Holistic Instructors

Name: Pauline

Why did you become a Massage Therapist? After my own healing journey from a Cancer diagnosis at the young age of 27 I knew I wanted more than what my corporate fashion career was offering me spiritually. First it was an open door to discovering my own self then quickly became a gift to facilitate healing in service to others.

Why do you teach? I was blessed to serve as an Integrated Health Practitioner for the nation’s largest Integrative Health program that was embedded in the Hospital system in Minneapolis, this led me to want to share professional and personal experiences to advance Holistic Medicine and the profession of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. I love seeing students become self healers and discovering their healing gifts.

What modalities do you consider your massage “Specialty” ? The modality I have spent a vast time studying and applying is Lymphatic Massage. I found that in Western Medicine the Lymphatic System as a whole health approach that compliments the body’s energy and nervous system was not addressed yet its role in homeostasis is undeniable. I am also a Flower Essence Practitioner, having studied this vibrational medicine and being the first to apply it in an Integrative Pediatric Clinic.

What are your hobbies? I have a passion for street style fashion photography, taking in hikes or dog beach in OB with my dog, spending any time in nature especially near the ocean, art, music and travel.

Tell us something fun about yourself: I was a resident Artist at the Schmidt Artist Lofts in Saint Paul Minnesota, exciting as it is the first of its kind, a shared artist work and live space in the Historic Schmidt Brewery on the Mississippi River. I also backpacked 5 countries and 15 cities in Central Europe, lots of pics and yummy eats.

Slava Kolpakov, LMT, is originally from Krasnoyarsk, a city in Siberia, Russia. He is a yoga philosophy teacher, author, Thai Massage teacher and Neuro-Musculoskeletal bodyworker.

Slava grew up in the Soviet Union with yoga-practicing parents, and has been teaching yoga and meditation since 2002, completing several Integral Yoga certifications, and 750-hour Structural Yoga Therapy training in 2005.

His method of bodywork is drawn from the traditions of Thai Massage, Tui Na, Russian manual therapy, and Neuromuscular Therapy.

Slava has studied and practiced Thai Massage in the United States and Thailand since 2006. He received his LMT training in 2006 in San Diego at the International Professional School of Bodywork with the specialties in Traditional Thai Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Traditional Chinese Massage (Tui Na). 

In Thailand, Slava had studied at multiple massage schools, and privately with several renowned Thai Massage teachers in 2006. He had combined multiple styles to create his own method, developing “Surya Thai Massage” and “Thai Neuromuscular Therapy” to address specific needs and health concerns of clients and to ensure safe and comfortable body mechanics for therapists.

From 2007 to 2018, Slava owned and operated East West Massage Center in Boston, MA, a massage clinic with 20 massage therapists and two locations. He and his sports massage teams have worked with elite and Olympic athletes around New England, as well as Harvard, Yale, and Columbia Universities’ sports teams. Slava’s experience lies in combining clinical work, such as NMT, within traditional Thai Massage and Tui Na, and in helping people prevent and treat injuries. 

Slava is fascinated by the power of stories that contain wisdom and new perspectives. He loves sharing his knowledge in massage and yoga trainings, and has been teaching Thai Massage since 2010. He provides detailed anatomical explanation, kinesiology and pathology, and personal hands-on experience in all of his massage trainings.

In 2017, Slava wrote Threads of Light (available on Amazon), a book of yoga stories and practices, born out of the stories he had shared in his yoga classes and trainings. 

Rosemary began her holistic career in 1998. After attending schools for Massage Therapy and working in the field for several years, she found her passion for the mind-body connection and energy healing by becoming a Reiki Master Teacher and Certified Hypnotherapist. Shortly after moving to San Diego in 2002, Rosemary enrolled in the School of Healing Arts, where she completed her Holistic Health Practitioner Certification leading her to start her own business, San Diego Healing Touch, with the mission of teaching others to awaken the healer within. She focused her efforts on facilitating groups and teaching classes to individuals to provide a service of self-empowerment. In 2013, Rosemary became an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Gentle Somatic Yoga Practitioner. To this day, Rosemary continues to remain dedicated to inspiring the path of holistic health practices as an educator and practitioner.

Paul Wellin is an Integrative Therapist and Bodywork teacher with twenty-four years of experience. He has taught two classes of Fundamentals at ICOHS, plus Energy Modalities.

His Yoga Therapy Treatment blends somatic coaching, massage, yoga stretching, alignment, and chakra balancing treatments. This treatment has helped many people with overcome chronic pain, substance & emotional addictions, functional symptoms, major stress, clinical depression, plus career and relationship stressors. Paul demonstrates a superior ability to read his client’s body pain and emotional issues.

