Introduction: The field of massage has expanded rapidly over the past two decades.  More and more massage clients are "first-time" clients or otherwise not very experienced with professional massage.  Many people are uncertain of the "ground rules" regarding a massage session.  Good communications are needed to help ensure that you receive touch that is healing and comforting rather than touch that seems intrusive, excessively painful or otherwise unwanted.  If you are uncomfortable with anything about your massage, please ask questions.  You have the right to refuse any particular massage work, or to stop your session at any point.

It can be complicated to formulate and present questions about massage, since they often relate to intimate physical or emotional topics that we are not accustomed to talking about with strangers.  Yet, because of the sensitive nature of these concerns, and the physical intimacy of massage, communications are crucial.  My website, www.earondavis.com includes a large section on "What to expect during your massage session," which you might find helpful.  Following are some questions that people are often reluctant to ask:

1.  What is massage about?  Why would anyone want to lie down on a table and be massaged by a stranger?
Scientific studies have confirmed that massage has many benefits, including improved circulation, pain relief, deep relaxation and increased general energy levels.  It can also enhance body image and self-esteem, etc.  Studies with infants have established that touch is a basic human need, and yet our culture appears to discourage nonsexual touch between adults.  There are various forms of massage, ranging from traditional Swedish massage to Oriental Bodywork modalities such as Thai Massage and energy work.  In all, there are more than 200 different massage modalities.  Many involve working with oil or cream on bare skin while others are performed fully clothed.

The most common form of massage is a combination of Swedish and other techniques, including "deep tissue" work, generally with the client wearing underpants or nothing at all, and always having their private areas carefully covered with a sheet.  If you are uncomfortable with this type of massage, you might want to first try a modality in which the client remains fully clothed.  You may call me with any questions you may have, and possibly schedule an initial session consisting of a 30 minute consultation, including 10-15 minutes of fully clothed massage.  After that, you would have a better understanding about the nature of professional massage, as well as some of its benefits.

With our culture's history of violence and abuse, especially against women, massage can seem scary even though it is normal and healthy.  As children, many of us fondly remember back rubs from a parent, hugs of a grandparent, wrestling with a sibling or friend, etc.  But the process of growing up tends to change that.  As we develop sexual awareness, we become more suspicious of what motivates touch.  In the process of protecting our physical and emotional boundaries as adults, we may avoid healthy aspects of touch, such as massage, along with the inappropriate aspects.

Many people feel that they benefit from massage with a professional, where the provider is trained to understand health issues and contraindications, and where the client's interests come first and professional boundaries are kept.  For most, massage is part of one's efforts to take care of themselves.  Massage can be regular body maintenance to ensure that minor tensions and pains do not turn into major problems, and to receive advice about how to keep your body healthy and pain-free.  This is especially true for the large proportion of people who have musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, poor posture, back injuries, scoliosis) that produce chronic discomfort, or those tending to suffer from high-stress lifestyles or low self-esteem, for example.  Massage can be a periodic check-up and/or a treat, through which one experiences deep relaxation and receives encouragement and nurturing.  In our culture, in which many of us receive little nurturing touch, massage can be a safe way to feel physically cared about.  Some of my clients have told me that one hour of massage caused them to feel as relaxed and happy as they might feel on the third day of a vacation.  It makes them feel more alive and comfortable for days, even weeks.

2.  Why is massage often suggested for people who are in life transitions?
In a way, this is a metaphysical question, so I can only give my personal opinion.  Especially in our culture, people tend to put all of their energies into their work and/or family roles.  Compared to Europeans, for example, we take fewer vacations, work longer hours, spend less time with non-work-related friends, and do less to develop our non-career interests.  We tend to be more stressed and to get less regenerative sleep.  So, when we are confronted with a major life transition, such as career change, divorce, health crises, death of a parent, children moving out of the home, retirement, etc., we appear less resilient and may feel that our lives lack meaning.

One of the aspects of our stressful lives is that we tend to have major aches and pains and musculoskeletal issues that diminish our quality of life, such as back problems or headaches that limit our ability to relax and to get good sleep.  This tends to indicate that we have become distanced from our own bodies, that we have learned to ignore the impacts of stress on our bodies rather than “listening to our bodies” and taking care of ourselves.  Massage brings us back into touch with our aches and pains, as well as with our ability to release those pains to feel relaxed and cared for.  Massage is a way in which we can shift our awareness so that we become more balanced and healthy.

