Shala graduated with Honors in Anthropology from Wesleyan University in 1996. Her life-long interest in multi-cultural and natural forms of healing led her to pursue a career in massage therapy and yoga. Retired from her 10-year massage therapy practice, Shala currently directs the school, and teaches massage students about ethics, energy anatomy, and yoga. She also teaches weekly yoga classes and facilitates yoga teacher training programs as a lead instructor at the Asheville Yoga Center. Shala enjoys integrating her passions for organic movement, personal exploration, and self-care into her classes.

Stephanie has been a massage therapist and yoga instructor since 1998. Her presence is infused with the knowledge gained from working with hockey schools, competitive gymnasts, and women’s health organizations. Her delightful and approachable personality helps students feel comfortable and confident in the Student Clinic setting and in their foundational Swedish massage skillset.

Sue received her BS in Business and MS in Human Resources, Training & Development from National Louis University. After completing two certifications – Yoga Instruction and Nurturing the Teacher Within – she decided Massage School was a natural fit, and graduated with the first class from the Asheville School of Massage and Yoga Massage Therapy program. She is a nationally certified massage therapist with an integrated practice, blending myofascial, deep tissue, medi-cupping and other modalities in her work.

Phyllis is a Licensed Massage Therapist and has a full time massage practice in Asheville. She took her first Cranial Sacral Therapy class in 1994, loved it, and began to study more from many sources. She now works with her clients using cranial techniques in her daily practice. Phyllis taught at The Whole You School of Massage from 1997-2009, and began teaching at the Asheville School of Massage and Yoga in 2007. For her, teaching and helping students gain new skills and awareness, is a true joy.

Charlotte earned her B.A. from the University of Georgia in 1989 and her teaching certification in 1991. She taught in public schools for seven years before pursuing her massage training, and continued to teach for six more years, incorporating yoga in the classroom and offering both massage and yoga to teachers. In the classroom, Charlotte enjoys trouble-shooting specific dysfunctions with deep tissue and trigger point massage, as well as active and passive stretching.

Marion received her B.S. at Davidson College in 1989. After working as an outdoor leadership instructor, Marion was introduced to the Rolf Method of Structural Integration and became a certified practitioner in 1996. She completed an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from A-B Tech College and a Certification for Yoga Instruction from the Asheville Yoga Center in 1999. Students will learn about the human body through her hands-on experiential teaching style.

Bettina’s fount of knowledge concerning the body and its mechanics can be attributed to a career in the medical field, as well as a lifetime dedicated to competitive sports and training. An avid cyclist and gymnast, she has catered her private massage practice of ten years to helping clients rehabilitate from injuries, as well as recognize habitual body patterns and help prevent injury. Her forte is deep tissue work, using trigger point therapy, myofascial techniques, shiatsu, and even her feet with the help of overhead bars. She has also worked closely with clients in advanced age and relies heavily on hydrotherapy techniques for all of her clients. She is a 1997 graduate of the UNC Chapel Hill School of Journalism and a 2001 graduate of the Center for Massage and Natural Health.

Pripo offers a diverse practice that balances the connection between mind, body and spirit. He is a licensed and nationally certified massage and bodywork therapist. He also holds a master’s degree in counseling/psychology from Goddard College, in Vermont. He has lived, studied and worked at Esalen Institute, a renowned human potential learning center in Big Sur, CA, and is a certified Esalen® massage practitioner. Pripo has a private counseling practice in Asheville, NC specializing in relationship issues. His main goal is to help support people to live with truth and authenticity.

Peter is a licensed massage therapist in Florida and an approved provider for both the state of Florida and NCBTMB. He is the former Education Director at the Florida School of Massage in Gainesville. He teaches “Myofascial Components of Pain” workshops throughout the Southeast, as well as Florida law and business building classes. His training as an EM, a CPR instructor, and 30 years of teaching experience have given him many insights into the learning process. Pete incorporates visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learning aides to provide students with a well-rounded class. Students receive individual attention and everyone is encouraged to HAVE FUN!

Eric received his Master’s of Science in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in New Mexico in 2001. He completed his massage therapy training at Crystal Mountain Massage Therapy School in 1997 in New Mexico. He trained in Shiatsu and tui na (Chinese massage) with major teachers in the field. For five years Eric taught tui na at Daoist Traditions College of Medical Arts. For ten years, he practiced at the Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic on Montford Ave. in Asheville, NC. Eric currently has a private practice in Greenville, SC where he incorporates bodywork into his treatments. He has been studying Chen style tai chi and qigong in Greenville, SC. Eric enjoys teaching the details of techniques unique to Eastern-style bodywork and seeing students ‘get’ techniques that were once a challenge.

Robert has practiced Thai Massage for 25 years and taught workshops for 15. During his years of experience with clients he has developed a Thai Massage style that is less aggressive and safer for the general public. By bringing out the dance and meditative qualities of Thai, he makes it more efficient, deeply effective, and nurturing. He lived and worked in Thailand and other Asian countries for six years. Robert speaks Thai and knows the culture and religion. He was one of the first Americans to train with Thai masters of Nuat Boran.

Marek is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Yoga Therapist with over a decade of clinical and teaching experience in his successful private practice. He is currently an Instructor of Therapeutic Massage at AB-TECH (Asheville campus) for the Associate degree program and has taught many weekend workshops in Viniyoga therapy. Marek has been described by long term clients as “sensitive, respectful, compassionate and having the hands and heart of a true healer.”

Marek teaches the Western Sciences for Massage curriculum in our 500-hour Massage Certification Program.

Julie began her teaching career as a science teacher in an adventurous outdoor education setting. Her enthusiasm for the miraculous diversity of living beings led her to become a Registered Nurse, where she fell in love with the art and science of medicine. She now practices as an RN and Yoga Therapist at a Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab, where she teaches mindfulness and pranayama to those recovering from diseases of the heart and lungs. She is also a flow yoga teacher at Black Mountain Yoga. Her classes are attended by students aged 15 to 95. Julie’s joyful approach to learning and discovering the intricacies of the human body and how it relates to the environment make her classes lively and real.

Julie teaches the Western Sciences for Massage curriculum in the 500-hour Massage Certification Program.

Libby is the owner of Yoga Rx of Asheville, a private Physical Therapy practice integrating Yoga-based movement and Manual Therapy. She also works part time at Asheville Family Fitness & Physical Therapy treating patients with a wide variety of orthopedic complaints. She has specialized training in manual therapy, pelvic floor dysfunction and rehabilitation. She routinely incorporates patient education in self-massage techniques to enhance patient involvement and treatment outcomes. In addition to her work as a PT, she is Director and Lead Instructor of Asheville Yoga Center’s 300 hr Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Program.

Marque was a successful actor for 22 years, during which time he touched peoples’ lives with his performances. In 1996 he became certified as a massage therapist in order to touch peoples’ lives in a more direct way. He moved to Asheville from Los Angeles, attending ASMY to gain NC certification, and soon became a mentor for students in their practicums. He is now a clinic instructor and enjoys passing on a wealth of practical “hands-on” knowledge to students in the program.

Grace has been Nationally Certified in Massage Therapy since 1999. She holds a master’s degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Kentucky and is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200). She’s been an educator for over 20 years, teaching a variety of subjects ranging from high school English to college level psychology and Death and Dying. She has taught a variety of massage modalities including Swedish massage, Sports massage, Integrative massage, Thai Yoga Bodywork and Hot Stone massage, as well as Professional Ethics.