skip to content

Touchstone Healing Arts

Faculty

Niko Pruesse
Co-Founder, Director of Education and Massage

Niko was born and raised around the Great Lakes in Ontario, Canada and graduated from the 2400 hour program at West Coast College of Massage Therapy in Vancouver, British Columbia. A massage therapist since 1987, originally licensed in B.C. Niko became nationally certified in 2000. She has worked in hotel spas, physiotherapy offices, and her own private practice.

In 1994, after some world travel and the birth of her first child, Niko was delighted to settle down in Vermont, home of the ‘sixth great lake’ where she, along with her partner Mark, established Touchstone Healing Arts in 1998.

Niko’s love of learning took her to Spirit of Learning at the Body Therapy Institute in North Carolina in 2001, a teacher training program for massage and body workers. More recently, she attended a Vipassana meditation intensive training and she continues to explore alternative bodywork modalities. Presently, she and her family reside in Burlington where she enjoys gardening, reading, cooking, swimming in lake Champlain as well as her regular meditation practice and contemplating the stunning Adirondak mountains.

Mark Adams
Co-Founder, Director of Administration and Massage

Born in Zimbabwe and raised in England, Mark has been a massage practitioner since 1989. He is a graduate of The American Institute of Massage Therapy, Walnut Creek, California, and Threeways School of Massage, Norfolk, England.
Mark’s strong independent streak has kept him busy working a private practice in many settings. He has taken his on-site chair massage to trade shows, hospitals, schools and businesses, working outdoors in back alleys and in well appointed penthouse suites. His love of interacting with people has kept his work balanced between public settings and the private healing space of his massage office.

Having a deep yearning for self improvement and spiritual awakening Mark has spent many years questing and experiencing various cultures’ spiritual and healing practices. In 2005 he took a Shiatsu therapy training conducted at Touchstone. In 2004 he studied for a year with a druid and shamanic healer. In 2001 he completed his yoga teacher training at Kripalu Center in Lennox, MA and over the years he has been actively involved in men’s support group work adopting techniques from various traditions including western psychotherapy and Native American Indian rituals.

Mark’s deep wish is to touch and inspire as many people as possible, encouraging them to take responsibility for their own health and healing and, in so doing, bring healing to our planet. His role at Touchstone fulfills much of this vision as more and more people come to learn and experience the power of touch.

As co-directors Niko and Mark are present to support and facilitate the entire journey of the Touchstone experience.

 

Faeterri Silver
Anatomy & Physiology

As chief instructor and owner of the Vermont School of Professional Massage from 1989-2005 and a massage practitioner since 1981, Faeterri brings her passion for A & P and the massage profession to our classroom. We are delighted to have her join the touchstone faculty!

 Dr. Becky Chollet

 Pathology

Becky received her  B.A. from Middlebury College and a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. She practices at Champlain Center for Natural Medicine in Shelburne, VT and Monadnock Natural Medicine in Peterborough, NH.

Guest Faculty

Leading experts in their fields teach classes in specific modalities throughout the school year.

 

Sami Pincus

Postural alignment, injury prevention, passive body techniques

Psychology of the Body

Sami brings her experience both as a massage therapist, counselor and instructor in a variety of modalities. She has a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Vermont and is also a Certified Alexander Instructor. As a graduate of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, MA, Sami continued on in their teaching program and taught at the Cascade Institute for Massage and Body Therapies in Eugene, Oregon.

 

Scott Moylan
Introduction to Traditional Oriental Medicine

Scott Moylan is a licensed Acupuncurist, herbalist, Asian Bodywork Therapist and Martial Arts instructor. He received his education at the New York College for Health Professionals in Syosset, NY. He runs his clinic, Elements of Healing in Essex Junction, Vermont with his wife, Barbara. Scott teaches a 400 hour Asian Bodywork Therapy training, traditional Chinese kung fu, qi gong and meditation.

 

Layla Bringas
Aromatherapy

Layla Bringas owns and operates Lunaroma Aromatic Apothecary in downtown Burlington. She is a certified Aromatherapist with over ten years experience.

 

Geraldine Villeneuve
Reflexology

Geraldine is an American Board Certified Reflexologist and a Licensed Massage Practitioner. She has been practicing and teaching Reflexology since 1981.

Bill Eichorn
Sports Massage

Bill has specialized in Sports Massage since 1987 through his practice in Burlington, VT. Bill is a graduate of the Sports Massage Therapy Institute in California.

Stephen O'Dwyer
Certified Neuromuscular Therapist

Stephen O’Dwyer, Certified Nuromuscular Therapist, has maintained a private practice in manual therapy since 1990. He has trained in a wide variety of disciplines including Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue massage, Somatic movement reeducation, and Craniosacral Therapy.