Flagstaff AZ Massage Faculty

ASIS instructors engage with their students because they believe in the importance of this work. We offer a diverse group of qualified practitioners, who believe in high standards, kindness, and generosity. With excitement for their respective fields and commitment to a collaborative educational process, our teachers choose to teach because they believe in the possibilities of their students, and massage therapy jobs as a profession.

“A liberally educated person meets new ideas with curiosity and fascination.

An illiberally educated person meets new ideas with fear.”
– James B. Stockdale

ASIS Founders

Joseph and Jamie Rongo

Joseph and Jamie are co-founders, curriculum directors, and directors of teacher training for the Arizona School of Integrative Studies (now ASIS ). Their energetic and creative style of living is reflected throughout their work in both the classroom and the business world. Together, and in partnership with all the ASIS staff, they envision massage therapy education and practice to be concrete steps toward self-empowerment and world peace. Joseph and Jamie are parents to three wonderful, individual children, and as a family they live in their hand-built home overlooking the Verde River in Clarkdale, Arizona.

Campus Directors

Sara Freeman, BA, CM
Sara is the administrator and director of ASIS in Prescott. She is a graduate of Southwestern University with a BA in Biology and holds advance certifications in NMT, Teacher Training, and Sports Massage. Ten years of a massage practice in Texas and Arizona helped her discover a way of seeing through her fingertips. Her love for the human form and feel has influenced her as an artist. Currently, she creates figurative and abstract sculpture, with an emphasis on human form, as well as functional pottery commissions. With enthusiastic energy, good-will, active outdoor pursuits, and great quality of life, Sara brings an exciting learning experience to NMT and Therapeutic Processes.

John Morris, M.div.
John has a multifaceted career in educational and therapeutic settings. His compassionate approach is reflected in his personal commitment to take responsibility for his own life and learning. John is committed to his work in promoting positive change in his role as Drug Court Coordinator, working with a team of professionals to offer hope and healing. He is also an instructor at the Probation Officer’s Academy of the Arizona Supreme Court and a certified instructor for Yavapai College. John is married to Greta Stromberg and has two daughters and two grandchildren, all of whom he is exceedingly proud. He also enjoys hiking, reading, writing, laughter, and the preparation and taste of good food.

Greta Stromberg, MS, LISAC, LMT
Greta holds a Masters of Science in Health and Human Services, is a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC), a Licensed Massage Therapist and a certified holotropic breathwork practitioner. Greta owns and operates a private practice in Prescott, where she utilizes a holistic approach to healing. She conducts counseling sessions, bodywork, breathwork and lectures at local treatment centers. On the Prescott campus of ASIS , Greta teaches personal growth, communications, problem-solving and overall being human courses. Her passions are her family, friends, and her dog Bailey. She loves the outdoors, hiking, biking and swimming.

Instructors

Heather Bostian, LMT, MFA, RYT, CHT

Heather is a graduate from the World School of Massage and Advanced Healing Arts in San Francisco, CA.  She blends this with two mastery degrees in theater arts (S.F. State and American Conservatory Theatre) along with over 30 years in private practice as the owner of Holistic Bodywork Design.

Heather brings in the wisdom of years participating in sweats and Native American medicinal herbal remedies, certification in hypnotherapy, substance abuse counseling and martial arts energy work into the gifts of her special brand of bodywork.  Her goals in therapy are easing emotional traumas and pain to resolve towards building joyful purposeful and healthy lifestyle transition.  Heather also teaches Ananda Hatha Yoga.

Jill Camirand, BA, LMT

Jill received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Hampshire in Communications.  Her love for culture keeps her traveling, as she has been to Belize to study the Maya, and last year visited the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.  Her love for exploration got her on a train to Northern Arizona where she discovered her love for trail running and cycling.  She competes in the local Summer Series races as well as larger regional marathons.  She has been a massage therapist since 2006 working in her own practice as well as for a Chiropractor.  Her specialty in sports massage has given her the opportunity to work with Carmichael Training Systems as well as professional and Olympic athletes training at high altitudes.

