L A Vocational Institute is proud of its faculty and staff. Their diverse wealth of knowledge and experience helps to make our program a rewarding experience. We seek out professionals whose talents and knowledge create an exciting, interesting and rewarding atmosphere in which to learn the fine art of Massage Therapy.
Now meet our faculty...
 
  
         Scott Nary,   L.M.T.,  C.N.M.T.  
  Private Practice,
Newfoundland Career Academy St. Johns,
John Frappier Acceleration AthleticTraining
 
  Scott has come to us after being the recent Preferred Massage Therapist for the Carolina Panthers, NFL. He received the National Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Body Work. He also has extensive training from Athletic Trainers and Neuro-Muscular Therapists. Finally he was rated the Best Therapist in the Academy St. Johns. His experience and extensive knowledge of all Massage Modalities makes him a welcome addition to our staff.  
        Scott is certified for:      
 
   Swedish Massage, Hydrotherapy, Stone Therapy, Aromatherapy, Herbology, Shiatsu, Acupressure and Trigger Point, Reflexology, Sports Massage, Chair Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Polarity, Lymphatic, Pregnancy, Neuro-Muscular Therapy
 
         Nana Dekanosidze,  MA  
  Master of Art in special Education, Educational Therapy, Bachelor of Biological Sciences,
Senior Scientist
  Special interests in the area of cell biology, bioenergetics and skills in Spectrophotometry Polarometry , Densitometry and Gel Electrophoresis. Delivers popular lectures in Anatomy, Physiology, Biophysical and Biochemistry.  
         Nana is Certified for:      
 
  Anatomy and Physiology, Human and Animal Pathology, Medical Terminology
 
        Laura Logsdon, L.M.T., C.I.M.I.  
  Private Practice
Laura’s extensive experience working in the spa industry has given her valuable insight in how to be successful in the industry. Laura’s ability to connect and demonstrate her diverse knowledge make her an exceptional instructor.
  Laura’s emphasis is in complete family health, which includes; infant and toddler massage instruction, pregnancy massage, and relaxation massage. Each student receives through individualized instruction in a group environment to create a wonderful rewarding experience.  
        Laura is Certified for:      
 
  Cranio-Sacral, Swedish, Hydrotherapy, Aromatherapy, Herbology, Stone Therapy, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Chair Massage, Trigger Point, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Pregnancy, Polarity, Lymphatic, Infant Massage Instruction, Doula  
 
        S. Tayler Kent, L.M.T.  
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  B.S. Psychology
B.A. Human Development
M.A. Behavior Analysis
  After opening the Parkville Wellness Center in Kansas City his journey led him to San Francisco and Los Angeles. His philosophy stems from his studies in psychology, human development, and behavior analysis coupled with massage to awaken the inner healing energy. His approach for unconditional complete client comfort has created a new level of relaxation and communication between therapist and client. His vast knowledge in marketing and development provides a resource for students to begin building their private practice and become as successful as possible.    
        Tayler is Certified for:      
 
  Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Hydrotherapy, Stone Therapy, Aromatherapy, Herbology, Shiatsu, Acupressure , Trigger Point, Reflexology, Sports Massage, Chair Massage, Polarity, Lymphatic, Pregnancy
 
        Corissa DeSaulnier, C.M.T.  
  BA, Environmental Analysis and Design at University of California, Irvine 750 hour massage therapy program at Northeastern Institute of Whole Health
5 years of private practice
Business owner of Nabi Urban Retreats, holistic bodycare and beauty services.
  Corissa’s philosophy for bodywork and healthcare incorporates holistic practices of natural healing with a strong background in Western anatomy and physiology. She is greatly influenced by Asian healing arts and other forms of natural health and living practices. Corissa practices Ashtanga yoga and incorporates yoga asanas, as well as other energy exercises into her classroom. She brings practical knowledge from her years of massage therapy experience, to provide students with a solid foundation in everything from, real-life challenges of the massage therapy business to incorporating your passion into your work.
Corrisa has led workshops and seminars in massage therapy/bodywork, yoga, and natural healthcare and living. She graduated at the top of her class at the one of the top massage therapy schools in New England. Her hope is to bring each student a diverse knowledge and understanding of massage therapy as science and as art form.
 
