Katie Johns

How long have you been a licensed massage therapist?

I have been licensed and practicing since 2012.

How many hours of training do you have?

I have approximately 750 hours of training.

Why did you choose massage therapy as your career?

I’ve always been interested in human anatomy and physiology, but I got seduced away from my planned biology major in college to study film (my other passion being storytelling). I was looking for something flexible to do while I tried to get started in film production, and wound up in massage school, where I fell in love. Massage and bodywork has all of the things I love about studying science in addition to the satisfaction of working with my hands and the rewards of helping people heal. I got my license, started working full time as a therapist, and never looked back.

Where did you go to school for massage?

I attended the Lauterstein-Conway Massage School for my basic training and most of my advanced training.

How do you describe your massage/work to others?

Naturally my techniques change depending on what my client wants, needs and enjoys, but I tend to be precise and detail-oriented, problem-solving, responsive, and compassionate in my work.

What are some examples of Continuing Education you are interested in and why?

The list gets longer pretty much every time I run into something new, but the top three currently are trigger point therapy, Zero Balancing, and shiatsu. I have some experience with trigger point work from my orthopedic massage training and I use it frequently enough that I want more formal training. I’ve done the core training for Zero Balancing and want to get certified, since its approach of working with the skeletal system is a great complement to structural deep tissue work and postural issues.

How has receiving massage affected you personally?

In addition to helping with the postural problems I had from being a lifelong bookworm, computer nerd, and film watcher, I appreciate the way massage has given me more body awareness, so I can notice and adjust when something’s wrong. That awareness isn’t just muscular, either — I’ve found it applies to issues like anxiety or depression as well.

What do you do to stay healthy?

I enjoy yoga and run regularly, in addition to biking to work. I also love swing dancing. And, of course, I get regular massage!

What do you like about working at Myo Massage?

The people! Our clients are an interesting mix of Austinites from all walks of life, our therapists are experienced and versatile, the support staff is friendly and funny, and Myo’s owners are therapists themselves, which makes them great at understanding the needs of both the staff and the customers, and creating a great environment for everyone.