Graduate Success Stories
My experience at Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute was a life changing experience. Not only only did I learn the skills that would lead to a successful career but I learned invaluable information and techniques that help me be more connected and in-tune with my own body. Immediately after graduation from SBBTI in 2014 I was hired at the Bacarra Resort in Goleta where I worked a little over a year. At the same time I also started my own practice paying for a room in a shared suite. Since that time I worked for a few other spas as well as Zeel, an outcall service. For the last 5 years I have been building my own private practice which I now work at exclusively. When I first opened my massage business I was charging $60 p/h. I now charge $150p/h for my sessions, as I would continue to study and learn additional techniques I would periodically increase my rate. I now have a full schedule with many regular clients who continue to refer me to there friends and family. This growth has allowed me to hire several therapist to work with me as well as having the opportunity to take on an apprentice to share my knowledge and techniques with and help them grow in their massage career. Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute has helped me start an incredibly fulfilling career. I have since encouraged several people to attend who have received their therapist license and are now successful massage therapists. I have also sent my son who has recently graduated from SBBTI and is now working with me at my massage business Sol et Luna. I am currently planning on expanding in the near future and opening a second location.
Paul Zagala, CMT
Owner of Sol et Luna
www.soletluna.net
Paul Zagala, CMT
Owner of Sol et Luna
www.soletluna.net
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Deep Tissue Massage Center
2021 SB Independent Winner Best of Santa Barbara Massage Therapy Colin Silverman, Owner
Deep Tissue Graduate, 1996 Sophia Denison Massage Practitioner Program, 2021 |
Lomakatsi Body Wellness
Martha Sundholm
Owner, Massage Therapist, Trainer
Massage Therapist Program, 2021
Massage Therapist, Ojai Valley Spa
Massage Practitioner Program, 2019
Martha Sundholm
Owner, Massage Therapist, Trainer
Massage Therapist Program, 2021
Massage Therapist, Ojai Valley Spa
Massage Practitioner Program, 2019
Spa Del Mar
Julie Rose
Owner, Massage Therapist
Massage Therapist Program, 1995
Julie Rose
Owner, Massage Therapist
Massage Therapist Program, 1995
Massage Envy Santa Barbara
www.massageenvy.com
Massage Envy has employed many of our SBBTI grads over the years!
Currently enjoying employment with Massage Envy:
Ian Finn; graduate, 550 hr Massage Therapist Program, 2023
Brennan Wilkinson, graduate, 250 hr Massage Practitioner Program, 2023
Kacie Johnston, graduate, 550 hr Massage Therapist Program, 2023
Allessandro Bonadeo, graduate , 550 hour Massage Therapist Program, 2019
Alexandria Yanez, graduate, 550 hour Massage Therapist Program, 2018
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Ritz-Carlton Bacara
Heidi Tautrim
Massage Therapist Program, 2021
Laura Luongo
Holistic Health Practitioner Program, 2020
Michael Antrim
Massage Therapist Program, 1999
Paul Zagala
Massage Therapist Program, 2014
Heidi Tautrim
Massage Therapist Program, 2021
Laura Luongo
Holistic Health Practitioner Program, 2020
Michael Antrim
Massage Therapist Program, 1999
Paul Zagala
Massage Therapist Program, 2014
Massage Green
Jennie Zaine
Holistic Health Practitioner, 2013
Jo Peng
Massage Practitioner Program, 2020
Mario Escobedo
Massage Therapist Program, 2021
Maddie Pixley
Massage Therapist Program, 2019
Kioko Soaring Eagle
Massage Therapist Program, 2021
Massage Practitioner Program, 2002
Jennie Zaine
Holistic Health Practitioner, 2013
Jo Peng
Massage Practitioner Program, 2020
Mario Escobedo
Massage Therapist Program, 2021
Maddie Pixley
Massage Therapist Program, 2019
Kioko Soaring Eagle
Massage Therapist Program, 2021
Massage Practitioner Program, 2002
Massage Collective
Scott Crawford, Owner
Massage Practitioner, Program, 2007
Hector Vejar
Holistic Health Practitioner Program, 2014
Holly Oakander
Massage Practitioner Program, 2015
Scott Crawford, Owner
Massage Practitioner, Program, 2007
Hector Vejar
Holistic Health Practitioner Program, 2014
Holly Oakander
Massage Practitioner Program, 2015
