Faculty

Our School of Professional Massage faculty members are Massage Practitioners certified by the State of California, are certified or registered as Massage Therapists, and have a minimum of 10 years of experience both teaching and practicing in the field.

Debra Smith, C.M.P., C.M.T., Natural Health Counselor, Sports Massage Instructor and Anatomy Instructor, Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts, 1997-present; Massage Instructor on staff at the University of California, Santa Cruz, 2001-present; Private Practice, Massage Therapist, 1996- present; Director of the School of Professional Massage at Mount Madonna Institute

Jim Gallas, CMT, CHT, Practitioner of Shiatsu for over 20 years, teaching Shiatsu for more than 15 years. Recently produced an
instructional DVD, Zen Tai Table Shiatsu 1. He teaches at The Esalen
Institute and various locations throughout California and
internationally. Jim also teaches Yoga, Chi Kung, and Anatomy, is a member
of a theater improv troupe, and is a published photographer.

Cynthia Ambika Copple, B.A., C.M.P., is a founding Board Member and past President of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association; Director, Lotus Holistic Health Institute, Santa Cruz, CA.  1985-present; Ayurvedic Consultant in Santa Cruz 1985-present; President and Founder, Lotus Herbs, 1983-present; Director, Lotus Holistic Health Institute Pancha Karma Clinic, 1990-present; Twin Lakes School of the Healing Arts, staff teacher, Ayurvedic Massage, 1990-present; Lotus Holistic Health Institute, Ayurvedic Massage Intensive Trainings, 1990-present.

Kathryn Trimble, Certified Massage/Polarity Practitioner, R.M.T., 1990-present Massage Therapist, Kaya Kalpa Wellness Center, Mount Madonna Center; 1996-present Instructor of Ayurvedic and other massage techniques.

Minh Mark, C.M.T.,  is a respected teacher of Acupressure, Massage and Yoga.  She has taught Acupressure at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts for many years.  Minh is also a Reiki Master and teaches Reiki in the Holistic Health Program at the University of California Santa Cruz. Minh trained at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts, in Santa Cruz, CA, at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, at the Mount Madonna Center, in Watsonville, California, the Kim Son Monastery, in Watsonville, CA, and The Institute of Thai Massage, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Minh skillfully integrates a variety of techniques that include Reiki, Acupressure, Table Shiatsu, Polarity and Traditional Thai Yoga.

Felicity McKnight, C.M.T., is an instructor in the healing arts since 1998, and has been a practicing massage therapist since 1991.  Primary training was received at IPSB School of Massage, Kripalu Institute, Heartwood Institute, and Esalen.  Her approach to bodywork is well versed and dynamic.  The thousand hour teacher training program was completed at Heartwood Institute, where she continues to teach and share her talents as a visiting instructor.  Felicity completed the teacher training program at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts, where she taught Swedish massage from 2003-2007.  She also joined the bodywork teaching team in the Kripalu Bodywork Essentials program at Kripalu Institute, in Massachusetts.  Felicity maintains a thriving private practice in Santa Cruz, specializing in chronic pain relief, and provides massage at a local well-respected spa.  Felicity's extensive background includes the experience of being staff therapist at a Jungian based retreat center providing bodywork to support the path of self-exploration, and her facilitation in the training of new hires at busy spas on the east and west coast.