Faculty

Pamala, now in successful private practice, has been a massage therapist at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa. She is a graduate of both the Emerald Coast Massage School in Florida and the Laura Norman Reflexology School in New York, and she has completed various advanced bodywork-training programs, including medical massage, Reiki, and Shiatsu. Pamala’s love and respect for bodywork inspires her to teach others.

In 1993, Christopher received his BFA in Performing Arts from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. He later graduated from the highly esteemed Soma Institute National School of Clinical Massage Therapy in Chicago, Illinois in 2001. For over a decade, Christopher has honed his skills within the healing arts community in multiple spa settings such as The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, North Carolina and as a private practitioner. Christopher’s longevity and success within this industry are a direct reflection of his heart-felt character and impeccable skills

Diane has had a life of varied experiences, starting with studying psychology and researching neurocognitive and psychophysiology. She went on to extend her studies to experiential application. She began her studies in the healing arts after attending a meditation center in Guatemala. Diane has completed a program in Shiatsu Therapy and has developed a successful practice in Coaching, specializing in helping people process and clear emotional trauma. She continues to practice Shiatsu, as well as business and life coaching

Jennifer originally from NY, came to Asheville to attend the CFMNH and become a licensed massage therapist in 2012. After working in 5 star spas in Asheville for 4 years, Jennifer decided to follow her passion for massage to Thailand where she received a certification in Thai massage at TCM in 2016. She is a vivacious teacher of chair massage, and is active in working chair massage events.

Rebecca has a special interest in pediatrics, digestive complaints, women’s health, and detoxification. Her approach leans heavily on naturopathic principles of education, individualized treatment, prevention, safety and treating the underlying cause of disease rather than symptom management. Rebecca uses an eclectic style of treatment drawing upon one or several modalities for each client.

Linda Pannullo attended the Florida School of Massage 20 years ago. A seasoned instructor, she has taught massage techniques for the non-professional at community colleges, and sports, hydrotherapy, Reflexology and Swedish at massage schools. Working with Jon Zahourek’s Maniken System (building muscles with clay) gave her creative ways to share anatomy knowledge. Linda is a veteran instructor at CFMNH, having been sharing her incredible knowledge since 2002, and maintains private and on-site massage practices in Asheville, North Carolina

Chelsea graduated from Center for Massage and Natural Health in 2004 and worked solely in the field of massage therapy for two years before attending Daoist Traditions College of Oriental Medicine in 2006 from where she received her Masters in Oriental Medicine in 2011. Chelsea is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She practices acupuncture at Clasique Acupuncture and Pilates.

Cameron brings 21 years of bodywork practice to the classroom, teaching students the complementary modalities of Hydrotherapy and AromatherapySpa. She has fond memories of her massage school experience and a true enjoyment of her profession. She is grateful for the opportunity to help CFMNH students grow into future massage therapists.

Corey’s main pursuit are the Somatic Arts. He earned a Master’s degree in Body Psychotherapy from the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute and at The Esalen® Institute (a renowned human potential learning center)and The Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, CA. His tools are a unique blend of Esalen® Massage, Craniosacral therapy and Didgeridoo and Tibetan bowl sound vibration healing. Corey has a Somatic Coaching practice in Asheville, NC and holds didgeridoo meditations across the US.

Danielle is a graduate of Virginia Tech, Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine, Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Being a lifelong learner herself, she finds joy in sharing this knowledge with others.

Lawrence Hines has been a working massage therapist for over a dozen years. In 2001 he helped to open the Grove Park Inn Spa and stayed on to work four and a half years. In an earlier life he was a dancer, choreographer and teacher with BFA and MFA degrees in dance and was trained as a Certified Laban Movement Analyst. During those years he was also doing hands on bodywork for fellow dancers and teachers and was sought out to help ease the aches and pains of the dancers lifestyle. With all this movement in his background it is no surprise that he uses movement, both passive and active, in his work to create what he calls Fluid Release.

Stephen Opper has been practicing bodywork for 20 years, with a primary focus on pain relief with chronic injuries rehabilitation, sports massage, and freeing up restrictions in the body. With a background largely in Chinese medical massage, neuromuscular therapy, and myofascial release, he finds satisfaction in teaching Sports Massage. When not doing bodywork or teaching, Stephen enjoys spending time with his five children, who are the love of his life!

