When Rebecca founded RMIHA, she was creating a school where compassion and consciousness met excellence in clinical massage education. As the Director of RMIHA, she continues to be led by the principles of personal growth, loving kindness, and excellence. Her dedication to her own development infuses her life and her work.

Rebecca is a graduate of the Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy of Charlotte, NC. She specializes in Neuromuscular Therapy and Integrative Massage. She carries a deep sensitivity and respect for the body, psyche, and spirit of students and clients. She combines a compassionate heart, a joyous outlook on life, and a keen understanding of structural kinesiology in her work as a therapist and teacher. She serves as a Content Expert/Question Writer for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), using her knowledge of massage therapy and kinesiology to help the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards create their licensing exam.

Rebecca is passionate about the massage school experience and blogs about it in the Spirit of Massage Education - A Travel Guide to Massage School. In her free time, you may find her riding her beloved horse Yago, alpine skiing, jogging, tending her garden or learning to play the guitar.

Katherine Barr, BA, MA

BA, Psychology, Lake Forest College

MA, Regional Planning, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Courses Taught: Developing the Healer Within (Meditation)

Katherine has been practicing Buddhist Vipassana meditation for 15 years. In 2003, she completed the 2 and 1/2 year Community; Dharma Leader Training Program (sponsored by Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Woodacre, CA) and is now part of the Community Dharma Leader

Council of the Durango Dharma Center.

Katherine regularly gives dharma talks and teaches meditation classes and daylong retreats at the Dharma Center. She has been on the Board of the Durango Dharma Center for 8 years. Currently, she is participating in the 2 year Sprit Rock sponsored Dedicated Practitioners’ Program. Over the years, she has been to many silent meditation retreats including two-month long retreats and two 1-month long retreats. Also, Katherine is interested in ecumenical outreach in the greater Durango community and has co-taught ecumenical classes in the Continuing Education Program at Fort Lewis College. Katherine's giant heart, accepting spirit, and wealth of experience make her a beloved meditation teacher at RMIHA.

Elke Brutsaert, CMT

B.A. German, University of Maine

Courses Taught: Structural Kinsiolgy, Spoort Massage

Elke is a graduate of the South West School of Massage. She specializes in Sports and Rehabilitative Massage as well as the instructed integration of flexibility, core strength and balance. Elke's continuing education includes an internship at the Olympic Training Center, courses in Advanced Postural Ananysis, Spinal Reflex Analysis, Muscle Release Therapy, and Active Isolated Stretching, and personal trainer certification.

Prior to becoming a massage therapist, Elke was a professional mountain bike athlete--competing on the national and international racing circuits for 8 years and a member of the US national team for 8 years. Her initial teaching experience came as a mountain bike coach and skills instructor. She designed and executed women's mountain bike clinics, coached at USA cycling development race camps and for the Fort Lewis College cycling team. Elke has vast experience working as a sports therapist in the field, including Team Soigneur for the Giant and Gary Fisher Bicycle Mountain Bike Team where she provided support and massage therapy for the professional athletes on the team. She was USA Cycling World's 2004 Downhill Team Manager, 2004 US Mountain Bike Team Soigneur at the Pan Am Games, 2005 Junior Mountain Bike Coach, and 2008 Olympic training camp Soigneur, as well as Fort Lewis College Cycling Team Soigneur. Elke's extensive experience as an elite athlete and athlete caretaker has served her well in her career as a massage therapist.

Elke's love for learning and her passion for athletics make her an inspiring teacher. She brings the study of muscles to life with her practical experience and real life examples. Her personable, supportive nature and dedication make her a favorite in the classroom. You can find Elke riding her single speed bike on trails or telemark skiing throughout the region, or as her alter ego-GeriAction-in various parades and local festivities.

Rodney Davis, DC, AC, EC

Doctor of Chiropractic, Logan University

B.S. Human Sciences, Logan University

B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Missouri-Columbia

Courses Taught: The Heartworks Approach Program

Rodney graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic with his focus on holistic medicine. He continued his education with the post graduate program to incorporate Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine into his field of care. Being nationally board certified in both the western and eastern arts is very important in his private practice where he incorporates many techniques to achieve the maximum potential and goals of each individual.

Before entering the field of human healthcare Rodney focused on the natural world around him and the effects humans have had on the environment and the many ecosystems within it. He worked as a field biologist and wilderness ranger with the U.S. Forest Service throughout AZ, NM, UT and CO. He found his way to Durango and worked for a local conservation corps as a Field Director. Due to some life changing events that resulted in unfortunate injuries throughout his career, he was introduced to several healthcare professionals in Durango. After surgeries, months of rehabilitation, many discussions and lots of research he packed up and went back to school to incorporate his life experiences into his new profession, working with people and their furry/feathered companions.

