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What sets Avalon apart from other schools is our amazing line-up of teachers. Our incredibly skilled and dedicated team includes a Chiropractor, a Doctor of Acupuncture, a Doula, a scientist and several Licensed Massage Therapy Instructors with decades of experience teaching and practicing. 

Meet Our Team

Aromatherapy and Reflexology instructor

Esalena Rubianes

Director of Education - LMT, MTI

Esalena graduated from Phoenix School of Massage in 2018. She began work at a chiropractic office during school and eventually moved to a spa position after graduation. She is experienced in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Sports, Prenatal, Decompression Therapy, and Aromatherapy.

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She teaches:

SWEDISH MASSAGE • HYDROTHERAPY • REFLEXOLOGY • BODY TREATMENTS & SCRUBS

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Jack Swanson

Assistant Director of Education - LMT, MTI, CPT

Jack is a Certified Personal Trainer and a Licensed Massage Therapist. For 7 years, his career was helping clients create lasting lifestyle changes through fitness, focusing on building strength, confidence, and healthy habits. Over time, Jack noticed that many clients were also dealing with pain, tension, and mobility issues. Wanting to offer more complete support, he became a massage therapist to provide both movement guidance and hands-on pain relief.

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He teaches:

SWEDISH • MBLEx REVIEW • FIRST AID & CPR

Anatomy and Physiology instructor, doctor of chiropractic

Dr. Sophia Bekiaris

Doctor of Chiropractic, LMT

Dr. Sophia Bekiaris is owner/operator of Fort Bend Mobile Chiropractic. Before she was a chiropractor, she was a Licensed Massage Therapist. She attended Phoenix School of Holistic Health in 2003. While earning her B.S degree at University of Houston, she worked in various chiropractic clinics offering therapeutic massage. This allowed her to create meaningful relationships with clientele and have a first hand look at the power of massage. She obtained her Doctor of Chiropractic title from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2009. Since then she has worked as an associated doctor, as an independent contractor and as a sole proprietor in her own establishment all while either practicing massage therapy, employing massage therapists or teaching massage therapy. Massage therapy has shaped and guided Dr. Bekiaris’ professional life for 15 years. She is honored to have the opportunity to teach future generations of massage therapists and to help them appreciate and hone their gift.

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She teaches:

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY • PATHOLOGY

Kinesiology, Trigger Point, and Sports Massage instructor

Kasie Tedrick

LMT, MTI, CSCS

Kasie is a Licensed Massage Therapist, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Certified CrossFit Trainer (CF-L3). She graduated from Texas A&M University in 2015 with a B.S. in Kinesiology and is currently completing graduate studies in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She has spent over 10 years in the fitness industry with experience in personal training, sport strength and conditioning, Olympic weightlifting, injury rehabilitation and group fitness. Kasie is a proud graduate of Avalon and now runs her own mobile sports massage business.

Kasie offers a monthly course in
Advanced Massage Techniques.  She never wants money to get in the way of learning, so these courses are $20 for 2 hours of CEU credits!

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She teaches:

KINESIOLOGY • TRIGGER POINT • SPORTS MASSAGE & TAPING

Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu, Cupping and Acupressure instructor

Dr. Jonathan Pyndus

Doctor of Acupuncture - L.Ac., Dipl, NCCAOM, LMT

Dr. Jon is a licensed Acupuncturist and Massage Therapist; born and practicing in Houston, Texas. After a thorough education from 20 years of martial arts study, the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, The Won Institute of Graduate Studies, and Avalon School of Massage, he now operates his own practice in Avalon. He studies with various teachers in Japan and visits them yearly. His teaching style combines Chinese and Japanese Acupuncture techniques, Herbal Medicine, Cupping, Gua Sha, and Tui Na bodywork with traditional martial arts practices.

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He teaches:

INTRO TO CHINESE MEDICINE & SHIATSU • CUPPING & GUA SHA • ACUPRESSURE MOBILIZATION

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Souri Sisavath

LMT, MTI, CE Provider

Souri is a native of Laos where the ancient art of Thai Massage was passed to her by her grandmother, a native of Thailand. When she completed her training in Chiangmai in 2001 under the direct supervision of Grand Master LekChaiya, she realized the healing potential of Thai massage and has dedicated decades to helping others since then.  She is also a Certified Advanced Practitioner and Teacher under the tutelage of Master Chongkol Setthakorn, a Yoga Instructor certified by the Yoga Institute in 2013, and a Holy Fire Karuna Reiki Master under the training of Karen Harrison.  She owns and operates Harmony Thai Massage in Memorial.

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She teaches:

THAI MASSAGE • ADVANCED THAI MASSAGE

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Carlos Rodriguez

LMT, MTI

With a decade of experience as a specialized therapeutic massage therapist, Carlos brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep-seated passion for the healing arts. His journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to professional growth and a consistent pursuit of continuing education, ensuring he is always at the forefront of the latest techniques and research in the field. Throughout his career, Carlos has developed a profound understanding of anatomy, physiology, and various therapeutic modalities. This extensive knowledge is not just a collection of facts; it is a dynamic tool used to guide students in developing a deep, intuitive connection with their craft. Students in Carlos's classes can expect to be challenged, inspired, and supported as they explore the complexities of therapeutic massage. Carlos is dedicated to fostering a learning environment where curiosity is celebrated, and professional excellence is the standard. He is excited to share his expertise with the next generation of massage therapists, helping them cultivate the skills, knowledge, and passion needed to build successful and impactful careers.

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He teaches:

SWEDISH MASSAGE • HYDROTHERAPY

Aromatherapy and Acupressure instructor

Dr. Nam-Thư Trần

Herbalist - LMT, Acupuncture Doctoral Student

Nam-Thư is a Licensed Massage Therapist and acupuncturist with a doctorate from the American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine. She is a self-taught herbalist who loves communing with ancestors by honoring plants. She is dedicated to learning Traditional Chinese Medicine as a way to remember and reconnect to Thuoc Nam/ Traditional Vietnamese Medicine and indigenous healing practices. She has been practicing massage and energetic bodywork for over 10 years and is an Avalon graduate. She operates a mobile massage practice and loves teaching Aromatherapy at Avalon.

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She teaches:

AROMATHERAPY (BEG & ADV) • EAR SEED ACUPRESSURE

Prenatal and Postnatal Instructor

Erin Young

Doula - LMT, MTI, CHBE, CD, CCE, P&ICD

Erin has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2002 and is on her way to a nursing degree. In 2012, she added Doula work and pursued certification in Childbirth Education. In 2018, she launched Houston Birth & Baby and employs many Doulas throughout Houston.  The work Erin has done as both a Massage Therapist, Doula, and Childbirth Educator positions her to speak with confidence and firsthand knowledge of what is involved with supporting a pregnant person through most physiological and emotional changes that occur in pregnancy. Additionally, she is trained in postpartum mental health disorders, the physical needs of the parents/infants, as well as the emotional shifts that occur after birth.

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She teaches:

PRENATAL • POSTNATAL

Avalon School of Massage offers professional massages by students and licensed massage therapists in our Houston clinic.

CLINIC HOURS

MON - FRI

9am - 10pm

SAT & SUN

9am - 5pm

811 North Loop West

Houston, TX 77008

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©2019 by Avalon School of Massage

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