Name and Credentials:  Maria A. Nicoll, LMT, License No. MAT 6498, dba, Malia's North Shore Massage, License No. MAE 2071.  National Provider ID No. 1376981019

Education and Training   

2018 - Health Coach, American Council on Exercise (ACE)

2003 - Hawaii Pacific University, 3rd year nursing student

2001 - Hawaii College of Health Sciences, massage school

CEUs - Orthopedic Massage, Foot Reflexology, Equine Massage

Experience

2004 - present, Turtle Bay Resort, Nalu Spa

2004 - 2009, Ko Olina Resort, Marriott Beach Club, Spa by the Sea

2005 - 2007, The Queen's Medical Center, Women's Health Center

Practice Philosophy.  There are many different styles and approaches to therapeutic massage.  One thing I've noted in my years of experience in working with countless top-notch massage therapists is that each therapist develops his or her own unique style.  My style has gravitated to a slow, deep and intuitive touch.

Coming from a dance background, I consider rhythm, tempo and music selection healing factors that can turn a good massage into a great massage. These elements take you on a sensory journey into that ethereal space.  When this happens, your body--both consciously and subconsciously--lets go, allowing for deeper healing to begin.

While deep tissue massage is often associated with pain, and certain types of bodywork are downright brutal, I believe deep work need not be painful to be effective.  A "good" hurt is good... we're shooting for about an "8" on a scale of 1-10, with ten being the max amount of pressure you can take.  Deep breathing helps, but if you're in pain or your muscles resist, then we're too deep.

Why I Do Massage.  Originally, it was to work my way through nursing school... kinda fit the career path.  However, in massage school, I was captivated and drawn to the spiritual aspects of Hawaiian Lomilomi.  I call it divine intervention--dropped out of my third year of nursing school at Hawaii Pacific University to pursue a massage career and have never looked back.  I love what I do.  I love making a difference in people's lives.