Leigh Abraham, B.A. HHP
Leigh attended Old Dominion University in Virginia where she graduated with a Bachelors degree in English. Leigh started her studies at IPSB in 1996 and quickly found herself submerged in the massage industry. Leigh has held a private practice in Orange County since 1997 where she practices Reiki, Somato Emotional Integration, CrainoSacral Therapy and Pranic Healing. Her passions include; bodymind integration, ceramics, poetry, Somato Emotional processing, writing, and practicing bodywork.
Mark Adams A.S., HHP
Mark graduated from IPSB with an A.S. degree in 1995. Mark is a primary instructor in Essentials of Massage and Bodywork, and Circulatory Massage Applications in Contemporary Methods A. He also created and teaches Touch 101, IPSB’s massage workshop for the non-professional.
Faiza Al-Turki, A.S.
Ron Arbel, AA, HHP
Ron started his journey at IPSB in 1998. With over 1700 hours he is a primary teacher in Structural Integration and Anatomy. Ron functions as the Structural Integration department coordinator and maintains a private practice focused on Structural Integration and human movement potential.
Jack Baker, M.A., B.A., HHP
Jack holds a Master’s degree in Somatic Education from IPSB, a Bachelor’s in English from UCSB, and has completed over 1500 hours of training in Massage and Bodywork at IPSB. He began teaching at IPSB in 1990 and is a Primary instructor for Neuromuscular Therapy, Anatomy, Dialogue Methods, and Self-Directed Learning. Jack is the Faculty Coordinator for Clinical Methods, and he also teaches in IPSB’s Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs.
Hope Buchbinde
Byron Barth, L.Acl, O.M., MSTOM
Byron is a practicing Zen Shiatsu therapist and licensed Acupuncturist. He has been instruction Zen Shiatsu for over a decade and is on faculty at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California. He is nationally certified in Chinese Herbology, Acupunture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Other licenses include Holistic Health Practitioner and NCBTMB for Massage.
Alicia Berg, A.S., HHP
Alicia began her bodywork education at IPSB in 1999, pursuing both an HHP certificate and an A.S. in Holistic Health. Alicia has a busy private practice and teaches in the Contemporary Methods portion of the M.T. program. She teaches at the IPSB Massage Therapy Clinic and in the classroom in Deep Tissue Sculpting and in Clinical Applications. In addition, she teaches CranioSacral Therapy at the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy.
Nikki Castro, B.A., HHP
Nikki graduated in 1983 from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor's of Art degree. After spending a number of years back east, Nikki returned to California to teach at UCLA. She came to San Diego in 1997 to study at IPSB where she received her HHP and currently maintains a private practice. Nikki joined the IPSB faculty in 2000 and loves teaching Sensory Repatterning at the Contemporary Methods level.
Barbara Clark, M.A., B.S., HHP
Barbara is a Taoist Priest and holds a Master’s in Somatic Education from IPSB, a Bachelor’s in Accounting and Business, and is a Holistic Health Practitioner of Asian Arts with well over 2,000 hours of bodywork training. Barbara began teaching business classes, then developed Jin Shin Acutouch which she has taught since 1978, and has written several books on the subject.
Judy Deken, B.S.
Judy holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing from Trenton State College. Her areas of nursing employment include: Newborn Intensive Care, Coronary Care, Intensive Care, Children's Hospital at Stanford, and homecare. She is grateful for her IPSB training as it has brought a more holistic approach to her spa employment and her private practice. While at IPSB, she has taught Pathology, Anatomy, and (assisted with teaching) Hydrotherapy and Spa Applications.
Kristina Eberle, HHP
Krestina is a licensed Holistic Health Practitioner specializing in Traditional Thailand Massage. She began her bodywork training at IPSB in 1991 and studied Thai Massage with Dr. Richard Gold. She has a private practice and teaches Thai Massage and Yoga at various venues..
John Economos, Ph.D., HHP, G.C.F.T.
John is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher, a member of the International Association of Structural Integrators, certified in the Traditional Medical Massage of Thailand, has studied Tui Na and Chi Gung in Beijing, China and served on the staff of the Gero-Psychiatric Ward of Mission Bay Hospital. He maintains a private practice in Somatic Education and is Adjunct Professor in the Business School at the University of Redlands.
