Alumni Association

Hypermobile Friendly — LMT Edition

Presented by Jessie Rard (he/him)

Hypermobility is not rare, but it is incredibly underdiagnosed. Hypermobile individuals can benefit greatly from massage and can also be more likely to be harmed by manual modalities than the average person.

This gathering is designed to help participants begin identifying signs of hypermobility in massage clients who may not yet be aware of it or formally diagnosed. The discussion will explore how increased awareness can inform conversations with clients, experimentation with techniques, and decisions about continuing education.

Jessie is a circus artist, personal trainer, and soon-to-be LMT who specializes in strength and flexibility for hypermobile individuals as well as dancers, circus artists, and aerialists. With 30 years of lived experience as a hypermobile and chronically ill person, nearly 20 years as a circus artist, and 10 years of coaching, Jessie brings a lifetime of experience to serving this population.

Holiday Movie Night - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 1989

Presented by Movie Rated PG - 13 — featuring Chevy Chase

Come for an evening of a silly old movie about Clark Griswold's dream of a traditional family Christmas that turns into a series of comedic disasters involving bickering relatives, faulty decorations, and a questionable Christmas bonus.

Bring a snack to share (if you want) and decorations for the area where you sit for the viewing -- lights, garland, whatever you need to be festive!

Bring a friend!

Therapeutic Relaxation

Presented by Amber Lester, LMT

This presentation and discussion focuses on chronic pain, adrenaline fatigue, and trauma clients who spend much of their time in fight or flight, with an emphasis on ways massage therapists can help facilitate the deep relaxation that gives the nervous system space to connect and repair rather than simply survive.

Participants will experience tools and techniques that may include Myofascial Release, Aromatherapy, Relaxation Stretching, Himalayan Salt Stones, Tuning Forks, and Singing Bowls.

Amber Lester graduated from Florida School of Massage in 2009. She has more than 750 hours of Aromatherapy training and has studied essential oils and herbal remedies since 2007. She has also completed more than 100 CE hours in Prenatal Massage and holds certifications in MLD, Meditation, Sound Healing, and Reiki Instruction.

Her professional background includes high-end spas, chiropractic, private practice, mobile services, massage-program leadership and instruction, and current work with the Florida Dermal Institute and Inspirit School of Healing Arts. An NCBTMB Approved Provider since 2018, Amber focuses on Multidimensional Therapeutic Relaxation and a holistic mind-body-spirit approach to wellness.

January Alumni Nights Event TBA

Ortho-Bionomy Self-Care for the Low Back and Pelvis

Presented by Luann Overmyer LMT — and Ortho-Bionomy Advanced Instructor

Ortho-Bionomy embraces the principles of moving toward ease and away from pain, the philosophy of trusting in the natural capacity of the body’s self-correcting reflexes, and the practice of simple positioning techniques to release pain and muscle tension patterns in seconds.
By working with the body, respecting any resistances, and moving within our comfort zone, Ortho-Bionomy accomplishes more with less effort. These gentle techniques release pain and the tension patterns that create it, improve posture, and enhance functional performance.
This presentation invites us to slow down and adopt a quiet, gentle approach to listen to the body’s responses. As we move and assess we drop into our felt sense, noting our sensations with a focus on functioning with greater ease. We will explore Ortho-Bionomy positions of comfort to release tension and patterns of holding and guided movement to gain clearer awareness of patterned responses and increased possibilities.

Luann Overmyer LMT has over 40 years of practical experience with Ortho-Bionomy and has trained and taught extensively in the field of body awareness, structural balance and wellbeing throughout the US, Australia, New Zealand and other countries throughout the world.
She is the author of the book Ortho-Bionomy: A Path to Self-Care that has already been translated into several languages and is available on Amazon.
Luann is an amazing teacher with an incredible depth of knowledge and experience. Her classes are engaging, informative, tremendously practical, and really a lot of fun. You will leave with skills that you can use immediately in your practice.

Evening of Live Acoustic Sound

Presented by Alejandro Boullon — Founder, Dream Lotus

An evening of live acoustic sound. Twelve crystal bowls, a gong, a hand pan, chimes and guitar, played live for 60 min. Nothing to follow along with and nothing asked of you. Bring a mat, pillows and a blanket, eye mask if you prefer, lie down, listen and enjoy.

Alejandro Boullon is a FSM graduate and founder of Dream Lotus

Introduction To The Parasympathetic Response

Presented by Adrienne Engel

In this one-hour course, you will learn to easily engage both your own and your clients' parasympathetic response, which opens the doorway for all stress integration, making your job and their experience more enjoyable. Engaging parasympathetic pathways is a skill that you can activate anywhere to promote integrative results. In this one-hour introduction class, we will begin with a 2-minute experience where you will feel the power of an organic parasympathetic response. We will then discuss the anatomy and tracking of the functional flow of your Autonomic Nervous System. There will be time for question and answer and group integration.

Adrienne Engel began her journey as a Medical Massage Therapist in 1995, specializing in rehabilitation and body-system healing and support. In addition to her medical focus, she studied biomechanics—the science of functional movement—and has worked with many professional golfers, supporting their healing and performance.

Adrienne works with individuals online and in person, and also offers Restorative Retreats.

Full Bio: https://inbodymeant.com/about