Our Instructors

Annie Garic began her massage therapy career in 1987 earning certifications from the Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing, the Atlanta School of Massage, and the Upledger Institute. She continually seeks educational opportunities to enhance her skills for the benefit of her clients’ health and lifestyle.

In 2001, she took her first ACE Massage Cupping™ workshop from Anita Shannon. The benefits were immediate for her clients and herself. She continued to study with Anita and became a Certified ACE Massage Cupping™ educator in 2007.

Annie practices in New Orleans, LA and Asheville, NC and teaches all over the country.

NCBTMB # 312464-00

For questions about this course, contact Annie directly at anniegaric@yahoo.com

Born in South Africa, Claire has lived in the US since she was 10 and has a rich history in Athletic Training, Exercise and Sports Science, and Medical Personal Training. She received her massage diploma from Body Therapy Institute (BTI) in Siler City, NC in August 2010. She took her first class with Claire Marie Miller in 2013 - Hot Rockin’ Reflexology and Sweet Feet Aromatherapy - and she was hooked! She knew she wanted to follow Claire and learn as much from her as possible. She took Nurturing the Mother® Pregnancy and Postpartum Massage in 2015, Integrative Reflexology® in 2018, and Lymphatic Massage for Detoxification in 2023. Claire uses these techniques weekly in her massage practice and even in daily life with her family. Taking Claire’s classes gave her the confidence and technique to integrate and work with all manner of clients on their personal health journeys. Claire completed the Spirit of Learning Teacher Training in December 2021 and is currently teaching Somatic Psychology at the Institute for Massage and Bodywork Therapy in Fayetteville, NC, adding the Pregnancy and Postpartum Module in the Fall of 2023. She is excited to teach for Claire Marie Miller Seminars and pass along this valuable work to the massage therapy community

For questions about this course, contact Claire directly at massageclaire80@gmail.com

Claire has been involved with the health profession since 1972, when she began training as a radiologic technician. In 1979, she graduated with honors from the Boulder School of Massage Therapy. Her pioneering work with pregnancy, postpartum, labor, fertility and infant massage was born out of personal experience and her passion for the creative process of birth and healing. This work led to the creation of Nurturing the Mother®, in 1990. In 1993, Claire introduced Integrative Reflexology® as a certification course. Today, Claire has trained thousands of students; including more than 15 instructors who teach in over 20 states throughout the country. She was inducted into the Massage Hall of Fame in 2010 and has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1979 (NC #580) and nationally certified since 1994. She is Board Certified with NCBTMB and maintains her private practice at her home in Chapel Hill, NC. Claire’s style of teaching is inspiring and wholesome. She brings both well-tested techniques and passionate experience to her classroom. Her students often comment on her ability to transfer knowledge to others and that her classes are a whole-hearted experience, offering more than simply learning techniques.

 NCBTMB # 049535-00

For questions about this course, contact Claire Marie directly at clairemariemiller1979@gmail.com

Dr. Joi Edwards is a licensed massage therapist and a licensed physical therapist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation, a doctorate degree in physical therapy, and has held specialization in orthopedic manual therapy. She has extensive experience in the orthopedic field with both injuries and surgical conditions. She works full time as a physical therapist, owns her own continuing education company, Owlchemy Education, and successfully fuses the science of orthopedics with the art and intuition of massage, bridging both worlds together with the magic of silicone cups. Learn more at owlchemymassage.com.

 NCBTMB # 1000029

For questions about this course, contact Dr. Joi directly at owlchemymassage@gmail.com

Ellen Gayle Sovinee began her career in massage and bodywork in 1989 completing 1000 hours of training as a Holistic Health Practitioner. In 1993 she became nationally certified as a massage and bodywork practitioner. After teacher assisting in cranial sacral, lymphatic drainage and emotional release classes, Ellen Gayle began teaching on her own at Massage Schools on the west coast as well as in North Carolina. In 2007, she became an individual NCBTMB Board Approved Continuing Education Provider teaching Cranial Sacral, Lymphatic Massage and Trauma CE classes.

Cranial Sacral: Ellen Gayle's primary training as a student through the Advanced 2 class; teacher assisting in the first four levels and precepting in the Advanced trainings with the Upledger Institute. Additional training has been with Dr. Alain Gehin (3 levels) and Dr. Hugh Milne. 

Lymphatic Drainage (aka lymphatic Massage): Ellen Gayle was first introduced to the Vodder method, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, while still in school to become a Holistic Health Practitioner. A few years later, she was introduced to Dr. Bruno Chikly who came over to the United States from France. Then took 3 of his lymphatic classes and teacher assisted in two levels. 

Ellen Gayle continues to find ways to add and improve what she offers her students as an instructor and what she offers her clients as their practitioner by taking specialty CE classes, doing research as well as the feedback she's received from students and colleagues. 