Marjeanne Estes, B.S., A.A., HHP
Marjeanne holds an Associate's degree in Combined Methods from IPSB, and a Bachelor’s in Pharmacy from ULM. She teaches Deep Tissue Sculpting and Anatomy. She has a growing practice specializing in deep tissue sculpting, pregnancy massage and somato-emotional integration.
Duffy Fainer B.A.
Duffy is and IPSB graduate, practioner of Yang and Chen Styles of Tai Chi, and has been practicing Psychoclisthenics as a participant in the Arica Institute and its trainings since 1975.
Carrie Franklin, B.A.
Carrie teaches the Applied Studies of Anatomy course at IPSB. She is a graduate of the MT program and holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California at San Diego.
Aimee Freeman, HHP
Aimee first attended IPSB as an Essentials student in 1994. She started her massage practice working as an injury based massage therapist, for the Naval Special Forces Unit in 1995 and has since been running her own full time private practice in Coronado, California. Aimee specializes in Circulatory Massage Applications, Injury based modalities such as Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Sports Massage, along with CrainoSacral Therapy. She entered the teacher training program at IPSB in 2002 and teaches within the Essentials Program as well as, Contemporary Methods A and the Touch 101 seminars.
Shari Grayson, BA, MBA, HHP
Shari has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of San Diego. She has also completed the Holistic Health Practitioner program here at IPSB. She began teaching at IPSB in 1994 and currently teaches Essentials of Massage & Bodywork, Clinical Applications, Creating a Professional Practice, Seated Massage and Pregnancy Massage. She is Faculty Coordinator for the Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Practitioner programs, and leads the teacher training classes. Her private practice focuses on Corporate Chair massage at several local companies and working with pregnant clients. She offers an eclectic blend of massage styles.
Richard Gold Ph.D., L.Ac.
Richard has been practicing Asian Healing Arts since his 1978 graduation from the New England School of Acupuncture. Dr. Gold has been teaching at IPSB since 1980. He has done advanced studies in China (1980), Japan (1986) and Thailand (1988, 1989, 1992). Richard has been a licensed acupuncturist since 1983. Gold is the author of the book, ‘Thai Massage: A Traditional Medical Technique’ first published in 1988 by Churchill Livingstone and with a 2nd edition published in 2007.
Kate Henrioulle, B.A., NCTMB
Kate began her bodywork training in 1997 while obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Geology at Colorado College. She continues to study Ortho-Bionomy, Thai, Hawaiian, and Japanese styles of massage, with a passion for uniting them with Western Circulatory massage. Kate currently serves IPSB on the faculty in the Massage Therapy program and as the Dean of Education.
Elizabeth Jacobowitz, MA, HHP
Elizabeth holds a Master's Degree in Expressive Arts Therapy for the European Graduate School, as well as a Bachelor's in Health and Exercise Science from Syracuse University. She studied massage and bodywork at IPSB, accumulating more than 1200 hours of training and specialization in Sports Massage, Sensory Repatterning, Relational Somatics, and Somatoemotional Integration. She teaches classes in introductory bodywork, integrative somatics, and self-care for helping professionals. Elizabeth is fascinated with the mind-body connection and the awakening of self that is possible through bodywork and the arts.
Matt Jenkins, AA, HHP
Matt started at IPSB in 1999, and attended PCOM in 2005. He acquired his HHP license in 2005. He has studied about 12 different forms of massage, both Eastern and Western modalities. His main teaching interests are in the various Asian Healing Arts. He has been involved in the teaching of Tui Na, Thai, Seitai Shiatsu, Zen Shiatsu, and Nei Gong Gee Liao.
Janis Johnson, MA., B.A., HHP
Janis holds a Master’s degree in Education and a BA in History and Theater. She is also certified in Expressive Arts Therapy. Janis has been teaching at the university level since 1975. At IPSB, she teaches Deep Tissue Sculpting, The Moving Soma, Jin Shin Acutouch, Advanced Deep Tissue Techniques and various AS and BA learning seminars. Her practice focuses on injury recovery using Deep Tissue Sculpting and Jin Shin Acutouch.
Anthony Jones, A.S., HHP
Anthony has been exploring bodywork since 1993 and is a graduate of IPSB. In his private practice, Anthony works with professional triathletes and the San Diego Chargers.
