Our dedicated faculty teach massage therapy with the confidence and passion that comes from a well-developed expertise and a love for their work. As professional practitioners in their respective fields, teachers of our massage school in Seattle bring a practical understanding of the subject matter; one that they delight to share with their students. They work closely with students, recognizing diverse learning styles and developing a supportive classroom environment for adults. Respect for each individual, reverence for the human body, enthusiasm for the healing potential of massage, and commitment to the learning process are hallmarks of the Cortiva Institute - Seattle approach.

• Christman, Lauren LMP, BA, MA
• Connolly, Pete LMP, BA
• Crouse, Bethany LMP, BA
• Dean, De’anna LMP, BS
• Dowd, Leanne LMP, BA
• Frank, Ursula
• Fritz, Crystal LMP
• Gomes, Sarah Ruth
• Hamm, Michael LMP, CCST
• Jacobus, Michael LMP, CTP, BA
• Kagen, Chris LMP, BA
• Kohlrus, Kolleen LMP
• Lee, Benjamin LMP, BA
• O’rourke, Pat LMP
• Okami, Jon LMP
• Smelser, Joe LMP, BA
• Sorlie, Matthew LMP, BA
• Stickel, John LMP/CSMS, NSCA-CPT, BS
• Tucker, Megan LMP, BA
• Vogel, Jonathan LMT, BS
• Vogel, Megan NCBTMB, LMP, MSW
• Yasuda, Greg LMP, BA

Lauren Christman, LMP, BA, MA
Lauren Christman has two Bachelors degrees, one of which is in Non-Violence and Power Dynamics from Brown University. She also has a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Washington. In 1994, Lauren graduated from the Brian Utting School of Massage. During her studies there she participated in cadaver anatomy coursework and conducted an internship with AIDS patients. Lauren earned another diploma in bodywork from the New Zealand College of Massage in Aukland. She has an additional certification in KMI/Structural Integration from Kinesis Maine. She was a lead teaching assistant at Cortiva for 7 years prior to becoming an instructor. She now teaches a range of subject matter, from Professionalism and Ethics to Cadaver Anatomy and Dissection. Lauren maintains a private practice, Crafted Touch, which focuses on structural integration and craniosacral bodywork for adults and children. Lauren maintains membership in the AMTA as well as AISI.

Pete Connolly, LMP, BA
Pete has spent many years in the instructional field, initially as a backcountry guide in the Pacific NW and Alaska and later with the Outward Bound School in Colorado, Utah and California. He received his BA in Environmental Education from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, allowing him to integrate course work such as geology and geophysics into his courses. A four-year chronic illness eventually shifted his priorities and career into the field of health care and massage. Pete currently instructs a variety of courses at Cortiva Institute - Seattle, including kinesiology, myofascial release, lymphatic facilitation and craniosacral therapy. He has private practice is in Seattle and North Bend, the latter where he and his wife manage a horse boarding facility with their 15-month old daughter. Pete's practice focuses largely on treatment and rehabilitation, blending techniques from his favorite courses at school. Pete loves to cook, take his daughter on 'play dates', hike and camp.

Bethany Crouse, LMP, BA
Bethany received her BA in Russian and Women's Studies from the University of Washington before graduating from the Brenneke School of Massage (now Cortiva Institute - Seattle) in 2001. She is certified in Pre and Post Natal Massage and maintains membership in the ABMP. Bethany has a private practice in Kitsap County.

De’anna Dean, LMP, BS
De'Anna received her BS in Nutrition from Auburn University prior to completing her massage training at the Brian Utting School of Massage in 2004. She is a member of AMTA and is certified in Pre- and Perinatal Massage and has completed training with Tracy Walton for caring for clients with cancer. De'Anna maintains a private practice in Bothell, WA, and is an employee at a deep tissue and injury treatment clinic in Bellevue, WA. Outside of massage, De'Anna enjoys assisting in her son's kindergarten class and supporting her teenager's musical interests.

Leanne Dowd, LMP, BA
Leanne graduated from the Brian Utting School of Massage in 1993 after receiving her BA in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She teaches a variety of courses at Cortiva, including Anatomy, Business, Foundational Massage, Myofascial work, Ethics and Communication Skills. Leanne loves how massage and massage education help people find a deeper sense of them selves and meaningful work. She is a member of AMTA and maintains a private practice in Seattle.