       Corissa is Certified for:      
 
  Swedish Massage, Hydrotherapy, Aromatherapy, Herbology, Stone Therapy, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Trigger Point, Reflexology, Sports Massage, Chair Massage, Deep Tissue, Pregnancy, Lymphatic, Polarity, Yoga
 
        Sergio De Oliveira, C.M.T.  
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      Sergio believes massage is an art and the therapist is the artist. Through that art miracles can be performed: Transformation of body and mind, health, stamina and new self is born after a massage session.
Sergio has been practicing massage for over a decade and massage for him is his bigger passion and he wants to share this with the students as well, to create more massage therapist artist and make a difference in people lives through a caring touch.
 
       Sergio is certified for:      
 
  Swedish Massage , Hydrotherapy, Aromatherapy, Herbology, Stone Therapy, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Trigger Point, Reflexology, Sports Massage, Chair Massage, Deep Tissue, Pregnancy, Lymphatic, Polarity,
Yoga
 
        Rafael D. Balatbat, C.M.T., L.M.T.  
  Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy
Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Completed Course in Anatomy and Neurobiology
Completed Course in Natural Holistic health Professionals
  Dr. Rafael has 40 years of hands on experience in the field of therapeutic bodywork and healing. His extensive education placed him as the physical therapist of the New York Knicks and a student instructor of massage for over 10 years. He believes knowledge of both eastern and western philosophies is the key to successfully helping all human beings.  
       Dr. Rafael is Certified for:      
 
  Acupressure, Aromatherapy, Swedish Massage, Trigger Point, Chair Massage, Deep Tissue, Lymphatic Massage, Hydrotherapy , Sports Massage, Shiatsu, Herbology
 
        Anthony Ranieri  
  Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Yale University
Juris Doctor, Brooklyn Law School
Associates of Occupational Studies, 1170 hour program, Swedish Institute
Completed Courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Neurology, Pathology and Assessment of Soft Tissue Conditions
Private practice 3 years
Member AMTA and LA/South Bay Unit Government Relations Chair
  Anthony’s approach to bodywork is based on a foundational understanding that it is the body/mind/spirit which heals itself, while the massage therapist is simply a facilitator, guiding the person in this work. He does not forsake eastern or western approaches for the other, but incorporates both into his sessions and into his classroom experience. Having graduated at the top of his class from the Swedish Institute in New York City, he is practiced in client assessment using Chinese medical theory and western tools of assessing soft tissue conditions and designs treatments incorporating both methods to address client needs. In class he includes qi gong exercise and is available to advise students on a variety of matters ranging from running a massage business, to professional ethics, to using proper body mechanics, and more.  
       Anthony Ranieriiis Certified for:      
 
  Swedish Massage, Stone Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Trigger Point, Sports Massage,
Stretching & PNF Techniques, Chair Massage, Deep Tissue, Gua Sha, Tui Na, Moxibustion, Sotai,
Thai Massage, Anatomy & Physiology, 5 Element Theory
 
        Dan Sion,   C.M.T.  
  University courses included advanced study in Acupuncture and Massage at Nanjing and Shanghai International Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine.   Dan is a trainer and teacher of Vak Yoga (Yoga of Logos), Traditional Chinese, Oriental and Holistic Massage. His global experiences include teaching at the National Group for Study and Practice of Yoga and instructing classes of Massage, Yoga, Acupuncture, Taiji Quan & Qi Gong at the Jean Marc Kespi Academy in Bucharest.  
        Dan is Certified for:      
 
  Swedish Massage, Hydrotherapy, Aromatherapy, Chinese Massage, Herbology, Stone Therapy,
Zen Shiatsu, Acupressure, Reflexology, Sports Massage, Chair Massage, Deep Tissue, Pregnancy,
Lymphatic , Myo-Facial , Polarity, Yoga , Tai Ji Quan and Qi Gong
 
 
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