Alexandra Ogsbury
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| Alexandra Ogsbury has worked as a massage therapist for more than 25 years. She was introduced to this while dancing for Elaine Summers in New York City. The dances were based on Kinetic Awareness, a body-work technique focused on understanding the body in stillness and motion. In her early career she learned to recover quickly from, and prevent dance injuries. She also became certified as a Kinetic Awareness Teacher.
Alexandra specializes in Integrative Therapeutic Massage. This includes deeply focusing in on a problem area such as neck and shoulders while also addressing whole body stress relief. Her main interest is the well-being of her clients. She gives self-care suggestions related to her diverse background in health care.
Her techniques include Deep Swedish, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Polarity, Pre-Natal, Manual Lymph Drainage and BioDynamic Cranial Sacral Therapy.
Alexandra has credentials from The Swedish Institute, The Polarity Wellness Center and The Kinetic Awareness Center, NYC. In Boulder she graduated from Front Range Community College as a Certified Medical Assistant and worked in Family Medicine for seven years.
She is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage, a member of ABMP and is registered by the state of Colorado to practice massage. Alexandra received her foundation training as a BioDynamic Cranial Sacral Therapist at The Colorado School of Energy Studies in 2003. She does advanced trainings with Mike Boxhall formerly of The Karuna Institute, U.K.
On the side Alexandra is also involved in Chinese Martial Arts, road biking and gardening. |
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Breanne Nelson
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| Breanne began her massage therapy career in Colorado Springs, CO, where she graduated at the top of her class in 2001 from the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy. With over 1100 hours of massage training, including a certification from the International Academy of Neuromuscular Therapy, she is also fluent in trigger point, Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, and myofascial release. Breanne has worked closely with chiropractors and has experience doing on-site corporate massage. She enjoyed a successful private practice before having children and relocating to Boulder. Clients appreciate her firm, strong touch, her intuition, and her specific knowledge of anatomy.
Breanne believes in the body's ability to heal itself and that massage therapy is one of the many paths to restoring health and wholeness to the body. She is also a strong supporter of self care. Breanne’s continuing education plans include the completion of the second level of craniosacral therapy training and certification in pregnancy and infant massage.
In addition to massage, Breanne enjoys hiking, reading, and mothering her daughters. Her areas of independent study and interest include herbs, midwifery, and nutrition. |
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Brenyn Schultz-Williams
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| Over the past 12 years of experience Brenyn has discovered the power of complimentary medicines to heal. Dedicated to his studies of herbal and nutritional medicine, he also integrates exercise practices from around the world. Brenyn specializes in providing Oriental medical treatments combined with massage for maximum benefit; addressing many conditions, including women’s health, athletic performance, chronic stress and pain as well as welcoming individuals with all types of concerns.
Brenyn has been a certified massage therapist since 2002. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Naropa University in 2006, focusing on the psychology of health and healing with his thesis in Living Creative Wellness. Brenyn then earned his Masters of Science degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado.
Highlights of his bodywork training include Neuromuscular therapy, Myofascial release, Shiatsu, Tui Na, Reflexology, Tai Qi, Qi Gong, pre and post-natal, pediatric and geriatric care. Brenyn feels honored to have served the Boulder community since 2003 as a wellness counselor and therapist and looks forward to creating a custom treatment, designed for your individual healthcare needs. He continually seeks opportunities to work with motivated individuals who are empowered to use their inherent potential to make a difference in their own fundamental health and in turn the quality of life in their community.
Techniques provided:
Cupping
Electrical-stimulation
Gua Sha
Tui Na
Meridian Therapy |
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Chad OBrien
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| Chad’s foundation for his intuitive, creative bodywork sessions comes from his study and practice of qi gong and meditation, his passion for creating music, and his studies in Chinese Medicine. Chad graduated from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine with a Holistic Health Practitioner/Massage Therapist degree. At Pacific College in San Diego, he specialized and was certified in Chinese tui na, a 2500 year old modality. Tui na is relaxing yet extremely energizing to the immune system, it is used in Chinese hospitals to treat everything from injuries to cancer.
At Pacific College, Chad also studied acupressure, developing knowledge of hundreds of acupuncture points, which he incorporates into his sessions. Chad combines the most effective and enjoyable elements of tui na, deep tissue, Zen shiatsu, foot reflexology, acupressure, Swedish massage, and energy work to tailor each session to meet every client’s needs. The integration of these modalities creates an exceptionally healing and nurturing bodywork session. If not playing music or doing bodywork, you will probably find Chad recharging in the great outdoors with his wife and son. |
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Chrystos Minot
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| Chrystos graduated from the Boulder School of Massage Therapy in 1982. He completed the Postural Integration training in deep tissue myofascial work in 1985. He has been doing bodywork for 27 years. For nine of those years, he worked with chiropractors on auto accident and personal injury cases.
