THE CENTER FOR NATURAL WELLNESS
SCHOOL OF MASSAGE THERAPY
Established 1998
School: (518) 489-4026
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Massage Clinic: (518) 489-4068
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Your Future is in Your Hands
Faculty
Our roster of dedicated faculty.
Joy Adler
Since 2004, Joy has been teaching Wellness and Emotional Growth at the Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy in Albany, NY. She has trained and is now mentor of the expanded Wellness team as well as being their student, faculty and administrative advisor since 2006. Joy has led the Professional Supervision Support Circle for Graduates, Therapists and Healers since 2004. Joy completed her training in Swedish massage in 1994-95, in NJ. She received her Certification as a Counselor and Hypnotherapist in 1994 through from the Foundation for Counselors and Therapists, Fl. She loves the integration of bodywork and energy. Joy also obtained a degree in Mass Media Communications from The Sage Colleges, is a graduate & faculty member of 4-Year University and The Barbara Brennan School of Healing Science. Additionally, she completed their 2-year teacher training program, while attending an Early Childhood Psychology program through the Center for Intentional Living. Joy is presently Dean of their Advanced Studies Department, Florida, and she opened their NY Branch at CNW in 2019 as Dean.
In 2012 Joy received her certificate as an Ayurvedic Nutritional Counselor from Dr. Naina Barbali, NYC, and achieved her goal as a Yoga Teacher in 2013 from the Natural Yoga technique. She also studied shamanism for 4 years, with a Lakota Elder in New Mexico, Jane Wynote, Night Eagle-of the Mic Mac Nation in PA; and Grandmother Twylah of the Seneca Nation, in NY. She has private practices in Albany and works as a Professional Supervisor in long distance consulting sessions with clients from all over the world. She combines her training in communications, massage and healing science as an ongoing radio and podcast guest. Joy uses her training to integrate music for healing with her group The Souls of Evolution; together they completed a double-album: Community Heartshare, Live at The Center for Natural Wellness, which can be found in the CNW bookstore.
www.joyadler.com | www.joyadlermusic.com
Mary Crinnin, BA, LMT
Mary Crinnin, BA, LMT has been an instructor at The Center For Natural Wellness school of Massage in Albany since its inception in 1999, and has been practicing and teaching Shiatsu since 1997. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Wells College and is a graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Massage Therapy. Mary’s work is influenced by her studies with various teachers in Thailand, Master Mantak Chia’s work in Chi Nei Tsang, Watsu therapy and yoga. Mary has a Shiatsu and Thai massage practice in Albany and has been Co-teaching the Shiatsu course and Continuing Education classes with Dagny Alexander at The Center for Natural Wellness school of Massage since 2001.
Dagny Duhamel, BA, LMT, CYT
Dagny Duhamel is a certified shiatsu practitioner and has been practicing full time since 1997. Dagny has been teaching shiatsu at CNWSMT since 2000. Dagny has a passion for Classical Chinese Medicine and continues her studies with Lonny Jarrett. She is also a certified 500-hour yoga instructor. Dagny has a private practice in Schenectady, NY.
Lee Gabrilovitch
Lee has been a massage therapist since 2005. Prior to becoming an LMT Lee was a childbirth educator and doula. She specializes in massage for the laboring woman. She worked as an LMT at St. Peter's Hospital from 2005 to 2018 where she developed a one-of-a-kind massage program for women on the Labor & Delivery Unit. She has been teaching anatomy at CNWSMT for 15 years. She also developed and taught a continuing education class on Massage for the Laboring Woman. Lee has a license to practice as a Registered Nurse and a Master's in the Instruction of Human Anatomy.
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Jenifer Glick
Jenifer Glick is a graduate of The Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy, and she has a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She provides massage therapy at a chiropractic clinic, her home studio and in client homes. Her bodywork combines elements of traditional Swedish massage with neuromuscular therapy, connective tissue release, targeted stretching, craniosacral therapy, total body balancing and energy work.
Jenifer teaches Foundations of Massage, Chair Massage and Gentle Massage here at CNW. She loves to connect with family & friends, to cook, to hike, to read, and to sit lakeside by the campfire.
