Faculty

For the School of Massage, offering only non-degree programs, faculty members are Massage Practitioners certified by the State of California, are certified or registered as Massage Therapists, and have a minimum of 10 years of experience both teaching and practicing in the field.

Cynthia Ambika Copple, B.A., C.M.P., is a founding Board Member and past President of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association; Director, Lotus Holistic Health Institute, Santa Cruz, CA. l985-present; Ayurvedic Consultant in Santa Cruz l985-present; President and Founder, Lotus Herbs, l983-present; Director, Lotus Holistic Health Institute Pancha Karma Clinic, l990-present; Twin Lakes School of the Healing Arts, staff teacher, Ayurvedic Massage, l990-present; Lotus Holistic Health Institute, Ayurvedic Massage Intensive Trainings, l990-present.

Jim Gallas, C.M.T, C.H.T,, Practitioner of Shiatsu for over 20 years, teaching Shiatsu for more than 15 years. Recently produced an instructional DVD, Zen Tai Table Shiatsu 1. He teaches at The Esalen Institute and various locations throughout California and internationally. Jim also teaches Yoga, Chi Kung, and Anatomy, is a member of a theater improv troupe, and is a published photographer.

Koen Kallop, D.C., has been a chiropractic doctor for over twenty five years. He is currently the Director of Chiropractic Services at HealthNow Medical Center in Sunnyvale, an integrative clinic providing chiropractic, physical therapy, nutrition, naturopathy, and holistic medical care combined. He also teaches Tai Chi Chuan at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto. Koen attended National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Seattle, WA in the early 70’s before opening Acadia School of Massage and Acadia Health Center where he was a founding partner, instructor and massage therapist. He graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in 1984. Dr. Kallop worked his way through chiropractic school as a massage therapist in private practice in the Bay Area. In the 1990s, he and his wife Lorri were co-directors of Live Oak Center for the Healing Arts in Menlo Park – a multi-disciplinary holistic health center. During that time, he produced a local TV show, “Focus on Health: Explorations in Natural Healing”, in which many local practitioners were interviewed as guests.

Minh Mark, C.M.T., is a respected teacher of Acupressure, Massage and Yoga. She has taught Acupressure at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts for many years. Minh is also a Reiki Master and teaches Reiki in the Holistic Health Program at the University of California Santa Cruz. Minh trained at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts, in Santa Cruz, CA, at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, at the Mount Madonna Center, in Watsonville, California, the Kim Son Monastery, in Watsonville, CA, and The Institute of Thai Massage, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Minh skillfully integrates a variety of techniques that include Reiki, Acupressure, Table Shiatsu, Polarity and Traditional Thai Yoga.

Felicity McKnight, C.M.T., is an instructor in the healing arts since 1998, and has been a practicing massage therapist since 1991. Primary training was received at IPSB School of Massage, Kripalu Institute, Heartwood Institute, and Esalen. Her approach to bodywork is well versed and dynamic. The thousand hour teacher training program was completed at Heartwood Institute, where she continues to teach and share her talents as a visiting instructor. Felicity completed the teacher training program at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts, where she taught Swedish massage from 2003-2007. She also joined the bodywork teaching team in the Kripalu Bodywork Essentials program at Kripalu Institute, in Massachusetts. Felicity maintains a thriving private practice in Santa Cruz, specializing in chronic pain relief, and provides massage at a local well-respected spa. Felicity's extensive background includes the experience of being staff therapist at a Jungian based retreat center providing bodywork to support the path of self-exploration, and her facilitation in the training of new hires at busy spas on the east and west coast.

Vileena Purpuri, RCST®, C.M.T., is a registered biodynamic craniosacral therapist with the BCTA/NA and has been practicing craniosacral therapy for over ten years. In 1995 she graduated from massage school in Seattle and took up training in Rosen Method Bodywork, a powerful approach to emotional and physical awareness and transformation through gentle touch and dialogue. She became a Rosen Method practitioner in 2004. During her initial bodywork trainings she came to learn of craniosacral work and when introduced to the integrative approach of biodynamics she knew she had found her calling. In the past eight years, Vileena has been actively involved in biodynamic craniosacral trainings and has facilitated trainings in Europe, Canada and the US. She is currently on staff at the International Institute of Craniosacral Balancing in Vancouver BC and The Pacific School of Biodynamic Integration in Santa Cruz and is enjoying facilitating two 700 hr. foundational courses. She has a growing private practice in Santa Cruz and has a special interest in supporting pregnant women and infants during pre and postnatal periods.

Santana Shoemaker, C.M.T., has been a student of the Healing Arts for over 30 years. She studied Reflexology in England and graduated from the Lynden School of Reflexology. She holds a Masters Degree in Esoteric Healing from The University of the Seven Rays, Europe. She believes in Holistic Health and has studied Homeopathy, Zen Shiatsu, Herbalism, and Reiki. Santana is a Graduate in Massage Therapy from the Cypress Health Institute. She is also a Graduate of the College of Botanical Healing Arts in Essential Oil Therapy.

Other Instructors TBA.