East West College instructors are hired for their professional training and expertise as well as their teaching ability. Bodywork instructors have a minimum of two years education and practice in the subject they teach. Science instructors have a university degree in science or a health-related field or appropriate undergraduate coursework. All East West College instructors continually strive to inspire excellence and provide an environment that encourages student success. Students find the instructors are warm, caring, compassionate, well-trained and experienced.
Amy Bennett, L.M.T. Amy is a graduate of East West College, has been practicing massage since 2004, and has been a faculty member at EWC since 2006. Amy teaches Massage I and Deep Tissue Massage, as well as monthly Introduction to Massage classes for prospective EWC students. Her private practice is focused on deep tissue, rehabilitative and sports massage. She has practiced in a variety of settings, from chiropractic offices to the East West College Professional clinic, as well as traveling to provide massage to cyclists both in the U.S. and abroad.
Jennifer Clemons, N.D., L.Ac. Jen is a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine where she studied massage and bodywork techniques in addition to her Naturopathic and Oriental Medicine curriculum. She loves teaching and uses education as one of her primary tools as a doctor. One of her goals is to get people excited about the human body, so they can then cultivate greater health and happiness through understanding anatomy and physiology.
Sarah Davis, B.A., L.M.T. Sarah earned her B.A. with honors from Bard College and received her massage therapy education at Lane Community College. She has several years of medical laboratory experience and is also a trained herbalist. She has a keen interest in the emotional and physical healing enabled by massage therapy and especially enjoys her work with geriatric clients. Endlessly fascinated by the human body, Sarah hopes to inspire in her students the same passion for learning and discovery
Rayna Dorsey, L.M.T. Rayna is a graduate of East West College with a specialization in the body-mind connection. She has been in private practice since 1990 and blends intuitive skills with academic knowledge both in teaching and massage. Rayna also teaches personal growth and continuing education workshops, creating a safe and inspiring atmosphere that encourages her students to develop their own styles.
Lori Fish, D.C. Lori graduated from UC Santa Barbara and from Life University in Atlanta, and has been a practicing Doctor of Chiropractic since 1999. She specializes in nutritional detoxification and supporting people on their journey toward health, and is also a Bradley childbirth instructor. She co-owns two clinics in Portland that provide a variety of healing modalities, including chiropractic, nutritional counseling, acupuncture and massage. Lori has a passion for learning and teaching about the human body. She teaches Anatomy & Physiology at East West.
Cyr Foote, B.A., L.M.T. Cyr is a graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg Florida, and the Suncoast School of Massage. She holds a degree in social work and has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1991. Her practice encompasses many modalities, including craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, pregnancy massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. She has teaching experience in Kinesiology, Massage Technique and Craniosacral Therapy. Cyr feels the opportunity to teach is a gift, and through it strives to give back and share her endless sense of awe and fascination with the human body.
T.J. Ford, B.S., L.M.T. T.J. has been an instructor at East West College since 2001. A graduate of the Oxford School of Massage in England and the Swedish Institute of Massage in New York, T.J. maintained a private practice in Manhattan and taught a variety of classes at the Swedish Institute before making her escape to the Northwest. She currently has a private practice in Portland specializing in Zero Balancing, rehabilitative massage and CranioSacral therapy. She is also a running coach and is the owner of Run Amok Tours, an international marathon tour company. Her greatest desire as a teacher is to inspire her students to be lifelong learners.
Mary Gunter, L.M.T. Mary is a graduate of East West College, and has a background in plants, natural health and bodywork. She has been practicing massage since 2001 and has been teaching massage and science classes since 2003. Mary is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to East West College as a Kinesiology instructor.
Jon Hart, L.M.T. Jon has been a member of the East West faculty since 1993. During this time, he has taught a wide variety of classes, from introductory massage and kinesiology to advanced work in Shiatsu, deep tissue and sports massage. Jon’s professional practice is varied as well, as he works with everyone from elite athletes to people recovering from accidents. Jon’s teaching style is enthusiastic, varied and focused on learning; he is a knowledgeable and well-loved instructor.
Robyn Homleid, L.M.T. Robyn is a 1992 graduate of Diamond Light School of Massage, a 2004 East West College Graduate and a practicing Licensed Massage Therapist. She owned and operated her own massage and spa therapy practice in Marin County, California for seven years. She became the Dean of Student Services at East West College in 2002 where she developed and taught study skills workshops to students. She brings a intuitive, encouraging, and fresh style to the classroom with a holistic approach to bodywork along with thousands of hours of massage experience.
Linda Hunt, L.M.T. Linda is a graduate of East West College and has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1991. She has taught introductory massage techniques, clinic and Polarity Therapy at East West College for several years. She has taken advanced training in Polarity Therapy and earned her certification of Associate Polarity Practitioner through the American Polarity Association in 1997. She has a part-time practice in SE Portland specializing in Polarity, CranioSacral, Spiritual Guidance and massage. Linda blends technique, knowledge, intuition and a sense of fun to create a very positive learning experience for her students.