Chrystos has been a dancer, choreographer, and yoga practitioner for 30 years. He brings a nurturing presence to his sessions, as well as a gentle sense of humor. He is adept at perceiving the body’s needs and meeting them with support, intuition, and appropriate technique. Chrystos does not impose a “one size fits all” philosophy and is dedicated to supporting his clients in meeting their goals, be they injury recovery, personal growth, athletic achievement, or successful transition through a difficult chapter in their lives (e.g., illness, trauma, job transition, divorce).
One of Chrystos's specialties is deep foot and hand reflexology. He is also skilled in the treatment of insomnia, foot problems, PMS, bone spurs, knee ligament injuries, menopause, TMJ dysfunction, and headaches.
Chrystos is a published author and has been writing children’s stories, poetry, and essays for over three decades. He believes that his wife and two sons are some of his best life teachers. |
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Crista de la Garza
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| Crista de la Garza is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist. She trained at the National Massage Therapy Institute in Falls Church, VA in 2005. She is also a professionally insured member of the ABMP. Crista has a Bachelor's degree from UIW in San Antonio, TX, in Theatre Arts Performance and Ballet. She has spent time working as a freelance scenic artist for Off Broadway productions and originally became attracted to Boulder through an invitation to work for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. She has completed continuing education courses in foot reflexology, prenatal massage, hot stone massage, and chakra energetic balancing. She is a mother, an artist and a therapeutic movement teacher.
She has had personal experience and success treating a wide range of injuries such as neck strain, sciatica, and lower back pain. However, Crista’s passion really is meeting people wherever they are; be it dealing with difficult life change or struggling with everyday aches and strains. Crista’s style is a blend of flowing Swedish and Deep Tissue massage. She may use guided meditation and visualization to deepen clients’ self-awareness.
Crista believes that we are all performers, athletes, and artists. Our bodies are instruments we use to perform in life. Like any tool the body needs to be maintained. She believes that massage is essential to maintenance and rehabilitation. It is a fantastic tool for grounding the mind and becoming centered, conscious, and aware. Crista’s approach is to focus on enabling her clients to deliver their best performances every day. |
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Deena Ball
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| Deena is a successful professional massage therapist of 18 years. Even before then, her earliest memories were of “wanting to help people feel better.” Always moving towards that goal, it was her formal education and trust in the healing arts that blessed her own healing.
A year into her practice, Deena suffered a severe car accident, throwing her into deep physical and emotional agony. She survived by directing her own recovery - prescribing a treatment massage, Rolfing, and practioners’ healing intention. In this ongoing experience, Deena’s talent is in understanding the needs of a person in pain. Certified in deep tissue, trigger point, Polarity, pre/post pregnancy and infant massage, Deena offers her clients a safe haven to receive true therapeutic touch whether for recovery, chronic pain, or relaxation.
Deena knows bodywork restores impaired energy by nourishing the body and mind on a cellular, emotional and Spiritual level. When given the opportunity to free yourself from discomfort, a whole new perspective comes to life. Your session with Deena is dedicated to meeting your goals respectfully. |
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Dirk McCuistion
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| Dirk is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Neuromuscular Therapist. He graduated from Boulder College of Massage Therapy (BCMT) in 1995 with over 1100 hours of training in manual therapy. He has assisted classes in Neuromuscular Therapy and Anatomy and Physiology at the BCMT, as well as Anatomy at San Diego State University. Dirk is an insured professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association.
As Director of the MassageSpecialists Wellness Center, Dirk's goal for every client is to integrate the body for optimum function and maximum performance.
Through Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy and deep tissue Swedish Massage, Dirk can relieve effects of stress, chronic pain, headaches, repetitive motion syndromes and tendonitis. As a former Silver medalist in the U.S. National Cycling Championships, he is particularly sensitive to the needs of athletes. In fact, Dirk assisted professional triathletes in the preparation for eight Ironman triathlon wins in the past 6 years.
Dirk is also our primary seminar presenter and ergonomics/ biomechanics consultant. He specializes in treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Repetitive Stress Injuries. His track record is so solid, Dirk offers a money-back guarantee on his work. |
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Erin Love
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| With over 8 years of professional massage therapy experience and a passion for helping her clients move forward in attaining their physical and personal goals. Erin loves the work she does at MassageSpecialists!
