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The diversity of our faculty offers the student a vast variety of approaches to touch communication. Our instructors collectively have over 409 years experience in the massage therapy field and over 264 years experience teaching massage therapy. Highly educated, the faculty collectively hold 19 Bachelor's Degrees, 12 Master's Degrees, 2 law Degrees and 3 Ph.D.'s. They present the student with a broad range of therapeutic methods from energy-based to deep tissue, from a relaxation focus to specific clinical work and from eclectic to focused specialty practices.


Iris Burman, Director, L.M.T., N.M.T.
Iris is a co-founder of Educating Hands and has been practicing Massage Therapy since 1976. She has attained certifications in Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Milton's Psychophysical Integration, Neuromuscular Therapy and has studied numerous other Modalities. Iris's background includes Gestalt Therapy and Psychology. She has, over the years, taught every element of the program. Currently, Iris concentrates on curriculum development and teaching Massage and Business. She is co-author of TouchAbilities®, our core massage text.




Magali Boehlen*, L.M.T.
Magali has been teaching classes in Kinesiology and Palpation, TouchAbilities®, Intuition Development and Massage at Educating Hands since 1999 and also serves as a student clinic supervisor. Her deep intrigue with the workings of the human psyche, emotional states and more subtle energetic qualities led her to pursue additional training at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing (advanced program) and the Pathwork School in Virginia. Magali is a certified Brennan Healing Science Practitioner™, certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor and founder of Incarnation Healing® and Anatomy of Healing®. Learn more at www.LightAmbassadors.com.




Jairo Cardona, L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.
Jairo is deeply passionate about two healing traditions…that of Traditional Thai Massage and of Hawaiian Lomilomi. Since graduating from Educating Hands, he has continuously studied, practiced, researched and trained others on these two modalities, so very different to the observer and so very similar in their benefits to the recipient. It is the deep spiritual connection nurtured in these modalities that outweighs any differences. As co-founder/director of Sacred Bodywork, it is his mission to preserve these healing traditions and spread the spirit of metta/aloha in the modern world. Based on his extensive studies and research, Jairo has written the workbooks Sacred Bodywork uses in all of their classes. They travel worldwide to teach in schools, spas and retreat centers. For more information, go to www.SacredBodyWork.us.




Nicholas “Nick” Chitty, L.M.T., B.A., M.A., MSc.
Nick was born and raised in England and trained as a scientist. He was a Biologist and Oceanographer. He graduated from Educating Hands in 1986. He specializes in evaluation and treatment for pain relief and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders, using techniques refined and added to over the years. He teaches students at the school an introduction to NeuroMuscular Therapy seminars, given at the school and around the country. Emphasis is on developing precision in finding and examining all of the 64 muscle groups in the body that are accessible to therapists. The intent is to teach the fundamental skill of how to match and enhance the anatomical knowledge in your brain using your hands as your sensor and therapeutic tool. He periodically teaches small groups of therapists hands-on workshops on clinical postural analysis and how to assess and treat common disorders using a variety of manual therapies. For more information or to contact Nick, go to www.NickChitty.com.




Brian Coniglio*, L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.
Brian has taught courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Kinesiology and Palpation, and Massage at Educating Hands since 1989. He holds a B.A. in education from Lehman College, N.Y.C. Brian manages our Student Services Department and practices mainly Deep Tissue Massage and Neuromuscular Therapy.




Miriam Cruz*, L.M.T.
Miriam chose her career path as a bodyworker because of her love for the creative process of life. She worked for two years as an assistant for a prominent Miami artist before graduating from Educating Hands in 1993. Miriam continued her studies at the Acupuncture Massage College where she graduated in 1996 with a diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has held successful private practices in Miami and Los Angeles and has worked in high end spas in both cities. In her work she seeks to explore the serendipitous connections in modalities such as Swedish, Shiatsu, Thai, Tuina, Chi Nei Tsang and Craniosacral Therapy.




Sarianna Elo* Ph.D., P.T., L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.
Sarianna, a native of Helsinki, Finland, graduated from Helsinki IV College for Health Care Professionals with a degree in Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy. She holds a B.S. in Professional Sciences with a major in Education from St. Joseph's College of Maine, and a M.S. and Ph.D. with a major in Psychology from California Coast University. Sarianna comes to Educating Hands with over 25 years experience in the field. Her integrated approach draws from her experiences in a diverse array of work and educational settings. Currently, Sarianna teaches various science and massage classes.




Sandy Friedland*, L.M.T.
Sandy's approach; Multi Dimensional Movement Arts® (MDMA) is spiritual, Holistic & eclectic with a special focus on energetic flow, vibratory frequency & dynamic balancing. She 'plays' holographically at a table... on the floor... in the water using sound, light, oil, color, crystals, essences, magnets, intention, movement, verbalization, visualization. Her work/teaching explores the mystery of the 'body' & reflects a background in anthropology, philosophy, psychology with the wisdom of Craniosacral Therapy, Connective Tissue Unwinding, Polarity, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Milton's Psychophysical Integration & Oriental Medicine. She is co-author of TouchAbilities®, our core massage text. For more on Sandy check out www.SandyFriedland.com.




Paula Garcia Di Niro*, L.M.T.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Paula earned a Master's Degree in Public Relations from Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. She taught English for over 12 years. Since graduating from Educating Hands in 2005, Paula has worked as a Licensed Massage Therapist maintaining a private practice mainly focused on Swedish Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy and Reiki healing. She teaches Kinesiology and Palpation, Commonly Encountered Conditions, Anatomy and Physiology and some massage classes.




