Charlene Gaffney

Hey, I’m Charlene and I'm fascinated by people and the workings of the human mind. This natural curiosity manifests in my massage career as a genuine interest in helping clients and students along their healing path.

 

The most meaningful part of my career so far has been the nine years I spent teaching massage school where I learned that a great teacher doesn’t always have an answer. I strive instead to make whatever I’m teaching relatable and take great pride in producing “ah-ha” moments that will stick with students forever.

 

Something people may not know about me is that I was a candy striper for a short time in high school and worked as a baby photographer and substitute teacher after graduation. I was 19 years old when I started massage school so the majority of my adult and professional life has been working in this industry. Besides good old-fashioned hard work I believe that success in this field relies on adaptability, balance and a willingness to work on ourselves as individuals.

 

I enjoy collaborating with organizations and individuals who desire to do good, serve others and preserve the integrity of the massage profession as a whole. When I’m not involved with massage therapy I’m either traveling the world or snuggled up with my 18 year old cat, Freya, watching movies, reading a good book or planning my next adventure!

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Professional Healing Arts Background

  • Massage Diploma 2001 Blue Cliff School of Therapeutic Massage Gulfport, MS

  • MS (retired) & TN Licensed Massage Therapist

  • Resort and Day Spa Massage Experience 2001 - 2004 Bellissimo Spa at the Grand Casino Tunica, MS and Gould's Day Spa Memphis, TN

  • Board Certified Massage Therapist 2005 National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

  • Reiki Master/Teacher 2004 - 2012 lineage Mary McDaniel, Jane Abraham, Lee Wilkerson

  • Pangu Mystical Qi Gong practitioner 2016 - present

  • Massage Therapist/Business Owner 2010 - present TN Massage & Bodywork Memphis, TN

  • Thai Massage Therapist 2008 - present lineage/teachers USA : Chuck Duff, Tanya Boigenzhan, Michael Buck, Nephyr Jacobsen, Pierce Salguero, David Wells, Bob Haddad Thailand : Suriyan Punyafoo, Sunshine School, Pichest Boonthumme, Loi Koh School Chiang Mai, Therdchai Chumphoopong at The Fine Art of Thai Massage School

  • Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Therapist 2012 - present lineage/teachers Ruthie Hardee, Mary-Claire Fredette

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Teaching Career 

  • Massage Therapy Instructor 2004 - 2013 Concorde Career College Memphis, TN

  • NCTMB Approved Continuing Education Provider 2009 - present

  • 200hr Certified Yoga Instructor 2013 Ana Brett & Ravi Singh 

  • Ashiatsu Instructor 2014 - 2016 Deep Feet Bar Therapy

  • Registered Thai Teacher 2019 Thai Healing Alliance International

  • Certified Massage and Bodywork Educator 2019 Alliance for Massage Therapy Education

  • Owner/Founder and Curriculum Specialist 2017 - present Elevate Massage Training

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Additional Education

  • B.A. Psychology 2010 University of Memphis

  • Final undergraduate semester 2009 - 2010 Universidad de Costa Rica

  • B.A. Spanish 2010 University of Memphis

  • M.A. English/ESL 2012 University of Memphis

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