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

Marissa is a holistically minded woman who has been involved in the healing arts for many years. She is a firm believer that health does not always come from medicine. Marissa graduated from California Holistic Institute in 2007 and immediately began working in the Spa Industry in Pismo Beach. Later she created her own massage studio specializing in deep tissue. Marissa enjoys living in Midtown, going on new adventures, collecting shells on the beach and salsa dancing. She is very energetic and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with others. "You've always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself" - Glenda The Wizard of Oz

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!”

Fred graduated from the Swedish Institute in New York in 2002. While thriving in the spa industry, he also focused on medical and myofascial massage working with chiropractors, acupuncturists and physical therapists. Fred also specializes in shiatsu and has had much success helping folks through the healing process with that method of bodywork. He is also a reiki practitioner, certified in facelift massage (lymph drainage for the face), hot bamboo massage and has a few other tools in his tool belt to benefit to assist in achieving client-centered work. After 16 years he’s still in love with profession and is excited to share his knowledge and skills with future massage therapists.

Carrie graduated from both the Core and Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy programs at NHI Sacramento. She has been in the healthcare field since 2000, and in addition to teaching at NHI, she works at a gym, a chiropractic office, and maintains a regular schedule of massage clients in her busy private practice. Carrie is a fan of proper grammar, thinks that “please” and “thank you” go a lot further than most people realize, and firmly believes mayonnaise is the most overused and disgusting of all the condiments. In her free time, she likes to shoot trap and sporting clays. Carrie’s personal massage philosophy can be summed up with a quote from Shakti Gawain: “Our bodies communicate to us clearly and specifically, if we are willing to listen to them.”

Ashlee’s love for Anatomy & Physiology dates long before her time at National Holistic Institute. Her passion for the subject and all aspects of massage shows through her bubbly teaching style. Ashlee graduated from the National Holistic Institute Core program as well as the Advanced Neuromuscular Therapies Program from the Sacramento Campus. Ashlee’s experience in the field ranges from work at spas and private practice clients that receive numerous styles of bodywork. Although Ashlee loves all aspects of massage, her passion is anatomy based massage/techniques. Ashlee thoroughly believes in being a life- long learner and strives for growth both professionally and personally. “Keep your heart open for as long as you can, as wide as you can, for others and especially for yourself.” –Morrie Schwartz

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.”