Melissa Jones, B.S., HHP
Melissa a licensed esthetician, is a graduate from Florida International University and IPSB’s 1,000-hour program. Melissa teaches Stress Relieving Face, Hands, and Feet at IPSB, and Yoga and Pilates at various health clubs.
Henry Price Kagey III, MA, HHP
Henry has been teaching in classes at IPSB since 1997. Being a primary in the structural integration internships and the T'ai Chi elective allows him to develop his interests in natural forms, movement, energy, awareness, psychology, physics, and anatomy professionally. The providence of a successful private practice also allows Henry to pursue a degree in structural engineering at UCSD at the same time.
Skip Kanester, A.S., HHP
Skip has been studying Asian Healing Arts since 1989. At IPSB, he is a primary instructor in the Tuina classes and in the Seitai Shiatsu specialization. Skip teaches classes throughout the country.
Clark Korb, HHP, M.Eng., BSEE
Clark came to IPSB after leaving the corporate world working as an electrical engineer. He now enjoys a value-aligned career as an entrepreneur, professional networker, educator, and holistic health practitioner. His primary intention in each of these roles is to propagate a prosperity consciousness for the healing and betterment of other practitioners, clients, and society as whole.
Stephen Leffler, B.S., HHP
Stephen began his studies at IPSB after several years of public school teaching. Much of his practice involves people with HIV/AIDS, using mostly Neuromuscular Therapy and Tuina. At IPSB, he is a continuing student and an instructor of Physiology/Pathology and Appied Studies
Daniel Lichterman, L.Ac.
Daniel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Bradley University and a Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine from PCOM. In his private practice, Daniel specializes in neck and back pain, as well as spiritual acupuncture. He teaches Eastern and Western Nutrition and Oriental Theories.
Osi Livni, HHP, LMT, AOBTA-CI
Osi is a graduate of the Bio_Energetic School of massage in Israel; The Clayton School of Natural Healing and the Mueller College of Holistic Studies. She was trained in Oriental Medicine, Acupressure and Chi-Nei-Tsang through San Francisco State University, and the Healing Tao Center of Mantak Chia in New York. After receiving her license in 1985, Osi founded SOUL-GATE-HEALING a private practice combining CNT Internal Organ Healing with Qi-Gong, Bio-Energetic systems, Synergistic Acupressure Massage, Soul Transformation-Spiritual coaching. As well as classical Swedish Massage, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Reiki, Nutrition & Herbal guidance. Osi teaches Chi-Nei-Tsang
Michelle Lomelin, A.A.
Andru Lugo, BA, HHP
Andru is CertTESOL certified to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages, Specialization in British Literature and Contextualism (a way of looking at literature that places emphasis on the unique quality of the experience of a work of art) SDSU, HHP at IPSB. He now teaches English I: Composition as well as English II: Literature at Cuyamaca and IPSB, and does massage and bodywork part-time.
Dorothy Mahrie (Dottie Post), A.S., HHP
Dorothy is a graduate of IPSB and has been in private practice since 1990 specializing in CranioSacral Therapy and a variety of energy balancing techniques. She has studied extensively with Dr. John Upledger and is a certified teaching assistant for the Upledger Institute, assisting many workshops in CranioSacral Therapy, Somato Emotional Release and advanced level training.
Edward W. Maupin, Ph.D.
Ed is a clinical psychologist who has practiced the Rolf Method of Structural Integration since 1968. A resident of the Esalen Institute in Big Sur from 1966-1970, he worked personally with such masters as Ida Rolf, Fritz Perls, Mary Whitehouse and others. He has studied the methods of the Arica Institute since 1970. President of IPSB from 1977-2001, he is now, upon occasion, President-Emeritus. Ed has authored a number of books, including Body Epiphany and A Dynamic Relation to Gravity, a manual of Rolf Structural Integration.
Carole Meredith, MFT, HHP
Carole a Marriage and Family Therapist since 1990, is also an IPSB HHP (1982). She has specialized training and Retreat experience in Mindfulness and Meditation. Other areas of specialization include: Bio-Energetics and other mind-body approaches, family systems, contemporary psychodynamics, and Attachment Theory/early development issues. She feels grateful for being able to teach a practice dear to her heart at a place dear to her heart.
Barbara Miller B.A.
Barbara received a BA in Journalism from the Univeristy of Oregon in 1996, and is currently pursuing her HHP at IPSB. She became a Certified Nia Instructor in 2002.