Ursula Frank
Ursula graduated from the Brian Utting School of Massage in 1999. In 2003, she gained certification in Pre and Peri Natal Massage Therapy. Ursula maintains membership in the Hands-On Trade Association. She also teaches Professional Ethics and Basics of Pregnancy Massage continuing education classes at Cortiva Institute - Seattle.

Crystal Fritz, LMP
Crystal's adventure in bodywork began in 1991 with the International Institute of Foot Reflexology, followed by graduation from the Brian Utting School of Massage in 1993. She became certified in pregnancy massage, earned a Certificate of Mastery in Reflexology, and became a level II Reiki practitioner.
After seven years in private practice, Crystal ran a micro-spa/massage practice in a Leavenworth, WA family resort hotel. In 2007 it was time for a new direction, which brought her to Cortiva Institute - Seattle, where she teaches foundational massage, Foot Reflexology, spa applications and neuromuscular release. Crystal enjoys relaxing back home in the woods north of Leavenworth, walking with her husband & dog, listening to music, reading and spending time with her children & grandchildren.

Sarah Ruth Gomes
Sarah received her professional training at the Brenneke School of Massage in 2001. Upon graduation, she started a private practice in massage and craniosacral work, where she continues to develop special relationships with her clientele, personalizing her touch to the unique needs of each individual. Sarah is continuously advancing her professional skills in order to enhance her clients' experience. Sarah's training has focused in and around pregnancy, birth and pediatrics, although she sees a wide spectrum of clients in her home-based practice. She is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Sarah's approach to bodywork, teaching, and parenthood are similar: provide knowledge, space, and opportunity to learn, grow, and embrace a full sense of self.

Michael Hamm, LMP, CCST
Mike is equally in love with science and artistry, and believes both to be essential to good bodywork. Prior to working within the realm of massage, Mike studied politics and biotechnology at Oberlin College. As a teacher of bodywork, he strives for a dynamic classroom and a strong community in courses that include anatomy, research literacy, and various techniques. In 2005, Mike won the Gold Award in the Massage Therapy Foundation's student case report contest, and has worked with the Foundation since then to improve research literacy in the massage field. He has also written articles for the Massage Therapy Journal, Massage & Bodywork magazine, and the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Mike is a 2005 graduate of the Brian Utting School of Massage, and has completed additional training in craniosacral work, structural/orthopedic treatment, and trauma recovery. When not teaching or practicing bodywork, Mike plays music in a band.

Michael Jacobus, LMP, CTP, BA
Michael has been teaching massage since 1998. He graduated in 1996 from the Stillpoint Center School of Massage in Hatfield MA. Michael has gone on to receive certifications in the Trager Approach and Orthopedic Massage. He teaches musculoskeletal anatomy and clinical massage classes. Michael is a member of the Associated Massage and Bodywork Professional as well as the U.S. Trager Association. He has a private practice in the Eastlake neighborhood of Seattle, but is also co-owner of Seattle Somatics, a business that provides massage office rental and professional mentorship to licensed bodyworkers. Michael has a BA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He enjoys hiking, swimming, rollerblading, and singing with the Seattle Men's Chorus. He is also an avid student of hatha yoga and looks forward teacher certification by 2010.

Chris Kagen, LMP, BA
Chris has been teaching for 30 years, beginning with adult education classes in reading and comprehension, then designing educational and reference materials, and, finally, in the world of massage. A graduate of the Brian Utting School of Massage in Seattle (later known as Cortiva Institute - Seattle), he teaches a variety of courses from clinical massage to anatomy. Chris participates in the AMTA and NCTMB. His home practice in Kirkland, WA, focuses on injury treatment and rehabilitation. With a BA in English from Pomona College, Chris enjoys reading in his leisure time, but makes room for bicycling, camping, travel, and family time with his three kids. When he thinks no one is watching, he rearranges the dry-erase markers in the classrooms to be in spectrographic order in the white-board tray.

