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When a woman embarks on a life path of healing it is because she has a natural affinity for it. She has a sense that this new path will unlock unknown and unexpected talents and gifts, while at the same time providing a forum for her to share with others her unique perspective and personal truths.
I was very young when I realized that loving touch was transformative, not just for the receiver, but equally for the giver. I think I always knew that I was a healer, or at least I was sure that I wanted to be. I have always found it magical that I have the opportunity to pass on a little spark of myself to others, to know that my honest presence makes a difference in that moment... in that day... in that life.
The day I met Bernadette Gessner, the founder and owner of the 30-year-old Massage School of Santa Monica, I had a strong intention to change my life. I had eagerly gone through the orientation at several other Los Angeles-based massage schools but they all paled in comparison to the attitude, heart, generosity of spirit and curriculum vs. financial investment that Bernadette has manifested through her school.
Bernadette sat before me, her eyes twinkling with worlds of knowledge and compassion, offering the unconditional support and gentle, intuitive spirit of an archetypal mother. She listened more than she spoke, and I could see that she felt and understood the urgency of my hopes and dreams.
Tens of thousands of future healers have sat before her over the past thirty years, each seeking a tangible plan to help realize a personalized set of goals or unique vision for their contribution to the healing arts. All share one unbreakable common thread: a sincere desire to help make the world a better, healthier place to be.
Over the years, Bernadette Gessner’s impulse and personal arena of influence through the Massage School of Santa Monica extend well into the millions, and are as far reaching as Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, France, Canada, Hawaii and all across the United States. Many successful entrepreneurs behind Southern California’s pop healing spas and training facilities – including Burke Williams, Touch Therapy, California Healing Arts College, and many more – received their training and guidance under Bernadette’s gentle hand and watchful eyes.
Today, the Massage School of Santa Monica has grown from a single classroom into two totally independent campuses and curriculums, one in Santa Monica and the other in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. MSSM offers both basic and advanced massage therapy courses, and hundreds of hours of innovative and specialized continuing education workshops with LA’s most experienced senior staff of over 30 instructors. These top instructors bring to the school a combined teaching experience of over 150 years and over 200 years of hands-on professional experience.
Bernadette’s legacy and contribution to the local community as well as the healing community at large is undeniable. Through her vigilance and loving attention, she has conceived, nurtured and responsibly provided a safe, harmonious and balanced environment where each year thousands of student healers and experienced practitioners can thrive, expand their consciousness and training, and maximize their potential for creating joyful, successful careers in therapeutic massage.
Massage School of Santa MonicaSanta Monica Campus 800.746.2772North Hollywood Campus 818.763.4912massageschoolsantamonica.com Sue LaBelle 818.373.1117 |
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