CREATIVE TEAM

Sarah Falkner, Licensed Massage Therapist: Sarah has practiced massage since 1998 and brings her clients the benefit of ample continuing education in advanced bodywork and healing methods.  In addition to Swedish-based massage techniques—including deep-tissue, medical massage, trigger point/neuromuscular therapy and myofascial release—her work also incorporates energetic modalities such as Reiki, Biodynamic Cranio-Sacral Therapy and shamanic energy work, as well as allied therapies such as Hot Stone massage and aromatherapy.  Sarah’s approach to bodywork is further informed by a wide variety of complementary studies including Wise Woman Green Herbalism, Nonviolent Communication, Core and various indigenous Shamanic practices, Realization Process meditation and embodiment practices, and various dance and movement practices.  Sarah co-founded Opal Center for Massage and Allied Therapies in Brooklyn in 2000 and has practiced in a variety of settings, including a holistic center in County Cork, Ireland.  Her education includes certification from the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences, a Reiki mastership, a 2 year certification in folk herbalism, and a BFA in painting from Indiana University.

Sabine Garcia, Licensed Massage Therapist: Sabine brings great inspiration to bodywork, and she sees her work as a dance between practitioner and client. She feels blessed to be able to assist each client toward more balance, greater well-being and heightened awareness. Sabine sees awareness as a portal: through the realization of one's self, we are able to move toward change and healing in all areas of life. The body holds a wisdom of its own, and through bodywork we can get in touch with the stored potential within, activating the healing powers residing in all of us. Sabine graduated from the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences, where she also apprenticed as a teaching assistant. She has been practicing the art of massage therapy since 2006 in a variety of settings, from high-end spas to medical clinics working with cancer patients, as well as private practice. Her interest in the body-mind-spirit connection has led her to hone her awareness and sensibility through complementary studies and exploration of psycho-analysis, indigenous shamanic work and 5 Element Theory. This enables a more open, intuitive and holistic perspective in her work. Depending on your needs, she integrates Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point, Sports or Medical Massage as well as Shiatsu, Reiki or Aromatherapy. She takes into account your whole person using one or more of these modalities to create a unique session.

Melanie Hegge, RCST, Licensed Massage Therapist: Melanie brought her exceptional massage skills to luxury Manhattan spas before moving into successful private practice in 2007.  While her Swedish and Deep Tissue capabilities are massive on their own, Melanie offers a specialty in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy.  In addition to studying with the Upledger Institute, she completed a 700 hour post graduate certification program in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy taught by Roger Gilchrist, MA, RPP, RCST.   Melanie participated in a Spiritual Healing retreat led by Rosita Arvigo in the rainforest of Belize and has also been trained in her version of the Mayan Abdominal and Uterine Massage technique.  She received her Associate in Occupational Studies in Massage Therapy from the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences in 2001 and was previously awarded a BA in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Melanie is currently in the Teacher Training program at Exhale Spa’s Inside Out Yoga School with Nixa De Bellis.

Karen Yanco, Licensed Massage Therapist: In practice since 1997, Karen is enthusiastic and highly creative, providing increasingly innovative healing therapies for the 21st Century.  Originally trained at the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences, and having performed over 25,000 massages in several spas, chiropractic offices, a physical therapy unit, and in private practice.  Karen’s technique has evolved into a unique blend of Swedish, Shiatsu and the deep, long strokes of Hawaiian Lomi Lomi.  She tailors the session to meet your specific needs, which may also include Deep Tissue, Sports, Thai stretching, Medical Massage, Reflexology and Prenatal Massage. She is certified in the ancient Hawaiian healing art of Lomi Lomi, a rhythmic, dance-like massage using palms, thumbs, knuckles and forearms to lovingly focus on finding and dispersing congested areas in your body.  Karen has also received extensive training and certification in Tama-Do©.  Developed by Fabien Maman, the original father of vibrational sound therapy, the application of tuning forks and colored lights on acupuncture points helps to release energetic blockages within your physical body, and Tama-Do Rainbow Color Silks and Essences© are used to facilitate healing on your etheric bodies.  Karen also performs auric color healing, which can be a guided chakra realignment, or just a silent meditation.  Her most recent creative endeavor, a soundtracked, rhythmic massage, which is a culmination of years of research and experimentation, is about to be unveiled.  Stay tuned!

Todd Bresnick, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist: Dr. Bresnick has drawn from his background in psychology, critical theory, and art to research and develop Synaesthetic Surround, an innovative new technique that involves the use of light and sound to gently influence brainwaves, fostering receptive and creative states of consciousness.  These states are integrated with psychotherapeutic and mindfulness techniques for particularly effective perceptual-emotional change and growth. Dr. Bresnick’s training includes a range of psychological techniques including psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, Buddhist and mindfulness forms.  He has worked in hospitals and clinics specializing in anxiety, trauma and depression, including New York University – Bellevue Hospital where he worked with trauma at The Program for Survivors of Torture, mind-body techniques at the Pain Clinic, cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic techniques at outpatient clinics, and with couples and families at the Child Study Center.  He also worked at the Anxiety & Traumatic Stress Program at the Payne Whitney Clinic of New York Presbyterian Hospital and at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy.  He currently conducts research as an Assistant Professor at New York University, and he continues further research and development on Synaesthetic Surround.  You can reach Dr. Bresnick at 347-577-9899 or tbresnick@synsurround.com.  More info at synsurround.com.

Rahti Gorfien, BFA, Creative Life Coach: Rahti helps individuals from all walks of life identify, prioritize and manifest their most passionately held personal and professional goals.  Her specialties are artists, freelancers, parents, and people with creativity, productivity and time management issues.   Rahti’s credentials include a Certificate of Completion in Creativity Coaching with Eric Maisel, Ph.D., 15 years experience in initiating and leading support groups for freelancers and artists, a wide variety of speaking appearances, 30 years experience as an actress in NYC, 6 years as a professional standup comic, multiple leadership positions in the arts, author of When It Rains (cited by Backstage as one of the best plays of 2004), and a BFA in Acting from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.