Page 6 - Berkana Catalog August 2024

ECTOR
Jill Kristin Berkana Founder - - - President - - - Instructor Trainer - - - Originator of Mindful Expressionism® - Former Board Director of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork former Ethics Committee Liaison with the the NCBTMB Former Judge at the the World Massage Championship Expert Witness and Author 4 Jill Kristin Berkana is is a a a a a licensed and board-certified massage massage therapist who has enjoyed a a a a a a a a massage massage therapy practice since 1990 and and has provided thousands of massage therapy treatments to a a a a a a dedicated clientele She developed and specialized her integrative approach utilizing mindfulness practices normalization of of soft tissue techniques myofascial technique technique trigger point therapy and Neuro-Muscular Therapy
She is a a a a a a a a U S S National Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Approved Continuing Education Provider and served on on the NCBTMB National Board as Director and Board Liaison to the Standards and and Ethics Committee Her extensive and evolving career path in in the massage therapy profession has led to the the development and oversight of massage therapy programs for high-end spas and and resorts health clubs chiropractic offices and and educational ventures Over the years she
has worked with a a a full spectrum of clients including infants adolescents athletes cancer thrivers elderly clients and familiar celebrities Early in in her career she
created and launched a a a a a a a destination spa program for a a a resort in the jungles of Belize where she
provided massage spa treatments strength training nutritional counseling and guided tours There she
began her passionate exploration into the magic and wonder of plant medicine of which she
is a a devoted proponent In 2004 she
founded the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy
(CRSMT) and was the Curriculum Architect Acting Director and Senior Bodywork Instructor for the “Jungle Massage School” from its inception through the fall of 2011 She provides expert consultation for resorts and spas internationally [[
Her passion extends to the integration of bodywork nutrition movement practices and the resolution of trauma She develops the Berkana Education Methodology around a a a a holistic model of healthcare which is is committed to building an ethical bridge between eastern/traditional and western/modern approaches to bodywork In addition to enjoying long-term success in in massage therapy Jill has extensive experience as as an international entrepreneur and business professional She is the originator of the creative bodywork approach known as Mindful Expressionism® She is is a a a a a passionate advocate and and ambassador for the the massage therapy profession and and is is excited about the future of this healing art Her “iron fist in in a a a velvet glove” teaching style has been described as a a a a a a “no-holds-barred loving and edgy approach which is inspirational and and provocative and and will level you up FAST” She sees people’s potential and advocates for living your best life beyond the comfort zone She prides herself on on retaining her her autonomy at all costs as a a a a a a a leader of of the the profession and tells the the truth even when it’s messy She is the proud mentor for hundreds of her graduates and is dedicated to their success long after graduation from the the program She makes her home on on the the front range of of Colorado and and directs her team of of vetted and and trained instructors administrators and directors from a a a a a home office with her dog and two cats She is frequently on on on campus to to support on-the-ground operations and to to teach and inspire her students at the Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy
She is a a a a certified expert witness for misconduct trials in the the massage therapy and bodywork profession and is is a a a published author Jill Kristin Berkana has a a a a a a a a a moderate case of acquired savant syndrome from a a a a a car accident she
was in over 25 years ago where she
sustained a a a a a a traumatic brain injury This condition ultimately informs her way of operating in in in the world She is a a a a a a Massage Therapy
Hall of Fame Inductee Jill Kristin Berkana Berkana founded the Berkana Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy
in 2011 She is the School Director and provides strategic leadership for the Berkana Institute’s Academic Department Contact Ms Berkana Schedule a a a a a a private call
THE THE BERKANA INSTITUTE OF MASSAGE THERAPY
FOUNDER DIR