Allison Lurie, L.M.T. Allison is a graduate of East West College and the Louisville School of Massage, and has been practicing massage and bodywork since 1997. She teaches many classes at East West, but specializes in Thai Massage. Allison has studied extensively in Thailand with several teachers, primarily Pichest Boonethumme. Her love for Eastern-focused bodywork has allowed her to create a thriving practice in SE Portland, in which she hosts workshops, mentor groups and annual student trips to Thailand. Her students find her teaching style warm and calming, compassionate and inspiring.
Melanie Mamola, D.C. Melanie graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2003. She maintains a private chiropractic practice in SE Portland where she specializes in diversified adjusting, Active Release Technique, Graston, and rehabilitation. When not teaching or practicing, Melanie enjoys being outdoors and taking Nia classes.
Sande Mullany, L.M.T. Sande attended New York University’s School of the Arts for four years, freelanced in New York City theatre and festivals for ten years before finding her passion: Shiatsu. She began her training in 1987 at the Ohashi Institute in New York, and worked as a practitioner and instructor before moving back to Portland with her husband and daughter. She attended East West College in 1991 and became licensed in 1992. Sande taught at EWC from 1992-1999 and at Oregon College of Oriental Medicine from 1995-2004, and is very pleased to be back at EWC today. She is in private practice in downtown Portland, as well as being a provider in the Immune Enhancement Program in SE Portland.
Jonathan Primack, B.A., L.M.T. Jonathan is a graduate of State University of New York as well as East West College, and considers his time at East West as a student one of the greatest periods of his life. He presently owns his own bodywork business in downtown Portland, specializing in Deep Tissue, Trigger Point and Thai Massage with a focus on injury recovery and chronic problems. He also travels periodically to Thailand to study bodywork at the International School of Thai Massage. Jonathan teaches Deep Tissue Massage, Kinesiology and Massage II.
Padeen Quinn, N.D. Padeen graduated from the University of Montana and the National College of Naturopathic Medicine. She enlivens her lectures in the science curriculum with her passion for holistic healing. She is in private practice as a naturopathic physician specializing in endocrinology and mental health.
James Spake, M.A., L.M.T. James is a graduate of East West College and has been a licensed massage therapist for more than fifteen years. He holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching and has taught at East West College for several years. His students greatly benefit from his experience both in practice and teaching and from his strong interest in helping them become excellent massage therapists.
Pamela Sundin-Hart, M.A., L.M.T. Pamela is a 2003 graduate of East West College and holds a Master's Degree in Education from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she also worked in Student Services. Her Bachelor's Degrees are in the really useful fields of Psychology and French. Combining a passion for learning with experience both in busy clinics and private practice as an L.M.T., Pamela's courses are focused on her students getting the most information and guidance possible while having fun.
Alex Susbauer, B.A., L.M.T. Alex has broad experience in education, physical education, biomechanics and anatomy. A graduate of Whitman College, he was an All-American NAIA swimmer, has worked as a swim team coach and is also trained as a public school instructor. Alex’s approach to teaching is creative and energetic, and he is always looking for new ways to address a subject, experimenting with novel techniques and approaches. His practice focuses on Thai Massage (he studied Thai Massage at the International School of Thai Massage in Chiang Mai, Thailand), as well as Trigger Point and related modalities.
Debbie Taylor, B.S., L.M.T. Debbie is a graduate of East West College and the California College of Holistic Health, and has studied Ayurvedic massage while working at the Deepak Chopra Center for Well Being. In her massage practice, she helps clients work with the body-mind connection and the cultural aspects of sickness and health in their healing journey. She also works as a Spa Consultant . Her extensive teaching, practice and spa management experience as well as her compassion for her students make her an ideal teacher.
Uma Tupper, M.Ac.O.M., L.M.T. Born and raised in a healing arts community, Uma was given a deep appreciation for bodywork from a young age. After graduating with a B.A. in Sociology, Women’s Studies and dance from the State University of New York, she moved to Portland to join AmeriCorps. She attended East West College and became licensed in 1998. She has served as faculty since 2000, teaching Swedish Massage, Chinese Massage and Survey of Modalities. Her massage practice includes Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Tui-Na, Acupressure, Myofascial Release and Reiki. She is also offers acupuncture and 1000 Hands Buddha Qigong classes to her clients. Uma feels blessed to call teaching and practicing her life’s work.
Lisa Ann VanAlstine, B.A., L.M.T. Lisa Ann graduated from East West College in 1998 and earned a B.A. in Spanish from Portland State University in 2003. She is currently working toward a Bachelor’s in Science. Lisa Ann is a Certified Stott Pilates Instructor and Personal Trainer, as well as a practicing Licensed Massage Therapist. Her passion for healing and helping others translates into a creative, hands-on classroom environment. She teaches Kinesiology, Massage and Spa classes at East West.