3.  Can massage be part of the spiritual journey?
It is my opinion that massage can be an important part of our spiritual journey.  In a way, massage is an intimate experience in which we are respected and nurtured in a manner to which we are unaccustomed.  This process of profound relaxation can help us to remember our divine nature and open our minds to connection with the spiritual and religious values that surround us.  Many of us have tended to believe that science will explain everything; that logic is all we need.  Yet, humans have a need for meaning that encompasses both the logical and unconscious aspects of our minds.  We need metaphor and art, sensation and connection, in addition to facts and figures.

As an experiential practice, massage helps take us back into our bodies and to experience more of the range of emotion and sensation that people in our culture often try to ignore.  Just as it helps us to be more in touch with our aches and pains, massage can help us release the stresses held in our body tissues.  In the process of being more in touch with our bodies, we may also hear our inner voice, telling us what we might like to change in order to live more meaningful, satisfying lives.

4.  What is happening regarding the licensing of massage practitioners in Illinois?
Only licensed practitioners are allowed to practice massage therapy (certain modalities are exempted from this requirement) and refer to their work as "massage" in Illinois after January 1, 2005.  Licensing has generally been supported by massage practitioners in order to help the public understand that massage practitioners are health professionals and have clear professional standards, ethics and boundaries.   The State runs criminal background checks on all applicants before they may be granted a massage license.

5.  I have seen various initials after the names of massage practitioners.  What do they mean?
LMT = Licensed Massage Therapist, which will soon be common in Illinois.
NCTMB = Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork – Many of us simply use the term “Nationally Certified” because few consumers know about the NCTMB.
NCBTMB = National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork – This is the organization that provides “National Certification” and enforces a code of ethics for its members.
AMTA = American Massage Therapy Association – This professional organization offers malpractice insurance and enforces a code of ethics for its members.
CMT = Certified Massage Therapist.  It is unclear that CMT has a particular meaning, but some practitioners use this title even though they have not passed the “National Certification Boards”
MPH = I have a Masters of Public Health from UCLA in addition to my massage training.

6.  What motivates people to become massage practitioners?
Different massage practitioners will have different responses to this question, but I would say that most massage therapists are doing this work because they truly enjoy helping people release their pain and to feel more relaxed and healthy.  Massage is probably the oldest form of healing.  I can tell you that knowing that I have a client's trust and seeing them at the end of a session with a big, relaxed smile on their face is precious to me.  We also notice the changes in clients' bodies.  Greater range of motion, fewer muscle pains and strains, more energy and more flexible muscles are all things that massage therapists notice in their clients.  We feel good about our work.

7.  You say that your massage work is intuitive.  Please explain what that means.  Does it mean that you might do something strange?
"Intuitive" massage work means that I am open to sensing what is going on in your body, including patterns of tension or discomfort.  There are myriad massage and relaxation techniques that are available, and it is a complex process of developing a sense of what will best work for any particular client.  Thus, "intuitive" work actually means that I am more focused on you, and will explain why I might propose using a particular technique.  I do not deliver a pre-set massage that is the same for each client every time.  Each massage is unique.  If you wish, I can also do energy work.  With my work, you are the one who controls what happens.  At any time, if something does not feel right, just say so.  You do not need to convince me about why you are uncomfortable in order for me to stop what I was doing.  You are also encouraged to tell me about any body areas that seem to need additional attention.

8.  I can understand women as massage therapists because women are more nurturing.  Why would men enter this field?
While women have traditionally been more nurturing than men, our culture is in transition and many women are now engaged in stressful jobs or careers, often in addition to their traditional roles.  At the same time, some men may be more nurturing than many women.  Just as women have gained access to professions involving power and assertiveness, men are gaining access to professions involving nurturing and compassion.  Some male massage therapists have been engineers, musicians, athletic trainers, athletes, construction workers, actors and even lawyers.  Each massage practitioner has their own reasons for being drawn to this field, generally the same reasons whether they are male or female.

If you are asking whether some people might study massage for inappropriate reasons, I would think that to be rare.  The training, at least at my school, involved the departures of people who did not seem to fit for various reasons.  Because students work with other students a great deal, and there is very close supervision, a student who views some other students disrespectfully, or as sex objects, for example, would not last very long.  The people who graduated in my class, at least, developed a good deal of maturity and awareness during our training.  If a practitioner is licensed or certified, they can lose those if found to have violated a legal or ethical standard.  Membership in organizations like the American Massage Therapy Association and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork include pledges to uphold high ethical standards.  You might look for national certification and professional memberships when considering working with a specific massage practitioner.

