Massage Therapist/Yoga Teacher

Monica is passionate about the holistic vision of life, Ayurvedic Science, and philosophy. She graduated as an Ayurvedic Practioner in Switzerland in 2012. The following year Monica studied at Deevaya Nature Cure Center in India deepening her skills in massage therapies and Ayurvedic nutrition. In the spring of 2014, she earned her operating license in Switzerland as a complementary therapist, subsequently becoming a highly regarded, certified teacher in both Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga in 2018 at Tiari in Genoa.

Monica is also quite well-known as both an aerial and in-flight yoga teacher; the latter of which uses an especially designed hammock to perform a variety of yoga poses. She joined the Present Moment Wellness family in 2021 and has been a delightful addition to our team, bringing her special brand of therapies, teaching, and Ayurvedic knowledge to our very satisfied and grateful clients.

Waiter

Manny was born in the neighboring town of Pantla and has worked with the Present Moment restaurant team since 2010, charming his customers with his great sense of humor, dancing skills, and overall positive vibe. Since the age of 12; while working side by side with his family, Manny has joyfully developed his passion for unforgettable service. A true family man and wonderful father of 4, Manny loves to dance and keep his customers satisfied.

Cathy has trained with world renowned trainers and therapists such as John F Barnes and Gil Hedley in the USA, Robert Schleip from Germany and Mel Cash who are all innovators in the fields of education and training. With over 25 years experience she offers a wealth of knowledge and is a passionate, patient and inspiring tutor who takes great care in nurturing future therapists and helping students to realise their full potential.

She first became interested in Massage and Natural Health whilst living in New Zealand and studied with a Naturopath where she qualified in Therapeutic Massage, Sports Therapy and Natural Medicine, gaining internationally recognized certificates in Anatomy, Physiology & Massage, Gym Instruction with Diet & Nutrition.

An early career at the famous Sanctuary Spa in London led to experience in dealing with a wide variety of clients, enabling Cathy to set up and run a successful private practise in Brighton. Over the past 29 years she has continued to study and learn new skills, deepening her knowledge and keeping ahead of changes happening within the industry, these include advanced techniques for Cranial Sacral Therapy, Deep Tissue Techniques, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy and through Advanced Anatomical Learning at St Andrews Medical School, a profound and unforgettable experience where the participants dissect whole human cadavers themselves to witness human anatomy at the deepest level.

She has been teaching in the UK and overseas for the past 12 years, in France, Greece, Italy, Spain and the Middle East running workshops, Yoga and Massage Retreats and promoting the benefits of Touch Therapy, Yoga , Meditation and  helping others to learn and pass on her knowledge to help therapists empower and inspire their own clients. We are truly delighted and privileged to have Cathy teaching the Myofascial Release course for us.

More recently she has been trained in Brainwave Entrainment Light Therapy offering a ‘Hypnogogic Experience’ where people enter into a deep state of trance in minutes using a special machine where light pulsed onto the Pineal Gland at different frequencies to create a Hypnotic effect as people enter into the Theta State for deep relaxation, to help with insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, for creativity  or just for a new experience!

Scott has been a massage therapist since 2010, primarily practicing Thai massage. Combining traditional techniques that he has studied in Thailand with his signature gentle and rhythmic touch, Scott has created a massage that is relaxing yet therapeutic. Every session is tailored to each individual’s needs, and he uses a holistic approach to ground and bring balance to the body.
Scott enjoys focusing on specific issues, as well as providing purely blissed-out relaxation, and has worked with a range of clients—from pregnant women to professional athletes. Scott is truly passionate about Thai massage and healing bodywork, which shows in every session he conducts.
In the spring of 2018, Scott completed his 200-hour yoga-teacher training at Yandara Yoga Institute in Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico, beginning a new adventure for him and his family. After 12 wonderful years in Portland, Oregon, Scott and his family decided to pack the car and head south to the beautiful and familiar destination of Troncones, Mexico, where he became part of the Present Moment Retreat family. Scott is thrilled to be practicing Thai massage and leading yoga classes at PMR.
Scott offers Thai massage sessions that range from 60 minutes to 3 hours in length and will be leading vinyasa flow and gentle (yin/restorative) yoga classes, as well as guided meditation and pranayama.
When Scott is not on his Thai massage or yoga mat, he’s enjoying time with his wife and two daughters or surfing.

Services offered by Scott:
Thai Massage 60/90/120/180 mins, Ashtanga Vinyasa & Vinyasa Flow 90 mins, Gentle Yoga 90mins, Private Yoga Class 60/90 mins

Rolando has joined us all the way from Valle de Bravo, Mexico where he spent over a decade in the boating industry. He is a passionate Photographer, Music DJ, Audio Producer and Piano Teacher. His incredible eye for photography developed from his work with dolphins in the Mexican Caribbean. 

He has been part of the Present Moment Retreat Team in the Restaurant and is now enjoying his time connecting with guests as our Front Desk Agent. Rolando offers Photo Shoots for Singles, Couples, & Families, as well as Group Retreat Packages. 

Words have always held a sort of magic for Brandi, and she loves people, so it feels natural for her to create connection via the written word. In her own words: “If my copy can convey a moment or evoke a feeling in the reader, then I’ve done my job.”

Brandi’s dream is to be a published author of young adult books. She gets her best ideas when biking through the mountains of North Carolina, and on hikes with her dogs, Harvey and Luna. She and her husband also share their home with four cats who alternate between bossing them around and cuddling close.

“Give me a good book, a glass of wine, and friends to laugh with, and I’m a happy woman.” ~Brandi Hand

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