Biography
Sam was born and raised in New Orleans, where he gained an early appreciation for spicy food and funky soulful music. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Biology- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from UT-Austin and promptly moved away from the southern heat to the beautiful Marin Headlands. While working as a naturalist at the Pt. Bonita YMCA Environmental Education Center, inspiring students to love and respect our planet, Sam fulfilled his dream to study the healing arts. Attending Alive & Well- School of Conscious Bodywork from 2003 to 2006, Sam dedicated himself to mastering the techniques he learned, repeating and assisting many classes. Sam has over 1200 hours of massage training and has worked in a variety of professional settings, including his private studio in Sausalito. Sam specializes in Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Sports/Injury, Prenatal, and a unique blend of Thai Yoga Massage and Barefoot DeeperWork, which is done on the floor clothed. Each massage with Sam is unique, as he effectively blends a variety of techniques aimed at improving one’s posture, regaining a sense of balance, and releasing chronically tight muscles.
Sam has been practicing yoga since 1997 and has personally experienced its transformational and positive effects on his life. He has taught therapeutic yoga to massage clients as a self-care tool to address their unique postural imbalances and short yoga and meditation lessons to kids visiting the Pt. Bonita YMCA. In 2015, Sam completed a 500-hour yoga teacher training at Yoga Garden SF and is excited to bring his special understanding of body mechanics and postural dysfunction to his teaching. As an experienced massage therapist with thousands of hands-on contact hours, Sam’s yoga teaching brings a deep understanding of how the body moves and how important focusing the mind and breath are to the relaxation response. Sam currently offers private and public classes in the Sausalito area, emphasizing proper alignment and therapeutic modifications in a slower Hatha flow teaching style. He is welcoming of folks of all ages and levels and is especially sensitive to working with injuries. As an eclectic musician, Sam also incorporates live didgeridoo into his classes and healing sessions.
Sam spends his free time mountain biking in his national park backyard, practicing yoga, playing music, and hanging out with his lovely wife, Kyyio, and captivating daughter, Ember
Education:
Yoga Garden SF, San Francisco, CA Jan 2015 – 2017
Alive & Well! Institute of Conscious BodyWork, Corte Madera, CA -Aug. 2003 – June 2006
The Sunshine Network Institute, Chaing Mai, Thailand- Dec. 2003 – Jan. 2004
University of Texas @ Austin, Austin, TX -Sept. 1997 – May 2001
Work Experience:
Private Massage Practice, Sausalito, CA -Aug. 2003 – Present
Cavallo Point Healing Art Center and Spa, Sausalito CA- June 2010 – March 2020
Bay Club Marin Sanctuary Spa, Corte Madera, CA- Oct. 2006 – Present
CORE Chiropractic & Fitness, Jack Ricci, D.C., Corte Madera, CA- May 2007 – Oct. 2007
YMCA Pt. Bonita Outdoor Education and Conference Center- Sept. 2001 – March 2020
Other Certifications:
