Massage Therapy School Instructors
Our core faculty of instructors each have over 20 years of professional experience and are renowned in their field, bringing an inspiring sense of mastery to Diamond Light classes.
Vajra
Matusow MA, CMT, CHT, founder, director and
instructor at Diamond Light School of Massage & Healing
Arts, has a vast depth of experience and a rich and varied
background in the healing arts. Practicing and teaching
since 1973, her career as a professional Massage Therapist
spans 3 decades and includes an extensive variety of massage
& bodywork modalities.
Her work with the body is enriched by a lifelong passion
for spiritual awakening that has led her to study, practice
and teach massage, meditation and healing throughout the
world. Vajra has a Masters Degree in Somatic Counseling
Psychology, is a Licensed Minister, a Certified Hypnotherapist
and a Retreat Guide. Her teaching style blends a powerful
combination of technical excellence, spiritual depth,
responsive exploration & nurturing gentleness.
Venus Marie Elyse L.Ac., MS, CMT, is a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist. She teaches basic and advanced Anatomy, Acupressure, Blended Massage Modalities and Business Skills. She is committed to presenting the study of anatomy and business in a way that is painless, fascinating, fun and easy to integrate into your work. Students rave about Venus' teaching style and many say she is the best teacher they have ever had!
Jim Gilkeson, CMT., CST, is a creative bodywork therapist, teacher of Energy Healing and Cranio-sacral work, and the author of Energy Healing: A Pathway to Inner Growth. His teaching style is warm, personal and fun, reflecting his passion for inspiring participants to find their unique qualities while teaching solid principles and practices. In his private practice, Jim combines subtle energy therapy with Cranio-sacral work and therapeutic massage.
Kevin
Bashir Cates, CMT, is a Reiki teacher, bodyworker
and Sound Healer who blends 30 years of musical experience
with ongoing exploration into the transformational potential
of vocal and instrumental sound. He has been a Reiki Master
and teacher for over 20 years and a sound healer all his life. His specialty is in using sound healing, Reiki and subtle energy awareness to catalyze physical, emotional and spiritual expansion and healing.
Avidan Graller, CMT. N.C.B.T.M.B. has been involved in the healing arts for over 20 years. She graduated from the New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts and studied structural integration techniques in Europe. Avidan is trained in Medical Massage, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Lomi Lomi, Shiatsu, Chair Massage and Hot Stone Massage. She is masterful at integrating Hot Stone Massage with various other techniques, enhancing the effectiveness of both.
Suzi Ko; M.A., M.B.A., CMT, N.C.B.T.M.B, is the Executive Director of the Holistic Honu Wellness Center and continues to carry on the healing traditions of her Native Hawaiian grandfather in California. She is a traditional Lomi Lomi practitioner, a California Licensed Certified Massage Therapist and a Hawaiian Healing Arts Instructor. Suzi travels extensively throughout the United States and abroad sharing her knowledge and spreading aloha.
Ruben Rocha, CMT, has provided on-site chair massage for corporate clients throughout Marin County for many years and currently manages the Chair Massage booth at Elephant Pharmacy and maintains a private massage practice..
He runs the student and professional massage clinics at BodyWise Massage, in addition to being part of their professional massage team and mentoring students in our clinic at Bodywise.
Tim Holt, C.M.T., became certified in massage in 1987. Tim teaches Deep Tissue, Shiatsu and Traditional Thai Massage and maintains a private bodywork practice that focuses on injury rehabilitation utilizing Deep Tissue techniques from orthopedic, sports and restorative massage modalities as well as a specializing in Shiatsu and Thai Massage. He has lived, studied and practiced bodywork in Thailand and Japan. Tim is among the most experienced and highly respected massage instructors in the Bay Area.