My approach towards massage has always been client centered – what are the client’s goals and what kind of massage will help them achieve their goals?
My mind and massage work is always geared towards being therapeutic. Sometimes that can mean working out a stiff, sore muscle, improving Range of Motion with Deep Tissue, or helping someone to relax, calm their nervous system, and reduce their tension with a relaxing massage style.
In the Deep Tissue/Sports Massage modality, I have found it most effective to go slowly with deep pressure, and never go beyond the pressure that is tolerable and preferred by the client on the table. Much of my training was from people trained by Ida Rolf, the founder of Rolfing bodywork (originally called Structural Integration). I am not a certified Rolfer, but the style of bodywork taught to me by Rolfers when teaching advanced Deep Tissue or Sports Massage has always made the most sense to me and helped my body and my clients the most.
I also love to get In the Zone, when someone just wants to relax, and slow down even more, and do long, relaxing Lomilomi strokes, Swedish strokes etc. I avoid any massage techniques which feel repetitive, robotic or automatic. I am always feeling where I am working.
I always want the pressure to be perfect for you, as that is everyone’s main concern. So I ask you how the pressure is first thing, and if I have any doubt, I will ask again, and check in now and then, if I sense perhaps it’s too deep or not deep enough. Plus, I always ask the person on the table to please tell me if the pressure is ever too strong or too light, and also if they are too hot or too cold.
The more information you give me the better massage I can provide for you, and that is my goal, to give you the best massage possible.
I am somewhat of a Health Nerd – I have always loved the incredible miracle of this body we live in! And never miss a chance to read or research ways to help us all feel better in every possible way – be it massage therapy, stretching, exercise, or simple things like taking a few deep breaths now and then.
I want YOU to feel as good as you possibly can!
Peter and his wife, Sugandha
Work History and Professional Experience
Oregon Massage License #24898 – January, 2021
Ongoing Private Practice September/1991 – December/2020 – Maui, Hawai’i
Opened private office – Listening Hands Massage in September, 2012
Staff Massage Therapist and private practice with Dr. L. Shaw, Ohana Hale Chiropractic in Maui August 2012 to September 2016
Four Seasons Maui (Top Rated 5 Star-5 Diamond Resort) Massage Therapist 2003-2012
Principle Massage Therapist, Fairmont Kea Lani Maui Hotel – March 2002 to Dec 2006
Staff Massage Therapist – certified to provide massage services at Kula Hospital and Clinic, through Dr. Al Yakazawa, MD 2000-2001
Massage Therapist at Fairmont Kea Lani Maui – Nov. 1999 to 2006
Staff Massage Therapist with Dr. Steven Key, D.C. – Ohana Hale Chiropractic Clinic, Kahului; 1993-1996
Staff Massage Therapist with Dr, Randy Hill, DC – Chiro Center, Kahului, 1995, 1996
Principle Massage Therapist/Co-Owner — Salon Ambiance, Makawao, 1991-2000
State of Hawaii Massage Therapy License: September, 1991
Massage Training
Maui Academy of Healing Arts (MAHA): Fall, 1990 – studied Swedish, Lomilomi, Polarity, Reflexology, Accupressure, and Deep Tissue
Apprenticeship Program: with Dia Lynn – Certified Advanced Rolfer. Included formal classes in theory (Theory of Structure and Function) and Practice (Deep Tissue Massage). 1990
Further Study: Tutorials with a former teacher with Institute of Body Therapeutics: covering Lymphatic Massage, Cross Fiber Massage, Trigger Points, Accupressure Points. 1991
Institute of Zentherapy: founded by “Dub” Leigh” who personally worked with Ida Rolf, Moshe Feldenkrais, Loren Berry. 1992; taught a varitey of techniques based on these three people.
Hot Stone training and certification to perform treatment at Four Seasons Maui 2003
Thai Massage training with Valerie Mandall and certified to perform at Four Seasons Maui 2005
Reiki I training with Shanti and certification at Four Seasons Maui 2008
Healing Touch – certified to perform at Four Seasons Maui, 2010
Shiatsu training and certification to perform at Four Seasons Maui 2006
Accupresure; AKA – Jin Shin Do, training with Sarah Rose at Maui Accademy of Healing Arts and certified to perform at Four Seasons Maui
Craniosacral training with Upledger Institute, Sept. 2010; certified to perform treatment at Four Seasons Maui, 2010
Backwalk Shiatsu treatment, trained by Chinta McKinnon, April 2010; certified to perform treatment at Four Seasons Maui
Trained and certified in Wai Vari – a treatment floating in water, great for pregnant women; trained and certified by the originator, Traci Lundberg, 2009
Trained and Certified at the Spa at The Four Seasons and Spa Kea Lani to perform “spa treatments” – scrubs, wraps and specialty treatments etc.
Trained and certified at the Spa at Four Seasons to perform Lymphatice Drainage as taught by Bruno Shickley, DO through Veetkaya Kuperhaus
3D Myofascial Release and Visceral Manipulation as taught by Carol Phelan (student of Pierre Barral, DO, Barral Institute)
Myofascial Somatics as taught by Lisa Cary, certified in Hannah Somatics
Massage Background
Intuition Development Classes 1980 to 1982 –Berkeley,CA: learned Energy Work, Emotional Release, to “read” client physically and emotionally.
Growth Seminars helpful for Massage Career: includes hundreds of hours with various techniques from Feldenkrais, Yoga, Sufi and Gurdjieff movements, to emotional release and meditation.
International Exposure, from world travel, experiencing many different cultures and massage techniques: Egyptian, Danish, British, Indian, Thai, Indonesian.
A lifelong pursuit and personal practice of healing and wholeness.
General Background
Education: Graduated Hillcrest High School,Dallas,Texas: UniversityofTexas: two years credit with 3.2 GPA pre-med and Asian studies.
Travel: Traveled and worked in Middle East, Europe,Persia(Iran), Asia, and West CoastUSA.
Languages studied: Japanese, Spanish, Danish, Hindi, Arabic, Spanish, Italian
Occupational Experience and Training: Geophysical Surveyor, Junior Engineer, Bartender, Draftsman, Seminar Assistant, Nurse’s Aid, Building Contractor, Fine Furniture Manufacturing, Small Business owner, Entrepreneur, Restaurant and Food Service Industry, Licensed Massage Therapist
Extra curricular activity interests: Writing, hiking, art, crafts, music, Argentine Tango dancing, gardening, farming, bees, chickens…