Please provide your full name, current location, and current job title.
My name is Claire Marie Miller. I reside in Chapel Hill, North Carolina as a licensed and Board Certified massage therapist, and educator.
Provide one fun fact about you.
I own a blueberry farm and make amazing Bluefairy Jam.
What are your hobbies?
I love to knit, do yoga, can jams and cross country skiing
How did you discover the massage therapy profession?
I was snowed in in Boulder Colorado while driving across country. I felt at home and knew I would need to return there. When I discovered the Boulder School of Massage Therapy I found the reason to move to Boulder and begin a new career.
How did you develop your passion?
I was an x-ray technician, beginning that training at 17. I loved learning about the body through the science of x-rays. Worked in many areas of radiology including heart catheterizations for open heart surgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. During this time I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, with a nodule was on my gland. Yoga came to me through a friend and I was able, through the shoulder stand, to turn my thyroid around to a healthy gland and avoid surgery and drugs. It was an “AHH moment” to conceive of healing in a different way.
Next, I moved to the west coast and became immersed in the Holistic Health movement. My studies included Hatha Yoga with a Native American teacher, and healing energy workshops with a well known psychic named Rosalyn Bruyere at the Healing Light Center in Glendale, CA. It was Rosalyn who told me I would return to Boulder Colorado and was my reference on the Boulder School of Massage school application.
How has your massage career evolved?
This 40 + year journey in massage therapy has evolved into being an educator and creator of various techniques and protocols in the exploration of massage therapy. My role as a women, mother and now crone has allowed me to use my personal journey to develop massage workshops that focus on women and support them with fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and menopause massage.
When did you first become NCBTMB Certified?
1994 at the very beginning of this important credential.
Why did you elect to become NCBTMB Certified?
I wanted to be part of the growth and acceptance of our massage therapy profession.
Why have you maintained your NCBTMB Certification all these years?
I am proud to have this Certification. It shows me, my clients and my community that I am committed to maintaining my professional integrity.
How has NCBTMB Certification elevated your career? What doors did it open for you?
It has allowed me to become an educator. Massage schools, spas and education centers have invited me to come and teach thorough out the US and internationally.
What would you say to a fellow massage therapist contemplating Board Certification?
I would tell them that if you want to be respected by your healthcare community, this is an important step in your career.
How has your practice and/or employment been affected by COVID-19?
It has closed both my practice and my live onsite workshops.
If you are not working or unable to work during the pandemic, what are you doing during this time to prepare yourself for future work?
The silver lining is that I am now doing live webinars on zoom and reaching LMT’s around the country, without traveling to them. Have also published an e-book that I have been working on for years and now exists on my website.
What would you suggest a fellow massage therapist do during this time to prepare for future success?
This is a great time to sample many educators online. This will keep your passion and curiosity for the work alive. Developing skills in other areas of your life will enhance all that your do when your return. I am enjoying Yin yoga online. It works with the fascial network and meridian system, and deepens my internal knowledge of the human body.
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To apply for Board Certification, click here.