Instructor Spotlight: Bonnie Lee, LMT & ACE-Certified Personal Trainer

At just five years old, Bonnie Lee discovered the joy of helping others feel better through touch. “I would massage my dad by walking on him, rubbing his feet, and helping him feel better after a hard day’s work. In return, he paid me in M&M’s,” Bonnie recalls with a laugh. That childhood spark of compassion eventually grew into a lifelong passion for massage therapy.

Today, Bonnie Lee, LMT #18719 and ACE-Certified Personal Trainer shares her wealth of knowledge with students at the Oregon School of Massage. Since 2020, she has been an integral part of the school, teaching kinesiology for the upper and lower body and developing her own elective courses, known as the Kinesiolo-LEE Deep Tissue Method. These unique classes explore deep tissue techniques for areas such as the lower body, vertebral column, and shoulder joints, offering students a more advanced and hands-on understanding of body mechanics. “Utilizing the science and behavior of muscles, I enhance massage techniques and teach students to perform deeper assessments to address a wide range of client needs.”

Bonnie’s approach to teaching focuses on preparing students for success by encouraging critical thinking and therapist-driven techniques. “The class is designed to move away from choreographed movements. Instead, I want students to use their knowledge of joint function and the surrounding muscles to develop individualized treatment plans. It’s about taking what clients tell you during the intake and using thorough AROM and PROM assessments to guide your work.”

Her students often walk away with renewed confidence in their skills. “They feel stronger conviction in their treatment plans and develop a clearer understanding of postural and gait abnormalities that might need a detailed eye to correct,” Bonnie explains.

For Bonnie, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing her students experience those pivotal “ah-ha” moments. “I appreciate the ‘ah-ha’ moments students get in class. Seeing the ideas and theories presented finally click makes a huge difference. I also find it so rewarding that many of my former students stay in touch to share how their sessions have improved, both in clinic and out in the world. Their feedback has become more detailed and appreciative because they feel their work is more direct and astute.”

What makes Bonnie’s classes so memorable is her ability to make complex topics fun and engaging. “I keep things lighthearted but meaningful. I focus on things that have a ring to them, so they’ll be hard to forget. The material is presented in a way that’s open to their interpretation, so they don’t feel like they’re following a script. Instead, they’re constantly asking themselves what they would do based on the scenario presented.” This approach helps her students avoid falling into routines and keeps them challenged to find new, creative ways to meet their clients’ needs.

Bonnie’s path to becoming a massage therapist wasn’t conventional. After graduating high school with a strong academic record, she chose not to pursue the traditional college route. Instead, she spent her late teens and early twenties in customer service roles that honed her skills in uncovering people’s needs. “I spent three years in banking, learning personal and business finance, which helped me later when I started my own massage practice. Pairing those skills with the 550-hour licensure program at the Oregon School of Massage set me up for success.”

Bonnie finds immense joy in teaching at the Oregon School of Massage. “First and foremost, I love being in an environment where I can exchange discussions about massage and business with people who are just as passionate as I am. The energy here is electric, and I appreciate the students and LMTs I work with who are driven to go beyond the basic curriculum into something that can’t be matched.”

When asked what advice she would give to someone considering a career in massage therapy, Bonnie speaks with clarity and enthusiasm: “The demand for quality therapists has never been higher. You are in control of so many aspects of how your life can be designed—how often you work, how well you get paid, and the niche clientele you choose. If you treat your practice like a Fortune 500 business, it will pay you accordingly. If you run it like a hobby, it will always hold steady as one.”

Bonnie’s lifelong passion for massage therapy and her dedication to teaching is a gift to her students, who leave her courses inspired, confident, and ready to excel in their practices. Her story reminds us that massage therapy is not just about technique; it’s about compassion, creativity, and the constant pursuit of growth.

Thank you, Bonnie, for your continued dedication and inspiration to the Oregon School of Massage community!

 

Written by: Lizbeth Corona