Faculty

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.
— Albert Einstein

Douglas L. Barhorst, LMT, LMTI – Co-Director and Instructor

Doug Barhorst began his training in bodywork in 1961 under the supervision of his grandmother, R. Lois Barhorst, a well-known Houston area reflexologist. From 1969-1971, he furthered his studies while in Thailand and Japan, and returned to work in Osteopathic clinics and hospitals from 1972 until 1975. From 1976-1981, Doug toured with the Houston Ballet, and in 1982, he began a dual career as a massage therapist and theater technician, working with many local, national, and international performing arts groups.

In 1995, Doug left the theater to focus full-time on his massage therapy practice and massage therapy education, serving as the Education Director of the Texas Association of Massage Therapists (1997) before becoming the organization’s President (1998-1999). Doug has sat on the Rules Committee with the Texas Department of Health, Massage Therapy Program, and became the first Approved Continuing Education Provider in Texas (CE#0001). In addition to teaching basic massage therapy at several Houston area schools, Doug has taught numerous advanced trainings attended by over 2,000 Houston area therapists. Doug also designed, developed, and presents the state-required training program “Teaching Adult Learners”, which he has taught to more new massage therapy instructors than anyone else in Texas.

Doug’s very successful practice focuses on movement related chronic pain, where he still works with performers from the Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, and Houston Symphony Orchestra, in addition to many prominent Houstonians.

Primary Courses of Instruction: Human Anatomy and Physiology, Massage Technique, Human Health and Hygiene, Business Practices and Ethics, Hydrotherapy, and Internship Program Administration.

Connie S. Barhorst, LMT, LMTI – Co-Director and Instructor

Connie Barhorst has been a massage therapist for over fifteen years. For twelve years Connie worked at the Spa-at-the-Houstonian as the senior Massage Therapist, designing many of the Spa’s body treatments as well as handling purchasing and inventory control for the Spa’s vast product line. Connie has trained with Aida Thibiant, Decleor, Mary Hannigan, and numerous other recognized spa industry leaders. Connie left the spa environment in 2003 to join her husband in private practice. Connie’s current practice includes many long-time clients and quite a few fellow massage therapists, focusing on detoxification techniques, aromatherapy, and relaxation massage.

Primary Courses of Instruction: Massage Technique, Hydrotherapy, and Internship Program Administration.

Rachael Nystrom, PT – Instructor

Primary Courses of Instruction: Anatomy and Physiology, Health and Hygiene

Magda Jungman, OT, LMT – Instructor

Primary Courses of Instruction: Anatomy and Physiology, Health and Hygiene