Christina Abbott: Director
Neuromuscular Therapy Specialist, Energy Healing Practitioner, Stretching Practitioner
Education & Certifications: BFA Degree, Certification in Neuromuscular Therapy, Graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, completed 17 post-graduate courses in the sciences, psychology and theology.

Licensed in Massachusetts

Continuing Education: Active Isolated Stretching, Lymph Drainage Therapy, Cadaver dissection (2), Energy Medicine (2), Pain Perception and Management, Low Back and Pelvic Pain, Neck Head and Facial Pain, Foot and Ankle Pathologies, Harvard Alternative Medicine Symposium, Harvard/Spaulding Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Rehabilitation Symposium.

Experience: 22 years (started 6/89)

Professional Membership: Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP)

Licensed in Massachusetts

MELISSA HOCH: Pilates Instructor, Classical Pilates method.

Vivacious and naturally charming, Melissa also brings a lot of knowledge and eleven years of solid experience to our center. Recently having moved here from Virginia with her fiance, she is excited to find a place to practice what she loves to do, that is to identify the imbalances in her clients' bodies and instruct them through exercises to correct them. She enjoys working with all levels of students from beginners to advanced as well as those with physical challenges.

Melissa is trained in a variety of exercise forms from Yoga to Gyrotonics and strongly believes in cross training. She continues to learn in courses that expand her knowledge and effectiveness and is motivated by finding new ways of working with all clients to improve how comfortable they are in their active life and how they look and feel in their bodies.

INTRODUCING ERIN JOYCE: Pilates Mat Class Instructor, Stott Method

Erin came to us this autumn to teach our Piilates Stretch Class on Mondays and our Mixed Level Pilates Class on Saturday. We are enthusiastic about her teaching style. With a degree in dance and about four years teaching Pilates, she has a wonderful way of creating a pleasing flow of movement with a good balance of easy and challenging exercises. Her Monday class includes a lot of stretching to start the week off gently. Saturday is fun and varied. Her personality is sweet and her teaching is encouraging and supportive of those with physical issues, offering modifications where helpful while providing a good and balanced series of Pilates exercises. Her classes are age-appropriate and fun, leaviing you feeling as if you had a good workout and a good time!

Lisa Carusone: Pilates Instructor

We are very proud to have introduced Lisa Carusone a year ago this past summer and are excited that she is continuing with us this year!

Lisa is classically trained and certified on the advanced level (600 hours) by Power Pilates, an industry leader and international provider of educational programs honoring the Method of Joseph Pilates.
She continues learning from internationally recognized instructors including students of Pilates himself and works weekly on the advanced/super-advanced level with her own instructor.

Lisa's students describe her as an enthusiastic and encouraging instructor, concentrating on correct position and precise, flowing movement. She teaches all ages and fitness levels on the mat and equipment from beginners to advanced students and takes special interest in progressing her students forward. Her specialty is Pilates for equestrians!

On a personal level, she and her husband are dressage riders and live in Weston with their dog Bit and cat Anabel. Lisa holds a Master's Degree in public communication, did graduate work in Japan, and spent 15 years in the corporate world prior to launching her Pilates career. We are excited to have her with us at The Abbott Center!

Annie Schwab: Neuromuscular Therapist, Massage Therapist, Pregnancy Massage Specialist

Education and Certifications: BS degree in Family and Community Services,

Certified in Massage Therapy from The Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge,

Certified in Neuromuscular Therapy

Licensed in Massachusetts

Continuing Education: Neuromuscular Therapy

Experience: 15 years in massage (started 9/96) and 10 years in NMT

Jennifer Lord: Massage Therapist, Esthetician
Education & Certifications: Certified in Massage from North Eastern Institute of Whole Health in Manchester NH, Massachusetts State Licensed Esthetician, Graduate of Catherine Hinds Institute, Certified Opthalmic Assistant with sub specialty in Surgical Assisting, CPR Certification, First Aid Certification, Reiki Certification I & II

Licensed in Massachusetts

Continuing Education: Neuromuscular Therapy I-IV, Active Isolated Stretching, Hot Stone Massage, Hydrotherapy Massage

Professional Membership: American Massage Therapy Association

Experience: 10 years as massage therapist (graduated 11/01), 9 years as esthetician (graduated 2/95), 18 years as opthalmic surgical assistant

Livia Fontes: Massage Therapist

Education and Certifications: BA degrees in Education and History,

Certified in Massage Therapy from Palmer Institute of Massage 2002

National Certification for Therapeutic Massage

Licensed in Massachusetts

Continuing Education: Prenatal Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Hydrotherapy Massage

Neuromuscular Therapy

Livia is also available to do therapeutic massage in your home.

Professional Membership: Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP)

Experience:9 years in massage