Prescott 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.

“The main part of intellectual education is not the acquisition of facts but learning how to make facts live.”
– Oliver Wendell Holmes

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 DIRECTOR

Sara Freeman, BA, CMT

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.

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

Gina Bader, OMT
Gina has been a practitioner of Shiatsu since 1981, and is nationally certified through the AOBTA and the NCCAOM. Her background of dance, yoga, and Tai Chi established a natural transition into the practice of Shiatsu. She has taught Shiatsu (and other classes related to massage and healing), both individually and in classroom settings. After 18 years of practice Gina was inspired to become a beginner again, when she was introduced to the teachings of Master Teacher, Luigi Gargiulo. From 1999 through 2002, she studied at the Mi Zai Shiatsu Institute-Italy under the tutelage of Sensei Gargiulo. Gina believes healing as an art is beyond technique, requiring a creative and spontaneous response to the needs of an individual. She uses this approach in her sessions and teaching.

Layna Cirelli, BA, LMT
Layna is a Certified KMI Structural Integrator, Myofascial Therapist and Movement Educator. She has been in private practice since receiving her Certificate in Therapeutic Massage from the Massage Institute of New England, Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1995, specializing in Structural Integration and Deep Tissue Myofascial Techniques. Layna received her Certificate in Kinesis Myofascial Integration from Tom Myers, The Kinesis Institute. Layna has also undertaken additional training through The St. John Neuromuscular Institute, The Upledger Institute and Judith Aston Therapeutics. In addition, Layna has 30+ years of professional training in ballet, modern and contemporary dance, as well as a lifetime study of yoga, pilates and martial arts.

Tanya Downey, CMT, B.S.
Tanya is a graduate of ASIS, where she teaches Swedish Massage, Polarity Therapy 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.

Debra Duncan, LMT
Debra’s love and desire to work with women encompasses all areas of her life. She is an ASIS Grad and a certified instructor of Perinatal Massage. She teaches Pregnancy Massage & Infant Massage at ASIS Prescott. She is a working therapist and is currently completing her Reiki Master. In addition to massage, her other passions include music, photography and acting. Often you can see her in various Prescott College Productions; her favorite is “The Vagina Monologues”.

Mira Bai Fairlight    
www.movewithease.massagetherapy.com

MiraBai received massage therapy training at the NM Academy of Healing Arts in Santa Fe, NM in 2001. Since then she has focused on strengthening her skillset in Sports Massage through continuing education in myofascial release and active isolated stretching, the Mattes Method, During an internship with a Sedona Chiropractor, MiraBai has gained much knowledge in the field of injury rehabilitation and has used that knowledge as a volunteer for the Sedona Marathon and local athletes, cyclists, and triathletes to identify and resolve chronic injuries and pain patterns. Through her current work in Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy (barefoot massage) she has been able to effectively reduce low back pain and fascial adhesions. She teaches Sports Massage at ASIS. In addition, MiraBai is an Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapist.

Bill Garrett, MA
Bill has studied Zen Shiatsu with Paul Pitchford at Heartwood Institute, and Thai Massage with Rick Gold at IPSB in San Diego. He has a Masters degree in Holistic Health Education and taught Yoga Philosophy and Practice at Prescott College for five years. Bill is a certified Yoga teacher and Teacher Trainer with training in the Iyengar and Integral Yoga traditions. He is also a longtime rock climber, kayaker, and proponent of sustainable lifestyle practices. Bill teaches Thai Massage at ASIS .

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.

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.

Joseph Miller, LMT
All his life, Joseph Miller has marveled at the beauty of the natural world. This love of nature inspires him in living his life as a husband & father, healer & artist, and athlete & scholar. Always inspired by the splendor of creation, he strives to exist in harmony and balance with all his relations, to be a light of love in the world. This love extends into each aspect of his experience, and he brings Great Spirit with him into each pursuit. In his practice as a LMT he incorporates the healing wisdom of both East & West, fusing the Ancient and the Modern into one healing experience that is rooted in both science & art. He teaches Kinesiology at A.S.I.S. in Prescott, and offers Yoga & Qi Gong classes to the greater Prescott community. Joseph is grateful to find livelihood in the healing arts, and to be alive for this sacred breath.

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.

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

John Ogle, MA
A retired biology teacher, John is a successful endurance athlete as well as a fitness coach, nutrition consultant, science writer and public speaker. His urge to teach and to explain the workings of the human body is driving him to write a book about this fascinating topic. He is very pleased that his ongoing “health-streak” of no sick-days at reached 37 consecutive years in October, 2007.

Alina Pellicer – B.A., LMT, NCTMB
Alina received her training from the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy in NYC and has been in private practice since arriving in Prescott in 2005. Prior to her massage practice, Alina was an art historian, working in museums and art galleries in NYC. In addition to being a licensed massage therapist, Alina is an ARCB Board Certified Reflexologist. She teaches Reflexology and Essential Oils at ASIS/Prescott.

Neil Pinholster, R.C.S.T
Neil Pinholster has studied and practiced energy medicine since 1976. Initially he focused his studies on Polarity Therapy and held the position of Teaching Department Head at the Polarity Health Institute. He first studied Craniosacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute, completing the Advanced Craniosacral Therapy level. He has been studying since 1997 with the International School for Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy with an added focus on non cathartic shock and trauma release with Peter Levine’s trauma resolution work. He has studied and taught in Peru with Don Theo Peredez. Neil maintains a private clinical practice and teaches in Prescott, Arizona.

Shaylana Kristina Rogers L.Ac.

Kristina has been practicing acupuncture for 25 years. She holds a National Acupuncture license, a Chinese Herbology license and an Arizona Acupuncture license. She has taught at several acupuncture schools, and at community colleges in Arizona and Idaho. Her work is a collage of multiple techniques that address physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Kristina brings a verve and aliveness to her practice that encourages inner transformation. When not working, you can find her outside in the garden or near the water soaking up nature’s delight. She teaches in Prescott.

Sally Stone, LMT, NCTMB
Sally is a business owner in Lake Havasu City. She enjoys helping her clients feel better on a daily basis. She began her studies in Chakras, Aura and Healing Energy with Roselyn Bruyere. Sally integrates energy healing with massage in order to reach and help her clients. Sally’s special interest has been Energy healing, or hands on healing, along with Thai Yoga & massage cupping, Five Element Shiatsu & La Stone Therapy. She is also certified in La Stone Therapy. Sally is a graduate of ASIS, and currently teaches Five Element Shiatsu.

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”
– Mark Twain

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