Our faculty is composed of experienced, caring massage therapists who are devoted to sharing their knowledge and skills with students in a holistic educational setting. They bring a rich diversity of backgrounds to their classrooms.

Highlighting some of our Instructors:

• Bissen, Evi LMT
• Byrnes, Shelly LMT
• Davis, Patrick LMT
• Davis, Stacey M. DC
• Kaplan, Dr. Shelby BSc, DC
• Kruse, Ellen
• Lessard, Grant L.C.S.P. (Phys.)
• Lowenstein, David DC, LAc Dipl. Ac & Abt (NCCAOM)
• Miller, Don LMT
• Moore, Patrick LMT
• Warner, Dr. Nicholas CMT, DC
• Watt, Brian

Evi Bissen, LMT
Evi Bissen has been a licensed massage therapist since 2000. She graduated from Phoenix Therapeutic Massage College that same year. She has worked in Chiropractic offices, hospitals and massage schools in addition to her onsite massage practice with loyal customers. Evi has a specialty in energy work  (Reiki II) and uses it intuitively with her eclectic style of massage. She incorporates various styles such as trigger point , Swedish, Reflexology , Lymphatic and Thai massage creatively for each of her clients which is a main reason for their loyalty.

Shelly Byrnes, LMT
Shelley Byrnes has a BA in English and an AAS in Therapeutic Massage. She received her Associates degree in Therapeutic Massage with special emphasis in Craniosacral Therapy and Eastern Therapies in 2003. She has worked as a Licensed Massage Therapist in various venues including: a massage clinic, a chiropractic office, and a private resort club while building her own outcall business.

Patrick Davis, LMT
Patrick Davis holds a degree in clinical massage therapy and has been a Licensed Massage Therapist for over ten years. Patrick has taught for 8 years and has served as a Clinic Supervisor, Departmental Chair and Clinic Director. His focus is on Neuromuscular Therapy , Deep Tissue, and Sports Massage. His private practice includes a history of physical therapy, rehabilitation, and amateur and professional sporting teams.

Stacey M. Davis, DC
Dr. Davis received her teaching degree in 1986 from the University of Arizona , after graduation, she entered the corporate world as a manager for Marriott Food Services. After several years, she found massage therapy and realized a completely new career path in her life. Dr. Davis has taught Neuromuscular Therapy and complete massage therapy programs, since 1993. While continuing to teach and practice massage therapy, Dr. Davis attended Life University - Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia, where she graduated in September of 2001. Dr. Davis is currently teaching at Cortiva Institute in Scottsdale, AZ and practices her holistic chiropractic in Phoenix, AZ.

Dr. Shelby Kaplan, BSc, DC
Dr. Kaplan graduated with honors from the University of Western Ontario in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Physiology. He obtained his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas in 1997. Dr. Kaplan has been practicing chiropractor with the Biltmore Spinal Associates since 1999.

Ellen Kruse
After earning a B.A. in human-resource management and working in personnel for twelve years, Ellen shifted to a new career in the healing arts. She began her training in massage therapy in 1995. Ellen taught for several years at the Chicago School of Massage Therapy, where she specialized in specific work and nurturing touch. She has gone on to study Precision NMT, Body Centered Awareness, myofascial-release therapy , energy work, and life coaching. She owned and operated a successful clinic in Evanston, Illinois. She now applies her diverse experience into helping others build a strong foundation for their entry into the field of massage therapy.

Grant Lessard, L.C.S.P. (Phys.)
Grant is a graduate of Western College of Remedial Massage Therapies with over 3000 hours of clinical massage training based upon osteopathic soft tissue techniques. He has been practicing since 1989 in a variety of environments including holistic health care centers, medical facilitates while specializing in rehabilitative therapies. His professional studies include Craniosacral , Myofascial Release , Lymphatic Drainage, Muscle Energy Technique , Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Sports Massage, and Exercise Rehabilitation. Grant has been training students and instructors in massage modalities, sciences, exercise rehabilitation and others since 1995. Grant's teaching style is collaborative, interactive and dynamic.

David Lowenstein, DC, LAc Dipl. Ac & Abt (NCCAOM)
Dr. Lowenstein is licensed by both the Arizona Acupuncture Board of Examiners and the Arizona Chiropractic Board of Examiners . He is nationally certified as a Diplomat in Acupuncture and Asian Bodywork Therapy with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM ). David was certified to practice Shiatsu in 1983 by Shiatsu Master Wataru Ohashi and registered as a Certified Instructor of Shiatsu with the American Organization for the Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA ) in 1989. He completed his Master of Arts Degree in Movement Analysis at Ohio State University and a Master of Science degree in Acupuncture . He was awarded a Fellowship research grant in Body Therapies at New York University for his PhD program and completed a Movement Therapy internship at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. A Certified Movement Analyst, completing the post graduate training at the Laban/Bartenieff Center for Movement Studies in New York City.

Don Miller, LMT
Don makes massage training practical. His private practice specializes in clinical applications and rehabilitative treatments and he brings this experience to the classroom. With a longtime commitment to health and active living, Don has a Master's degree in Exercise Physiology as well as advanced massage training in neuromuscular , orthopedic, medical and sports massage. He is certified with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB ) and a member of the US Medical Massage Association . He teaches a variety of science and massage classes at Cortiva Institute.

Patrick Moore, LMT
Patrick Moore is curious. As a massage therapist, he wonders if there is any limit to what people can gain from one-hour sessions with a therapeutic equal partner. As a teacher he is passionate to create new routes to deeper and broader understanding. As a writer, performer, artist, andinventor, exploration of new perspectives begins with human relations, to each other, oneself, Nature, the Earth, and beyond.

Dr. Nicholas Warner, CMT, DC
Dr Nick is a Certified Massage Therapist and a Doctor of Chiropractic. He received his Bachelor's Degree in 1984 from San Diego State University ; his initial massage certification in 1990 from Santa Monica School of Massage Therapy , and his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 1996 from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic . Dr. Nick has advanced certification in Nimmo Receptor Tonnus Technique. Dr. Nick has been instructing since 1994. He has taught Anatomy and Physiology, Facilitated Stretching, Massage Basics, Seated Massage, and Trigger Point Therapy . He approaches his instructing with the philosophy that one should develop artisans to practice healing arts. Dr. Nick, along with instructing and involvement with various charities, has a thriving practice in North Phoenix, Arizona.

Brian Watt
Brian is a native of Arizona he graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Communications with an emphasis in broadcasting and a minor in Business, and an Associates of Applied Science degree in Massage Therapy from Rainstar University . Brian has worked in both the chiropractic and spa environments. Brian own and operates Nirvana Bodyworks in Tempe, AZ where Brian now provides a variety of healing treatments. Brian has enjoys instructing Massage and Foundational Mechanics, courses as well as supervising the student clinic with Cortiva Institute.