Prenatal Massage Specialist
Therapeutic Massage & Healing Modalities
Feel relaxed and renewed today!
My Offerings
Services
PREGNANCY, BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM SERVICES
- Prenatal Massage
- Labor Prep Massage
- Postpartum Massage
- Holistic Pain Management Instruction
- Birth Rehearsals for Couples
- Lactation Counseling
- Prenatal and Postpartum Therapeutic Exercises
CUSTOMIZED MASSAGE SESSIONS
- Therapeutic Massage
- Myofascial Release Techniques (Barnes)
- Acupressure
- Aromatherapy
- Chinese Cupping
- Thai Herbal Poultice Massage
- Microcurrent Point Stimulation for Pain Management
HEALING MODALITIES
- Raindrop Aromatherapy
- Esoteric Healing
- Reiki Treatments
About me
A Therapist Who Cares
I always customize the treatments to offer you the best possible results. Besides my special training and 20 years experience as a Prenatal, Labor, and Postpartum Massage Therapist, I also help others using a variety of holistic methods to enhance the massage therapy treatment, such as
- Aromatherapy
- Chinese cupping
- Acupressure
- Myofascial Release Techniques
- Microcurrent Point Stimulation (Neurostimm)
- Esoteric Healing
- Reiki
My clients have had positive results with my treatment programs for:
- Joint and Muscle Soreness
- Headaches
- Fibromyalgia
- Post Operative Recovery
- Anxiety and Stress-related Symptoms
Experienced Prenatal and Postpartum Knowledge
While teaching Hatha yoga classes at the fitness center, I noticed a few pregnant women joining the class in the back row. I decided to acquire more specific skills to help them, and in 2001, I went to train with Dr. Francoise Freedman of Birthlight International, Cambridge, UK, in Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Aquatics, Baby Yoga, and Pregnancy and Infant massage. I then founded Birthlight Zurich, a center for Prenatal Yoga, Aquatics and Massage, the first of its kind in Switzerland.
My experience in yoga, movement, meditation and massage, have given me an optimal background for supporting and guiding women to birth their babies more comfortably. Labor is often shorter, and with fewer complications. Babies arrive in a state of calmness, and breastfeeding can proceed easily. My approach to helping pregnant and postpartum women is a holistic body-mind approach, incorporating movement, breath, pain management skills, and therapeutic massage.
I offer Lactation Counseling, and am the resident massage therapist at the Family Birth Center in Naples, Florida, since 2012.
My Background
Born in Massachusetts, My career as a professional classical ballet dancer, then as a medical research assistant, span the arts and sciences. I left for Europe when I was 17 years old, attending the renominated Centre de Danse International, studying with Ballerina Assoluta Rosella Hightower, in Cannes, France, and continuing to dance in ballet companies in Europe for another 10 years. I then went into the Medical Research field, working in histology laboratories using Electron and Light Microscopes. The need to move and exercise led me to take Yoga and Pilates classes as well as my beloved dance classes. A severe achilles tendon injury led me down a path of healing in Switzerland, learning and experiencing many holistic modalities such as Acupuncture, Shiatsu, Reiki, Chinese Cupping, Sound Therapy, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Ayurveda massage, and many more. I began to teach yoga full time in Zurich, and started to work with pregnant women. I founded Birthlight Zurich in 2005, a center for prenatal yoga, aquatics and massage and had many pregnant women attending classes and receiving massage treatments.
My meditation skills were acquired through years of diligent practice with my Buddhist teachers: Thich Nhat Hanh, Lodro Rinpoche, and Jill Purce. A memorable experience was the year that I spent in India (2008). with the Tibetan community in Dharamsala, working as a volunteer offering prenatal yoga at the Delek Hospital, yoga for preschoolers at the exile government day care center, helping at the Tibetan Children's Village, and offering assistance at an NGO for active non-violent education.
I currently live in Bonita Springs, Fl. I am the resident massage therapist at the Family Birth Center Naples. My love for teaching has led me to be on staff as a teacher for Massage Therapy, Anatomy & Physiology classes, Continuing Education Courses for Massage Therapists, and Workshops for Estheticians at the Bonita Springs School of Massage & Beauty.
I also enjoy offering services and treatments in private practice to area residents.................And spend my free time singing Kirtan and cultivating my butterfly garden!
Education
CE PROVIDER for MASSAGE THERAPY
The CE Courses for 2019 have been completed.
New CE courses will be offered starting in Spring/Summer 2020.
