I have been practising manual therapy for over 25 years. The last 22 years I have been based in North London running my own clinic in Crouch End. Along with my practice I have been keeping up to date with and learning from new approaches as I believe there is always room for improvement.
Before getting involved in the health field I studied a five-year Art History BA in Spain and afterwards I went to Italy to continue my postgraduate studies. It was only when I came to the UK that my interest shifted to the so called complementary therapies and I started the never-ending path of learning how to work towards a balanced mind-body connection.
I love my job as a manual therapist and somatic movement teacher because it makes peoples' lives a bit more balanced, a bit less painful and a bit happier. And this is the main reason why I consider myself very fortunate to work in this field. .
I don't believe much in the importance of qualifications or in having lots of letters after one's name. I believe that experience, enthusiasm and a good heart are much more important in this profession. However, I am aware that sometimes they help to build some initial trust, so here are some of my qualifications:
My CV
- BA (Hons) Art History: University of Basque Country, Valencia and Salamanca (Spain)
- Postgrad Art History: University of Verona (Italy)
- BSc (Hons) in Health Sciences: University of Westminster (London)
- Feldenkrais Method: Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration Practitioner (London Feldenkrais Professional Training)
- Rolfing/Structural Integration: British Academy of Rolfing Structural Integration (BARSI, London)
- Visceral Manipulation (abdomen I and II, thorax, listening skills): Barral Institute (UK)
- BTEC Remedial Sports Massage: London School of Sports Massage (LSSM)
- Holistic Massage: Massage Training Institute (London MTI)
- Myofascial/Connective Tissue Massage: LSSM
- Numerous postgraduate courses on different bodywork techniques (trigger points, neuromuscular techniques, soft tissue release, muscle energy techniques,etc)
- Somatics Coach: Ingle Institute of Somatic Movement Education (London)
- CYQ level 3 Teaching Advanced Exercise and Fitness Knowledge (London)
- Pilates Mat Series teacher: Stott Pilates, (London)
- Cognitive Hypnotherapy and NLP Practitioner Diploma: Quest Institute (London)
- Some other related qualifications are: Reflexology (ITEC), Manual Lymphatic Drainage (ITEC), Indian Head Massage (ITEC), Hot Stone Massage (Essentials), Chavutti or Keralite Massage (Sunshine Network Thailand), Meditation guide (Gateway workshops London), etc.
A few years ago I used to teach Anatomy, Physiology, Holistic Massage, Sports Massage and Advanced Massage Techniques at different colleges in North London while running my own small teaching workshops.
I will be always grateful to my Rolfing teachers Giovanni Felicioni, Fuensanta Muñoz De la Cruz, Rita Geirola and Keith Graham, who have been not only an inmense source of clinical knowledge but above all, of inspiration and passion to continue learning and growing as a practitioner in this path.
And also to my Feldenkrais teachers Scott Clark, Elisabeth Beringer and Paul Newton for having introduced me to the fascinating world of the Feldenkrais Method.
Over the years, I have attended many post-graduate courses in different approaches to manual therapy, although it was always the Rolfing/Structural Integration perspective that resonated with me the most since I became a bodyworker. So, even though Rolfing training did not exist in the UK yet, I tried to study with as many Rolfers as I could, travelling to the Estates and joining postgraduate classes taught by rolfers coming to teach to the UK mainly from the Estates.
One of the first and best teachers I am very grateful to have found is Art Riggs. He is a rolfer and runs courses all over the world. If you are interested in deep tissue work and have the chance of attending any of his classes I am sure you won't regret it. He is such a great teacher with such a great heart!
Another rolfer I took classes with whenever he came to the UK is Noah Karrasch. He has developed his own method called CORE bodywork.
James Earls was also one of my first teachers in postgrad classes. He is a Structural Integration practitioner that trained with Tom Myers and the co-author of a fantastic book called "Born to walk". He founded "ultimate massage solutions" which offers excellent classes in body reading, anatomy trains, etc. and other material.
The North London School of Sports Massage (NLSSM) runs great courses with knowledgeable and experienced tutors. I had the pleasure of teaching there for few months when the school was first started.
There are also great teachers at the London School of Sports Massage (LSSM) where I originally qualified in sports/remedial massage and in myofascial release work.