Goodland Chiropractic
Jennie Aresco
Massage Therapist Program, 2020
Alyssa Gaona
Massage Therapist Program, 2020
Katrina Miller
Massage Therapist Program, 2020
Jennie Aresco
Massage Therapist Program, 2020
Alyssa Gaona
Massage Therapist Program, 2020
Katrina Miller
Massage Therapist Program, 2020
Corporate Touch
Stephanie Trager
Co-Owner, Trainer
Massage Practitioner Program, 1997
Stephanie Trager
Co-Owner, Trainer
Massage Practitioner Program, 1997
Caitlin Ball
Massage Therapist, Cottage Spa, Solvang
Massage Therapist Program, 2021
Massage Therapist, Cottage Spa, Solvang
Massage Therapist Program, 2021
Heather Magness
Self-Employed at Chiffon Spa, Solvang
Massage Therapist Program, 2020
Self-Employed at Chiffon Spa, Solvang
Massage Therapist Program, 2020
SBBTI has been one of my first "hands on" learning environments and I can honestly say with full confidence that I learned more in the first week than I ever have in any desk/ classroom setting. The instructors all teach in such an intuitive way. They give you a strong foundation of tools and knowledge and then encourage you to personalize what you learn, and create your massage to be unique. Through that process alone you have already become an asset in the professional world. That in itself is priceless.
Mike La Rocca, Massage Therapist UCSB Graduate, UCSB Track and Field |
I am using the GI bill to fund my full tuition and partial living expenses. Body Therapy Institute has given me the skills, tools and confidence to gain employment at the Massage Place. I love flexibility - that I can work for myself and set my own schedule.
Danielle Bryngelson, Massage Therapist |
For me SBBTI is continuing education and support for my career. It’s the most healing and integrated of all the Santa Barbara massage schools. The Trigger Point course with John Harris eliminated my chronic low-back pain. SBBTI is THE radical massage school you are looking for, and the school responsible for many people’s success in this field!
Kate Goldstein, Massage Therapist |
Working from Home and Artistic Pursuit
"Doing massage has changed and altered my life. I am so grateful for the massage work that I do. I can't imagine receiving a more enriching training than what I received from BTI. It really impacted me and who I am in the world. Massage allowed me the flexibility to work from my home, be with my family and pursue my art. I am so grateful!" Laurie Pegg Scott, SBBTI grad Massage Practitioner for 20 years |
I graduated in 2011 from SBBTI's 550 program and am now a CMT. Today I feel proud to be one of the top and most requested therapists from the Massage Green Spa team located on the Mesa in Santa Barbara California. Massage Green has offered me great opportunities to keep learning, practicing and providing all the knowledge obtained at SBBTI from all of my intuitive and experienced teachers. I especially like to practice “Tui Na” which I learned from Eric Hudson about the manipulation of the human body and Chi energy flow through the meridians.
I feel passionate and committed to continue to do what I really like. I do my job with joy, optimism and always with a positive attitude. I enjoy helping my clients feel better, and feel I can provide overall and optimum well- being results. My clients at Massage Green have taught me how to listen to bodies, work directly with their needs, and use the hour of massage wisely so I can reach the results they are paying for. Working efficiently with my client’s needs brings me great satisfaction. It’s good to know that what I chose to do in my life can have a positive impact on my client’s health, and can change their mental state as well as go home painless.
Angel Oritz CMT, 550 SBBTI grad
I feel passionate and committed to continue to do what I really like. I do my job with joy, optimism and always with a positive attitude. I enjoy helping my clients feel better, and feel I can provide overall and optimum well- being results. My clients at Massage Green have taught me how to listen to bodies, work directly with their needs, and use the hour of massage wisely so I can reach the results they are paying for. Working efficiently with my client’s needs brings me great satisfaction. It’s good to know that what I chose to do in my life can have a positive impact on my client’s health, and can change their mental state as well as go home painless.
