Tuition & Financial Aid

Cari Johnson Pelava, B.A., C.I. ABT, Dipl. ABT
President

Cari has spent the last 25 years pursuing the art of body-mind-spirit integration. From an early age, she studied dance and performed professionally until a back injury redirected her path. In 1983, she earned a degree in exercise and dance physiology and began her exploration of alternative healing methods. She received advanced certification in Shiatsu Anma from the Shiatsu Massage School of California and has been in private practice since 1984. During 1990, Cari lived and studied in Japan where she received in-depth training in Shiatsu, Anma, and Jikyo Jutsu. Toru Namikoshi, past president of Japan’s Shiatsu College in Tokyo, encouraged Cari to teach Shiatsu after returning to the States.

Cari founded the Minnesota Center for Shiatsu Study in 1992 and served as director until February 2001, when MCSS joined with NLSMT to become CenterPoint. She became Co-Director of CenterPoint with Jackson Petersburg. Cari is a Certified Instructor of Japanese Shiatsu and Shiatsu Anma with the American Organization of Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA) and a Diplomate of Asian Bodywork Therapy with the National Certifying Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She was instrumental in forming the official state chapter of the AOBTA in Minnesota.

Jackson Petersburg, B.S.E., NCTMB, AMTA
Vice President

Jackson is a co-founder of NLSMT and CenterPoint, and serves as Co-Director of CenterPoint. He has a B.S. in Education from the State University of New York, College at Cortland, with a special emphasis in outdoor education and therapeutic recreation. He graduated from the Boulder School of Massage Therapy in 1979. He also has additional training in NeuroMuscular Therapy and the Anatomiken system of anatomy. He served on the National Board of the AMTA as Central District representative and was the former chair of the AMTA Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Committee. Jackson has served two terms as president of the Minnesota Chapter of the AMTA. Since 1979, he has been in private practice as a massage therapist, specializing in anatomically precise, structural techniques used to treat soft tissue injuries.

Sunny Cooper, M.S., M.Ed., C.I. AOBTA, Dipl. ABT
Director of Education

Sunny earned a Master’s degree in education from Weber State University, as well as a Master’s from University of Michigan. She is a Certified Instructor for the AOBTA, and is a Diplomate in Asian Bodywork Therapy (NCCAOM). She has been a practitioner of Asian and Western bodywork styles since the 1980’s, after attending Blue Cliff School in Louisiana. She is also a continuing education provider for NCBTMB and NCCAOM. In addition to her administrative duties, she teaches CE courses and core program courses at CenterPoint.

Michael Casper, B.A., C.I. AOBTA, Dipl. ABT

Michael earned his B.A. in English literature from Swarthmore College in 1988 and then moved to Minneapolis to work as a professional dancer and choreographer. He completed his training in Shiatsu Anma from MCSS in 1997. Michael is currently the Student Clinic Manager and teaches TCM and Shiatsu courses.

Kyle Cleven, B.S.

Kyle earned his B.S. in Kinesiology and Coaching from the University of Minnesota in 2000. He has worked at the Human Anatomy Lab at the U. of M., and as an Assistant Track and Field Coach at the University of St. Thomas. He has  in CenterPoint's Western Science department since 2001.

Janine Deters, B.A., Cert. ABT, NCTMB

Janine graduated from Augsburg College with a B.A. in Communications. She graduated from CenterPoint in 2003 and practices both massage and shiatsu. She is a manager at a Twin Cities spa. Her husband, a marathoner, got her interested in working with runners and she has since provided bodywork at several races as well as coordinating the Twin Cities Marathon Massage Tent in 2004. She teaches Communication & Ethics in the core programs and is a clinic supervisor. Janine enjoys travel and spending time with her family at their cabin on the river. 

Dawn Dougherty, B.A., RYT, NCTMB

Dawn Dougherty is a massage therapist, yoga instructor, and meditation teacher. She received her massage training at CenterPoint and her yoga training through the Yoga Center of Minneapolis. Since 1995 Dawn has been a trainer, educator, and researcher working to end domestic violence and sexual assault. She currently works part time as a bodyworker and part time as the National Project Director at WATCH, a court monitoring and research organization. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Dawn moved to Minneapolis in 2004 after 10 years in Boston. Dawn teaches yoga & Discovering the Healer Within at CenterPoint. 

