This story began at the age of 4 when I stepped into the street and got wrapped up inside the wheel-well of a moving car.
Long story short, the diagnosis was a 'broken shoulder.'
(Over the years, I've realized that the unseen soft tissue trauma was much deeper and more profound.)
I had tried chiropractic and PT with no noticeable change or lasting improvement.
I had convinced myself that knives and medications would be available later if things worsened.
In 1977, I 'discovered' Lauren Berry's work.
I had been experiencing pain and numbness from my waist down, and it was getting worse. Up to this time, I had adapted and learned to live with the pain.
My friend and neighbor Chuck Latimer, a local ski coach and restauranteur, told me about a massage therapist, Doug Reader, that came to his house and gave a different type of massage for an hour...and it cost $12.
I tried a session, and when I got off the table, I knew things had changed for the better. I immediately felt less pain and wanted to learn more. I asked Doug how he had affected fast, dramatic change. Doug described the techniques as influenced by Swedish Medical Gymnastics and Structural Engineering principles*.
He told me if I was seriously interested, I should take his upcoming massage class.
I took all the classes he presented and assisted him in his house call sessions, which included carrying his table, and supplies. Doug later offered to sponsor me as a student with Lauren Berry RPT, his source, mentor, and teacher. To be able to study with Lauren, a new student needed a sponsor to take responsibility and guide them through the technique and learning process safely.
Not long after we agreed to this, Doug decided to move to Europe.
I was devastated.
Doug called Jean Lincoln in South Lake Tahoe, who had been practicing and working with Lauren since the '60s. She was wary of taking on the responsibility and wanted to meet me first.
Lucky for me, she decided I wasn't toooo much of a knucklehead and agreed.
I would travel to see Jean, Michelle, and Guy wherein we would practice, review, and if her clients allowed, I would observe her work, and later she opened up to my questions.
In later years as my skills grew, we would occasionally trade sessions.
One of my favorite things was her stories about working in Lauren's Sacramento office in the 1960s. THANK YOU, JEAN!!!
Jean passed away in 2008. Jean left a hard-to-fill space in so many hearts.
We miss you!
1975: Began studies in Del Mar, CA with the Honorable Dr. George Dillinger, MD.
His approach included visceral massage, anatomy, physiology, body energy management, herbology... and so much more.
For your continued guidance, inspiration, knowledge 'outside the box' and ability to sincerely listen... Mere words are inadequate to express what you continue to bring to our relationship and many people's lives worldwide.
Mere words seem inadequate, so suffice it to say…
THANK YOU, GEORGE!!!!!
George passed away several years ago, and there are people all over the world who miss you! BIGTIME!
