Samantha Goldberg Blackthorn
Samantha is a musician, massage therapist, Iyengar yoga teacher, anatomy teacher, tarotlogist, mystic and herbalist. She founded Ace of Cups as a dream to build a center to serve her east Austin community which she moved in 2001 to raise her two daughters. She has a degree from CSU in biological science with an emphasis on anatomy and physiology as well as extensive studies in botanical sciences.
She has been in practice as a massage therapist since 2003 with over 2000 hours of training and a focus on pain management, myofascial trigger point release, structural integration, profession specific and sports massage. Samantha has extensive experience working with acute injury and chronic pain. She works in clinics, massage schools, wellness center and onsite in high intensity locations such as large art installations and on job sites. She teaches anatomy, kinesiology, and massage technique at massage schools and clinics in the states and abroad.
Samantha studied botany and edible, medicinal and psychedelic plant science from Dr. William A Weber in her undergranduate studies. She moved to New Mexico and studied with Dr. Tieronna Lowdog and worked making herbal formulas with Bert Norgorden. She also provides private Iyengar yoga sessions, herbal consultations, tarot card readings, classes in mystic arts, meditation, herbal and mystic classes.
Kirsche D.
Kirsche has been in practice as a massage therapist in Austin since 2009. Kirsche first encountered bodywork as a form of somatic healing and a potent consciousness raising practice in the late '90’s in the context of dance studies. She is an intuitive and experienced therapist who brings extensive knowledge of the anatomy of body and movement to each of her sessions. She is a graduate of Body Intelligence program in Biodynamic Cranialsacral Therapy and received her Ashiatsu and Fasci Ashi training from Jeni Spring in San Antonio, TX. She is currently a trainee in the Feldenkrais Method. Kirsche is the creator and director of Waterloo Juju, a social entertainment company that helps clients research, design and embody intentional, interactive movement scores for every and any social occasion. She holds a PhD in Dance History and Theory from the University of California, Riverside.
Katie R.
Katie comes to us from the world of sports and kinesiology. Her passion is all things to do with the optimal performance of the body. She completed her bachelors in kinesiology at Cal State Northridge while playing soccer on the universities team. She attended massage school at National Holistic Institute where she learned advanced modalities. She started her career working as the massage therapist for UCLA football team, a very reputable chiropractor, as well as at a holistic physical therapy clinic, and has gained knowledge in those settings for therapeutic massage. Deep tissue, sports massage, pain management, myofascial release, clinical and structural/postural correction are some of her specialties that can aid in performance and everyday life! Katie has a detailed approach and is able to apply advanced techniques and create the perfect session for your individual needs. Katie is also available for personal training and stretching sessions.
Tooki P.
Tooki comes from Thailand. As a child in Thailand she learned traditional Thai Massage. She enjoyed helping her family members feel better by providing Thai massage on a daily basis to relieve fatigue and pain. Thai massage or Thai yoga massage is a traditional therapy combining acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and assisted yoga postures. She offers it at Ace of cups on the mat and the table. Eventually she decided to move to the United States where she studied formal table massage training at Lauderstein Conway to be able to practice in this country. Tooki is passionate about helping clients to achieve their wellness goals. She provides the best-in-class client experience, with treatment that cares for body, mind and and spirit. Tooki believes that good massage therapist must have a love of service and and devotion to reaching their clients needs and she excels in this area. Tooki is great with deep tissue, traditional Thai massage, table Thai, and can also provide an incredibly relaxing session when the client prefers that.
Tooki looks forward to helping you achieve a better state of wellness!
Michelle G.
Michelle took up the healing art of massage out of a passion to help people feel better. She graduated from Lauterstein Conway school of massage. Immediately after she took advanced training in cupping therapy. Michelle bases her sessions on the specific needs of the clients using a rhythmic flow to help relax the client and muscles. Michelle excels in intuitively listening,and coming up with a treatment plan to accomplish the best massage for the individual. Michelle uses many modalities. Cups to relieve tension and to promote blood flow, deep tissue/Ashiatsu to push metabolic waste out of inflamed areas, Swedish to promote blood flow and relaxation, and she designs the session for your optimal well-being. MIchelle is a compassionate therapist that is not afraid to get deep into your tensions, find the spots and release them. Michelle's biggest passion is Ashiatsu, barefoot massage. She has advanced training in this modality and excels in this technique. Michelle believes that with Ashiastsu she can get deeper and help the client experience an even deeper relief. She believes the results are longer lasting and a profound effect on any size client.
Kira S.
Since natural healing has been my lifelong passion, I decided to become a massage therapist. I attended Body Mechanics School of Myotherapy and Massage to learn techniques designed for healing injuries. I specialize in injury treatment and sports massage. I am certified in deep tissue, myofascial release, prenatal, lymph drainage, lomi lomi, Swedish, trigger point and more. In my personal experience as a massage therapist, I practice listening and focusing on my clients’ needs in order to really resolve what the client is struggling with and restore balance.