Eric Evaristo, NCTMB

Eric graduated from the New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also holds a degree in Asian Philosophy from Macalester College in St. Paul. Eric has taught yoga, reflexology, massage, meditation and other topics since 1998. Since 2005 he has been employed as a full-time massage & bodywork therapist at a chiropractic center, providing cranio-sacral therapy, medical massage, and other therapies. He also maintains a private practice in the Twin Cities area. Eric teaches Communication & Ethics and Craniosacral Techniques  at CenterPoint. 

Emily Evenson, NCTMB

Emily teaches Swedish Massage for CenterPoint, and before that with Northern Lights School of Massage Therapy for almost two decades. When asked why she teaches, she says that “Working with students makes me more balanced and a better therapist. It is a thrill to see them experience the new understandings as they move through the program.” Emily is a member of the International Massage Association and is nationally certified by the NCBTMB. She maintains a private practice in the Twin Cites area.

Michael Fitzgerald, B.A., Cert. ABT, NCTMB

Michael received his bachelor's degree in Communications from Metropolitan State University. He graduated from MCSS in 1998 for Shiatsu and Touch of Life Massage School in 1999 for Swedish Massage, and became an RMT (Registered Massage Therapist) and MTI (Massage Therapist Instructor) in Texas. He managed three locations for a spa and practiced both styles of bodywork. He was an Area Sales Manager for the General Electric Company. He enjoys continuing his education in bodywork and has been part of CenterPoint’s administrative staff since 2002. Michael teaches Swedish Massage, Hydrotherapy and supervises in student clinic. 

Peggy Hinz, B.A., Cert. ABT, NCTMB

Peggy earned a B.A. degree in Sociology from St. Cloud State University and brings over 25 years experience as a business professional, primarily working with adult learning, to her work at CenterPoint. Peggy graduated from CenterPoint's Shiatsu Therapy Program in 2004 and recently completed her training in Therapeutic Massage. She is currently teaching Successful Business Development, Swedish Massage, and is a Student Clinic Supervisor. Peggy loves living in Minneapolis and takes advantage of the great walking paths along the river and the wonderful local theaters, art museums, jazz clubs and restaurants.

Bonita Kosciolek, Cert. ABT, Dipl.ABT, NCCAOM

Bonita graduated from the Minnesota Center for Shiatsu Study in 1998 and maintains a busy shiatsu practice, Stone Pointe Shiatsu, in Minneapolis. She teaches in the Shiatsu Department.

Dona McGlennen, RN, CNP, Cert. ABT, Dipl. Ac

Dona is a gerontological nurse practitioner and acupuncturist who is passionate about bodywork. She has extensive training in the healing arts and is certified in massage therapy, shiatsu therapy, CranioSacral therapy and is a reiki master.  Dona currently teaches TCM, Summary Session and is a supervisor in CenterPoint's Student Clinic.

Theresa May, LMT (Arizona), APP

Theresa has been practicing and teaching massage and bodywork techniques since 2001. She attended the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Scottsdale, Arizona where she became a teacher and administrator. Her areas of expertise include aromatherapy, reflexology, spa techniques, lymphatic drainage massage, prenatal massage, and therapeutic modalities. Using all of these techniques, she has created protocols for working with Parkinson's disease, stroke, cancer and for those at the end of life. She teaches Spa & Resort Techniques, Lymph Drainage Massage, and is a student clinic supervisor at CenterPoint. 

Attila Pegan, NCBTMB Approved Provider

Attila's massage studies began in 1999 when he participated in a seminar on manual therapy in his native country of Hungary. He completed a 770 hour massage training program, and worked at the Hungarian Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy. In 2002 Attila traveled to Thailand and completed all 6 levels of the International Thai Massage School in Chiang Mai. He returned to Thailand for further study in 2005, and in 2006 completed his teacher training. Attila is approved as a Continuing Education Provider by NCBTMB and maintains a busy clinical and teaching practice with his wife in Savage, Minnesota. He teaches Thai Massage at CenterPoint. 

Ed Pelava, B.S., M.B.A., AMTA

Ed graduated with a B.S. degree from the University of Minnesota and later received his M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas with a stint as a foreign exchange student in Tokyo, Japan, at Sophia University. He worked as an EMT for the University of Minnesota for four years and has taught First Aid & CPR for the Red Cross and American Heart Association since 1995. He became involved with CenterPoint years ago as a member of the first class of the Minnesota Center for Shiatsu Study. He teaches Business Development, First Aid and CPR at CenterPoint.