For more information about Ellen Gayle and her CE classes, visit her website at www.holisticsymmetry.com

NCBTMB # 450498-07

For questions about this course, contact Ellen Gayle directly at gsovinee@gmail.com

Born in the Island of Puerto Rico, Fernanda Santiago has always had a passion for wellness and helping people get healthy. Her great grandmother was a midwife, herbalist and considered by many to be an expert in the use of natural healing compounds. This knowledge of herbal medicine and natural healing has been passed down for generations. Fernanda was introduced to Aromatic Botanical Medicine early in her career and has specialized in Aromatherapy for 16 years. She has also trained in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and mentored by Acupuncture Physicians, and Botanists, gaining hands on experience. She has studied with both Floracopeia and The School of Aromatic Studies.

She loves gardening, the outdoors and creating custom formulations for her clients. She has a private practice in Apex, NC named Healing Feels Good®. Here she provides consultations, Aromatherapy treatments & formulations as well as bodywork sessions such as Reflexology, Thai Massage and Thai Herbal Poultice treatments.

She is the co-founder of Apex Retreat Seminars, a nationally approved continuing education school for massage therapist and is a Level 2 NAHA Certified Professional Aromatherapist.

She loves to share her knowledge and passion for helping others using traditional methods of healing.

 NCBTMB # 1000043

For questions about this course contact Fernanda directly at apexretreat@gmail.com

Fernando Rojas was Inducted to the Massage Therapy Massage Hall of Fame 2023 Members at the World Massage Festival.

Certified originally in 2004 in Osho Rebalancing, a meditative bodywork modality that combines deep tissue (Rolfing) and Osho Joint Release (Tragerwork). Went on to complete the full Trager® Approach training in 2011. Other bodywork training includes traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, and Spanish Quiromasaje.

 From 2010, have served as therapeutic massage lecturer and instructor, externship clinic manager, massage therapy program manager and faculty lead, in educational institutions with therapeutic massage programs such as: Anthem Institute, NJ; Florida Career College, NJ; Branford Hall Career Institute, NJ; Gentle Healing School of Massage, NJ; Escuela de Artes Místicas, PR.

After completing a Masters Degree, awarded a grant to complete a doctoral program with Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK. Study explored the intersection of Mindfulness and skilled creative action (understood as competences developed through consistent practice and where outcomes are novel, such as sports, music, art or bodywork).

Published academic author of doctoral thesis, papers and articles in academic journals and international conferences in Europe, Asia and America.

 NCBTMB # 311

For questions about this course, contact Fernando directly at tragerpr@gmail.com

Janete Franco Barringer is a practitioner and an instructor certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), a licensed massage and bodywork therapist by the North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy, and a certified member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP). 

In Brazil, Janete graduated from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. She is a certified massage therapist by the Instituto de Educação e Cultura Chinesa do Brasil and Centro de Equilíbrio de Energia, both located in Curitiba, state of Paraná. 

In the United States, she is certified by the Therapeutic Massage Training Institute, located in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition, she has completed more than a hundred hours of massage training, including reflexology classes with Claire Marie Miller. 

In 2009 Janete developed the Brazilian Chakras Reflexology. This technique qualified her as a nominee for the 2016 World’s Best Massage Therapist Contest. 

Janete began teaching Brazilian Chakras Reflexology internationally in 2016, at the Faculdade Espírita do Paraná, in Curitiba, Brazil. In the United States, she is proudly teaching her course to enthusiastic students who want to enhance their acknowledgement of the art of healing the body through clinical, holistic and therapeutic approaches.

Janete is author, developer, and licensed instructor of Brazilian Chakras Reflexology. 

NCBTMB # 1786

For questions about this course, contact Janete directly at bcr@myabmp.com

Jim has been practicing massage therapy since 1992. He developed a love for teaching during massage school and in 1995 began teaching at the Pennsylvania Institute of Massage Therapy. He has co-owned the Academy of Massage Therapy and Bodyworks, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania since 2006 and has taught and graduated hundreds of massage therapy students. During his time teaching, Jim noticed that many students were leaving the massage therapy field due to injury and burn out. In 2015, with a team of massage therapists, he created Forearm Fusion, which has helped therapists save their hands and prolong their careers. Jim resides in Lansdale, Pennsylvania where he has owned Rapunzel’s Salon and Spa since 1999. When he’s not doing massage or teaching he enjoys spending time outdoors and with his son, Ewan.

NCBTMB # 1000610

For questions about this course, contact Jim directly at Jamfunk@comcast.net

The word “sabai” comes from Thailand. It is one word that means many things: ease, sense of peace, health, well-being, no worries.

The Living Sabai School of Thai Massage wants all of these things for our students.

Living Sabai is really a life-long learning community and support network for massage therapists committed to career growth and personal wellness.

In short, we are saving our student’s bodies and transforming their practices. We would love for you to join the Living Sabai family.

NCBTMB # 451012-09

If you are a graduate of NC Massage School, please email Living Sabai to receive your discount code. 

For any questions about this course, contact Living Sabai directly at jill@livingsabai.com