Body Wisdom Massage School’s Blog

BWS: How does your background in dance and movement influence the way you teach and practice massage therapy?

Annie: It’s taken me a long time to really put into words how much my movement background supports my massage work. I’ve almost never needed to separate them.  It was always second nature to me to be able to put myself in another person’s “movement shoes”. I studied movement in a way that asked me to access every muscle of the body in order to create the dance move that we were working on. I had professors who taught with rich figurative language which helped me learn to access each muscle of the body. 

When I began massage school, this training allowed me to mirror up with my clients as I would ask them to connect with or engage a certain muscle. And when I began teaching, I saw each students’ movements around the table as an opportunity to get inside their body and try to help them achieve the best possible outcome. 

BWS: You’re known for teaching Deep Tissue and Neuromuscular techniques—what do you love most about these approaches?

Annie: I love Deep Tissue and Neuromuscular Massage probably because I feel I am creating the most change in a short amount of time for my clients. Personally, they also follow some pretty straightforward formulas, and that allows me to feel like I don’t always have to intuit the next step.

A note about intuition: I think I would say I’m an “energy curious“ therapist. I fully support the known fact that you cannot finish a massage session without having had some energetic exchange with your client. I don’t set out to do energy work, but I’m always looking for signs that this magical intangible connection is happening. I sometimes say that NMT is the magic of massage, creating immediate relief and palpable change. So NMT allows me to feel like the magician I know massage therapists can be.

BWS: You got your initial training at the Atlanta School of Massage (since closed), how would you compare the training you got at Body Wisdom?

Annie: I am so proud to say that I graduated from the Atlanta School Of Massage, and I hope some of my classmates and students that see this are also proud of this great institution. The instructor-to-student support and educational opportunities were numerous. We moved through different staff for each massage topic or body part and in doing so got to witness 6 to 7 different approaches to each massage technique.  Our student clinic was hyper-focused on making every minute count. Instructors observed portions of every session, gave specific feedback and hands-on adjustments afterward, and the closing session after a shift in the clinic brought up so many great in-the-moment topics to talk through and process.

When I think about the differences or similarities between the Atlanta School Of Massage and Body Wisdom, they are like apples and oranges- each providing essential opportunities to thrive. I always tell students here at Body Wisdom that they are so very lucky to be in control of their massage program from the very beginning; choosing their classes and dictating their own pace. The quality of education remains consistent and gives me great confidence in the field of massage therapy and it’s future.

BWS: What’s one “a-ha” moment you often see students experience in your classes?

Annie: I have a few:

The first time introductory students complete a 90 minute massage and realize how things all come together- some crying, some laughing 🙂

When students in an elective course say things like “this is the missing piece I’ve been looking for in my practice“ it validates their choice to be in this profession.

These moments make it all worth it! I’m honored to get to be in the room where it happens.

BWS: What role does communication—verbal or nonverbal—play in your sessions?

Annie: Communication is one of the things I feel is so important to practice in the classroom, and for students and therapists to remember in session. I think it was Brené Brown who said “clear is kind“ and I take this to mean the more clear the instructions to or the wishes of the client are, the better it is for both parties.

I love to give a sample script as I am demonstrating hands-on work and encourage the students in class to stumble through saying as much as they can, knowing they can always do less if it’s appropriate.

The nonverbal side of communication is where I feel most like a magician. When I hear a client say “wow how did you know to work there?“ it’s almost never because I had some divine inspiration, it’s always a cue from their body. A twitch, a breath, a remark they made in passing will all help me find the right place to go in bodywork.  I think that’s the best gift I can give my clients: paying close attention to everything they share with me verbally or non-verbally.

BWS: How do you balance science and intuition in your work? Do you lean on one more than the other at different times?

Annie: As I mentioned before, intuition is something I have worked tirelessly to trust and find in myself.  So much that I studied for years with an incredible teacher, Geoff West, and I am sure he would giggle at my insecurity here.  We dug deep into MondoZen meditation, Myofascial Unwinding, Raw Communication and Integral Theory- each unlocking some allowance for me to trust my instincts and listen to the subtle stuff.  His catchphrase, “Stay with it”, helps me daily.  So I continue to trust my listening skills, speak truth, and question everything.

Science- anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, NMT- all allow me to follow a protocol, and feel thorough and supported in my choices.  Without this, intuition can feel thin- not untrue or invisible- but WITH science intuition feels more substantial. 

You cannot explain everything with energy principles or with scientific knowledge… the messy middle feels right.  Not knowing but still staying with it has unlocked the doors for me. 

BWS: What advice would you give to new students just starting out to travel the path that you have taken?

Annie: My advice to new therapists (and old) would be to seek out a contact improvisation dance class or group. This is where the real fun in intuition happens! Explore the concept of rhythm and progression in bodywork – imagine the calming effect sound has on the system. 


Thanks for your sharing your massage journey Annie 🙂

The Body Wisdom Team