Majid Mokhbery, M.S., B.S., HHP
Majid has completed over 1,400 hours of Somatic Training in Massage and Bodywork at IPSB. He maintains a private practice that focuses primarily on Oriental bodywork methods.
Tammy Morgan, B.A., MT
Tammy a San Diego native, Tammy attended SDSU and received her Bachelors degree in English with an emphasis in British Literature. She began her studies at IPSB in 1997, where she soon found her passion for massage and bodywork within the Circulatory Massage and Deep Tissue Sculpting modalities. Tammy currently teaches within the Essentials program here at IPSB. This allows her to share her passion for bodywork with students, while keeping her grounded and in beginner’s mind.
Eugenie Newton, B.A., M.A., HHP
Eugenie has Master's degrees in Somatics from IPSB and in Counseling Psychology. She has taught at IPSB since 1992 and is a primary instructor in Client Centered Communications, Creating a Professional Practice, and Department of Success. Eugenie also teaches in IPSB's Bachelor's and Master's programs. She has maintained a private practice since 1989 and has previously served as Dean of Faculty. Eugenie has been the Executive Director of IPSB College since July, 2007.
Joanne Odenthal, Ph.D.
Joanne began her career as a media specialist and teacher. She has taught research to students of all ages. She has a passion for plants and has studied both aromatherapy and herbology for the past 20 years. She has taught at IPSB since 1997.
Chris Okuma, B.A., HHP, NCTMB
Chris graduated from UCSD with a B.A. in Visual Arts and received an AA in Combined Methods (AHA and Somatics) from IPSB with over 2,000 hours of training. She continues to study with the Upledger Institute in both Cranio Sacral Therapy (CST) and SER, and is currently participating in an Adv. CST study group. She is a Reiki Master, a primary instructor in Somatic Assimilation, and CranioSacral Therapy I and II. Her private practice continues to evolve with a creative focus in CranioSacral and Somato-Emotional Integrative therapies and also utilizes energy balancing techniques. Chris feels very blessed to have been supervised and mentored by many of IPSB's greatest teachers.
Robin Oleata, B.A., HHP
Robin attended UC Berkeley where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Portuguese studies. Robin graduated from IPSB with her HHP and later trained to become a teacher in the Contemporary Methods A modalities. Along with CMA she also has studied and teaches Thailand Massage, Clinical Applications and Spa Applications. She is a Certified Yoga Instructor from Sivananda International Yoga Organization.
Michael Orr, MSNE, CKYT
Michael graduated from Purdue University in 1989 with a Master's in Nuclear Engineering. After spending 6 years designing nuclear reactors for Navy submarines, Michael became a Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher and studied Anatomy, Physiology, & Somatics at The Ohio State University while working on a PhD in Radiation Therapy. While at OSU, Michael studied CranioSacral Therapy with the Upledger Institute and Cathy Pliscof. Michael currently teaches Math at Grossmont College along with Physiology & Pathology B at IPSB.
Carole Osborne-Sheets, B.A., HHP
Carole is one of the original founders of IPSB. She is author of Deep Tissue Sculpting (1991,2002) and Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy (1998), and she recently contributed to an upcoming book, Teaching Massage Therapy. She began her private practice in 1974 and continues to focus on maternity and other women's issues and on somato-emotional integration. Her certification workshop, "Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy", is an internationally recognized program. At IPSB, Carole is a Primary teacher of Passive Joint/Deep Tissue Blends, Pregnancy Massage Introduction and Somato-emotional Integration specialization. Carole is the recipient of the 2008 AMTA National Teacher of the Year award, and a contributor to Teaching Massage Therapy.
Kathy Padecky, HHP, Aromatherapist, CBS
Kathy began working in the holistic health field in 1981 and teaches various massage modalities, aromatherapy, reflexology, spa techniques, heated stone, hydrotherapy, Raindrop Technique ©, aromatherapy and aura-imaging, plus healing with crystals and essential oils.
Diana Panara, M.S.W., H.H.P., NCBTMB
Diana is an IPSB graduate and holds a master's degree from Tulane University. A somatic practitioner since 1974, she began teaching with IPSB in 1980. She remains enchanted with the Essentials, and also teaches at the specialization level. The Way of the Healer introduces her work, and the specialization Relational Somatics gives an in depth exploration of this particular weave of somatic technique and spiritual psychology. Diana also offers supervision to developing and practicing bodyworkers, and is working to rebuild New Orleans, one body at a time.
