Faculty

Judith August MT, MTI

Judith has completed over 1,000 hours of study in body therapies and holds certificates from the New School of Massage in Sabastopol, California, The Institute of Body Therapeutics in Maui, Hawaii, and The Santa Fe Academy of Natural Healings in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her backround also includes numerous workshops and classes in Foot Reflexology, Reiki, Infant and Pregnancy Massage, Traeger, Chinese Medicine, Nutritional Counseling, Myotherapy, Rebirthing, and Body Mechanics. She incorporates 20 years of teaching yoga with an awareness of principles from Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, and dance in her approach to body mechanics and movement awareness. Judith has been teaching courses in massage therapy since 1985. Her gentle, empowering approach to teaching is appreciated by both beginning and advanced students. Judith is a nurturer, enfolding people in conscious compassion. Areas of instruction at A New Beginning School of Massage include Swedish Massage Technique, Advanced Massage Technique, Human Health and Hygiene, and Internship.

Kathy Kraft, MT

Kathy is a Registered Nurse who graduated from nursing school in 1983 with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing cum laude and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She practiced as an RN in Mexico, Texas, and California in critical care, post anesthesia care, and critical care transport. She bacame board certified as a Critical Care Nurse in 1990. In 1995, Kathy began working as a Legal Nurse Consultant for lawyers in medical malpractice cases and became a board certified Legal Nurse Consultant in 1997. She still consults with lawyers on a contract basis for medical cases. In June 2001, Kathy attended The Vodder School in Walchsee, Austria and graduated from their 160 hour program in Manual Lymphatic Drainage. She became a board certified lymphedema therapist in 2002. In 2001, Kathy also attended the International Institute of Reflexology and completed their 200 hour program in reflexology and is a certified reflexologist. In 2003, Kathy graduated from A New Beginning School of Massage and became an LMT that same year. Kathy has a private practice of massage, reflexology and lymphatic drainage massage specializing in pre and post operative patients. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Nursing. Areas of instuction at A New Beginning School of Massage include Kinesiology, Pathology, Swedish Massage Technique, Advanced Massage Technique, and Human Health and Hygiene.

Michael Vance MT, MTI

Michael is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Master of Arts degree in Education. He has over 15 years of teaching experience ranging from elementary school to community college adult education. His interest in the healing arts started in the 1970s in California when he studied reflexology and Reiki and developed a private clientele. In 1987, he became a Reiki II practitioner and went on to become a Usui Level III Master/Teacher and Karuna Level II practitioner in 2000. Michael is a licensed cosmetologist (since 1982) as well as a Texas state registered massage therapist. He received extensive training from and worked at Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin for 1-1/2 years doing all facial and spa treatments offered there, including hydrotherapy tub treatments. Phytomere, Dermalogica, Aveda Babor, and SkinCeuticals are among the many leading companies where he received spa treatment and product training. He has studied Ayurvedic spa treatments with Tara, and designs spa treatments for each person's particular dosha. Oriental healing techniques and Shiatsu/acupressure are other areas of interest and training he has received. He studied CranioSacral Therapy with the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics and Levels 1 and 2 with the Upledger Institute. Trained by the Aromatherapy Associates of London, he is a master aromatherapy blender of essential oils for both facial and massage oils. Areas of instruction at A New Beginning School of Massage are Hydrotherapy and Internship.

Madeline Brock MT, MTI

Madeline brings her interests in both body and mind to her work as a massage therapist and instructor. In college, she studied the pre-physical therapy curriculum at the University of Texas at Arlington. Seeking a deeper understanding of the spiritual nature of life, Madeline was certified as a teacher of the Transcendental Meditation Technique in 1977. After a break of being a working mother and raising a family of three children, she made the choice to return to school to become a massage therapist. Madeline graduated from A New Beginning School of Massage in 1999 and has been in private practice since then. Her experience in the business world as an accountant and customer support representative has helped her manage and grow a successful massage practice. She has continued her massage training with courses in Reiki (she is a Usui Reiki Master and has attained Level III of Karuna Reiki), Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, Chair Massage Techniques, Low Back & Hip Balancing, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Relief, and Aromatherapy. Areas of instruction at A New Beginning School of Massage include Swedish Massage Technique, Advanced Massage Technique, Human Health and Hygiene, Hydrotherapy, Business Practices and Professional Ethics.

Tria Shaffer MT, MTI

Tria taught Anatomy and Physiology for three years at Third Coast Center for the Healing Arts before coming to A New Beginnng in 1994. Tria has practiced as a Massage Therapist since 1989. Since 1994, she has taught the Upper Body and Lower Body Advanced Massage Techniques class at A New Beginning. Tria has completed many of the John Barnes classes in myofascial release, unwinding, and rebounding. She continues her study of myofascial release with John Barnes and is also taking the cranoio-sacral courses through the Upledger Institute. Tria combines anatomy and physiology with the art of massage in her classes. Areas of instruction at A New Beginning School of Massage include Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Advanced Massage Technique, and Internship.

Larry J. Overly MT, MTI

Larry holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. His goal is to make A New Beginning School of Massage a special place where students train to become successful massage therapists while enjoying their studies in a supportive atmosphere. He has completed 450 hours of massage therapy training. Larry is a strong motivator and encourages students to become actively involved in the learning process. His teachings go beyond the standard lecture format by stressing student participation in each class. Larry enjoys showing students how to begin their massage therapy practice and make it grow to be successful. Areas of instruction are Business Practices and Professional Ethics, Swedish Massage Technique, and Internship.

Nadia Wills MT, MTI

Nadia enjoyed 24 years as a professional landscaper and owner of Peaceful Gardening. She has practiced massage therapy since 1993 and states that she has received a higher degree of inner peace, harmony, and balance through her bodywork. She supervises the Internship Program at A New Beginning. Students, as well as massage clients who come to the school for intership massages, enjoy her calm and courteous manner.