CHARLENE GAFFNEY

FOUNDER AND CURRICULUM SPECIALIST

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 hospital 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 cat 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 (current)

• 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 Kroh 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 - present) 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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