9.  What is it like to train as a massage therapist?  Is it difficult when you first begin working on other people?
Massage schools vary, so I can only comment on my own.  My school, the Chicago School of Massage Therapy, includes a great deal of theory, including the study of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology as well as massage technique, ethics and developing the best attitudes for working with other people in the intimacy of the massage setting.  In massage school, we work with our classmates regularly, learning to respect each person's modesty, and being open to receive massage work from anyone in our class.  We learn much about different body types, different personalities, physical and medical conditions, sensibilities, etc.  We are taught how to "center" ourselves and to maintain unconditional positive regard for our clients and how to deal effectively with a variety of situations.

Through this long training process, massage therapists very naturally learn to experience giving and receiving massage as a healing, nurturing experience.  We experience what it is like to be a client.  We learn the difference between touch that is healing and touch that is careless or sexualized.  We learn to create what many of us call "sacred space" in which it becomes easy to maintain appropriate boundaries with clients.  Throughout our massage training, we work with clients in the school's student clinic, outreach and special populations sites, as well as with friends and classmates.  So, we work with other people from the very start of our training.

10.  When massage therapists get together, do they talk about specific clients?
No.  We enjoy working with people and we truly care about our clients and their confidentiality.  It is in the nature of massage practitioners to accept people and bodies as they are, rather than holding some idealized standards.  Aside from respecting each client's confidentiality, which is part of our ethical obligations, we tend to not talk about clients in any type of disrespectful way because that just would not seem right.  When I talk with other massage therapists, it is generally about how we might better understand our clients, how to deal with our own aches and pains, and about learning techniques to help our clients feel better.  Most of us also get together with other practitioners to do massage trades.  So, in that way, we continue to experience the role of client.

11.  What happens when you work with very attractive clients?
I do not date my clients, nor do I focus on judging their "attractiveness," so I do not see clients as sexual objects, but rather people entrusting me with their well-being.  Before each massage, I center myself, getting ready to establish a healing connection with my client and to use my skills to further that client’s highest interests.   I am intuitive, so I relate to people based on who they are – and I maintain excellent professional boundaries with my clients.  I like working with people.

12.  Is it true that men make better massage therapists because they are stronger?
For most types of bodywork, strength is not terribly important.  And for the others, strength is generally not as important as it might appear.  Massage practitioners learn to use their weight and leverage to avoid excessive wear and tear on their bodies.  In addition, sensitivity is as important as strength.  Some larger massage therapists, whether male or female, may be able to use their weight to create greater pressure on a client's tissues, if that is desirable.  A taller massage therapist may be better able to employ a few types of stretching on tall clients, such as a sacral stretch.  There are many women and men who simply feel more comfortable receiving massage from a male, just as many men and women prefer massage from a female.  This is normal.

13.  I'm not sure about going to a home-based massage practice.  Isn't this unusual?  Is it legal?  Do you have insurance?
Home-based practices are an old tradition in the massage field.  Many people appreciate the more comfortable setting and privacy of someone's home, rather than a typical business setting.  You know that your massage will be with the proprietor, someone who has the strongest interest in providing the highest quality service and upholding the reputation of their practice.  In addition, parking is more convenient and overhead is lower than in a rented studio, so prices may be more affordable.

My home-based practice is in Evanston, where it is completely legal.  I have good liability insurance as a Professional Member of the American Massage Therapy Association as well as general business and premises insurance.  I also do work at clients’ own homes and at healing centers, etc.

14.  I told you several months ago that I would call back to set up an appointment, but I never did.  Is that awkward for you?
Not at all.   I understand that personal issues, finances, work commitments, travel or family obligations may cause a person to put their massage at a lower priority.  If you are working on emotional issues or are in a transition, there may be times when you may just not want a massage.   Call when you feel ready to schedule your massage.

