Instructors
INSTRUCTORS
Adrienne Asta
Adrienne Asta is the owner and founder of Cerebral Vortex Education and has been practicing massage since 2001. Having worked in a wide breadth of educational and clinical environments, she has a keen sense of the challenges that are common across the industry from education to practice. Once deeply involved in the education arm of the massage industry, Adrienne held various positions in a spectrum of school environments for 15 years. She has developed ancillary materials for textbooks widely used in massage therapy programs and has trained all levels of practicing massage therapists and educators.
Adrienne has a full time practice in Tucson, AZ and holds advanced certifications in neuromuscular therapy and prenatal massage. Her clients seek her for a gentle and informed approach to pain management. She is privileged to serve as President for the Massage Therapy Foundation.
Adrienne joyfully donates a portion of her proceeds to The Massage Therapy Foundation and to Heawell – two very distinguished non-profit organizations that elevate the massage profession.
Katie Phill
Katie Phill is passionate about helping and connecting with people which is evident in her bodywork as well as in her teaching. She has brought this enthusiasm to the massage industry since 1998 when she attended Seattle Massage School. Since then she has actively perused continued training in a variety of modalities and work environments which have inspired her to share this work with others. Katie has been a massage educator since 2006, teaching at the introductory level as well as offering specialty trainings and continuing education classes. She is currently practicing privately as well as working at a world renowned health and wellness resort. Katie brings a background of therapeutic treatment techniques, spa experiences and energy work along with 20 years of hands on experience into the treatment room and the classroom.
Erikka Miller
Erikka Miller has a degree in education with over 10 years of experience in public school education, special education, and vocational school adult education. She has trained teachers regularly to ensure a diverse skill set and knows the information she provides is practical and available for immediate use. As a former instructor and trainer for a massage therapy school, she has taken the information she’s garnered over the years and tailored it to work for those teaching students or simply presenting information about bodywork. Personally, Erikka loves spending time with her partner Hunter and son Ziggy. They enjoy being outside and active with their dog Penny and also like to play board games.
Renee Stucklen
Renee Stucklen, L.Ac., LMT, Dipl. OM has dedicated her life’s study to the field of Chinese Medicine and Asian bodywork. After graduating from Northern Arizona Massage Therapy Institute in Sedona, Arizona in 2005, she quickly realized that Traditional Thai Massage was one of her absolute favorite methods of bodywork. In 2007, she went to Thailand to obtain her teaching certification at ITM in Chiangmai. Since then, she has taught at NAMTI and for continuing education. Renee’s interest in Chinese medicine led her to obtain her Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches in Santa Cruz, CA in 2012. The practice of Chinese Medicine and all bodywork requires physical cultivation on the part of the therapist. To facilitate this requirement, Renee has been training the internal martial arts of Xingyi, Bagua, and Taiji under the North American Tang Shou Tao since 2008. Renee is currently an instructor in Shen Long Xingyi and in Jing Luo Qi Gong and teaches regular classes in these arts here in Tucson, AZ.
Lisa Hansen
Lisa Hansen a subject matter expert in youth advocacy in the area of human trafficking with over 20 years experience as a professional speaker, trainer, and youth care provider. As one who suffered the traumatic effects of abuse as a young child, sexual exploitation as
a teen, and domestic abuse as a young mother, it has been her charge to defend and inspire youth with extraordinary outreach.
Jessica Rzepecki
Jessica has been an educator since 2011, working as a middle school classroom teacher, site technology coordinator, and at-risk youth program coordinator. Education is her passion and history will always be her first love. She holds a BAE in History from the University of Arizona, MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in integrating technology, learning, and psychology.