Paul earned his Master of Arts Degree at Alliant University (San Diego). He was a Professor of Psychology and Communications at Argosy University, San Diego (2010-2016). He has been a State-Licensed Massage Therapist since 2002, studying at two Bodywork Schools in California. He earned Ch’i Gong Certifications from two oriental systems, and he studied Yoga Teacher Training and Yoga Therapy in the 1990’s. He has provided patients and students with over 6,000 hours of blended treatments,

Paul has provided Treatments, Training, and Education to local organizations and clinics, including: The American Red Cross (Santa Barbara), UCSD’s Healthy Heart Expo, Alliant University, Argosy University, The International Conference on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT, San Diego), The Fibromyalgia Support Group, the Yoga Education Society (San Diego), and the Holistic Practitioners Assn. (Santa Barbara).

Nikki Nader Joined ICOHS College in 2019 and she taught Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Pathology classes. Nikki holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Doctorate degree in Chiropractic from Parker University of Dallas, TX.

Nikki was a Senior Facilitator/Lecturer/Counselor at Optimum Health Institute of San Diego and before that, science faculty member at Mueller College. Nikki got in to Holistic Health field because the practicality and productivity of Holistic Health always fascinate her and the fact that people can pivot their lives and health journey in a more positive way because of it.

In her free time, Nikki enjoys tennis, yoga, swimming, reading, and painting. She also absolutely loves to spend time with her 11-year-old daughter.

Louie joined ICOHS College in 2019 and taught Anatomy, Body Systems, Kinesiology, Deep Tissue Massage, Western Massage Modalities classes. He currently has his own private massage practice (Bodywork by Louie, located in Mission Valley). He also taught for 5 years at Mueller College as a massage instructor (2011-2016)

Louie graduated with my Holistic Health Practitioner in Integrated Bodywork (HHP) certificate from Mueller College in 2008 with a 4.0 GPA. He is a California Massage Therapy Council Certified Massage Therapist (CMT#55148), Owner of Bodywork by Louie, a private massage therapy practice (2008-present)

Louie worked in the food service industry for 13 years and realized a couple of things: I wasn’t getting any younger, I could perform a massage and still accomplish my one motive in life: to help others become better. He’s always wanted to be a teacher, ever since elementary school. He just loves being there for that moment when the “Lightbulb of Understanding” turns on behind a student’s eyes!

Louie enjoys living in San Diego so much because of its fantastic Weather! (Or lack thereof LOL) He was born in Washington, DC and lived on that side of the country for almost 30 years. He said NOTHING beats San Diego for year-round weather happiness.

Louie loves reading in his free time; Science-fiction/fantasy, comedy, self-improvement, they’re all great! And every now and then, he reads at least one romance novel. (#guiltypleasure)

Linda Ealy is a Certified Massage Therapist, specialized in Prenatal Massage, and Geriatric Massage. She is also our Clinic Supervisor at the college. Linda has 15 years of experience in the field of massage therapy, and has worked as a Director of a Bodywork program, at another local college.

She has been an instructor here at ICoHS for 3 years, and has been teaching Special Populations for over 10 years!

She has a 10 year relationship with the San Diego Center for the Blind, AIM (Amputees in Motion), and the Senior community, creating opportunities for the class to work , hands on, with Special Populations.

Julie Pitois is the president of PRO TO COL Sport Systems, Inc. Prior to opening PRO TO COL she owned her sole practice as an Orthopedic Manual Therapist since 1998 where she provided sports and rehabilitation therapy for San Diego County. Julie’s interest in supporting professional athletes stemmed from her early career as an elite level collegiate volleyball player at UCSB.  She also played volleyball professionally in Spain.
Julie is a Certified Orthopedic Manual Integrative Therapist, Teachers Assistant for James Waslaski, Certified British Sports Therapist, Certified in Active Isolated Stretch, trained in Medical Massage, Functional Movement Systems, Level 2 SFMA Certified, Sports Massage Certified, Cupping, and Rocktape Certified.
Julie’s interest in supporting professional athletes stemmed from her early career as an elite level collegiate volleyball player at UCSB.  She also played volleyball professionally in Spain.  Previous and current clientele include the NFL, Ironman Triathletes, MLB, PGA, LPGA, Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA amateur and professional athletes, and she also worked with UC Berkeley athletic training room with the baseball, tennis and track and field teams. She most recently has worked with the San Diego Fleet professional football team.
Julie started Pro to Col Sport Systems, Inc. in the Spring of 2016. Pro To Col Sport Systems is a well-rounded expert team of Orthopedic Manual Therapists, Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, Sports Performance Coaches, Sports Medicine Doctors & Chiropractors and Acupuncturists all working together. Clients go through a “protocol” created for them to ease pain & eradicate injury through proper movement & treatment. Julie is creating a shift in the industry in care through teamwork and collaboration to help people be the best they can be using the different disciplines at Pro To Col Sport Systems.

Brent Haney is a San Diego native who enjoys surfing and living an active outdoor lifestyle with his wife and daughter. He is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Massage Therapist, Kinesiology Taping Practitioner, and author who specializes in Anatomy and Physiology, Kinesiology, Orthopedic work, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Athletic Massage. He has over 12 years of teaching experience including being awarded Teacher of the Year and has been featured in Massage Magazine.