She is continually intrigued by the body and its holistic wisdom. Within her sessions, she utilizes techniques from her studies in the St. John’s Method of neuromuscular therapy, core synchronism, sports massage, prenatal massage, Thai yoga therapy, as well as polarity and myofascial release techniques. She is also a yoga instructor and has completed an apprenticeship in shamanic practice and healing.
Erin’s work is deep and specific, delivered with a compassionate touch. She is especially interested in using massage as part of the holistic picture for issues such as whiplash, TMJ dysfunction, chronic headaches, grief and depression, infertility, and work-related stress. She also enjoys working with teenagers and the specific needs of runners and professional musicians.
Erin is excited to offer the work of core synchronism here at MassageSpecialists, a technique that is based on craniosacral work and the principles of natural therapeutics. Ask her about it, and how it works with massage therapy. |
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Joshua Handler
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| Joshua, a graduate from Boulder College of Massage Therapy and Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, brings 20 years of personal exploration and growth to his table.
Beginning his impassioned education after graduating from UCSB in 2000, Joshua began traveling the world’s back roads, seeking the Indigenous population in each country visited and witnessing their way of life. Drawn by a desire to experientially know their way of being in the world, he often used horses as a cultural bridge in countries such as Mongolia, Argentina, and Australia.
Joshua employs this same, intense curiosity in his desire to transform and heal the body. He deeply appreciates the relationship between states of mind (emotional, mental, and spiritual), and what is manifesting in the physical body.
His integrative bodywork combines deep tissue Swedish Massage, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Shiatsu, Polarity Therapy, and other forms of energy work.
Joshua invites his clients to create a massage therapy session in which their specific needs are addressed. His engaging communication style and intuitive awareness fosters an exploratory container rooted in the present moment. |
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Justin Howard
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| Dr. Justin Howard D.C./C.M.T., a graduate of Logan College of Chiropractic, is a Colorado Board certified chiropractor. He received his bachelors of science in Human Biology in 2006. Justin Howard D.C./L.M.T. is a member of the American Chiropractic Association, The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters Inc., and is certified in Active Release Technique (ART) of the spine. He graduated from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in September of 2000, and has practiced massage therapy for over 8 years, specializing in sports, Swedish, and deep tissue massage. With his extensive background in massage therapy, Justin Howard D.C./L.M.T. has developed a great understanding of anatomy and the relationship of joints and muscles. He applies his anatomy expertise to his practice and achieves the best possible results combining Chiropractic and ART. He is a “results-driven” doctor that puts his patients’ best interest first. His ability to problem solve while maintaining focus on the patient as a whole has enabled Dr. Justin Howard to achieve accuracy in diagnosis and treatment with a holistic approach.
Dr. Justin Howard enjoys snowboarding, hiking, camping, fishing, yoga, exercising, and watching and cheering for the Broncos and the Avalanche! |
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Kate Mahoney
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| Kate first discovered her passion for alternative therapies shortly after she moved to the Boulder area from Virginia in 1994. Having come from a background heavily influenced by Western Medicine and having suffered from her own health issues, Kate found that simple lifestyle changes and bodywork provided more relief than painkillers and heartburn medication. She has since become an avid reader of all books having to do with health and nutrition. She finally decided to study massage in addition to her personal study of nutrition, and she graduated from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in 2002. Since graduation Kate has worked with sports medicine and chiropractic clients, as well as at a popular spa in Steamboat Springs, CO. But Boulder keeps calling her back.
Kate’s work is a combination of several different modalities, providing a massage that is both therapeutic and extremely relaxing. Taking techniques from Swedish, deep tissue, orthopedic, myofascial release, and sports massage, then adding energy work from shiatsu, polarity therapy, and integrative massage, Kate has developed her own style that is as unique as it is effective. She likes to combine deeper techniques that really get the blood flowing with subtle, gentle techniques that allow the body to relax. Also, Kate prides herself on her ability to tune into her client’s tissues and feel the minute changes that occur there, enabling her to respond to the body rather than intruding on it. Each of Kate’s sessions is individually tailored to meet the client’s needs. |
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Kristen OBrien
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| Kristen combines the most enjoyable and effective elements of Swedish, Deep Tissue, Reflexology, Zen Shiatsu and Chinese Tui Na to tailor every treatment to each individual’s needs. With her intuitive use of gentle stretches, acupressure points and firm, therapeutic pressure, her massage is deeply restorative, nurturing and refreshing.
