Our People: San Jose Massage School Instructors

Gena Garren
Campus Manager/Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

Nationally recognized as Therapist of the Year for Massage Envy, Gena has been practicing massage since 2006. An honors graduate of NHI, she also holds a BA in Psychology and has extensive experience in business management and corporate training. Additionally, Gena operates a thriving private practice with several professional athletes as clients.

Gena feels her business background coupled with her experiences and education from NHI have allowed her the success she has achieved, while providing many tools she can bring to the classroom as an instructor.

Beth McNeill
Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

Beth is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist (NCTMB) who has been practicing since 2006. She holds a BA in Philosophy, and an MFA in Dance, and finds that her experience in critical thinking and dance complement her work in massage.

“I absolutely love massage and love passing on this skill to students. The students at NHI enable growth in themselves, and they build community and inspire each other.”

Christien Real
Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

Christien has been practicing massage therapy since 2000. He is skilled in Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, Asian Bodywork, and Energetic modalities. He specializes in results oriented Myofascial Therapy, and Asian Bodywork modalities. In 2004 Christian began sharing his love of bodywork through teaching and supporting students in learning how to help themselves as well as helping others.

“At this time Massage Therapy is at the forefront of holistic care; I am grateful to be able to help others develop a profitable career that they can love, and one that they can take pride in because it is helping so many others!”

Conrad Santos
Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

Conrad was first introduced to massage therapy in 1974, and soon after he was attending classes in Swedish and Energy Work. He has broadened his field to include Shiatsu and Deep Tissue Bodywork, to mention just a few. His belief is to look at the whole person and include a holistic approach of body, mind and spirit in his bodywork and teaching styles.

He has taught at several schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, and says that National Holistic Institute, with its outstanding program, has the most solid, clear, and rewarding curriculum for those aspiring to be Massage Therapists.

“I receive so much personal growth from teaching massage! You could say that I teach to learn.”

Curtis Hisao
Associate Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

After a 25+ year career in the airline industry, Curtis retired and became a Massage Therapist. While at school, he discovered an interest in science and holistic methods of healing, including nutrition. Curtis has been sharing his passion and knowledge as an educator in and administrator of massage therapy programs since 2003. He holds a BBA in Travel Industry Management and a BA in Psychology from the University of Hawaii. In addition to teaching at NHI, Curtis is the Massage Therapist for the San Jose Earthquakes MLS team and also works at Cisco Systems in the Fitness Center.

“I think it’s important to teach life skills in addition to massage, and I love seeing students blossom into full, rich human beings as well as become colleagues at the end of their education.”

Darlene Campo
Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

Darlene completed her massage therapy training in Florida in 2002 and is Nationally Certified (NCTMB).  She has extensive experience working both at destination and day spas in the US and abroad.  Darlene specializes in the traditional bodywork of Thailand, and is a Second Degree Reiki practitioner and a Level 3 practitioner of Healing Touch.

Gracia Arnold
Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

As a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist (NCTMB) with a background in Physical Therapy, Gracia naturally combines a scientific and intuitive awareness of the body.  She specializes in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, myofascial work and advanced therapeutic techniques.

As a massage professional (currently also working at Google), Gracia’s highly intuitive and skillful touch is infused with a sense of wholeness in a profound way.

“I relish the opportunity to share my skills and knowledge with students on the path to being bodywork professionals.”

Jeff Rockwell
Advanced Program Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

Jeff began his bodywork career in 1979, studying Polarity Therapy and Rolfing. In 1986 he graduated from Life University, College of Chiropractic in Marietta, Georgia. Since then he has taught bodywork and massage therapy in seminars and schools around the country, and was Professor of Clinical Sciences at Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas for 10 years. Jeff’s other passions include music, poetry, and nature.

Kristine TenBrink
Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

Kristine completed her training at Utah College of Massage Therapy in 1996. Prior to massage therapy school she attended Michigan State University and Oakland University, where her studies focused on Anatomy, Physiology, and Biology.

She has worked with chiropractors, as well as in day spas, where she enjoyed combining modalities to offer customized sessions to her clients. Her favorite modalities include Trigger Point, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, Reflexology and Swedish.

“I feel that by teaching at NHI I am contributing to the advancement of the holistic health care profession.”

Julie M. Porter
Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

Julie has been a registered nurse since 1991 and a massage therapist since 2006. She has a private practice in Campbell, continues to work at the hospital, and teaches at National Holistic Institute.  She has been blessed to have two careers that she loves.

“I love teaching massage because I love to watch and enable students to see the amazing power of massage in connecting the body, mind and soul.  At NHI I am supported in this by NHI’s amazing commitment to its students to ensure that they will succeed.”

Philip Okazaki
Instructor | San Jose Massage School Campus

Philip graduated from NHI Emeryville in 2002 and began working as a therapist immediately afterwards. Philip has focused his practice within the health and fitness industry, working with the Western Athletic Club franchise and Club One Fitness.

Additionally, he has had the opportunity to work with athletes of every level and currently works with NFL, NHL, and MLB professionals. He hopes this experience can be beneficial to prepare students for the realities of the massage/spa industry.

“We have the privilege of working with the future of our industry. If we can create well-educated and passionate massage therapists, the effects will be phenomenal.”