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Our Awesome Team!
Caroline Hulsey
Pronouns: She/They
NC LMBT #20480
Caroline is a whole-hearted proponent of radical self-care and an advocate for the body liberation movement. In a world that can feel–and be–physically, mentally, and emotionally oppressive, it is a pinnacle of importance for her to offer a place of respite that is body-neutral, anti-racist, and gender affirming. They extend an open invitation at their massage table for everyone to connect with the idea that treating themselves and their bodies with acts of love and kindness is the first step to treating others with love and kindness. In Caroline’s massage style, she combines slow, connective movements (to warm-up muscle tissues and signal to the body and muscles that they are in a safe-space to release) and then gradually moves into deeper, more specific work to alleviate chronic conditions and pain patterns. They are enthused by the prospect of working towards a future where massage therapy and bodywork are accessible and acceptable for all people. Additionally, Caroline has a soft spot in their heart for trades-people and service industry professionals.
Sarah Flickinger
Pronouns: She/Her
NC LMBT #20000
Sarah came to massage out of desperation, looking for a solution to chronic migraines. It provided one of the first experiences of relief from years of pain that she thought could possibly never be overcome. After realizing what a powerful resource massage is, she went on to study at the Center for Massage and Natural health in Asheville. While attending school she was able to fulfill her deep curiosity about the function of the human body and when it goes awry. Her goal in practicing massage is to be part of a network of health resources for her community. She believes that when a community network is strong, healthy, and supported it will thrive-- much in the same way the network of the human body thrives when it is given the resources it needs. Sarah's massage approach is to create an environment of deep relaxation and healing through slow, intentional, integrated massage, and deep breathing. She enjoys working on shoulder and upper back tension and always works to keep her clients direct goals and needs a highlight of the session.
Alanna Shivone
Pronouns: She/Her
NC LMBT #20099
Alanna graduated from the Center for Massage and Natural Health. She believes massage should be an open safe space for people to come as they are so they are able to experience the natural healing capacities already within their body. She values putting positive intention into each movement, meeting the body where it’s at, and allowing the body to heal at its own pace. Using an integrative approach, she draws on different modalities to best meet the needs of the individual and enjoys doing deep dive focus sessions on one problem area or section of the body, allowing time and focus to facilitate unwinding.
Jax Walter
Pronouns: They/Them
NC LMBT #20319
Jax completed massage therapy training at the Center for Massage and Natural Health in Asheville, NC. Their interest in massage therapy grew from their involvement with community work and organizing over the last decade. They witnessed the high levels of burnout, instances of chronic pain and chronic stress people experienced and wanted to have a tangible skill for supporting their community members. They strive to offer integrative touch that relaxes the nervous system and supports the body’s natural tendency towards healing. They employ techniques from Neuromuscular therapy, Myofascial release, and Swedish massage to form a blend of pain relief and relaxation in alignment with client goals. They especially enjoy working with folks who have never had a massage before and helping people to get more in touch with their bodies.
Dawn Zielger
Pronouns: She/They
NC LMBT #20730
Dawn specializes in a blend of therapeutic & integrative massage therapy. Her goal is to discover the root cause of chronic issues & help people feel better in their bodies by creating a customized therapeutic experience with each session. Her style of massage may include modalities such as Thai yoga, therapeutic Swedish, deep tissue and some myofascial massage.
Beth Rivenbark
Pronouns: She/Her
NC LMBT #20346
Beth graduated from the Center for Massage an Natural Health in Asheville, NC. She was drawn to massage after experiencing firsthand the benefits massage therapy has not only on the body, but also the mind and spirit. She is especially drawn to using her intuitive nature to help clients on their healing journey and is also a Reiki practitioner. She enjoys working with deeper pressure requests and works to integrate techniques and approaches to best meet every client's goals or needs for the session. She is a native North Carolinian and lives on a farmstead in Leicester with multiple dogs, cats, chickens, and goats. She and her wife of 11 years also open their home to children in foster care and are currently fostering siblings. Beth loves small mountain towns and enjoys meeting and working with the community of Black Mountain.
'Aina Rapoza
Pronouns: He/Him
NC LMBT #20366
With experience in and a love for team sports, 'Aina takes a "teamwork" approach to body work. You will work together to understand what soft tissue issues may be plaguing your well being. He will check in on potential trigger points while you help direct him to areas that are causing your discomfort. 'Aina enjoys utilizing Neuro-Muscular-Therapy (NMT) techniques, other deep tissue approaches, in combination with the knowledge you have of your body to help facilitate therapeutic releases and clear up problem areas. When not at the office, 'Aina can be spotted around the Asheville Improv Scene taking classes, stage managing, and performing. He is also a fan of the Oxford comma. As a football fan, during the fall, please do not mention any scores as he streams all of the games after they have been played.
Lisa Birnesser
Pronouns: She/Her
NC LMBT #18244
Lisa has been helping people overcome pain and injury for 35+ years. She began her career as an occupational therapist in 1985 and added bodywork to her repertoire in 2005 after graduating from the Center of Rehabilitation Education massage program in Knoxville. Lisa draws from her expertise in a wide variety of therapeutic techniques to focus on your individual needs. She is certified in Myofascial Integration Structural Technique (a deep tissue technique) and practices craniosacral therapy, which is her current love. She specializes in the soft tissue treatment of back, neck and shoulder pain, TMJ issues as well as headache relief. Lisa also has long experience in pregnancy massage and is certified in prenatal and fertility massage.
Lydia Morrow
Pronouns: She/They
NC LMBT #20876
Lydia was first introduced to massage as a high-school athlete - it was the only thing that helped relieve her chronic pain at the time. From that early introduction, she has experienced first hand the potential that massage has to bring about physical, mental, and emotional relief and finally took the plunge to study massage herself at the Center for Massage & Natural Health. She most enjoys tailoring each massage experience to the client's specific needs of that session. She particularly loves integrating sports massage, myofascial techniques, deep tissue, and a good old fashioned relaxing massage. Lydia lives on an organic farm in Fairview, NC and enjoys working in the dirt, hiking, traveling, playing volleyball and rollerblading in her spare time.
Lizzy Turner
Pronouns: She/Her
NC LMBT #20692
Lizzy was drawn to the healing arts as a teenager, setting her on a path of self discovery that landed her at the Center for Massage and Natural Health to study massage. She believes in whole body health and going within to heal. Her own experiences of receiving relief from physical discomfort and pain inform her practice and are part of what drew her to supporting others on their journey for answers and a better understanding of their body. In her sessions, she enjoys offering a space for all her clients to let go and receive. She loves incorporating deeper therapeutic work with Swedish massage foundations and is always looking to bring new tools and techniques to her practice.