John Conway, LMT, NCTMB
John is a graduate of the Arizona School of Integrative Studies. John also has a digital recording studio where he does voice-overs, narrating commercials and videos. Prior to going into business for himself, John spent twenty years with the Sedona Fire District (SFD). As a part of that career, he wrote a textbook, taught in the fire service and was responsible for the district’s public education efforts. John retired in 1999 as the Assistant Fire Chief. John’s connection to healing and helping goes back farther than his involvement with Emergency Medical Services through SFD, however. His father was an osteopathic surgeon and his mother’s motto was “Whom can we help today?”. Massage has become a natural path for John, who continues to practice the beliefs instilled in him by his parents.

Tanya Downey, CMT, B.S.
Tanya is a graduate of ASIS, where she teaches Swedish Massage and Herbal Hydrotherapy classes. She is an herbalist, a lover of animals and children, music, dance, and diversity. A long-time facilitator of dance, martial arts, and movement therapies, she brings a strongly kinesthetic approach to her engagement with the learning process. As a bodywork practitioner, she incorporates therapeutic herbal remedies with deep tissue and connective tissue therapy, craniosacral therapy, and energy work. In the classroom, she brings poetry and movement to integrate a deeper awareness of our selves, our environment and community, with an unconditionally loving approach to relations with all life. It is by far her favorite job.

Kelly Grey, LMT
Kelly (Kirati) has been teaching and studying Yoga and Ayurveda for over 15 years. She is a Master Teacher of Wise Earth Ayurveda, carefully trained by Sri Swamini Mayatitananda. She is an advanced teacher in Sivananda Vedanta, a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and a Reiki Master. She is a certified Ayurvedic Massage practitioner through Dr. Negundi in Kerala, India and just recently finished her massage training at the Arizona School of Integrative Studies. Kirati’s main focus is in Wise Earth Ayurveda, with its grassroots origin in Sadhana. These profound teachings focus on our relationship to nature and to the cultivation of inner awareness and harmonious lifestyle practices.

Wendy Hines B.S., LMT

Wendy draws upon all of her life experience to offer mindful, aware and open-hearted bodywork sessions to support clients in their journey of life.  After graduating with a B.S. in Exercise Science from Northern Arizona University in 1997 Wendy continued her education in health studies at Arizona School of Integrative Studies graduating in 1997.   Wendy integrates her years of study in bodywork, exercise training, rehabilitation, postural education, yoga, nutrition, and well-being to assist clients in finding optimal health and balance in their life. Through 12 years of practicing bodywork, Wendy has found the art in her work, offering specialized sessions through the balance of technique and the arts of listening, touch and intuition to meet each clients needs.  Currently, Wendy’s focus is in structural integration, postural and core strength reeducation, perinatal care, cranio sacral and yoga therapy.  She enjoys spending her time with her husband, daughter and dogs, exploring the outdoors, the world and life. She also enjoys music, dance, reading, yoga, hiking, skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, backpacking and finding a connection to the natural world and wildlife whenever possible.

Aileen Judson, LMT, BA

Aileen unknowingly started her career in healthcare as a young child when her mother would pay her a quarter to scrunch her neck.  She went on to earn a BA in Human Relations/Social Services and worked as a Medical Social Worker for several years.  Her love for the body, its structure and function, drew her back to massage.   Her fascination with the mind, body and spirit has not only driven her as a practitioner and instructor, but is the guiding force in her own life.   Aileen has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1995, a Meditation Teacher since 1999, a Yoga Instructor since 2004, and has taught massage since 2005.  Her work reflects her love of the human form, the spirit that resides within and the heart which is the driving force of our lives.  She specializes in mind/body therapeutics, energetics, restoration of function, relaxation, pain management, and teaching self care.  Aileen’s goal in working with others is to help them live their lives with more truth, peace and balance and strives to create the same for her self.