Kolleen Kohlrus, LMP
Kolleen was a counselor and social worker for 9 years prior to graduating Cum Laude with a BA in psychology from Seattle University in 1980. She graduated from Seattle Massage School in 1987 and continued her massage therapy education at Brenneke. She studied Gestalt Therapy applied to Bodywork for one year afterwards and has been continuing her education since. Kolleen maintains membership with the AMTA, NCBTMB, and Langley Chamber of Commerce. She contributed an article to the Washington Massage Journal in Spring of 2007 on the subject of LomiLomi technique. Kolleen also teaches LomiLomi and LokuLomi continuing education classes at Cortiva Institute - Seattle.

Benjamin Lee, LMP, BA
Benjamin graduated from the Brian Utting School of Massage (now Cortiva Institute - Seattle) in 2005, and joined the faculty upon graduation. He is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork with advanced certifications in Reflexology and Craniosacral Therapy. His studies include: direct and indirect fascial techniques, structural bodywork, positional release, and neuromuscular therapies. His work is heavily informed by movement therapies such as Feldenkrais and Alexander technique. Benjamin has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, loves to dance, and enjoys continually exploring the experience of being an embodied human being. He maintains a joyful private practice in downtown Seattle. Benjamin received his BA in Music (Classical Guitar) from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Pat O’rourke, LMP
Pat has been licensed in the state of Washington for 25 years and taught at the Brian Utting School of Massage for 22 years. She is now on faculty at Cortiva Institute - Seattle. Pat has special training in full body Cyriax style injury assessment and treatment, Muscle Energy technique for neurological holding and spinal dysfunction, craniosacral technique in the biodynamic model, and Structural Integration at the Kinesis school. Pat also has taught cadaver anatomy, but continues to learn from her students and clients alike. Pat's basic belief system: Pat combines structural assessment, attention to injured structures, and awareness of the impact of trauma on an individual and whole body integration approach. The inherent movements in the body connected to the nervous system and the fascial network provide a major basis for assessment and treatment. Immobility on this subtle level creates the environment for disease and results from injury. Restoring the mobility on a physical and emotional level will restore health. At the foundation of all of this is a respect for the inherent intelligence in the body and us as living organisms, also awe for the ability of the body and psyche to heal from past trauma regardless of age through care and contact.

Jon Okami, LMP
Jon graduated from the Brenneke School of Massage in 1997 and joined the faculty in 2000 where he currently teaches: Massage Foundations, Clinical Foundations and Student Clinic. He is a member of ABMP and maintains a private practice in Seattle with focus on injury treatment and wellness massage. Some of his continuing education pursuits include Strain/Counterstrain, myofascial release, manual lymphatic drainage, and Trager, which allow him to not only bring a vitality to his massage, but also enriches his classroom experience. When not in the classroom, Jon enjoys spending time with his partner cooking delicious meals, backpacking, and watching a good movie.

Joe Smelser, LMP, BA
Joe Smelser graduated from Brian Utting School of Massage in 2004, after having earned a BA in both Theater and Biology from Oberlin College in 1991. He specializes in: Structural Integration (KMI), injury treatment, deep tissue and sports massage and maintains membership in AMTA, NCBTMB, and the AMTA - WA Sports Massage Team. He also enjoys working on the therapy team at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Joe's private practice is in nearby Queen Anne.

Matthew Sorlie, LMP, BA
Matthew began his higher education at Hampshire College and graduated with a BA in American Studies and Education. In 1998, he graduated from the Brian Utting School of Massage. Today he is a certified Craniosacral Therapy Practitioner, currently on sabbatical from his private practice, and a member of the ABMP. Matthew is also the Manager of Academic Affairs at Cortiva Institute - Seattle.

John Stickel, LMP/CSMS, NSCA-CPT, BS
John has been a nationally certified and Washington State licensed massage practitioner since 1999. Additionally he is a Clinical Sports Massage Therapist [CSMS] who has qualified for both the Washington State and the AMTA National Sports Massage teams. John is also a personal trainer certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association [NSCA-CPT]. John has massaged college, Olympic and professional athletes as both a training room and traveling therapist, and has worked in and consulted for Northwest salons and spas. He currently manages his own massage clinic/mentorship program at SeattleSomatics.com. Since 2001 John has taught client assessment and treatment massage, kinesiology, hydrotherapy, business, pathology, on-site and sports massage as well as coordinated Cortiva-Seattle's award-winning externship program, which places hundreds of students in professional massage environments. John is also a continuing education instructor for advanced treatment massage, hot stone massage and body mechanics. When not massaging or teaching, John trains for and plays "geezer-ball" in the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League and lives near Green Lake Park in an on-going remodeling project.