Drea M.
Austin native Drea Marz has been working in the healing arts since 2009. She graduated from San Francisco’s National Holistic Institute, where she studied Swedish, deep tissue, sports, shiatsu, Thai, polarity therapy, myofascial and trigger-point release techniques. She received her yoga certification from Austin’s Dharma Yoga and continued to do their advanced training the following year. Drea spent 3 years at the Austin State Hospital giving “peer support” to those navigating the mental health system. During her time there, she implemented and held weekly meditation groups on each of the service areas and she facilitated other embodiment-focused groups. Drea has held weekly contact improvisation jams and taught classes and workshops in and around Austin.
In 2017, she graduated from The Body Intelligence bio dynamic craniosacral program. Since then, she has been making regular pilgrimages to Peru to practice bodywork and to be inspired by the natural medicines and ancient healing art forms of the Amazonian and Andean cultures. She is recently back from Urubamba, Peru, where she learned “Dynamic Dancing Thai Massage” with Pablo Guerrero. Drea truly believes in the body’s wisdom and its innate ability to heal itself. In her sessions, she deeply listens for where the client is at, meeting the body with steady nurturing attention and touch that supports the system in releasing tension, restoring vitality and promoting relaxation.
Jennifer S.
Jennifer is an intuitive therapist who draws from both eastern and western modalities, customizing your session to release stress and guide the body, mind, and heart towards peace and well-being. Jennifer employs Poly-vagal informed manual therapy techniques to encourage the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to relax into a state of social engagement and release stuck patterns of fight/flight/freeze. She specializes in shiatsu, deep tissue, pain management, prenatal, and relaxation therapies with the intent of optimizing physical and emotional health by balancing and unblocking energy flow.
Jennifer attended massage school at The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School and Clinic, and continues to study Thai/Zen Shiatsu, acupressure, anatomy, breath-work, and the mind-body connection. In her free time, Jennifer can be found riding her bike, doing yoga, gardening, beekeeping, and working with healing plants.
Amber V.
Amber is a Licensed Massage and Certified Vibrational Sound Therapist with her top goal in helping her clients feel better in their journey with self care.
From her musician heart’s perspective, the Vibrational Sound Therapy can broaden the benefiting effects of the session, where she plays a series of bronze bowls on body with deeply relaxing tones.
Her fascination of the human body helps to build individualized sessions for her clients.
She has experience with different modalities ranging from Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal and postnatal massage, and has interest in energetic and botanical remedies.
With guided intention on breath, she hopes to nurture the ability to unravel and smooth ourselves from the kinks that life can bring. Taking care with each client to offer a unique and relaxing experience
Kat F.
Kat is a talented massage therapist with an integrative and holistic approach to wellness and body work. She is yoga teacher with a background in dance, athletics, nursing, and mental health. Kat holds a Bachelors degree in neuroscience and an degree in nursing. Kat is grateful for the broad education and experience that has given her a holistic understanding of the body and wellness. This led her to massage.
Since becoming a massage therapist, Kat has been fortunate to continue their education by studying deep tissue, trigger point, ashiatsu, Thai massage, Lomi Lomi, and cupping. She prefers an integrative and holistic approach to wellness and body work. Their background in dance lends an organic, flowing sensation to their massages. Their background in psychological health and nursing sciences ensures a positive, grounded, and trauma-sensitive therapy session. Kat is available for various modalities of massage as well as private yoga sessions.
Annamarie L.
Annemarie Liberati is an amazing massage therapist trained in many advanced modalities. She was first introduced to the world of massage while taking classes on a trip to India. Upon her return, she immediately enrolled in the Lauterstein-Conway massage school here in Austin and graduated in 2012. She has since expanded her knowledge of the healing world to include craniosacral, cupping and reiki. Annamarie is also a metalsmith and jewelry designer and can be found at pop up markets around town selling her wares. Having a natural love and affinity to service, she excels at creating the perfect session just for you.
Corbin P.
Corbin is a practitioner hailing from Houston, TX and has been serving the public as an LMT for 3 years. He has a knack for kneading your knots in a way that will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed and ready to face the day! He specializes in Relaxation, Swedish, and deep tissue techniques. Corbin has advanced training in cupping therapy, manual lymphatic drainage massage and Reiki. He is excited and grateful to share his gifts and abilities with his fellow humans in the Austin area. On his free time you can find him at the gym or at home making art.