Andrea Peinado, B.A., HHP
Andrea graduated from SDSU in 1997 with a degree in Economics and a Minor in U.S. History. In 2000, she began her studies in massage and has over 1000 hours of training from IPSB and PCOM. Her specialization is Neuromuscular Therapy and has an eclectic private practice focusing on stress reduction, injury recovery, and pain relief. Andrea is a primary instructor in Contemporary Methods and Essentials in Massage & Bodywork.
Charlene Penner, M.D.
Charlene graduated with an MD from the University of Saskatchewan in 1976. Since then she has studied nutrition and many forms of movement and massage therapy which she currently practices. She also creates and performs Butoh Ritual Dance and Contact Improvisation. For Charlene, daily living habits of eating, rest, posture, exercise, and chemical product usage are at the root of many illnesses in America. She brings years of exploring “health as a total living concept” to her teachings of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology.
Teri Polley-Michea, M.A., R.N., HHP
Teri started her healing career as a registered nurse in 1977. In 1992 she graduated from massage school and has had a private practice since. She blends her high tech education with her hands on therapy to create a unique bodywork experience. Teri has taught at IPSB since 2002, first teaching The Hospice Experience, then developing and teaching Massage Therapy for People with Cancer. Teri feels blessed to be part of the teaching team at IPSB.
Rhonda-Grace Sandhu, A.S., HHP
Rhonda is a student of Holistic Health modalities since 1993, Rhonda has had the privilege to study with a wide variety of practitioners including; Homeopathic Doctors, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Mid-Wives, Psychologists, Shamans and Medicine people of Indigenous cultures. With a background in Marketing Communications and Professional Photography she is fascinated by perception and the shifts of perception possible within the healing arts. Rhonda-Grace currently teaches Client Centered Communications, Intro to Neuromuscular Therapy and assists classes in Somatic Psychology.
Joel Sheposh, BA, LMT
Joel has been a massage therapist since 1993, graduating from IPSB with a specialization in Asian Healing Arts. He splits his time between Thailand and the United States. He developed Table Thai Massage and, since 1998, has taught classes in the Thai Healing Arts to massage schools, spas and resorts throughout the country. In Thailand he studies and practices the Thai Healing Arts, Buddhism and meditation. He has over 600 hours of education from massage schools in Thailand.
Gloria Sobol
James Stewart, B.A., HHP
James is an IPSB graduate who has a degree in psychology from UCSC with a minor in philosophy and facilitates workshops in imaginal education [dreamwork and imaginal development]. A student of Milton Trager, James has been an instructor at IPSB since 1980 and has had a bodywork practice since 1977. James is a primary instructor in the Essentials and Contemporary Methods bodywork courses. He developed the Sensory Repatterning bodywork technique and teaches the Sensory Repatterning Specialization. He also offers classes in Dreamwork.
Will Stillwell, Ph.D.
Will has been associated with humanistic branches of the behavioral sciences for more than thirty years at The Center for Studies of the Person in La Jolla. He works with people in organizations as a coach to individuals, facilitator to groups, and mediator in conflict situations. He has served on the faculty of several universities, has authored a recent web-book, Feather Raft: poems and images, and is co-author of “Conflict is Inevitable – War is Optional.” Will resonates with the Jewish hope for justice, and the Christian hope for love, the Buddhist hope for liberation, the Hindu hope for multiplicity and the Islamic hope for community, and the Animist hope for spirit in all beings. Will teaches within the B.A. and Master’s Degree programs at IPSB.
Ariel Talmor, BA
Ariel is a Certified and gifted Reflexologist, healer, and metaphysical teacher. He practices and teaches holistic foot reflexology, using the feet as gateway to all levels of the human experience. This facilitates detoxification, opening the channels, and inspiring change. The course includes foot reading, identifying health patterns, and structuring a basic treatment plan for the client. Website: www.sole-to-soul.com
Ross Weaver, A.S., H.H.P., NCBTMB
Ross is a 2nd Dan Black in Wushu Kung Fu, teaches Qi Gong and assists in Essentials, Sensory Repatterning, and Contemporary Methods.
IPSB's professional staff also includes guest lecturers, contract instructors, and more than 20 assistants and aides.
