Getting to know Amy
Amy has been hands-on since 2007! She graduated from the Atlantic College of Therapeutic Massage in Fredericton, and shortly after made her way west to work as an RMT in Lake Louise, Alberta. After much exploration in and around the Rockies, and following her first marathon (Vancouver), she was inspired to travel farther; that’s when she adopted the two-wheel life. Her first bike tour was solo across British Columbia, the rest is history.
Early in her massage career, Amy acquired her Level I Craniosacral training in Oahu, Hawaii, and Level II in Calgary, Alberta, both through the Upledger Institute. Craniosacral is a subtle but profound technique that affects the nervous system to change the tissue, while massage therapy affects the tissue to change the nervous system. She applies hints of Craniosacral to almost every treatment, most commonly when working around the skull, and does full Craniosacral treatments on request. She is fortunate to also have trained with local legends Steve McKay and Gary Keeling, both physiotherapists with a strong leaning towards Craniosacral.
Her greatest bodywork influence, however, comes from Nadine Currie-Jackson, who owned the Atlantic College of Therapeutic Massage at the time of her education. Nadine instructed many courses, but most importantly, introduced her students to fascial work, aka myofascial release...Amy immediately needed more of this not-so status quo technique, and instead of taking more courses, simply started to experiment.
Insisting on doing a bit of this weird, slow, dry work to each client from day one, even if for only a few minutes, ultimately paid off. This experimentation combined with the open-minded clients who have shown up at her door over the years, has informed and sculpted the way Amy currently works. A believer in both grace and grit, Amy is unapologetic about making individuals uncomfortable in the name of change. Her additional movement training and influences includes Budokon yoga, bodyweight training, and cognitive work with absolute trailblazers in the field of movement, the husband-wife duo Fighting Monkey.
Throughout her long journey of massage therapy Amy has also taught yoga and movement in various contexts and volumes, from teaching multiple studio classes a week, to designing more detailed movement workshops, and leading yoga teacher training. To date, Amy has certified seven groups of 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teachers, and prides herself on her ability to teach the layman practical and functional anatomy.
To say the very least, Amy believes in the body, in change and overcoming, and in doing things the hard way.
Christie Dennison has recently added massage therapy to a lifetime of personal growth and professional development achievements. Ever curious about the body’s ability to inspire through movement, emotion, and strength, Christie is now qualified to help the body heal, restore balance and be well.
Christie completed a 2200-hour diploma program at the Atlantic College of Therapeutic Massage (ACTM) in 2024. In addition to a solid grounding in the scientific and practical study of the body and its treatment through massage therapy, Christie has received specialized training in cranio-sacral therapy, myofascial release, pre- and post-partum care, lymphatic drainage and hydrotherapy. She has also completed research and a case study on the use of massage therapy and breathwork for helping clients who have experienced trauma.
Christie is recognized for her calm, warm presence, and her consistent, dependable client care. She has demonstrated how massage therapy can be used as a distinct and complementary approach to help clients achieve a sense of safety, control, relaxation, and improved physical awareness.
While most of her professional career has been focused on gender and the development of public policy, Christie has also maintained an interest in body work, first training as a ballet dancer and then helping to build and teach an adult ballet program at Dance Fredericton Danse Inc. In the interim are the many years she spent working in developing countries, where she cultivated a strong sense of equality, diversity, humanism, and multiculturalism, as well as an ability to build trusting relationships with colleagues and clients of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Christie works to provide a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment to treat clients regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or age. If you are looking for an independent, professional collaborator to help you on your journey to wellness (however you define it), then you have found the right massage therapist to accompany and encourage you.
Je suis fière de pouvoir vous offrir un service en français. Sería un placer atenderle en español.
Christie Dennison, RMT, MA Conflict Resolution