Instructor Spotlight – Kirstin Feldman, LMT

Kirstin Feldman, LMT, is an OSM alumna, drawn to a career in massage therapy by “the solace and healing it gives, in addition to the physical benefits”. She says she finds joy in “bringing peace, comfort and healing through touch”. Outside of her practice, Kirstin also teaches several bodywork classes at our school, including Massage Fundamentals, Massage Assessment & Application, and Palpation Skills. She also instructs our Community Education class Massage Basics—available to anyone who’s interested in exploring whether massage therapy training may be the right path for them, or even to those who want an introduction to how they might bring more healing into their personal life.

Here at OSM, we employ a holistic approach to training students. Our philosophy focuses on mind-body-spirit integration, and we wanted to know how Kirstin integrates this philosophy into her teaching. She says, “I think it’s incredibly important to recognize that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and physical experience are inseparable, and try to use language, examples, and exercises that allow students to explore these overlapping spheres.”

She also says she encourages students to be open-minded when learning about new concepts in healing and massage therapy. She reminds them that techniques may resonate differently for different people and that what a therapist experiences as healing may differ from what a client experiences as healing. It’s important “to offer support in the clients’ process regardless”. Kirstin believes that a well-rounded massage therapy education provides the therapist “the ability to try different tools, think about a variety of approaches, and integrate the multiple levels of a client’s being.”

Finally, when asked what she enjoys about teaching at OSM and what advice she’d give to someone considering this career pathway, she replied, “Maybe don’t rely on it as a primary source of income for long, but it is incredibly rewarding. I love how excited our students are to begin what is, for many of them, a lifelong connection to healing work.”

Kirstin, thank you so much for your responses and for the quality of instruction you bring to OSM students! It means so much, and we love having you as part of the OSM community.

Readers, if you’re interested in trying out Kirstin’s Massage Basics class, it is open to all. No experience necessary and it doesn’t require enrollment into the program. It’s a popular 3-week introductory course.

Call now to register!     Portland: (503) 244-1420      Salem: (503) 585-8912

Written by Lucille Thornhill