Lori Pottebaum, B.S., D.C.

Lori received her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University, and earned her B.S. degree in exercise science from the University of Arizona. She has completed Parts I, II, III, and the Physical Therapy section of the national chiropractic board exam, a 100 hour course in acupuncture (2001), and is a certified First Responder for emergencies and certified instructor for CPR & First Aid. Lori teaches western sciences, Personal and Professional Development courses, First Aid and CPR at CenterPoint.

Patricia Schuckert, B.A., M.P.S.

Patricia earned her masters degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in 1978 and has B.A. degrees in dance and dance therapy and biology. Pat has had extensive training in various approaches to therapeutic bodywork and energy work. Her teaching experience has been varied, from the College of St. Catherine's Holistic Therapies Program to Cook County jail in Chicago. Patricia maintains a private practice in both therapeutic bodywork and spiritual direction in Minneapolis. Pat teaches CE courses, First Aid and CPR at CenterPoint.

Paul Sevett, M.A., A.D.T.R., L.I.S.W.

Paul has maintained a private practice since 1990 as a psychotherapist using dance/movement therapy and as a bodyworker and energy healer. The approaches he works with utilize the natural wisdom of the body and its energy to promote the integration of body, mind, and heart. Paul has substantial experience with the issues surrounding ethics and boundaries for bodywork therapists. He teaches in the Personal and Professional Development Department at CenterPoint. He teaches in the Personal and Professional Development Department at CenterPoint.

Karen Townsend, Cert. ABT, NCTMB, Dipl. ABT

Karen graduated from CenterPoint in 2003. She has worked as a massage and shiatsu therapist in a variety of settings including private practice. She currently practices at an athletic club and spa in downtown Minneapolis. She has studied various forms of yoga, meditation, and Qigong, as well as Body-Mind Centering. Other interests include exercise, dance, music, and travel. She is committed to expanding her education and to educating others in the bodywork field. Karen teaches in CenterPoint's shiatsu program. 

Chandler Yorkhall, B.A., Cert. ABT, Dipl. ABT

Chandler received his B.A. in Biology from Oberlin College in 2000, and graduated from Centerpoint's Shiatsu Therapy Training Program in 2004. He began studying the martial arts in 1990, and eventually developed a broad interest in body and movement related studies, including therapeutic bodywork, Qigong, T'ai Chi, yoga, meditation, and dance. He loves singing, gardening, dancing, and going for long walks. He lives with his wife Kara in Minneapolis.  Chandler teaches Qi Gong, Shiatsu, and Discovering the Healer Within at CenterPoint.

Abbreviations:
In order to clarify the credentials of our faculty and staff the following list is provided:

B.A. Bachelor of Arts
B.A.S. Bachelor of Applied Science
B.F.A. Bachelor of Fine Arts
B.S. Bachelor of Science
B.S.E. Bachelor of Science in Education
M.A. Master of Arts
M.B.A. Master of Business Administration
M.Ed. Master in Education
M.F.A. Master of Fine Arts
M.P.S. Master of Pastoral Studies
M.S. Master of Science
M.S. Nursing Master of Science Nursing
M.S.E. Master of Science in Education
M.S.T.C.M. Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine
A.D.T.R. Academy of Dance Therapist (Registered)
APP  Applied Polarity Therapist
D.C. Doctor of Chiropractic
C.I. Certified Instructor
Cert. ABT Certified Membership Asian Bodywork Therapist, AOBTA
Dipl. ABT Diplomate Asian Bodywork Therapy, NCCAOM
Dipl. Ac. Diplomate Acupuncture, NCCAOM
Lic.Ac. Licensed Acupuncturist
LMT Licensed Massage Therapist
L.I.S.W. Licensed Social Worker
NCTMB Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, NCBTMB
NCTM Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage, NCBTMB
CNP Certified Nurse Practitioner
RN Registered Nurse
RYT Registered Yoga Teacher

Organizations/Associations
AMTA American Massage Therapy Association member
AOBTA American Organization of Bodywork Therapies of Asia member
MCSS Minnesota Center for Shiatsu Study
NCBTMB National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
NCCAOM National Certifying Commission of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
NLSMT Northern Lights School of Massage Therapy