Prenatal Massage Certification Course (Levels I, II, III)
Basic Prenatal Massage Course
Level I
12 Hours CE
$250.00
CEBroker ID #: 20-731332
Overview of the changes through pregnancy
General guidelines for massage therapy
Benefits of Prenatal Massage
Prenatal Vocabulary
Anatomy of a pregnant woman
Stages of pregnancy
Each Trimester: learn about physiological changes, common issues and their management
Prenatal Massage Contraindications
Intake, Interview and Assessment before Treatment
Overview of Massage Options and Positions
Massage Techniques recommended by Trimester
Body Cushions and Side-Lying Techniques
Demonstration of a Prenatal Massage
Practical Instruction of a Prenatal Massage (Hands-on time)
Advanced Prenatal Massage
Level II
8 Hours CE
One day: $180.00
CEBroker ID #: 20-731346
Understanding all phases of prenatal massage therapy care
Detailed anatomy and physiology during pregnancy
Assessment and adaptation for complicated “high risk” pregnancies
Research, Statistics and Information about Prenatal Massage
Fascial release techniques and positioning to help alignment of the pelvic region
Skills to facilitate relaxation and reduce pain
Attending to the emotions of your client through subtle touch
Hands-On time to practice the skills
Advanced Prenatal, Labor and Postpartum Massage Techniques
Level III
8 Hours CE
One Day: $180.00
CEBroker ID # 20-731354
Review and refinement of Prenatal Massage Techniques
Students can bring in case study notes to review
Getting ready for baby: Labor prep massage techniques
Labor Massage: The Benefits, the techniques
The Postpartum Body
Benefits of Postpartum Massage
Techniques for Postpartum Massage, and how they differ from a “regular” massage
Ample Time for Hands-on practice of the various skills
COMPLETING ALL THREE LEVELS OF INSTRUCTION ALLOWS THE PRACTITIONER TO QUALIFY TO BECOME CERTIFIED IN PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM MASSAGE TECHNIQUES.
DISCOUNT: Purchase all 3 Levels together for $549.00
If you have any questions concerning the course content, or registration procedure, please contact Cheryl Bernardi at
(239) 248-7931 or Lifebehold@gmail.com
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Raindrop Aromatherapy
Certification Course
CE 12 hours
$250
CEBroker ID #: 20-658999
The Raindrop Technique is a method of using a combination of reflexology, aromatherapy, massage techniques, and essential oils applied in layers onto the feet and along the spine. It has been known to strengthen the immune system, relieve back pain, and to create balance and harmony in the body - physically, mentally and emotionally.
We will learn the original application designed by D. Gary Young, as well as a cutting edge enhancement of the Raindrop Therapy using sound and vibrational instruments (tuning forks and singing bowls), taking the treatment to the next level of healing capabilities.
East Meets West
Certification Course
CE 12 hours
$250
An In-Depth training in the ancient art of Chinese Cupping and Gua Sha for face and body. Learn about the Meridians, the 5 Elements, and specific Acupressure Techniques, to effectively help your clients unblock stagnant energy and help with pain management. The focus of this course is on practical application.
In addition, you will learn to practice Taoist Exercises for Bone, Blood and Joint Health as self-care measures.
Body Wraps for Cellulite
CE 6 hours
$150
In this Pantry Course you will learn to create Body Wraps & Masques made from natural substances, enhanced with therapeutic grade essential oils to aid and enhance the detoxification process, which leads to a reduction in the appearance of cellulite. Various tools will be introduced (cupping, knobby brushes, fascia tools and heat) to be able to offer your clients individualized treatments to meet their specific needs.
Chakra Balancing
CE 6 hours
$150
The human body is more energy than it is matter, meaning that the energy in one's body is a powerful component for maintaining or restoring health and well-being. The energy is networked throughout the body and has specific centers. These seven main centers are called CHAKRAS. A chakra is an energy field in the body that contains a particular quality of information, which helps us gain power and self-knowledge that allows the body, mind and spirit to become integrated.
Learn how to balance the chakras energetically. You will also be introduced to gemstones, essential oils, vibrational sound instruments and pendulums, and how to use them during the treatment.
This technique can be used as an Add-On treatment to your massage service.
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New New New!!!!
Also starting in 2020:
Advanced Chakra Healing
CE 8 hours
$180
Advanced Chakra Healing course brings us deeper into the connections between the chakras, and the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our beings. Using a structural technique to activate the chakras and align them to their corresponding bodily areas, we can aid the client with their healing process.
We will be refining and building upon the energy techniques learned in the Chakra Balancing course (above), as well as learning a guided Chakra Balancing Meditation and Vibrational Sound Healing treatment.
This technique can be offered as a stand-alone treatment session , as well as for self-care purposes.
It is required that you attend the Chakra Balancing course prior to attending this course.
Migraine Relief: Acupressure Techniques with Cold Stone Application
CE 6 hours
$150
Hot Stone, Thai Herbal Balls and Poultices: A Selection of Hydrotherapy Techniques
CE 8 hours
$180
Ayurvedic Facial Massage of India, with Kansa Wand
CE 6 hours
$150
Face Cupping Techniques and Asian Acupressure Facial Massage
CE 6 hours
$150
Cheryl Bernardi
Licensed Massage Therapist MA66409
Licensed Facial Specialist FB9752067
CE Provider # 50-24057
(239) 248-7931 Lifebehold@gmail.com www.Lifebehold.com
Location
Continuing Education and Certification courses are offered by Cheryl Bernardi at the following location:
Bonita Springs School, Inc.
10915 Bonita Beach Rd
Suite 2121
Bonita Springs, Fl 34135
(239) 495-0714