Dr. Davis works passionately to help those overcome the negative effects of the world around them while enhancing the positive experiences within each individual’s own body, mind and spirit. His continuing desire to educate and never stop learning drives him to excel. When he is not in the office or classroom he is enjoying the many activities possible in the great outdoors of the 4corners.

April Howell, NCTMB

B.A. Sociology, Western State College of Colorado

Courses Taught: Neuromuscular Therapy

April is a graduate of Rocky Mountain Institute of Healing Arts and a nationally certified massage therapist. With a background in Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, and Neuromuscular Therapy, April offers her clients a variety of ways to relax, restore and unwind. Her work includes massage therapy at a day spa, corporate chair massage, and private practice.

April has a calm, loving, and enthusiastic presence. Her open and connected spirit enhances the safety of the classroom. She loves receiving neuromuscular therapy and has provided many a student with an opportunity to palpate and experiment with her muscles. She and her husband

have built a beautiful adobe home in the pinion woods. When she is not teaching at massage school, she loves to hike and ski the beautiful backcountry of Colorado.

DeVere Keen Gamble, NCTMB

B.A. Environmental Education, Warren Wilson College

Courses Taught: Swedish Massage, Other Modalities

DeVere is a graduate of the South West School of Massage and has a therapeutic massage practice in downtown Durango. She specializes in Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, and Reiki. Before becoming a massage therapist, DeVere was an instructor for an outdoor education school focusing on leadership, team building, skill development and personal growth.

DeVere's passion in bodywork lies in empowering each individual to connect with and access his or her own powerful, authentic self through therapeutic, integrative touch. Her commitment to

teaching is inspired by presence, joy, integrity and grace. When she is not doing bodywork or teaching, she enjoys yoga, mountain biking, skiing, bonding with her new dog Buddy, or curling up with her cat China and a good book.

Mark Little, NCTMB

B.S. Biology, Gettysburg College

Courses Taught: Anatomy Physiology, Pathology

Mark is a graduate of Rocky Mountain Institute of Healing Arts’ Combined Massage Therapy and Heartworks Approach Program. In addition to working as a massage therapist, he has served as a wilderness instructor for at-risk youth, corporate consultant, and field biologist. In his private practice, Mark offers neuromuscular therapy, deep tissue, Swedish massage, and Reiki. He is passionate about equine, canine and feline massage.

Mark's huge stash of Chuck Norris jokes and deep knowledge of cryptozoology make Anatomy

class memorable, or (some would say) bearable! His mission is to serve others with compassion, integrity, humor and honesty. He can often be found reading, exploring the night sky, in the woods connecting with the land and its inhabitants, or cheering on his favorite team-the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Marina Muzzell, MH

Diploma Nursing, College of New Caledonia, Prince George

Hypnotherapy Institute of Spokane

Sajah School of Energy Healing, Bozeman, MT

Courses Taught: The Heartworks Approach Program

Prior to working as a hypnotherapist and energy worker, Marina worked for 11 years as a Registered Nurse in hospital and community nursing, and specialized in the field of mental health.

In 1998, she obtained her hypnotherapy training at the Hypnotherapy Institute of Spokane. When she discovered her passion for hands-on healing work, she trained at the Sajah School of Energy Healing as an Intuitive Energy Healer.

In addition to teaching at the Rocky Mountain Institute of Healing Arts, Marina maintains a private practice in hypnotherapy and intuitive energy work. She is deeply respectful of every individual's path and process. She approaches all her work from the heart with compassion. Marina loves to be outdoors, especially in the mountains or at the oceans, with her husband or friends and her two dogs, Tara and Michaya. She also has an intense passion for world travel and eagerly looks forward to her next trip!

Ryan Swoverland, CMT, Reiki I

Diploma Therapeutic Massage, South West School of Massage

Courses Taught: Swedish Massage

Ryan is a graduate of the South West School of Massage. He has been a member of the Durango communty for many years. He has practiced massage therapy since May 2001, specializing in a combination of Swedish Massage, connective tissue and lomi lomi techniques, and neuromuscular therapy. He brings strong presence and mindful attention to his bodywork.

Ryan's intention is to provide consciousness to the classroom. He is respectful, attentive, and

earnest. When he is not teaching or giving a massage, you may find Ryan mountain biking, hiking with his dog, reading, rafting, snowboarding, camping, or spending time with family and friends.

Guest Instructors

In order to provide a variety of experts in different modalities, we utilize the services of guest instructors. These instructors teach Introduction to Other Modalities and assist with other courses in the massage therapy and energy healing programs. They come from a variety of backgrounds such as traditional Western medicine, energetics, Oriental Medicine, chiropractic, and massage therapy.

98 Everett Street • Suite F • Durango • Colorado • 81303 • 970-385-5142