.png)
Meet the Team
Becky West, LMT (left) and Leah Jirsa, LMT (right)
Becky West, LMT
Owner, Director of Education, Educator
License: MA00019888
Leah Jirsa, LMT
Assistant Director of Education, Social Media Queen
License: MA00009153
Becky
Becky West, LMT has a dream to recreate the inspirational massage schools that helped form her career as a Licensed Massage Therapist.
While there is no way to duplicate Brian Utting School of Massage or Brenneke, there is a way to capture the heart and soul of massage therapy training.
West by Northwest School of Massage (WNWSM) is focused on quality education, building solid foundations in new LMT's and encouraging growth for all bodyworkers.
Becky has primarily practiced injury treatment and spa work since 2004 and currently teaches full time.
​
Leah
Since 1996, Leah Jirsa has been practicing massage in WA state. She has extensive knowledge in treatment, spa and mobile massage and is a proud Brenneke Alumni.
Currently, she owns her own practice and has a loving, supportive family in Snohomish County.
Her passion for bodywork has led her to teaching. With uplifting support, active listening and kindness she will help students in the journey to become the best version of an L.M.T. they can be.
_edited.jpg)
Nickole Gonzales, LMT
NW Ayurveda
License: MA60002613
​
Nickole Thornton Gonzales is the founder of NW Ayurveda in Seattle, Washington. Nickole is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner for twenty-one years, Certified Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor, Ritual Facilitator.
She travels to various Yoga, Ayurvedic, and Massage centers across the United States, Mexico, and Bahamas providing Lectures, Workshops, Retreats, Consultations, and Panchakarma.
​
She teaches Champi Head Massage at WNWSM and in her private space.
Barrett Haugen has been an LMT since 2013 and is also a Certified Personal Trainer since 2016. Over the years he has worked in a wide variety of locations including Health Spas, Chiropractic Clinics, Sports Massage facilities and Sports Physical Therapy Clinics. Over the past 5 years he has dedicated his work towards sports and treatment massage to help athletes and your everyday mom or dad regain mobility, functionality and increase performance through specific applications of sports and treatment modalities. He is looking forward to meeting you all and sharing some of the tools and tricks he has discovered over the years of working as a LMT!
Barrett Haugen, LMT
Private Practice
License: MA60336316
Wendy Heiman, LMT
Private Practice
License: MA00008689
Wendy Heiman has been practicing massage therapy and energy-based bodywork since 1997. Soon after graduating from massage school, Wendy began her study of the Chakra system through a mentorship program. The deep dive into the Chakra system motivated Wendy to learn even more, and she became a Reiki Master in 2008. Wendy has a large appetite for learning and loves exploring new ideas and techniques. She brings this expanding knowledge and deep wisdom into each session with her clients. Wendy is eager to share these effective techniques and loves helping others gain access and understanding of energy and how to work with it in the body. In her free time Wendy loves being outside in nature, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Wendy teaches Introduction to Energy and Reiki workshops at WNWSM and in her private practice.
Hajera is a graduate from WNWSM Massage school and Soaring crane Massage and Acupuncture.
Her teaching style is influenced by yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as energetic & alternative modalities, Shamanic Clearing and Reiki.
She has been practicing Thai Bodywork for almost a decade.
Hajera teaches Introduction to Thai Massage and Yoga at WNWSM and in her private practice.
Her website is www.embodyshenyogabodywork.com.
Hajera Ahmed, LMT
Embody Shen Yoga Bodywork
License: MA61351011
Brandy Bilkovich, LMT
Knead to Work
Elements
License: WA MA00012256
Massage has been a part of Brandy's life since I she 6 weeks old. Her mother and pediatrician thankfully understood the benefits massage would have on her overall health. This early experience, combined with the desire to help others inspired her to get her massage license in 1999. She would say that her massage style is geared to treatment massage, whether that is treatment to quiet the mind and body or treatment to alleviate pain and dysfunction.
She has more than 20 years of experience as a Massage Instructor and has taught all subject matters, She's also been able to write Massage Curriculum for Massage Schools around the country.
Shannon has been a passionate Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Aromatherapist, and Massage Educator for almost 20 years. She has taught in massage schools as well as facilitated continuing education courses. Shannon’s goal is to create a space where ideas and experiences can be shared so that bodyworkers may learn from one another.
​
Shannon has had the opportunity to further her bodywork knowledge through courses in Neuromuscular Therapy, cupping, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine and bodywork, aromatherapy and plant studies, hot and cold stone therapies, Gua Sha, Reiki, Polarity Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, breast massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, and Prenatal/Postpartum massage to name a few. Shannon believes that listening to clients’ needs and creating a care plan allows clients to experience the most significant benefits from the therapist/client relationship.
Shannon Allen, LMT
Knead to Work
Elements
License: WA MA00016164
​
Nicola McGill, LLSA, LMT, NCTMB, CLT-LANA, has over 25 years of
experience in the field of massage and bodywork both in the U.S. and the
United Kingdom. She is a graduate of the London School of Aromatherapy
and received diplomas in Reflex Touch and Manual Lymphatic Drainage in
Professional Practice at Anglia Polytechnic University, U.K.
​
In her clinical practice, Nicola utilizes her bodywork skills as an aromatherapist, massage
therapist, and MLD practitioner to treat a wide range of medical conditions, both chronic and
acute, including conditions related to the respiratory, digestive, muscular-skeletal, nervous, and
reproductive systems. She also provides individual aromatherapy consultations for clients
requiring customized blends for skin care and general health-promoting practices.
Nicola McGill, LLSA, LMT, BCTMB, CLT-LANA
Klose Education and Private Practice
CO MT.0001808