Jen Hathaway, BS, LMT, CKTP
Jen Hathaway, BS, LMT, CKTP received a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Russell Sage College, Troy, NY in 1993. She then went to complete her massage training from Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, MA. She holds advanced certifications in Clinical Sports Massage, Orthopedic Massage, Myofascial Release, Active Isolated Stretching, and flexibility training and is a certified in Kinesio Taping Practitioner from The Kinesio Taping Association International. She specializes in providing clinical sports massage, orthopedic massage/injury recovery, myofascial release, and chronic pain management. Jen began her massage career at the Southern Saratoga YMCA in Clifton Park, NY in 1996 serving as both a certified YMCA strength training instructor and a massage therapist. Jen is the Sports Massage Instructor at Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy in Albany, NY.
She worked as the Sports Massage Therapist for University at Albany’s Athletic Program for 11 years and was part of a part of numerous championship teams. She has provided sports massage at many events including The Ironman USA Triathlon in Lake Placid, NY, the Boston Marathon and Freihofer’s Run for Women in Albany, NY. She has been a Captain of the Massage Tent at the Ironman USA Triathlon for 20 years.
She believes that regular massage is a priority in the lives of her clients and helps them achieve optimal health and wellness. It is her goal to challenge and empower her clients to take control over their wellness goals. In spring of 2003, she was awarded “Outstanding Sports Massage Achiever” from the New York State American Massage Therapy Association in addition to receiving the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award from the Southern Saratoga Chamber of Commerce.
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Mea Hurne, DC
Mea is currently practicing as a chiropractor at her own office in the Capital Region, but her passion for education and holistic wellness led her to additionally teach in the sciences at CNWSMT. She graduated from Messiah College with a bachelor's in Biopsychology, Pre-Medical and then from New York Chiropractic College with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
She enjoys sharing her excitement about muscles, bones and clinical considerations with students as well as learning to support each individual in their academic studies. When not teaching or seeing patients she and her husband enjoy cycling and making new recipes.
Tina Jones
Tina is a passionate Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in Myofascial Release: The John F. Barnes’ Approach. Having attended over a dozen of Barnes’ seminars across the country, she is grateful to be a student for and of life. Tina is a graduate of Siena College (‘11) in Loudonville where she studied psychology, writing and communication, and of the Center for Natural Wellness (‘16). Upstate New York born and raised, she holds a deep adoration for the Capital District—but also for travel! She is a devout lover of nature and animals (especially her cat, Scooter). Tina loves sharing her passion for Myofascial Release with others and is thrilled to return to her alma mater as an instructor.
Brian Kavanaugh, LMT
Brian Kavanaugh, LMT graduated from CNW in 2005 and since has been practicing Integrative Therapeutic Massage. Brian has worked at CNW since 2006 and has instructed in a variety of classes including Foundations of Massage, A&P, Myology, Applied Techniques, Sports Massage, Chair Massage, NMT and Assessment Skills in addition to serving as Director of Career Development and Alumni Services from 2015 to 2018. Brian hopes students find massage as life transforming as he has.
Brian has been practicing the art of Bonsai trees for over 5 years. He finds the time spent working on his trees to be beautifully therapeutic and feels it is essential to his mental wellbeing. It is his way to “keep his well full” to better his work for his clients and to keep connected to his loved ones.
Kerstin Maile
Kerstin Maile MD (German), MA, LMT started her career in healthcare as an MD in Germany. She studied Bioenergetic Therapy at the Society for Bioenergetic Therapy in Boston, Massachusetts and received a diploma in Energy Healing from the Barbara Brennan School of Healing. Prior to coming to CNWSMT, Kerstin discovered her love for teaching by substitute teaching at Hudson Valley School of Massage Therapy in Highland NY, where she later taught Anatomy & Physiology, Pathology, Myology and supervised in massage clinic for 3 years. Kerstin has taught Pathology at the Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy since 2005.
Cindy Moorcroft
Cindy Moorcroft has been a NYS licensed massage therapist since 1992. She created the initial myology course for CNW in 1999 and has taught myology at CNW massage school for over 20 years. Cindy believes that both the study and practice of massage therapy provide a powerful opportunity for growth and healing. In myology classes, Cindy is committed to supporting each student as she/he gains the knowledge and skills needed to understand the muscular system and apply that knowledge during massage therapy session.
