Massage Education
Anatomy / Kinesiology / Pathology
Learn the body systems and their
functions to gain an understanding of
the basic structure, functions, and
pathological conditions of the body.
Study human movement (physical
activity) which plays a vital role in the
overall health and wellness of individuals
and of society as a whole.
Modalities / Spa Treatments
Our massage therapy students have many
opportunities to learn a vast and diverse
number of the modalities of bodywork. It is
estimated there are 350 modalities of massage,
in addition to the added spa treatments.
Business / Ethics / Law
Body Wellness Massage Therapy Academy
opens the rich history of massage ethics that
carries into your career. Education in
Arkansas rules, regulations, and business
principles will help in advancing your
career in Massage Therapy.
Our Educators
Education Director & Instructor
Donna McGriff, MTI
Donna has devoted her life to assisting individuals in healing. As a Massage Therapy Instructor she has studied many techniques and modalities from traditional massage to energy work. Donna is a Licensed Massage Therapy Instructor, Reiki Master-Teacher, Advanced IET Practitioner, Therapeutic Essential Oils Practitioner, Vibrational Therapist and Gem & Crystal Therapist. She has been appointed as a member of the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy by the Governor three times. Donna continues her devotion to holistic education for Massage Therapist and Healers. Donna founded Body Wellness, Inc. in 1992 and The Center for Wholeness and Health in 2004. Donna has been involved with assisting individuals in healing for 30 years and has been an Arkansas Licensed Massage Therapist for 22 years. Donna currently maintains a private practice, teaches and facilitates educational seminars.
Educational Background:
Pain in the Neck - Robert King Seminar
Introduction to Acupressure Therapy - Mara Lindstram
Myofascial Release Techniques - Hot Springs School of Therapy Technology
Advanced Massage Training - Hot Springs School of Therapy Technology
Advanced Techniques-Fibromyalgia Massage - Jean’s School of Therapy Technology
Spa Services Training - Aveda Spa Services
Structural Kinesiology - Barbara Morris - Body Wellness
Compassionate Care - Kathy Findley - Body Wellness
Body Mobilization and Stretching - Donna Burr -Body Wellness
Advanced Anatomy and Physiology - Donna Burr - Body Wellness
Reiki Level I - Andrea Mikana-Pinkham - Body Wellness
Sports Massage - Barbara Morris - Body Wellness
Integrated Therapy - Dana Lockwood - Body Wellness
Nutrition - Cherry Nichols - Body Wellness
Reiki I and Reiki II - Catherine Crews -Body Wellness
Advanced Reiki - Catherine Crews - Body Wellness
Reiki Master - Catherine Crews - Body Wellness
Reiki Master/Teacher - Catherine Crews - Body Wellness
Introduction to Five Element Theory- Catherine Crews - Body Wellness
Integrated Energy Therapy – Basic Level – Ann Heath - Body Wellness
Integrated Energy Therapy – Intermediate Level – Ann Heath - Body Wellness
Integrated Energy Therapy – Advanced Level – Ann Heath - Body Wellness
Young Living Essential Oils - Hands on Training – Denver
Advanced Applications of Essential Oils - Judy DeRuvo
The Aromatic Mind– Turner Bourne - Body Wellness
Aromatherapy 101 - West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy, Inc.
Introduction to Cranial Sacral Therapy - Mya Breeman - Upledger Institute
Process Acupressure I: Essence – Catherine Crews - Process Acupressure Unlimited
Aromatic Archeology: Working with Ancient Oils – Turner Bourne - Integrated BodyMind
BodyMind for the Massage Therapist – Turner Bourne - Integrated BodyMind Therapy
The LMT in a Clinical Setting– Dr. Beverly Foster, DC - American University
Whiplash & Thoracic Outlet -Judith Hankins, MTI - Valley of Vapors School of Massage
Problems of the Upper Back-Judith Hankins, MTI - Valley of Vapors School of Massage
Trigger Points Plus - Susie Byrd, MTI - The Edge Schoof of Massage Therapy
Mechanical Vibratory Massage - Lin Long, MTI - Body Wellness
Soft Tissue Release for the client with Fibromyalgia - Susie Byrd, MTI -Edge Schoof of MT
Defrosting a Frozen Shoulder - Antonio Woodall - American University of Healing Arts
Chair Massage 101 - Susie Byrd, MTI - The Edge Schoof of Massage Therapy
Neck and Shoulders - Susie Byrd, MTI - The Edge Schoof of Massage Therapy
Electro Stimulation - Michael Clark - The Edge Schoof of Massage Therapy
SI Joint Disfunction & Low Back Pain - Gary Jones-Arkansas Medical Massage
Soma (Body) Tuner Course - Dr. Karen Kelly - Soma Energetics
Whiplash & Thoracic Outlet - Valley of Vapors School of Massage
Problems of the Upper Back - Valley of Vapors School of Massage
Soma (Body) Tuner Course - Soma Energetics - Dr. Karen Kelly
The 42 pound Head and Cervical Neck Pain - Arkansas Medical Massage - Gary Jones
Conditions of the Lower Arm and Hand - Arkansas Medical Massage - Gary Jones
Shoulder Impingement - Arkansas Medical Massage - Gary Jones
Instructors on the Front Lines - ABMP
Ethics: Roles and Boundaries through the Chakras - Charlene Gaffney / NCTMB
Instructor & Master Massage Therapist
R. Michelle Christen, MMT, CMLDT
Michelle is a native of Conway, and is a graduate of The University of Central Arkansas holding a Bachelors in Business Administration. She is a graduate of Touching America School of Massage and is licensed as a Master Massage Therapist by the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy. Michelle is a believer that education never stops; and therefore, she is in constant pursuit of continuing education opportunities in advancement of her practice. As such, she has also obtained her national CMLDT (Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist) in the Vodder technique through Klose Training. This certification along with continuing education in oncology massage allows her to assist those suffering from cancer, effectively reduce traumatic and post-surgical edema, and can provide symptomatic relief of migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), stress, fatigue, .
As a therapist, Michelle is empathetic to those dealing with the management of chronic pain syndromes and providing assistance in this area. Her neck and shoulder work have helped many of her clients with persistent headaches. She enjoys use of several modalities of massage, and believes that benefits of massages are far greater than relaxation alone. Michelle is an integrative bodyworker who intuitively uses a combination of modalities of massage to deliver very effective therapeutic massage. Some of her favorite practices are trigger point therapy, thai massage, sacred lomi lomi, and hot bamboo. She also enjoys the use of deep tissue, reflexology, hydrotherapy, cupping, gua sha, and aromatherapy.
Educational Background
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist - Klose Training Vodder Technique
Intro to Manual Lymphatic Drainage - Body Wellness Center
Introduction to Myofascial Massage - Body Wellness Center
Rain Drop Therapy - Body Wellness Center
Introduction to Cupping - Body Wellness Center
Massage Cupping/Medicupping - ACE Medicupping
Lomi Supine & Prone - Greg Benefield, MTI
Pathologies for Massage Therapist ,- Tiffany Diaz, MMT
Ashiatsu - Tiffany Diaz, MMT
Hot Bamboo Massage - Tiffany Diaz, MMT
Thai Massage - Robert Garner Wellness
Table Thai Massage - Rober Garner Wellness
Essential Oils -The Chemistry - Body Wellness Center
Reiki 1 & 2 - Body Wellness Center
Muscle Stim - David Clarke
Reiki I & II - Body Wellness Center
Prenatal Massage, Pathology & Pregnancy - Krista Moore, MMT