David R. Gonzalez, M.S., C.S.C.S., L.M.T.
David R. Gonzalez has an extensive background in massage therapy and exercise sciences. He has been teaching massage, anatomy & physiology and fitness for the last 8 years in conjunction with running his private practice as a massage therapist and trainer for 15 years. He specializes in sports and the clinical aspect of massage. He holds a Master’s degree in Exercise & Sports sciences with specialization in performance enhancement & injury prevention.




Celia Regina Maluf, LMT, Certified Trager Practitioner, Certified Peak Pilates Instructor
Celia is a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil and has been living in the US since 1982. She graduated in 1978 from Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo where she earned a degree in Pedagogy with a major in Special Education of the Hearing Impaired. She became a bodyworker to deepen her personal experience of healing completely from a near fatal automobile accident in 1984. Celia brings her dance background and movement therapy expertise to her teaching. She was a core faculty member at Educating Hands teaching Massage and Full Body Integration. She currently teaches the Trager Approach of Movement Education.




Sara Nice*, L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.
Sara Nice, Asian BodyWork Specialist, has trained extensively in Shiatsu, Tuina , and Nuad Bo-Rarn Thai Massage. She created and teaches classes in Asian Studies at Educating Hands. A BodyWorker for 13 years, she also weaves the magic and philosophy of Multi-Dimensional Movement Arts®, Reiki, Stone Therapy, Pre & Post-Natal Massage and St John’s NMT into her sessions. Sara went directly to the source to expose herself to the authentic practice of various modalities by studying in China, Thailand, New York, Oregon and Miami with some of the leading players in the field.




Richard Schekter*, L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.
Richard comes to Educating Hands with a background as a scientist - a Marine Biologist and Biological Oceanographer at the University of Miami. As a Licensed Massage Therapist, Richard maintains a private practice, works in a prestigious hotel spa and is one of the core therapists at Educating Hands Professional Massage Therapy Clinic. Richard teaches several classes at Educating Hands, mainly in Anatomy and Physiology, Commonly Encountered Conditions and Massage.




Alex Somoano*, L.M.T..
Alex holds a B.S. in Liberal Studies with concentrations in Biology, Health and Physical Sciences from the University of Central Florida. Since graduating from Educating Hands in 1999, he has maintained a private therapeutic massage practice. In 2006 he began working with the Miami City Ballet. His bodywork approach is inquisitive in nature, firmly rooted in presence, sensitivity and intuitive flow. Alex teaches classes in Kinesiology and Palpation, Kinetics, Body Mechanics, Full Body Massage and a CE seminar called Muscle Anatomy and Palpation.
Contact Alex.




Denis Stovall, L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.
Dennis first fell in love with bodywork when he was introduced to Thai massage. Fascinated by the blend of physical, spiritual and energetic, he graduated from Educating Hands and has continued to study, explore, practice and teach Thai ever since. He is co-founder/director of Sacred Bodywork, along with Jairo Cardona. Along with Thai, their other core modality is Hawaiian Lomilomi. Their mission with Sacred Bodywork is to share these ancient healing traditions in a way that is true to their origins while making them relevant and accessible to modern practitioners. In service to this mission, they travel worldwide to teach in schools, spas and retreat centers. For more information, go to www.SacredBodyWork.us.




Moshe Sussman*, L.M.T.
Moshe is an attorney who also practices and teaches massage. He graduated from Educating Hands and became an LMT in 2002. Since then he has studied Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Somato-Emotional Release and Reiki levels 1-3. Moshe currently teaches Cranio-Sacral fundamentals as well as Introduction to Energy Therapies.




Ed Wilson*, Ph.D., L.M.T.
Ed comes with 20 years teaching experience in the university system at Syracuse University, Virginia Tech and Florida State University, where he specialized in teaching courses in the field of marriage, family relations and family therapies. Since joining the bodywork community, he has accumulated 26 years worth of experience in Swedish Massage, Reflexology and Neuromuscular Therapy. Ed has developed a certification program in Reflexology, which he teaches in our continuing education offerings. He also teaches massage, Florida Law and History. Contact Ed




Tracy Wright*, L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.
Tracy has been affiliated with Educating Hands since 1996, first as a student and now as a teacher of Hydrotherapy. She does bodywork in local spas as well as privately and although people are her main clientele, her specialty and true love is animal massage. She uses her 20+ years of animal husbandry and education to promote this unique genre of massage. Contact Tracy







Administrative Staff

Owner & Director:
Iris Burman
L.M.T.


Admissions & Marketing Director


Student Services:
Brian Coniglio
L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B.


Director of
Continuing Education:

Erik Martens* L.M.T.


Marketing and Design:
Javier Corrales


Receptionist:
Maria Teresa Victoriano
"MTV"

Life Coach:
Crystal Loiacono*
L.M.T.

Director of Feng Shui:
Mercedes Ortega
"La Tia"

Bookstore Staff

Bookstore Manager:
Lisa Martinez
Skin Care Specialist


Guest Teachers

Christopher Crespo, EMT-Paramedic, A.A. Fire Science - CPR & Universal 1st Aid
Juan Carlos Riascos - HIV/AIDS

L.M.T. - Licensed Massage Therapist
* - Graduate of Educating Hands
N.C.T.M.B. - Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork


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