Laura S
Laura Sanders, is an empathic intuitive, massage therapist, author and meditation teacher. She combines her fifteen years of experience as a massage therapist with her intuitive abilities to create unique healing experiences. During the session, Laura will receive visions and messages for you, much like symbolism from a vivid dream. As you interpret this information together, your physical and energetic body are open to receive the deepest healing and release trauma. Laura may also work directly with yourchakra system to remove any blockages or stagnation. This can bring profound shifts in pain management and nervous system.
Gord S.
Gord has been accumulating the skills necessary to be an effective body worker for much of their life. With over a decade of experience in mindfulness practice, grounding, and compassionate presence, Gord offers a heart-centered approach to lasting health and healing. He strongly believes in order to effectively heal, one must feel safe and supported. To accomplish this end, Gordon emphasizes a pacing and quality of touch that brings clients into the comfort and resilience of their own body. Employing techniques inspired by Thai massage, Reiki, cupping, deep tissue massage, and other energy work, gord will invite you in your entirety to connect to the innate harmony and healing potential within. Gord is amazing at full body massage, energy work and floor/mat work.
Joshua B.
Josh's healing path began when he was around 2 years old and saw into the realm of spirits directly. His younger years were devoted to art and music, but in his mid twenties, after going through several healing crises' he started to focus on his own healing. He has since studied in the spiritual arts for more than 20 years starting with Qi Gong, Taoist Nei Gong and Hatha Yoga. He went onto study various forms of Yoga, Capoeira, Afro Caribbean Dance, West African Djembe, Ancestral Healing, Ritual, Tantra and traditional plant medicine practices of the Amazon. His main teachers are Master Yun Xiang Tseng (Tai Ji, Qi gong, Yi Jing, External Qi Healing, Daoist Nei Gong), Dagara Elder Malidoma Some (Ritual, Ancestral Healing, Divination) who passed into the ancestral realm a few years ago, Christina Sell (Hatha Yoga ) and Dharma Mittra (Raja/Hatha Yoga), among many others.
Alisha P.
I absolutely love what I do, and can't see myself feeling anything else. Being a highly intuitive empath, I'm trauma conscious. Part of what I'm passionate about is creating a space for people to receive safe healing touch modalities. To use their voice in session, and feel confident in their massage therapist.
I focus on the skeletal structure to tell me the story of what's going on that causes the aches, pains and tightness in the body. The human body is also walking time capsule of emotions and memories, it isn't always a structural situation. My favorite modalities to use are active release therapy, orthopedic, and sports. But every massage is different, and that does require a light touch swedish sometimes with compression. I can change and adjust with every client. If I can offer even just a tiny bit of relief, and allow my client to experience a better life in their own body. Then I'm doing my job, and that's all that matters.
Zoe E.
Since she was born totally blind, Zoe's reliance on and mastery of her tactile senses has developed into an experienced sense of touch and energy awareness that helps to make her massage therapy and energy work so palpably potent. As a proudly queer trans woman, Zoe also deeply understands how profoundly impactful it can be to feel affirmed, validated, and connected with one's own body, mind, and truest sense of self. Thus, Zoe joined Ace of Cups to fulfill her dream of serving the queer and pagan communities of her hometown by using her uniquely fluent sense of touch, her trauma-informed approach to therapy, and her connection to the metaphysical and esoteric to help in cultivating a safe place for not only physical healing, but mental and spiritual wellness, too. With her background in the spiritual practices of Asatru, Zoe practices runic magics, while her approach to energy work also draws on her education in Chinese traditional medicine and mysticism, with arts like Medicinal Qi Gong being as much a part of her practice as are her Elder Futhark runes. In Zoe's spare time, she is a singer and guitarist, as well as an author of fantasy novels and romance short stories. She loves to spend her time playing music, at the park feeding geese, or at home with a good Wuxia novel and a cup of chrysanthemum tea. Book an appointment with Zoe to feel the benefits of her one-of-a-kind relaxing, balancing, and restorative massage and body work; and remember: if you want to feel glowy, just call Zoe.
Noe
Noe Cortes, a dedicated massage therapist, embarked on his journey in November 2022 before graduating from his training at the Lauterstein Conway School of Massage. His passion for massage was profoundly influenced by the school's founder and the "Deep Method," a therapeutic approach that prioritizes the relaxation of muscles from within. Noe employs his expertise with a gentle, attentive touch and a keen focus on muscle fulcrums to deliver enhanced therapeutic relief.
Understanding the significance of conscious breathing in releasing tension, Noe collaborates closely with his clients to achieve their unique wellness goals. His specialization lies in deep tissue massage and myofascial release techniques, enabling him to address a wide range of physical concerns effectively.
Noe firmly believes in the subtle and deep-seated connection between mind and body. He actively explores diverse modalities and philosophies to expand his knowledge and skill set, while fostering a sense of community and encouraging open discourse in such fields as sociology, psychology, spirituality and metaphysics.