15.  I'm self-conscious about my weight.  Will you be grossed out?  Will you lecture me?
NO!  I treat all my clients as goddesses and gods.  Your body is where it needs to be at this time.  I will not presume to know what you "should" do with your body.   However, I generally encourage reasonable exercise, plenty of rest (and fun!) and drinking adequate amounts of water.  If one of your difficulties is that you are stressed out or have low self-esteem, then massage might have a positive impact on your stress levels that may free up more energy to make changes in your life as you see fit.   It may be difficult to understand, but most people are far more beautiful than they realize.  I see being alive as an amazing gift.  And, in working with large numbers of clients, I can tell you that the positive energy created during a session has nothing to do with the client's weight.

16.  Okay, I also have scars.  I'm very sensitive about them and have not emotionally released the trauma.  Some scars are in areas that aren't appropriate for massage.  This is so difficult to talk about that I haven't been able to bring it up.
Scars need to heal sufficiently before receiving regular massage, but compassion and energy work are appropriate regardless of where the scars are located.  There is a specialized medical massage practice that helps scars heal, but I am not trained in that particular specialty.  However, I can do energy work on areas not available for massage.  I have worked with people who suffered trauma from cancer surgery, accidents, etc.  Helping the body to receive compassionate touch again has been a profound privilege.

For scars that have healed (e.g., after a few months or whenever your physician recommends massage), my approach is to treat them a bit more gently than the surrounding tissue, respecting your comfort level.  The intention is to integrate your body and your sensations so that the scars become less and less important.  I have experience giving specific nurturing to scars, to help the layers of tissue to relax and to show the client that the scars are not "ugly" or untouchable, but that they are signs of the courage and pain one goes through in life.  Scars that aren't ready for massage may be ready for a very light healing touch, or energy work.  This kind of healing work can be very powerful.

17.  Uh, I also have a number of tattoos and body piercings.  Will you make fun of them?
No.  I would not make any judgmental comment on body art.  The massage is about what lies underneath the body art - not about how you have chosen to express yourself.   I've seen a lot of tattoos and piercings.  However, I do need to know where you may have piercings that you have left in place that I might come in contact with, even if through the draping (e.g., the navel.)

18.  I have heard of massage therapists who include breast massage with female clients.  Do you do this?
No.  I do not massage breast tissue, although it is generally very useful to work on the muscles of the shoulders, chest and ribs around the breasts.  Tightness in the chest muscles often contributes to rounded shoulders and muscle strain in the upper back.  Breast massage is not routine, in most parts of the U.S., without a particular medical indication, but I do strongly recommend self-massage for my female clients.

For female clients who are not physically comfortable being face-down on a massage table, due to tenderness in the breasts, I have bolsters that can help, including a “comfort cushion” that will relieve some of the pressure on the breasts.  (See Question #24 for a discussion of what to wear during a massage session.)

19.  I have been sexually abused.  I am working through the trauma with a therapist.  Should I tell you before receiving massage?
That depends.  If you are working closely with a therapist and s/he feels that you are ready to experience massage, you should determine with the therapist the extent to which you should provide me with information.  Either way, there is no reason to provide any particulars - unless being touched in a certain area is likely to trigger extreme emotion or dissociation.  I will not try to "fix" the harm done to you, but I will provide a safe environment in which you can continue your healing.  I would be happy to receive directions from your therapist, if that is appropriate.

If you have not worked with a therapist, my first suggestion would be for you to begin that process.  I could provide the names of several counselors who specialize in trauma work.  Massage is not psychotherapy and is not meant to replace therapy.  If you inform me that you have been traumatized, I will be in a position to be more aware of the possibility of triggering your trauma and of the need to progress very slowly.  A typical first session for someone who has been traumatized may be fully clothed, and with very slow, gentle work, starting with hands and feet, etc.  Either way, the key thing you should know is that you have the absolute right, at any time, to terminate the massage if it does not feel right - or if you feel like you are not fully present.  Your safety will be my highest concern.

20.  I had a bad experience with a massage practitioner.   Should I discuss this with you before going ahead with a massage?
Yes, if you still feel angry or anxious about that experience.  If you have had difficulties with a massage practitioner, it is helpful to talk with someone who knows about massage and understands the ethical standards.  If you have been mistreated by another therapist, I might be able to validate your concerns.  If you may have been harmed by inappropriate conduct, I would direct you to the appropriate authorities and encourage you to report what happened.

