CHARLENE GAFFNEY
FOUNDER AND CURRICULUM SPECIALIST
Instructor Charlene Gaffney has been a licensed massage therapist for 21+ years with much of that time spent in private practice in Memphis, TN. She has over 18 years of massage teaching experience in both entry-level and continuing education. Her undergraduate degrees are in language and psychology with a masters in English from the University of Memphis. She is a registered instructor with the Thai Healing Alliance International, a Certified Massage and Bodywork Educator with the AFMTE and the founder/curriculum specialist for Elevate Massage Training. She has studied and practiced Thai massage and ashiatsu exclusively since 2008 and leads annual Thailand Study Tours for LMTs since 2016.
Lineage/Teachers USA : Chuck Duff, Tanya Boigenzhan, Michael Buck, Nephyr Jacobsen, Pierce Salguero, David Wells, Bob Haddad, Ruthie Hardee, Mary-Claire Fredette Thailand : Suriyan Punyafoo, Sunshine School, Pichest Boonthumme, Loi Kroh School Chiang Mai, Therdchai Chumphoopong at The Fine Art of Thai Massage School
Hey, I’m Charlene and I'm fascinated by people and the mind-body-spirit connection. 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.
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 cat watching movies, reading a good book or planning my next adventure!
Professional Healing Arts Background
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Massage Diploma (2001) Blue Cliff School of Therapeutic Massage Gulfport, MS
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MS (retired) & TN Licensed Massage Therapist (current)
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Resort and Day Spa Massage Experience (2001 - 2004) Bellissimo Spa at the Grand Casino Tunica, MS and Gould's Day Spa Memphis, TN
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Board Certified Massage Therapist (2005) National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
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Reiki Master/Teacher (2004 - 2012) lineage Mary McDaniel, Jane Abraham, Lee Wilkerson
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Pangu Mystical Qi Gong practitioner (2016 - present)
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Massage Therapist/Business Owner (2010 - present) TN Massage & Bodywork Memphis, TN
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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 Kroh School Chiang Mai, Therdchai Chumphoopong at The Fine Art of Thai Massage School
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Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Therapist (2012 - present) Lineage/Teachers Ruthie Hardee, Mary-Claire Fredette
Teaching Career
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Massage Therapy Instructor (2004 - 2013) Concorde Career College Memphis, TN
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NCTMB Approved Continuing Education Provider (2009 - present)
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200hr Certified Yoga Instructor (2013) Ana Brett & Ravi Singh
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Ashiatsu Instructor (2014 - 2016) Deep Feet Bar Therapy
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Registered Thai Teacher (2019) Thai Healing Alliance International
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Certified Massage and Bodywork Educator (2019 - present) Alliance for Massage Therapy Education
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Owner/Founder and Curriculum Specialist (2017 - present) Elevate Massage Training
Additional Education
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B.A. Psychology (2010) University of Memphis
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Final undergraduate semester (2009 - 2010) Universidad de Costa Rica
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B.A. Spanish (2010) University of Memphis
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M.A. English/ESL (2012) University of Memphis