Angel Oritz CMT, 550 SBBTI grad
“What brings me joy? Helping others. When I step into my healing studio to help a client I feel immediately better myself. Sharing my knowledge with others gives my life purpose."
Kelle Evans is a strong believer that there are many different paths to healing. Over the years, she has explored many types of energy and bodywork methods to provide comfort, balance and relief to her clients. Although Kelle enjoys working with all ages, she has a special affinity for alternative senior health care.
Her journey began several years ago when she decided to leave a successful corporate career for a more holistic profession. Her first step was to become trained as a professional massage therapist at the Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute. She now offers such services as Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, Sports, Barefoot massage and more. Kelle is also trained as a Hospice Volunteer and in her spare time, she is studying to become a Red Cross trainer as well as learning nutrition, herbal treatment and druidism.
Always looking for new healing methods, Kelle turned to energy and vibrational medicine, which is providing positive and powerful transformational results for many. She has been trained as a Reiki Master, Quantum Energetic Disciplines Practitioner, Creative Life Sciences Practitioner, Pan Harmonics Practitioner and Multi-Dimensional Healer, and has recently obtained her 9 shamanic rites.
These services and more are featured at The Healing Portal, Kelle’s alternative health studio in Ventura, California. In the near future, she intends to introduce Restorative Yoga, Color Healing, Reiki Instruction and Animal Wellness at the center. For more information, please see her website at www.healingportal.net.
Kelle Evans, Massage Therapist
Kelle Evans is a strong believer that there are many different paths to healing. Over the years, she has explored many types of energy and bodywork methods to provide comfort, balance and relief to her clients. Although Kelle enjoys working with all ages, she has a special affinity for alternative senior health care.
Her journey began several years ago when she decided to leave a successful corporate career for a more holistic profession. Her first step was to become trained as a professional massage therapist at the Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute. She now offers such services as Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, Sports, Barefoot massage and more. Kelle is also trained as a Hospice Volunteer and in her spare time, she is studying to become a Red Cross trainer as well as learning nutrition, herbal treatment and druidism.
Always looking for new healing methods, Kelle turned to energy and vibrational medicine, which is providing positive and powerful transformational results for many. She has been trained as a Reiki Master, Quantum Energetic Disciplines Practitioner, Creative Life Sciences Practitioner, Pan Harmonics Practitioner and Multi-Dimensional Healer, and has recently obtained her 9 shamanic rites.
These services and more are featured at The Healing Portal, Kelle’s alternative health studio in Ventura, California. In the near future, she intends to introduce Restorative Yoga, Color Healing, Reiki Instruction and Animal Wellness at the center. For more information, please see her website at www.healingportal.net.
Kelle Evans, Massage Therapist
For me, there is a sense of calling and mission in massage. I enjoy tremendously working in a meditative state of mind. It is similar to the meditation that Thich Nat Han talks about, but by using my hands and feet. Clients say it doesn't look like I am working, but having fun. To fully be there for the client is a wonderful experience and sometimes we witness what I call active serendipity. It is when you get results by releasing the soft tissue when others have given up on the body’s complaints of discomfort and pains or after effects of surgery. Clients experience empowerment and wonderment. I work about fifteen hours a week with private clients and as an independent contractor at local spas. I go to clients’ homes and hotels. I have the free time to go to the gym, study a lot and take wonderful vacations where I exchange massage and further my studies. This is fun and a great tax write off! I just got back from Prague and some other cities in the Czech Republic. I enjoyed the baths in Budapest, Hungary. It’s been wonderful learning about massage in new places and I will further my studies in India and Thailand. My goal is to breathe more, have better posture and increase range of motion. In other words: A younger me every year!
I started my training at SBBTI three years ago and plan to keep learning because it is a journey. I love the people and the classes at SBBTI. The staff is very supportive, fair and knowledgeable about the dynamics of massage. I am very grateful to John Harris for having me as a teaching assistant many times and for teaching me how to keep myself free of lower back pain. There is a tremendous sense of empowerment we experience once we find we find ways to deal with soft tissue pain and discomfort in areas such as lower back, shoulders and neck. I retain the best strokes from different modalities and integrate them into my session for relaxation and muscle release.
