Kelly (Kirati) teaches Ayurvedic massage at several ASIS campuses and is also an ASIS graduate. She holds advanced certification in Hatha Yoga at Sivananda Vedanta and a Master Teacher certification from the Wise Earth School of Ayurveda. She has also studied massage and yoga extensively throughout India.
How long have you been practicing massage therapy?
Since 1990.
What is your favorite modality to teach?
Ayurveda. . .and Yoga Therapy.
What would you tell someone who is considering massage therapy school?
Do it! On a personal level, it is a life transforming experience and you may just end up with a wonderful career.
What is one thing you wish you had known before you became a massage therapist?
That your number one priority is to take care of yourself. To manage your time and energy well and to always continue to nourish yourself so that you are truly able to give to others.
Name one person who has had an impact on your life and explain why:
My mom, because she never once questioned my crazy ideas or alternative way of doing things. She always encouraged me to dive into my love and my passion and to trust it, even when others were doubting me, telling me not to, or not understanding what I was doing.
What is your favorite thing about teaching at ASIS and why?
When something truly clicks for a student and I get to watch them transform and dive deeper into themselves and their own personal healing and journey.
Vacation…beach, woods, desert, or mountains?
All of the above—as long as it is primarily deserted.
Favorite meal?
Indian/Ayurvedic, of course.
Favorite quote?
“Simple ain’t easy” which is an old jazz expression.
Describe your most significant interaction with a client or student:
Years back a man came to me with extremely tight ITB on both legs. At the time I worked in a clinic with a chiropractor and this man was seeing us both. I did connective tissue work on him and especially on the ITB. Weeks and weeks went by and no matter how much work we did, nothing shifted. However, every time I worked on the ITB, he started to talk about his recent divorce. He would go into great detail about his divorce. . . but still could feel almost nothing in his legs and nothing would release. Weeks went by and I finally talked with him about our sessions. I encouraged him to notice how as soon as I put my hands on this part of his legs, he almost instantly began talking about his divorce and that maybe there were some deeper emotional components. Besides being a massage therapist, I am a yoga therapist, and I will often dialogue with clients and use reflective listening techniques to deepen their experience and awareness. . . for me it was a profound recognition of how deeply we store things in our bodies and the body’s amazing intelligence.
Find out more about Kelly on her website.