Sacramento Massage School

After high school, Trena followed her passion for the body into a career as a massage therapist. She is a 2004 graduate of Bryan College School of Massage. Since then, she has worked at various places, including a massage clinic for 7 years and most recently a local spa, all while maintaining a regular clientele at a busy chiropractic office, and managing her private clients. She loves the beauty of the “city of trees” and spends her spare time exploring Sacramento. She joined NHI in May of 2016 and is really enthusiastic to be able to share her wealth of knowledge and years of experience to help people find work they love. “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.”

Shawn has always wanted to be a teacher from the start of his learning. He is a graduate of the core program from the Sacramento campus. After graduating, he was hired as a massage therapist for Massage Envy, where he became his locations number one in sales his first year. He believes in always striving to be the best you can be, through perseverance and trying new things. Shawn is a life-long learner, meaning there is always more out there to learn. “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” ― Norman Vincent Peale

Sara has been practicing massage therapy since 2003 and loves the variety of opportunities that a massage career can offer. A graduate of NHI, with a previous kinesiology focus, she is certified by the California Massage Therapy Council, and has worked in diverse environments, including a chiropractic office, day spas, and wellness clinics. She has also cultivated a thriving private practice that she still maintains today. Sara developed a deep love and passion for massage while working in the field, and carried that into the classroom as an instructor at NHI. She’s been teaching massage since 2011 and continues to be a presence in the classroom. While her office is in Sacramento she travels Northern California to support NHI Students and Staff on their journeys. Her motivation and goal is to see all students reach their full potential and have careers that they love. “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” – Socrates

Penny is a graduate of Bryan College and carries an AOS degree in Advanced Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She has been practicing massage since 2008 and has spent over a decade as a practitioner, trainer, and manager at luxury spas in Silicon Valley. She is passionate about self care and is an ardent believer in learning as its own reward. Penny strives to discover something new every day and impart that knowledge to her students in a fun and engaging way which will help them develop their love of massage therapy. “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” -Brian Herbert

Kam has lived in several states (Midwest, Pacific, Western and Eastern) and Europe, and has had many careers prior to massage therapy. He graduated from the NHI Petaluma Campus' Core Program in 2015 and from the Emeryville ANMT program in 2016. He has been a massage therapist since his CAMTC Certification in 2015, working at different storefront massage businesses in Napa and Sonoma Counties and developing a small private practice in the SF Bay Area. In addition to working in massage, he has continued his massage education since graduating from NHI and has had workshops in a number of different modalities including Lomi Lomi and Abhyanga (an Ayurvedic massage modality). In addition to massage education, Kam has attended Mount Madonna Institute where he learned (and has been certified in) teaching yoga (YTT200 & YTT300 trainings), practicing Ayurvedic Medicine (AHC Certification) and most recently practicing Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy (certified by both NAMA and IAYT). He is also currently certified as a Professional Ski Instructor (PSIA). His background teaching yoga, skiing, and teaching undergrads while pursuing his masters in geology helps inform his current teaching style – however massage is much more deeply felt by him and he loves teaching it: massage is important in assisting people to heal. We are always learning from each other: teach to learn – Baba Hari Dass

Justin is a graduate of the Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy and Core Massage Therapy programs at National Holistic Institute in Sacramento. After practicing massage therapy in California since 2019, Justin brings his expertise in clinical and spa settings, as well as his jovial personality, to the classroom. Having taken advance courses in Medical Massage, Advanced Sports Massage and Geriatric Massage, Justin’s approach to bodywork is that of a curious scientist, getting to the truth of the problem and finding ways around the problem. What brings Justin back to doing massage every day is the interactions with clients, seeing the small changes of the client before and after the massage session, and how those small changes bring big results to over wellness to the client. What brought Justin back to National Holistic Institute after years of working in the massage therapy industry is the camaraderie and the “family-like” feeling NHI brings. All Staff members are treated like siblings and take care of each other regardless of which department they work in or campus they are from. "The world belongs to those who let go" - Lao Tzu

Prior to joining the massage field, Jackie got her Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from CSU, Chico. After graduation, she wanted to find a way to combine her love for the body and caring for people in a therapeutic way. She attended NHI San Jose in fall of 2013 and jumped into the spa industry immediately after graduating in May of 2014. During her time in the spa industry, she gained experience in all aspects of the field by working not only as a massage therapist, but as a front desk agent, body scrub technician, and manager as well. Jackie relocated to the Sacramento area in summer of 2014 and is excited to give back to the organization that truly gave her a career she loves! “I feel lucky and excited that I get to bring my journey in massage full circle by returning to NHI to teach future generations of massage therapists!”

Eamon is a graduate of the National Holistic Institute and has been practicing massage therapy since 2019, specializing in pain management and trauma awareness. Prior to massage, he was a self-defense instructor, and got to see first-hand how helping people get back in touch with their bodies could be a healing and transformative experience. He has a passion for education and brings that enthusiasm and curiosity to the classroom -- teaching is his favorite part of the day. "The best way to learn is to teach."

Ariane graduated from Western Career College, now known as Carrington College, in 2007. Since then, she has been immersed in the Spa industry. Her passion for massage has led her to not only practice the craft, with Swedish as her specialty, but also learn the ropes of the industry in her most recent role of Spa Manager. With the enthusiasm to “help people find work they love”, Ariane is excited to share her knowledge and experience with NHI students! “I am deeply humbled to be a part of a team that leads the way for future massage therapists to immerse themselves in a world that will directly affect change in people’s lives.”

Amy is a graduate of Marion Technical College, formerly Community Technical and Adult Education, in Ocala Florida. Amy has been practicing Massage Therapy since 2005. She has practiced a variety of modalities including Myofascial Therapy, Deep Tissue, Sports, Hot Stone, Warm Bamboo Fusion, and DeepFeet Bar Therapy, Ashiatsu Massage. She has worked in a variety of massage settings, including Luxury Spas, Acupuncture, and Chiropractic Clinics. She is extremely passionate about massage therapy, and enhancing the lives of those she touches through her practice. Teaching is her most recent chapter in the field, and she is continually challenged by, and deeply rewarded by her experiences through it. She loves helping her students tap into who they are as therapists in their time at NHI and loves to keep up with their progress, after they have started down their career path. NHI is the perfect place to share her skills. She has found her home among the staff, and students.

Alicia had a hope to help others years before finding her way to massage therapy as a career. She is a graduate from National Holistic Institute, completing the core and ANMT program. After school, she found a passion working with athletes and chronic pain sufferers, helping them manage their injuries and pain with a holistic approach. Her hope to help people quickly turned into a passion, as she watched people reduce pain medications, walk with ease and get back to living their lives without pain! She is excited to help share her passion with others looking for work they love!

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'! " - Audrey Hepburn