21.  I have experienced intolerance because of my background [e.g., racial or religious group or physical appearance – cancer survivor, GLBT, Arabic, Indian, Wiccan, 6"7”, 4’8” etc.].  I do not want to be merely “tolerated.”
I truly enjoy working with people from different backgrounds and with different body types.  I've worked with many hundreds of people.  I look forward to that diversity.  I do not see myself as being merely "tolerant," but rather respectful and caring.  I am studying the spiritual practices of many religions and cultures and find that our similarities greatly outweigh our differences.  From working with a vast array of people, I can tell you with complete confidence that there is only one race - human.

22.  Do you work with people of all ages?
Yes, I do, with the exception of neonatal massage and advanced pregnancy massage, for which I do not have specialized training.  Those of us who are older benefit from massage as much as anyone else.  Specific chronic illnesses may affect the type and depth of massage, but seniors encounter many health and emotional challenges that can make massage especially helpful.  The same is true for our younger people, encountering their own challenges and transitions in life.  I require parental permission to do massage work with anyone under the age of 18.

23.  I am female and have been divorced for several years.  I want to receive massage, but I am feeling a bit vulnerable.  I would prefer to receive massage from a male therapist but I don't know whether that preference is healthy.  What would you recommend?
The decision must be yours.  If you decide to make an appointment with me, I promise that I will maintain appropriate boundaries.  Many clients have some concern about whether they might have romantic thoughts about their massage therapist.  In fact, it is normal for a client to develop a "transference," much like the transference one can develop with a counselor or a physician.  When we ask someone to enter such an intimate space in our lives, there is great trust as well as great responsibility on the part of the practitioner.

Part of what I do as a "healer" is to provide unconditional positive regard.  If the experience of receiving nurturing from a man would be healing for you, then that is fine.  I do not date clients, nor do I allow sessions to become sexualized, so you need not be concerned about that.  Massage can be sensual, even emotionally liberating, but there are clear professional boundaries that ensure that both client and massage practitioner are treated appropriately.  Very few people have difficulty with this.

24.  Okay, you tell me that I should undress to my comfort level.  Is it better to do massage work with a client who is totally naked?
No, I want to work with clients who are comfortable.  If you prefer to have no clothes on (nevertheless being covered by a sheet, of course), or just really want to see what that is like, then do so.  If you will feel more comfortable wearing underpants of some type, then please do so.  If you [a female] are more comfortable wearing a bra (a soft sports bra would be best), that is fine, although it will limit the types of massage work that can be done on your back, rib cage and shoulders.

Some people may even prefer wearing loose-fitting clothing or a lightweight sweat suit.  If someone is not comfortable being unclothed during massage, but decides they are "expected to be" unclothed, they may feel more vulnerable and have a difficult time relaxing during the session.  As a result, the session may be awkward and unsatisfactory, even if the massage practitioner is entirely appropriate.  Clients, especially those with a history of sexual abuse, are ill advised to attempt to "work through" past abuse issues by pushing their limits through massage, instead of through counseling.  So, if you really want to wear a lightweight sweat suit, that is what I would like you to wear.  This is not a contest to see how naked you dare to get, nor is it about demonstrating that you trust me.  It is about your feeling physically and emotionally comfortable and safe and receiving healing massage.

Whatever your state of undress, you should let me know of any areas you specifically do not want massaged [in addition to the genital area, anal area and (female) breasts.] and of your comfort zones surrounding those areas.  Even if you want a full-body Swedish massage, you may still prefer to exclude gliding work on your hips or abdomen, for example.   In that case, if you wish, some work could be done through the sheet and/or clothing.

25.  If massage feels pleasurable, is that okay?
Yes.  There is a difference between sensuality and sexuality.  Pleasure is not necessarily sexual.  A good meal, dancing, the sensation of the sun or wind on your skin, the sight of a beautiful sunset, the sound of joyous music, or an uplifting movie are very pleasurable and yet they are not sexual.  Having your scalp massaged during a shampoo can be pleasurable.  Hugging your children or your significant other can be very pleasurable without being sexual.  The difference is in the intent.

In massage, we reclaim some of the trust and innocence of a healthy childhood.  The client’s focus is on relaxing and healing their body, and to connect with their own body, not on pleasing anyone else, including the massage practitioner.  The massage practitioner is a guide, taking us only to the appropriate, safe places we want to go, helping us let go of stress, pain and tightness that does not serve us well.   And, through this process, we may learn to feel safer, healthier and happier in our bodies, knowing that our pain can be reduced or eliminated and that we are worthy of respect and caring.

