ABOUT ME
A THERAPIST WHO CARES
I always customize the treatments to offer you the best possible results. Besides my special training and 22 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/Migraines
- Fibromyalgia
- Post Operative Recovery
- Anxiety and Stress-related symptoms
22 YEARS OF PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM MASSAGE EXPERIENCE
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.
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 renowned 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. In 1998, I began to teach yoga full time in Zurich,. It was at that time that I started to work with pregnant women. This led me to create Birthlight Zurich in 2005, a center for prenatal yoga, aquatics and massage in the heart of the city. Many pregnant women attended classes and received massage treatments each day.
My meditation skills were acquired through years of diligent practice with my Buddhist teachers: Ven, 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, being very active in the community 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 Naples, Florida. My love for teaching has led me to become a teacher for Massage Therapy, Energy Healing and Anatomy & Physiology classes, I offer Continuing Education Courses for Massage Therapists on a regular basis.
I enjoy offering services and treatments in private practice for women in the area. And in my free time, I love gardening and being outdoors. We are in the Sunshine State!!
YOUR WELL-BEING IS IMPORTANT TO ME
CALL OR TEXT NOW TO BOOK YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT!.
(239) 248 -7931
Cheryl is a virtuoso masseuse. From all her studies and experience she has great wisdom about the human body so she can be extraordinarily helpful with any physical issues brought to her. Highly recommended!!!
M.M.
A great place for comprehensive bodywork—Cheryl has extensive experience in many modalities. She’s my go to LMT for Bonita/Naples! She listens to what I need and helps alleviate aches, pains and imbalances holistically...not just a massage but a healing as well. Very soothing for the muscles and also busy mind.
S.R.
If any pregnant mamas are looking for an amazing prenatal massage experience Cheryl Bernardi at Lifebehold for Pregnancy and Birth is the way to go. She had the proper accommodations to have a massage lying face down that helps with lumbar release. Best massage experience thus far both while pregnant or not, the pressure and attention to problem areas has been like no other.
J.F.