Massage Therapy Instructors
Orange County | Santa Ana Massage School
- Brenda GonzalezInstructorBrenda Gonzalez started practicing massage in 2013 at American Career College. Since then she has worked as an independent contractor, and been employed with Massage Heights and Equinox sports club. She completed NHI’s 450 Advanced Program while working part time, and competing in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu. She accredits NHI for giving her the knowledge to effectively expedite her patient’s natural healing process and helping manage her own injuries. Her love of teaching stemmed from her love of helping she believes in the effectiveness of massage and wants to share that with her students.Candice DodgeDirector of Academic SystemsCandice is a passionate Campus Manager with a wealth of education and experience. She is board certified in both New York and California, and by NCTMB. In practice since 2006, she has worked in a variety of settings from spas to Geriatric care. Candice specializes in therapeutic work and loves helping people manage their pain! “While in massage school I learned that through hard work and perseverance, anyone can achieve any thing they set their mind to. I have truly found work that I love! It is my goal to help students do the same by reminding them that the possibilities are limitless.”Constanse StearInstructorConstanse received her massage certificate at Fullerton College and in teaching at her Alma Mater, came full circle. Constanse has experience working with sight impaired and blind students. Her seven years in a franchise was really a stepping stone and a great playground for her passion of customizing. “I’m a detailed therapist and I get enjoyment out of helping clients by getting to the root cause of their discomfort.” “ Lastly, I’d just like to say that being an instructor helps me fulfill my goal of making my massage mark on the world even through other people’s hands.”Cynthia RibeiroANMT Manager & Education SpecialistCynthia came to the United States from Brazil, where she had attained a degree in Physical Education and studied Surgical Nursing. In the U.S., she graduated from two massage schools, and now specializes in Neuromuscular Therapy and Orthopedic Massage. A highly dynamic teacher, she has taught advanced anatomy and injury rehabilitation skills since 1988. Her Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy workshops are in high demand throughout U.S. and Canada, and Cynthia frequently presents at state and national massage therapy conventions. As founder and owner of Western Institute of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (WIN) in Southern California, Cynthia developed highly effective therapeutic bodywork, and has brought that material to NHI for the 450 hour program in Advanced Neuromuscular Therapy. In March 2008 she was elected Vice President of the National Board of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), and in 2011 became President-Elect for the AMTA. Cynthia took her seat as acting president in March 2012 and continues to influence the industry today. A continual inspiration to her students, she nevertheless says, “I am always a student myself, and I strongly believe in lifelong learning.”Jonah HenningerInstructorJonah is a graduate of NHI’s 900 hour core program and 450 hour advanced neuromuscular therapy program. While working in the field after graduation he was a teaching assistant at NHI for a year. His love for the human body, kinesiology, and puzzles made massage therapy a perfect fit. He’s always wanting to learn new things and to then pass that information down to others. In conclusion, he loves massage, loves teaching, and loves bacon.Kelly MartinInstructorKelly earned her massage therapy certificate at American Career College in 2009. She has worked at Burke Williams Day Spa as a Massage Therapist, Front Desk Associate, and Wetroom Technician. She has also had the privilege of working in a chiropractic setting, in addition to running her own private practice specializing in Deep Tissue. She has always had a passion for teaching what she loves, and is grateful that NHI has given her this opportunity. “In my journey as a massage therapist, I have grown in my knowledge of the healing power of therapeutic touch. I am so thrilled I get to see students experience this first hand everyday.”Lisa HuffmanInstructorLisa graduated from Western Institute of Neuromuscular Therapy (WIN) in 2000, with over a thousand hours of massage education. She is an active member of the American Massage Therapy Association, is currently certified by the California Massage Therapy Council, and is also certified in pre- and perinatal massage therapy, having studied under Carol Osborne-Sheets. After graduating from WIN, Lisa began her massage career working in a variety of environments, from wellness centers to spas and resorts, like Marriot’s Newport Coast Villas. She utilized these experiences to build a successful private practice, and has dedicated her life full-time to the healing arts, as an instructor at NHI and as a massage therapist. Lisa feels that NHI is the first step for many students who would like to 'empty their cups' and grow personally and professionally, and ultimately, to have work they love!Marianna AndersonInstructorMarianna has been practicing massage since 2000. She has experience working in a Chiropractic Office, smaller spas, and as a massage therapist at Burke Williams. There she used her experience in management, sales and public speaking to successfully implement a Recruitment position for the company. Her philosophy as a Recruiter was to mentor, develop talent and increase moral within the company. She has taken that philosophy into her position as Instructor at NHI. “I consider Massage Therapy an art form. It’s a window into the soul. The way it has transformed my life over the last decade amazes me. It’s a practice that offers endless opportunity for professional and personal growth.”Natalie SakamotoCampus Manager/InstructorFrom a young age, Natalie always had a drive to help others. She enrolled at Mesa Institute in 2001, and graduated with a 1000 Hour Sports Massage Diploma. Earning her NCTMB in 2002, she worked for a Wellness and Chiropractic center for nearly 9 years. In 2010 Natalie started her private practice, and also became a licensed Esthetician. “NHI’s mission statement is “Helping people have work they love” isn’t just for the students, but it also is for the staff. NHI has given me work I love.”Rose MaynardInstructorRose graduated from Fremont College for massage therapy in 2011. She has applied her skills in a number of environments including chiropractic offices, traveling with sports teams, and as lead therapist in a spa. While maintaining her private practice, Rose works full-time as an instructor at NHI. One of her favorite aspects of working with NHI is having the opportunity to share the knowledge gained by her experiences and to learn from each student. When possible, Rose enjoys the many privileges of being born and raised in Orange County including surfing, longboarding, and wakeboarding. “Every day is an opportunity to grow, to care, and show compassion.”Tiffany MarinoInstructorTiffany Marino began her massage career in 2005, since then she has polished her skills at the finest spas in Orange County. In addition to spas, she's worked closely with physical therapists and chiropractors and maintains her own private practice. Her favorite modalities include: trigger point, Shiatsu and barefoot compression. She completed her BFA post massage certification and preaches the value of a skillful education. Tiffany embraces her teaching role at NHI with an endless curiosity to learn.
NHI’s Orange County Santa Ana massage instructors serve the Orange County area including San Diego, Irvine, Anaheim, Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa.