Lesley Berry
Lesley Berry, LMT
Where are you from, and how did you end up in Ithaca?
I'm from New
Jersey just outside of New York City. I went to Hobart & William Smith
Colleges in Geneva for my undergraduate degree. A friend of mine from HWS, who
grew up and currently lives in the area, lured me back. Prior to returning to
the Finger Lakes region, I was living in Brooklyn and had attended Parsons
School of Design where I studied Graphic Design. I love the City & miss it
at times but I wanted to be somewhere closer to the outdoors.
What
degrees do you hold, or what training programs and schools have you attended?
I graduated in June 2008 from the Finger Lakes School of Massage
(FLSM). I have taken a Cranial Sacral workshop and hope to continue to do
workshops and such to broaden my knowledge. Prior to FLSM, I attended Parsons
School of Design. I hold an AAS degree in Graphic Design from there. My main
undergraduate years were spent at Hobart & William Smith Colleges where I
received a BA, Majoring in Art History with Minors in Latin American &
Women's Studies. While at HWS, I participated in study abroad programs in
Quito, Ecuador & Pietrasanta, Italy.
Why did you become a LMT and
what do you like most about the work?
I have always enjoyed helping
and working with people. I think that's the main reason I entered into this
profession. I had thought about & looked into Social Work prior to massage
school. However, I also have a strong creative pull/interest. I find Massage
is a nice melding of the two; I get to be creative in how I work with the body
from session to session.
Do you have an area that you especially
excel at or work that you prefer to do? What is your favorite part of the
job?
I prefer doing specific work focusing on relieving chronic pain
& aiding injury rehabilitation. I do a lot of back, shoulders, neck, hip
and sacrum work (head to low back). I also enjoy doing energy work. It's hard to
pick a favorite part of the job. I mostly like that I'm helping people feel
better.
What tips do you pass on to clients who are considering
massage but aren't sure of the benefits? How have you seen it change peoples'
lives?
I let people know that it's a great part of overall wellness,
that massage can be beneficial for a number of things, and that it's not just
something people do to pamper themselves. It can be a great part of a health
& healing regime or process. It helps reduce stress, tension, aches, pains,
and it promotes circulation. It provides them with time that's specifically for
them. I have seen people before a session tight, stressed and closed in their
bodies, and after, they are more relaxed and open. Often, and over time, a
person's range of motion can increase, headaches are relieved, there is a
reduction or a dissipation of pain, and they can experience better balance
within their bodies. The list goes on & on.
What do you do to
keep healthy and energetic in the winter?
I work out, cook healthy,
yummy foods, & get massage, of course.
Any hobbies, interests or
things we otherwise would not know about you?
I'm currently
participating in a Pilates Teacher Training thru the Pilates Room.
I also
continue to do some design (mostly graphic) & photography is a hobby I
enjoy. I knit, as well.
When can we find you at Rasa?
I'm on the schedule at Rasa Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and I'm happy to accommodate specific requests whenever possible.