Megan Tucker, LMP, BA
Megan moved to Seattle in 2004 because of Seattle's reputation for quality massage education. She graduated from Brenneke School of Massage in 2005. Megan is a member of ABMP and IASI, she is NCBTMB certified and holds an intraoral massage endorsement. As a level II Reiki practitioner since 2006, and a practitioner of Structural Integration since 2007, Megan has a passion for learning about the overlap and interplay between energy work and structural bodywork. She enjoys working with these ideas with the clients she sees in her private practice. Megan studied Psychology and Biology at Marietta College in Ohio, where she played on the soccer team. She then worked with adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness in Washington D.C. Megan continues to play soccer and is a wannabe bike commuter, who distinguishes herself from the pack with her striped socks, her lack of spandex and being decidedly the slowest biker on Seattle streets. A nascent gardener, she is working on lowering her 50% kill ratio of plants.

Jonathan Vogel, LMT, BS
Jonathan has been teaching bodywork for over 20 years, after a successful career in the public school system, where he taught all the sciences to students in grades 7 through 12 as well as driver's education. His all-time most fun job was teaching Nature Awareness for students in grades K through 12, an experience involving the Houston Children's Zoo and driving a vanload of animals; Rosie, an 8-foot boa constrictor, was his favorite prop, draped over his shoulders to gain the class' attention. (It worked!). A robust dance career of a dozen years has given Jonathan a unique perspective on body mechanics and movement. As Publicity Director for Mother Earth News, he appeared on hundreds of guest TV/radio shows, a background which has granted him a certain poise, which he utilizes for conducting Cortiva classes. More than two decades of teaching for the former Brian Utting School of Massage has seasoned this irreverent teacher of kinesiology, anatomy and Thai massage. A BS in Zoology and Chemistry gave him a wide base of knowledge that helps to make his classroom interactive and playful. Jonathan finds use from all tools for massage, choosing most often a combination of body leverage and his feet or knees as well as hands to give pressure for bodywork sessions. He loves the combination of heated stone, deep work and the use of bars in the ceiling to hang from (i.e., Ashiatsu style) or, in more reflective moments, a bodywork style known as Breema, which combines breathing with presence and ease.

Megan Vogel, NCBTMB, LMP, MSW
Megan's career has been dedicated to assisting people in improving their total wellness. She has over 11 years of experience as a social worker and mental health professional. After completing a BA and MSW from the University of California at Berkeley, Megan came to massage with a desire to reach people in a more holistic way. Megan graduated from Brenneke School of Massage in 2006. Becoming faculty at Cortiva Institute has become yet another way to assist people in their individual career path. She is an instructor of fundamental massage techniques as well as clinical massage theory and practice. She maintains a thriving private practice in the Seattle area, and has been a member of ABMP and NCBTMB since 2006. In her free time she enjoys traveling, walking, yoga, and playtime with her husband and two pugs.

Greg Yasuda, LMP, BA
Greg Yasuda received a BS in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1993. Rather than engineering, however, he found that working as the product development manager at Jamba Juice better supported his lifestyle of biking, climbing, and frequenting health food stores. Here, he was introduced to the field of naturopathic medicine and enrolled at Bastyr University in 1998. Entering with a strong interest in herbal medicine and nutrition, he was surprised to find himself most captivated by physical medicine. Perhaps in a return to his mechanical and structural roots, he earned a certificate of completion from the Brenneke School of Massage in 2002. The following year, he completed his doctorate in naturopathic medicine and opened a private medical practice where he emphasizes manual therapies, energy medicine and nutrition. He has also been an instructor of anatomy & physiology and visceral manipulation at what is now Cortiva Institute - Seattle since 2003.