point Average or better and 90% attendance or better in the current segment.
Ottavia D’Alelio Graduated with Honors by maintaining a 4.0 Grade Point Average and 90% attendance or better throughout the entire program.
On a bittersweet note, this was Leisha Anders’ last group (see related blog below).
WHOOSH!
November 7, 2008 No Comments
Leisha Anders Departs NHI after 7 Years
Leisha Anders has been a teaching fixture at NHI for the last 7 years. This Friday she leaves us to be closer to her family in Texas. If only NHI had a campus in Dallas!
Today at our weekly faculty meeting, we presented Leisha with a framed collage of her time here. Leisha spent her first 5 years at the Emeryville campus. Then 2 years ago she moved to Los Angeles to help open the Encino campus. At the time, it was more of a happy accident than some sort of master plan on our part. But oh how fortunate we were! I truly can’t imagine the Encino campus without her.
Leisha has been a source of knowledge and inspiration to students and staff alike. She inhabits the NHI curriculum and culture like few others. NHI Director of Education Linda Rikli recently said,
“We greet her news with a sad heart, but with the knowledge that we, NHI, are better in so many ways because of her time with us.”
While we will truly miss your presence, Leisha, we will never forget the spirit you’ve left behind.
November 5, 2008 2 Comments
Massage Pumpkin Carving Contest
In 5th Place with a combined 8%…the disparate team of Liat & Jenelle…
Enough voters mistook Leisha & Craig’s pumpkin for an Obama look-alike giving them 4th Place with 10%…
The talents of John & Jen overcame the subject matter (yes, that’s my face on a pumpkin) to achieve 18% and 3rd Place…
Jan & pinch-hitter Joe Bob drove Nancy’s idea home with 30% and a very close 2nd Place…
And in 1st Place…
(drum roll, please…)
With the help of props…
(drum roll, continues…)
And electric lighting…
(drum roll, a little more intense…)
Denise and Vanessa claim a 1st Place victory with 33%!!
Congratulations to everyone!!
October 31, 2008 No Comments
John Caguin has a Baby Girl!
Maybe it’s something in the water, but we have more baby news at NHI! John Caguin and his wife Pinky recently welcomed Kaelyn Rae Castillo Caguin into the world on October 15. She measured in at 20.5 inches and 5 lbs 7 oz. In case you missed it, we had a baby shower for John & Pinky a few weeks ago. Click here for that blog. Congratulations John, Pinky & Kaelyn!
October 29, 2008 No Comments
Massage and Kidney Failure
We have many wonderful stories that come out of our student clinic, but this is one of the most beautiful.
Clinic client Barbara Wilkie (pictured above, center, with clinic supervisor Betty Williams, left, and student therapist Carrie Shreeve from Group 2) was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure and given 2 months to live. That was over a year ago. Since then, she has come to the NHI clinic every Wednesday afternoon for a massage. Here is an excerpt of her recent feedback she allowed us to print:
“One of these days, together, I hope we do the impossible and wake up my kidneys. In the meantime thanks to you and all of the NHIers for keeping me going. I feel great and no one knows by looking at me that I live with stage 5 kidney failure. No drugs, no dialysis, just alternative care in clinic where I receive massage. Thank you all.”
Betty adds, “Barbara is allergic to the meds, equipment, etc., so all she has is what we give her and she truly believes we are keeping her alive - we pray that it continues to work for her for many years to come.”
October 22, 2008 No Comments
Klayna Snider is a Grandma!
This week, Petaluma Campus Manager Klayna Snider became a first-time grandmother welcoming Sontino Fiore Ventimiglio into the world. Here is her commentary.
Our little bambino Tino immediately took to the kinesthetic world of snuggles, kisses, and, of course, massage. He received his first mini massage from me with some energy (Reiki) work just hours after his birth. He is a shining beacon of light. It was such a delight to share the gift of massage as a sacred connection with my grandson.
He was born (no drugs whatsoever for Momma) with 12 hours of labor including 2 hours of intensive labor. My son, Sontino, was a champion coach who literally received Tino into his arms as he was born at a birthing center in Santa Cruz. Sonny was very comfortable, calm, and extremely present and grounded throughout. Heather Marie was a “rock star hero” according to my son, throughout the miraculous birthing process.
Grandma arrived 15 minutes after the baby was born just in time to witness Tino’s awakening to the world of senses. I was stuck on Highway 17 into Santa Cruz during commuter traffic! Good thing I knew how to use my breathing techniques and ground myself!
A few nights later, we noticed that Heather was having some pretty extreme swelling in her feet. After calling her doctor and getting the “it’s normal and not to worry about it,” I spent over an hour massaging her feet with lymphatic massage techniques and joint mobilization to get the fluid moving. The swelling reduced dramatically along with her discomfort.
It’s such an amazing thing that the first sense that develops in the womb for the embryo is touch. During the birthing process, the baby receives his first “deep tissue massage” as it goes through the contractions and enters the birth canal, stimulating vital organs and muscles to prepare for his first breath. And finally he is embraced into the world by the loving yet confident, strong hands of his father and mother only to continue attuning to the world through his amazing capacities for touch.
October 16, 2008 2 Comments
Biotone Spa Class
It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it!
Okay, bad pun aside, I had great fun over the weekend participating in the Biotone Spa class taught by Travis Ochoa. For 2 days, we got to both apply and experience an aromatherapy wrap, cellulite treatment, and more, concluding with a full body exfoliation and mud wrap. I’m still glowing! Thanks to my weekend partner Lila Lewis-Peace for putting up with my messy “painting.”
October 15, 2008 1 Comment
Group 57 Graduates
Congratulations new graduates of Group 57!
October 13, 2008 No Comments
Sally’s Spa Massage Video Game
Just when you think you’ve seen it all…a spa video game! I laughed so hard I cried playing this. It may not exactly replace our business classes, but it sure is fun! Here’s the description from the website:
Sally’s back and ready to take the spa world by storm! Indulge yourself with hours of fast fun in ten original spa locations around the world. Refresh your customers with facials, manicures, massages, and more. Enhance the experience of your clients with more than 65 upgrades for your rapidly growing business. Melt away the stress from a wide variety of customers including blushing brides, demanding fashionistas, relaxing couples, and more! A wonderful escape for gamers of all ages, join Sally on her adventure in the business of fun!
It costs $19.99, but you can download a free demo from the Lifetime channel’s website and play for an hour. Click on any of these screen shots to get there.
October 10, 2008 No Comments