Kristen is also passionate about pre and post natal massage. She enjoys sharing this special and sacred time in a woman’s life while easing the pain and discomfort that can arise in a rapidly changing, pregnant body. As a mother herself, she understands what you are feeling, both physically and emotionally, and loves nothing more than sharing her joy, excitement and healing touch with expecting and post partum mothers.
Kristen received her training at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego and furthered her studies at Boulder College of Massage Therapy. Her areas of independent study and interest include yoga, nutrition, herbs and midwifery. |
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Lauren Horwitz
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| Lauren’s interest and love of massage began in 1999 when she read about applying therapeutic massage techniques and began to practice on her friends and family. They enjoyed her natural massage ability so much that she was strongly encouraged to attend massage school and make it a career. Having come from a professional dance background and the performing arts, Lauren became in tune to body awareness and recognized massage therapy to be a necessity for injury prevention and recovery treatment, while also maintaining overall relaxation for the body, mind and spirit.
Lauren attended The Massage School of Santa Monica, California and graduated in 2000 as a Certified Massage Therapist. She relocated to Boulder for a change of scenery, and began working as a therapist in 2001. Her experience in Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, and Myofascial Release allow her to enjoy working with a wide spectrum of clients. Lauren’s intuitive and nurturing massage style is focused on allowing the individual's ability to completely let go by incorporating breath work and energy work during a Swedish or Deep Tissue Massage.
She feels that both providing and receiving consistent massage therapy creates the opportunity and fulfillment for a more balanced life. Through understanding the human anatomy and each individual's needs, Lauren is dedicated to helping clients reach their ultimate health goals with education, encouragement and compassion. She appreciates the importance in nurturing ourselves to sustain a balanced well-being and feels blessed to be a part of the process. Lauren also enjoys staying active and creative by dancing, singing, playing piano, yoga, swimming, baking, hiking and snowboarding. |
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Lauren Vigil
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| Lauren Vigil, a Boulder Native, is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist. She graduated from Boulder College of Massage Therapy in 2009 with over 1000 hours of training in massage and bodywork.
Right after she graduated she moved to Jackson Hole, WY. During her professional pursuits, she frequently had the opportunity enjoy utilizing her therapeutic knowledge and to incorporate the physiologic mechanics and psychosocial aspects of touch. While in Jackson Hole, she worked with many elite snowboarders, skiers, and runners along with the holiday travelers hiking the Tetons. Her Boulder clientele is also very active and includes many working professionals. She uses a combination of modalities in order to reach her clients goals such as: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Sports massage and Trigger Point Therapy. She has learned the skills necessary to provide appropriate massage treatment for conditions caused by physical stress and injury. She also always uses her calming and caring interpersonal skills to promote a sense of well-being and comfort. |
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Paul Parker
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| Paul Parker, a Boulder Native, is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and has been in practice for over 15 years. He graduated from Boulder College of Massage Therapy in 1993 with over 1000 hours of training in massage and bodywork. He has assisted classes in Neuromuscular Therapy and Anatomy at BCMT. Paul is a member of the Association of Bodywork and Massage professionals.
Practicing in conjunction with a chiropractor for over 12 years, Paul has worked with a wide variety of clients, treating conditions ranging from from headaches and neck tension to low back, shoulder and hip pain. Utilizing a variety of modalities, including deep tissue massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, myofascial techniques and assisted stretching, Paul works to assist his clients in relieving stress related tension, reducing chronic pain and correcting musculoskeletal dysfunction.
As a former college basketball player and current competitive ultimate frisbee player, Paul understands the challenge of balancing part time athletics with a full time personal and professional life. He strongly believes that massage therapy can play a vital role in overcoming that challenge through its ability to reduce recovery time, prevent injuries and maximize performance. |
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Renee Athay
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| Renée combines her keen interest in people with a deep listening practice as key components of her body therapy. She has extensive training in somato-emotional release with the Upledger Institute and graduated at the top of her class from Myotherapy College of Utah in 2000. Renée is highly creative and builds her treatments individually to meet your needs. She combines swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, and cranial sacral work as her main ingredients.
Renée is a native of Boulder, Colorado but has just recently returned after having spent the past decades living in the Park City, Utah area. While there she opened the Spa at Sundance for Robert Redford and worked with the U.S. Men’s Alpine Ski Team at Nationals. During the 2002 Winter Olympics she was a therapist for the U.S Men’s and Women’s Nordic Teams, as well as the Paralympic Nordic Team.
As a student of Tibetan Buddhism and a trained mediator she looks to mediate our busy driven selves with the calm abiding that settles and grounds us all.
