Cheryl graduated from NHI in Emeryville in 1992 embarking in private practice. With a sports injury rehab specialty, she worked with many different clients including those in the NFL. Cheryl brings her passionate knowledge of strategic bodywork to teach at NHI. “Massage therapy chose me. It has taken me places allowing me to work with clients beyond my imagination.”

Chontelle graduated from the NHI Emeryville campus in 2000. She has been practicing as a massage therapist over the years working with chiropractors, spas, a private practice, and massage clinics specializing in chronic/persistent pain. She was a Teacher's Assistant for the San Jose campus and completed the ANMT program at the NHI San Jose campus.

Garion is a massage therapist who enjoys leveraging his many years of technical and administrative support experience to help find students and grads work they love. As a California Bay Area native, Garion finds fulfillment and equity in supporting all those who strive to walk their own path to success and wellness, and who do-so with the intention of uplifting their families and communities along the way. Massage is a life-long practice for Garion, and he is committed to furthering his knowledge of the art and industry NHI students are shaping every day.

As a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist (NCTMB) with a background in Physical Therapy, Gracia naturally combines a scientific and intuitive awareness of the body. She specializes in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, myofascial work and advanced therapeutic techniques. As a massage professional (currently also working at Google), Gracia’s highly intuitive and skillful touch is infused with a sense of wholeness in a profound way. “I relish the opportunity to share my skills and knowledge with students on the path to being bodywork professionals.”

After a lifelong pursuit of knowledge in meditation, yoga, energetic healing, and other holistic health modalities, Jim came to National Holistic Institute in 2015 to take the next steps on his journey of learning. He graduated a year later and immediately became certified and went to work with the Silicon Valley Massage Therapy Group. There he worked with a variety of clients, but staying true to his family’s deep roots in the medical field his passions became focused on working with clients who were recovering from injuries, athletes who needed care and recovery from rigorous training regimens, and others who were just looking for relief from aches and pains to achieve a better quality of life. In this capacity, he worked with his clients and their Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, and other healthcare professionals to create individual plans to help them reach their recovery goals. He also became a key member of their corporate on-site massage team and worked with them acquiring and supervising clients for on-site therapy for college students, corporate staff, and other groups of working professionals to improve their productivity and general level of wellness in their work environment.

Josh is a Central California native where he completed his massage education, with honors, at Milan Institute in Visalia, CA in 2007. Upon his graduation, Josh moved to Santa Cruz and began his career working to build and grow his own business. Josh eventually found Massage Envy Monterey and was hired as a Massage Therapist. He quickly gained a strong client base and was voted the most requested therapist within his South San Francisco region. Josh was voted by his fellow massage therapist at Massage Envy Monterey to take the Lead Therapist position and quickly moved into managing the Monterey Location. Josh’s passion lies in sports and rehabilitative massage. Josh enjoys working alongside other medical professionals to create plans for his clients that promote healing and a better quality of life. "We have the privilege of working with the future of our industry. If we can create well-educated and passionate massage therapists, the effects will be phenomenal."

Kim Koga is a graduate of NHI, completing both the Core and ANMT programs. She combined her knowledge as a Personal Trainer with the skills she learned at NHI to work specifically with athletes in her private practice. Certifications in Cupping, Kinesiology taping, and IASTM helped her focus on those client’s unique needs as well as any chronic pain. Kim started with the San Jose team in 2021 and she loves being able to provide the guidance and support necessary to turn a passion into a journey.

Mili has an instinct for healing others. She remembers being 5 years old and placing a blanket over her sleeping father. This innate urge matured as she grew and Mili has learned to foster and tune it through practice and training. Mili is CAMTC certified as a massage practitioner, trained at De Anza college and has worked as a practitioner since 2013. In the United States Air Force, as a Diet Therapist, Mili has experience working with Doctors, Nurses, Dieticians and food quality control personnel which has developed her skills in her profession. She trained in resistance flexibility with Bob Cooley to deepen her skills in myofascial release. Mili really enjoys the vast array of healing techniques taught at NHI, ranging from eastern to western styles, which gives students’ gargantuan skills. She appreciates teaching at NHI because of the highly skilled and supportive community. Massage, Resistance Stretching, strength training and nutrition dense food can all help create true fulfillment in ones’ life, when done correctly.

Philip graduated from NHI Emeryville in 2002 and began working as a therapist immediately afterwards. Philip has focused his practice within the health and fitness industry, working with the Western Athletic Club franchise and Club One Fitness. Additionally, he has had the opportunity to work with athletes of every level and currently works with NFL, NHL, and MLB professionals. He hopes this experience can be beneficial to prepare students for the realities of the massage/spa industry. “We have the privilege of working with the future of our industry. If we can create well-educated and passionate massage therapists, the effects will be phenomenal.”

RozLyn graduated from the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, CA, in 2009, and has been actively practicing massage therapy ever since. In her 13 year career as a therapist, she has worked in a variety of different fields of massage including spas, chiropractic facilities, and wellness centers. RozLyn has become an Instructor at NHI to express and teach her love for massage to the next generation of therapists, and also for her love and care for people. "To be in a position that allows me to interact with people AND teach them something I'm passionate about... sign me up any day! If you don't love what you do, you won't do it with much conviction or passion."