Christie's practice evolved after giving birth to her first son, to create a focus on working with pregnancy and birth. she formally studied midwifery, herbalism and doula support work and began practicing as a doula in 2009. Christie is a firm believer in weaving together strong and flexible networks of support in our local communities. Life continues to inspire her to create safe and authentic containers for people to explore and grow in their awareness. In her private practice she integrates manual therapy, herbalism, yoga, breath work and movement.

Dr. William Franklin has obtained formal and on-the-job education in the health, fitness, and alternative medical fields for 29 years. He graduated from East Tennessee State University with a bachelor of science in Exercise Science and completed coursework for a master of science in Exercise Physiology. He completed his doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ. William brings almost a decade of teaching experience to CFMNH, having taught at 2 other massage therapy schools in AZ. For the past 3 years, Dr. Franklin has been a full-time dad for his 2 awesome sons. Between catching cat naps and building forts of various types, it is his greatest hope that he passes on his love of philosophy, backpacking, martial arts, reading, and climbing on things, along with a burning desire to find out.

For over 16 years, Robin lived, studied and instructed within one of the countries most renowned therapeutic environments, the Esalen® Institute of Big Sur, California. Robin’s list of credentials, involvements and certifications is vast having received extensive training in CranioSacral therapy, Somatoemotional Release, Gesalt Therapy, Somatic Coaching and 5-Rhythms Dance, to name a few. Robin’s intense love for the work and equally passionate teaching is sure to inspire.

Linda Shanock is a nationally board certified reflexologist and has published over 30 articles. She has been named one of the top 100 most cited scholars in the field of management. Linda also teaches at a major university.

Jamie Sparks has been involved in natural and holistic therapies for over 2 decades, with a diverse background in plant biology, movement, yoga, herbalism and massage. When not teaching or wild-crafting herbal medicine you may find Jamie offering handcrafted herbal products at the Farmer’s Market or creating anything from baskets, to fiber to silversmithing. Or dancing. Always dancing.

Martha has always been interested in the wellness field and considers herself a life-long learner and truth seeker in the healing arts.. She is a graduate of CFMNH and has worked as a LMBT in a variety of settings. Martha is a certified Full-Spectrum Healer and an EFT practitioner and life coach. Her passion is personal growth and a holistic approach to the body/life; she thoroughly enjoys combining her speaking, training & administrative skills with her hands on knowledge and passion for seeing others grow and develop into more authentic and complete versions of themselves!

Ben began his successful private practice after graduating from CFMNH in 2006 while serving as the school’s Education Center Administrator. He has been a part of the spa industry for over 13 years as a spa supervisor, massage therapist, esthetician, educator and trainer. He’s had the pleasure of working at The Grove Park Inn Spa, The Spa at The Inn on Biltmore Estate and properties of Innovative Spa Management. He’s thrilled to have returned to CFMNH to help students harness their individual potential to becoming successful massage therapists and body workers.

Dawn is essential to the enrollment process for many of our students who require Federal Financial Aid. She assists our students with the Financial Aid application process, registers them in our Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO) where students can continue with the Financial Aid application from the comfort of their own homes, or right here at our school, and answers the many questions that come up along the way. Dawn is responsible for maintaining student financial accounts, the distribution of Financial Aid loans and grants and providing invoices and statements for our students from the beginning of the enrollment process through graduation. Her innate intelligence, ongoing professional training in the world of Federal Financial Aid, acute organizational skills, and sensitivity to the needs of our students are what set her apart in such a vital supporting role to our students. Our students receive continued support in the financial aspects of their education during the Program and after graduation.

Susan Brown began her career as an owner of a health food store, becoming a reiki master, a massage therapist and then a teacher of massage. She teaches continuing education classes in shiatsu, reflexology, and deep tissue.

Autum Kirgan is a native of Concord, North Carolina. In 2003, she attended Cayce/Reilly School of Massage, where she studied holistic education and completed 700 hours of training. In 2010, Autum, enrolled in graduate school at the World Medicine Institute (Hawaii) where she studied Taoist medicine, Chinese medicine and herbal medicine under Master Lillian Chang. In 2011, she returned to her home state to complete her degree at Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts in Asheville, NC. Autumn has been practicing yoga since 2006 and is a certified yoga teacher. Autum enjoys traveling the world, reading a good book and looking for new experiences and adventures