Vickie Gardner Nichols
Vickie Gardner Nichols earned a Diploma in holistic aromatherapy from the London School of Aromatherapy, a certification in aromatherapy from The Phyto-Aromatherapy Institute, Phoenix, AZ, and a Diploma in Bach Flower Essences from Westbrook University, Aztec, NM. She received a MS in counseling psychology from SUNY Albany, NY in 1989. Vickie is a member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. She has been teaching an aromatherapy course to students at the Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy in Albany, NY since 1999. Vickie teaches other classes and workshops in the Albany, NY area and has a private practice. She is the owner of Victoria's Essentials, an aromatherapy company making true aromatherapy products since 1994. Vickie continues her studies in aromatherapy, herbalism, and all of nature as learning is a lifelong process.
Ruth Olivares
Ruth Olivares had been competing as a high caliber collegiate athlete when she decided to pursue massage therapy as a career. Center for Natural Wellness was a life-changing experience that really expanded her vision of holistic wellness. After graduating from the full-time program in 2007, Ruth worked in a local chiropractic office and other establishments for the first 1.5 years before moving to New York City and becoming a certified personal trainer. Shortly after, she decided to get a graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling and a couple years after that, added a 500-hour yoga certification to her tool kit. January of 2021, she found her calling in the coaching realm and now runs her own business while teaching at CNW and raising her 2 home birthed children with her husband in Rotterdam. Ruth is passionate about assisting others to heal through the holistic approach of massage, yoga, essential oils and emotional health.
Michael Perman
Michael has been a Practicing Massage Therapist since 1980. As a Certified Polarity Therapist and Reiki Master, he specializes in integrating those energy modalities into his therapeutic massage sessions. Michael has worked in a variety of settings: privately, in association with chiropractors, and in a rehabilitation hospital.
Since 1999, he has thoroughly enjoyed teaching the Introduction to Energy Work and the Polarity Energy Balancing classes, here at CNW. Michael is grateful for having studied with many teachers over the past 40 plus years and happily shares his experiences. He has a deep belief that we are all able to fulfill our dreams if our motivations come from the Heart and we practice Loving Kindness not only to others, but also to ourselves.
Lindsey Phelps, M.S. Ed, LMT
Lindsey is a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist, CNW Alumni, and small business owner. She grew up in Rotterdam, NY and after earning a degree in Education, she moved to Kauai, HI where she was a teacher for 10 years. Needing a change, Lindsey came back to Upstate NY where she was thrilled to begin her studies at the Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy. After graduating and getting her license in 2019, she opened a holistic wellness studio with her sister called Zen Den and returned to CNW to join the Wellness & Professional Development faculty. She currently resides in Albany with her fiancé and their two pets.
Gregg St. Clair
Gregg St. Clair has been a lead teacher at CNW since 2003. He teaches Eastern Pathology as part of the Shiatsu program with a focus on energy work and diagnosis. Gregg has a BA in philosophy with a concentration in Eastern Thought, has been practicing acupuncture since 1998, and has Master's Degrees in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Health Science. He is also the author of The Natural Health Companion, and Qi Gong for Massage, Touch and Energy Therapies, bringing a wide range of experience to this special class.
www.stclairfamilyacupuncture.com
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Lenny Zeigler, BA, LMT
Lenny is a 2006 graduate of Bancroft School of Massage Therapy and holds a B.A. in Psychology from SUNY Albany. Lenny has a private massage practice in the Albany area specializing in pain relief, deep tissue techniques and therapeutic massage, Shiatsu and Abyhanga. Lenny has 14 years of experience in the massage field and her pursuit of personal and professional growth recently led to obtaining a 200-hour yoga training and teaching certificate. Other holistic interests include Ayurveda, CranioSacral Therapy and deepening understanding of Shiatsu through the intensives taught by Dagny and Mary at CNW.
Lenny enjoys deepening her yoga practice, hiking, kayaking, being outdoors, spending time with good friends and family and being a lifelong student which is one of the reasons massage and wellness are a passion of hers.