26.  Do you teach massage to partners or friends?
Yes.  I am available to teach some basic massage skills to couples or friends.  Many people who could benefit from the stress-reduction aspects of frequent massage may have a partner or friend who merely needs some guidance and encouragement to develop their own massage skills.

27.  Are you available to provide massage for parties or events?
Yes.  I provide fully-clothed table massage at business events, charitable events and individual parties (where the patrons are not in particularly formal attire and remain relatively sober).  The massage is generally a highlight of the event, and I am kept extremely busy.  The focus on massage tends to create an atmosphere of healthful relaxation and enjoyment, which can make the event more positive.

28.  How frequently do you recommend massage?
This depends upon each client’s circumstances.  Weekly massages would be ideal, but a client can gain significant benefits from a series of 4 or 5 massages within a couple of month period, followed by massage every few weeks.  For most of us, once a month “maintenance” massage seems to be a realistic compromise, especially after a period of more regular work where any major problems are addressed.  On the other hand, massage should yield some benefit even if one can only afford a session several times per year.

29.  How long a massage session do you recommend?
Personally, I prefer 90 minute sessions, especially if they are not done on a regular basis.  A 60 minute session leaves little time for specific work on a problem area, but it can be ample where the chief goal is relaxation.  Some individuals find 90 minutes too long a time to be on a massage table.  Like almost everything in massage, people’s preferences will vary.  I have performed many sessions that were two hours or longer.

30.  Your credentials indicate a wide range of life experience.  Why did you go into massage?
I love massage work.  My previous work focused on the intellectual side of life, advocating for environmental health and working within the structures of government and the law.  To be sure, this is important work.  However, after taking time off raising children, something happened.  In learning how to be a nurturer, I opened up to a different set of talents and abilities.  Rather than working to help heal the world through law and policy work, I am now using more of my talents and abilities to help facilitate healing one person at a time.  Integrating my logical and intuitive abilities has been an amazing adventure and I look forward to continuing my evolution as a healer and as a person.

                                                                  SM
Wellness Fusion Massage

31.  Your materials refer to “Wellness Fusion Massage.”  What is that?
“Wellness Fusion Massage” is the service mark describing my massage work.  Unless my client wants the entire session to revolve around one particular problem area, I generally have a holistic, intuitive focus, blending many different massage and relaxation techniques, including breath work and deep tissue work in the context of a peaceful, relaxed environment.

My brochure describes Wellness Fusion Massage as “an intuitive, ever-changing kaleidoscope of bodywork, calling upon the healing practices of ancient and modern mystics and scientists from many traditions.  It is always respectful of the recipient’s wishes and personal comfort level, background, physical, emotional and spiritual needs.”

“Multisensory in nature, Wellness Fusion Massage utilizes a wide array of healing tools, including many massage techniques, sound, music and rhythm, light, imagination, breath work, movement, visualization and a respectful, caring interpersonal connection.  The goal is a rejuvenation of the body, mind and spirit through gentle exploration of your senses and a deepened connection with your body.  This is accomplished in a nurturing environment that encourages the release of pain, fear and dysfunctional patterns, facilitating inner healing and greater flexibility as we deal with the challenges and changes in our lives.”

 
Earon S. Davis is licensed to practice massage by the state of Illinois and is certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).  He is a Professional Member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).  Earon is also a member of the Infinity Foundation Practitioner’s Network Association.  He is listed in the referral programs of each of these three organizations:

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork - http://www.ncbtmb.com;
American Massage Therapy Association - www.amtamassage.org; and
The Infinity Foundation - www.infinityfoundation.org.

Earon holds a Master of Public Health degree from UCLA.  He is a graduate of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy and is currently a member of the school’s Graduate Advisory Committee.

He grew up in Chicago, attending Chicago Public Schools and the University of Illinois at Chicago and then living in St. Louis, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.  Earon has lived in the North Shore for almost 24 years, for most of which he was a stay-at-home Dad, working part time as a writer and environmental health law consultant and advocate for nonprofit organizations and individuals.  Earon’s work as an advocate for people disabled with chemical sensitivities received a number of awards, including the Crane Gargoyle award of the Council for Disability Rights and the Carlton Lee award of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine.

Earon’s interests and hobbies include writing, studying and experiencing a number of spiritual and cultural traditions, family history, the philosophy of interspirituality, meditation and consciousness.  He enjoys music and travel and being the father of three wonderful sons.

revised   1/15/08