I am originally from New Hampshire, but have bounced around the country a bit. I lived twice in the Seattle area and this is my second time calling NC home. I have been in Durham since 2015 after moving in with my partner, Ingrid, my two sons, and a very bossy but adorable dog. I absolutely love gardening and architecting the landscape in my yard. I used to hike and go to live music a lot more than I do now, but still find time for these things as well.
I originally wanted to pursue this back in 2005/6 or so, but my spouse at the time was not completely supportive of that so I parked it for a while and kept the dream alive. In 2017, I decided I was not interested in doing another 25 years in IT/technology and wanted to pursue my passion for helping and healing people through bodywork. I attended The Healing Arts and Massage School (THAMS) in Raleigh which focuses primarily on lymphatic massage.
I first experienced Thai massage, culture, and people when I visited while I was in the Army in 1997/99 in the Chiang Mai area. I rediscovered my love of Thai massage while attending THAMS and decided to further pursue learning with Living Sabai (Asheville). Thai massage truly matches with my personality and soul and I absolutely believe in the power it has to bring healing, rest, and so much goodness to people’s lives and bodies. I also love how Thai massage is easy on the therapist's body and allows for more collaboration with the client, which really enhances the experience and benefits.
In the beginning of 2022 I decided I was finally going to make the scary transition out of my secure job into full-time massage therapy and opening my own practice. At about the same time I informed my employer of this decision, I discovered through Castle’s newsletter she and Lauren were starting Auroraflow at about the same time I planned on going out on my own. I took this timing as the universe aligning me and Auroraflow to work together. I truly believe in the new spa model Auroraflow is building - inclusive, warm, accepting and accessible, genuine - particularly for all of us who are not comfortable or feel they belong in a typical spa environment or experience.
Well, I finished my schooling and assignments right in the height of the pandemic and obtained my license in October 2020 - that was a big disappointment to not be able to practice right away! But I also look at that as the universe telling me to slow down and be patient for what was to shortly come my way - Thai massage! It has also certainly been challenging to transition out of a 25 year career, into a career and way of working I have never experienced before. It’s a little scary but ultimately very exciting to do what I love and to bring peace and healing into people's lives!
Well, I typically use some other noun expletives at the end of this statement (there are so many choices!), but basically and a more polite version - “Don’t be a jerk.”