Sybil Larney, B.A.,M.A
www.zenshiatsu.biz
Sybil’s 15 years of study in the Ancient Chinese Five Element Theory facilitates communication and understanding of the bridge between Western and Eastern thought on energy work and self healing. Her experience as both student and teacher coupled with her keen sensitivity and perception supports her skills in sharing the philosophy and techniques of Shiatsu with others. Sybil has studied with Sensei Waturo Ohashi, founder of the Ohashi Institute, and Diane Connelly, author of “The Law of the Five Elements” and Matthew Sweigart author of “Touching Chi”. Sybil is a graduate of the Ohashi Institute. Sybil’s rich variety of life experience in Education, Fine Arts, Reiki, Jin Shin Jytsu and meditation enhances her work on the creative level. She believes understanding the concept that “the giver is the first receiver” is a corner stone to effective bodywork. Her Shiatsu classes are taught on a futon on the floor and increase the giver’s strength and personal movement, opening and stretching all the pathways (meridians) of energy. The receiver experiences a rejuvenating sense of balance and a restorative experience thus supporting self-healing. Using the Five Element Theory as a guide to self awareness and personal growth is of glorious benefit when working with another human being. Originally from Evanston IL, she now lives in Sedona AZ with her husband.

Macy Mouritsen, LMT

Macy graduated from ASIS in the summer of 2006.  She currently practices massage at Mountain Waves Healing Arts in Flagstaff and enjoys the endless possibilities available to the open-minded body-worker and all humans who possess peaceful intent.  Macy has studied Cranio-Sacral Therapy and is committed to a belief in the inherent healing capabilities present within all people.  When not plugging away at her Liberal Arts degree at Northern Arizona University, you can find her walking her dog, loving her family, cooking up a storm, or knitting a new masterpiece.

Olga M. Morris, RN, FNP, NCTMB www.healingartscenteraz.com/imt
Olga is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Massage Therapist in a family practice office. She integrates massage modalities in a nurturing and supportive manner and has introduced Infant Massage through the local hospital services. Olga brings over twenty years of clinical medical practice and application, as well as an enthusiasm and honor for the process of relating the structure and function of the human body to the practice of massage. She is currently facilitating the Pregnancy, Infant and Elder experiences at ASIS. She is an instructor through Infant Massage USA. www.infantmassageusa.org

Robert Perry, DC, MUA-C

Originally from Oregon, Dr. Perry, a board certified chiropractic physician, has been in clinical practice in Northern Arizona for the past 16 years. Robert received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic – West.  he has earned his Manipulation Under Anesthesia Certification.  He lived in Hawaii for over 15 years, we attended the University of Hawaii.  In addition to his practice, Dr Perry teaches Anatomy & Physiology and Chiropractic Assistant.  He is a musician, and an artist, who is published in medical text books.  He currently plays drums and percussion at the church he attends.

Suzanne DeSutter, LMT

Suzanne has bee a massage therapist for over 28 years, practicing in a variety of settings including an inpatient hospital, MD’s offices, Sedona resorts & spas, and in private practice.  Her current area of interest is Cranial Sacral used with NeuroMuscular Therapy and Polarity Therapy. She has trained in both the Paul Saint John Method and with Judith Walker Delaney.

Suellen Trumbour-Cheney RN, MPS, RPP, RPE

Suellen is a registered polarity practitioner, and a holistic nurse counselor in private practice for over 27 years.  She founded Polarity Wellness, East/West in 1991.  As a certified polarity educator (APTA & Masterworks Internationally), she delights in passing on her learning and experience to new students, and explorers.  Suellen earned her BS from Cornell University in Ithaca NY, and her MPS from Loyola University in Chicago Illinois.

Aaron Wilson, BA, LMT

Aaron left his home in the southern Appalachian Mountains to follow his path in the healing arts profession at ASIS. Studying yoga in ashrams, living in eco villages learning about plant medicine and permacultuer for the past 6 years; Aaron embodies the essence of experiential learning! Aaron believes he can best facilitate his passion to help support people in their path to wellbeing, through education, compassion, and awareness. It is his great honor and joy to shine his light in the classroom teaching Swedish Massage and serve as an administrator of the new Flagstaff school.  Aaron has his own private massage practice, in Flagstaff, where he drawls upon many massage modalities, integrating them to fit the individual client needs.

“Getting things done is not always what is most important. There is value in allowing others to learn, even if the task is not accomplished as quickly, or efficiently.”
– R.D. Clyde

We explore human anatomy and physiology, personal awareness and communications skills, along with  a wide variety of massage modalities, all while heightening our sensitivity to the human soul.

In a safe, supportive, yet evocative setting, we wish to prepare students to meet the challenges they will face as contributing members of the health care system.

ARIZONA MASSAGE SCHOOLS