When not working she may be found outside trail running, cycling, skate skiing, enjoying her rescued dogs and cat, working at her favorite CSA as a barter member, or fighting fires with Left Hand Fire District.
“Play hard, relax relentlessly” are her words to live by. |
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Ryan Stevens
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| Ryan was educated at the Utah College of Massage Therapy in 1996, with a specific focus in the areas of deep tissue, Russian sports massage, and shiatsu, going on to become a primary or assistant instructor of each.
Ryan's passion for bodywork is a desire to holistically participate in the discovery of everything that makes up the human experience. The potential for genuine connection, listening, and an interest in another person's well-being is a foundation of his bodywork practice. This is also supported by his background in ashtanga yoga, martial arts, and nutrition/ living foods.
In Ryan's sessions the approach is always guided by the idea of balance. Since balance is never static, this means developing an understanding of the living, fluxuating relationships of the body, which bodywork can have a tremendous influence on. His desire is to discover the most appropriate influence possible, combining deep work with the muscle tissue while also responding to subtle energetic patterns. He feels that a patient, highly aware approach will allow the body to discover the balance and harmony that is always available. |
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Sarah Pancoast
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| Sarah has graduated from the Colorado School of Healing Arts in Lakewood, Colorado with over 1000 hours of training. She is also a certified member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP). Her areas of specialty include: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, and Neuromuscular Therapy.
Sarah is team member of the Rocky Mountain Sports Massage Team which provides massage for events such as the Bicycle Tour of Colorado and the Triple Bypass. She has extensive experience working with all types of athletes such as: runners, swimmers, cyclists, gymnasts, and rock climbers. She helps to alleviate stress and tension which builds up in the body's soft tissue during physical activity, which can also help in the relief of minor injuries, muscle tension and overuse and/or overexertion. Sarah is enthusiastic about her work and thrives on healing clients with specific and focused massage work. |
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Sean Edwards
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| Sean was born a student. His thirst for answers led him to discover massage therapy after receiving a dehabilatating hip injury through his professional furniture moving career in 2003. He graduated from the Cayce/Reilly school of Massotherapy in 2005 after having previously taken his National Certification Board while concurrently practicing at the A.R.E. Health Center and Spa. He sought a deep relationship with Reiki throughout massage school, which he was able to find, and has been practicing and teaching for 5 years. He had the great fortune of being a massage instructor at Centura College, formerly Tidewater Tech, in Chesapeake, Virginia in 2007 through 2008.
Being a very kinesthetic individual from the Virginia Beach area, Sean has grown up very active. He has always been immersed in skateboards and surfboards, skis and snowboards, sailing, martial arts and now yoga and bodywork. He has always pushed his own body, abilities, and limitations. Through his 6 year career with furniture moving and his active pastimes, he has learned very well what the body will and will not do. After receiving his SI joint injury and being blessed with his first professional massage, he has maintained a consistent pursuit of recovery and balance. Sean’s body/energy work has become a mirror of his desire to mend himself that has been tempered by his reflective nature cultivated through daily, multi-faceted practice.
Sean practices a intuitive style of body and energywork. Grounded in neuromuscular/trigger point therapy, he also brings to the table a study in sports massage, accupressure, myofascial massage, and Reiki. |
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Stefanie Pitthan
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| Stefanie is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Massage Therapist in the State of Colorado. She completed her massage therapy training in the year 2001 at the Connecting Point School of Massage and Spa Therapies in Telluride Colorado. In 2001 she began her study of Chinese Medicine at the International Institute of Chinese Medicine in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is there she discovered her love of yoga and began a regular practice. Her path through Oriental Medical School led her to Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego and then to Boulder where she completed her certification at the Southwest Acupuncture College.
Stefanie has a wide variety of styles both in her massage and acupuncture practice. She has vast experience working with the physical, emotional and spiritual. This range includes athletes, pregnancy, women’s health, pain, and emotional/ spiritual issues. She draws on various massage techniques including deep tissue, Swedish, Trigger Point Therapy, Acupressure, energy work, Tui na and many more. In her many years of experience with different teachers of Acupuncture, Herbology, yoga, meditation, and massage, she has become well versed in different treatment approaches and paradigms and seeks to find the best one for each individual.
Her passion is for people to find harmony in their body, mind and spirit. Her needle technique is gentle yet effective. Her strengths include: years of study, compassion, and an ability to intuit the needs of her clients. She draws on her own experiences of being a mother, an artist, a student and a human being to connect with her clients. She is forever the student of life and of her practice. |
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