Massage school to open in San Rafael - Marin Independent Journal

[Tobi Lessem]

To run a small business in Marin County, particularly a wellness business — in my case, massage — is a niche experience.

We’re privy to the inner world of our community: the stressors, fears, joys and life events that people are walking around with, quite literally, on their shoulders.

Having studied with Jocelyn Olivier, Alco Chan, Jim Berns, Ruben J. Rocha and various other local masters over the years, I’ve seen the deep changes that have happened in the world of healing and bodywork as dedicated massage therapists are retiring out of the field.

In any field, I suppose, there’s a changing of the guards, so to speak, that happens generationally; the older generation retires and the younger ones step up. However, in bodywork and massage, this field is a lineage and a mentor-mentee situation. Having students straight from school step into the realm of offering massage to the community is not ideal, unless there’s a guide or mentor supporting the process. This is because bodywork is an act of service and an emotional, social and physical connection on levels many younger practitioners can neither understand right at the beginning nor do they have the tools to handle.

This is why we’re re-opening a massage school, Diamond Light, under the new name Marin School of Massage in San Rafael. The community needs a new wave of bodyworkers to support them through these often harrowing times. And bodyworkers need a school steeped in ancient wisdom and deep healing led by seasoned instructors.

Human touch, connection and presence will never be obsolete. However, it needs to be taught because many areas of life discourage it.

We’re here to continue to remind people not only of its value, but how it feels in your daily life.

More information at marinschoolofmassage.com.

Tam Junction resident Tobi Lessem is a certified massage therapist. IJ readers are invited to share their stories of love, dating, parenting, marriage, friendship and other experiences for our How It Is column, which runs Tuesdays in the Lifestyles section. All stories must not have been published in part or in its entirety previously. Send your stories of no more than 600 words to lifestyles@marinij.com. Please write How It Is in the subject line. The IJ reserves the right to edit them for publication. Please include your full name, address and a daytime phone number.