Nelson Olivera, Massage Therapist
I started my training at SBBTI three years ago and plan to keep learning because it is a journey. I love the people and the classes at SBBTI. The staff is very supportive, fair and knowledgeable about the dynamics of massage. I am very grateful to John Harris for having me as a teaching assistant many times and for teaching me how to keep myself free of lower back pain. There is a tremendous sense of empowerment we experience once we find we find ways to deal with soft tissue pain and discomfort in areas such as lower back, shoulders and neck. I retain the best strokes from different modalities and integrate them into my session for relaxation and muscle release.
Nelson Olivera, Massage Therapist
The instructors at BTI are very talented and professional. Clients and other bodyworkers I've had the pleasure of working on have asked me where I got my training from because they are so pleased with my massage. I try to always remember that I will be perceived by others in how you act. Act like it's a job and you're only there for the money and that will be picked up by your clients.
I live by a couple of sayings. #1 is "You are only as good as your last stroke". A client doesn't care how much the last person enjoyed your massage. They don't even care about how their last session with you went as much as what is happening to them and what they're feeling RIGHT NOW!! So if a client drops their hard earned money on a massage I consider it a blessing and I never take that for granted. #2 When a person surrenders and entrusts you with their most prized and private possession (their bodies) for you to manipulate, see and otherwise bring sensations to this is a very important thing to remember and respect. It's an honor, as I see it, when they lie on a table and say "I trust you with my body". #3 Be on time, ALWAYS!!! If you are not there on time there will be many other MT's waiting in the wings who may not be as caring or as good as you but you could lose a client with something so easy to avoid. Plus it adds stress to you and your client and that's not a good thing, ever!
During my 550 hours at BTI, I was shown many things and sometimes I remember thinking to myself, boy that's dumb or oh heck I'll never do that or who's going to ask for that. Trust me they will ask!!! I worked on a dentist the other day and knowing my A&P was very important. Knowing the body under the skin is a must in order to work properly. By the way, the dentist was in so much pain he had to close down his practice early. I did trigger point work on him and when he came back to see me he said he was 70% better. In some ways that's far more gratifying than taking payment. Trust me, and more importantly, trust your teachers - you WILL need that knowledge someday and you will be happy they have shared theirs with you because there won't be time to go thumbing through some text book when a client is on the table waiting.
To all the instructors at BTI, only now that I am working do I fully realize how much you gave of yourself, how much you really care about teaching and sharing your talents with others. There is a little bit of all of you in every one of my strokes. I love what I do."
Barry Sigman, Massage Therapist
I live by a couple of sayings. #1 is "You are only as good as your last stroke". A client doesn't care how much the last person enjoyed your massage. They don't even care about how their last session with you went as much as what is happening to them and what they're feeling RIGHT NOW!! So if a client drops their hard earned money on a massage I consider it a blessing and I never take that for granted. #2 When a person surrenders and entrusts you with their most prized and private possession (their bodies) for you to manipulate, see and otherwise bring sensations to this is a very important thing to remember and respect. It's an honor, as I see it, when they lie on a table and say "I trust you with my body". #3 Be on time, ALWAYS!!! If you are not there on time there will be many other MT's waiting in the wings who may not be as caring or as good as you but you could lose a client with something so easy to avoid. Plus it adds stress to you and your client and that's not a good thing, ever!
During my 550 hours at BTI, I was shown many things and sometimes I remember thinking to myself, boy that's dumb or oh heck I'll never do that or who's going to ask for that. Trust me they will ask!!! I worked on a dentist the other day and knowing my A&P was very important. Knowing the body under the skin is a must in order to work properly. By the way, the dentist was in so much pain he had to close down his practice early. I did trigger point work on him and when he came back to see me he said he was 70% better. In some ways that's far more gratifying than taking payment. Trust me, and more importantly, trust your teachers - you WILL need that knowledge someday and you will be happy they have shared theirs with you because there won't be time to go thumbing through some text book when a client is on the table waiting.
To all the instructors at BTI, only now that I am working do I fully realize how much you gave of yourself, how much you really care about teaching and sharing your talents with others. There is a little bit of all of you in every one of my strokes. I love what I do."
Barry Sigman, Massage Therapist
