Faculty

Candi has been a Massage Therapist since 2003. She has won the title of best massage therapist for her exemplary service and skill set.  “Best of Del Norte” in 2006 and “Best of Chico” in 2017, 2018, and 2019.  Candi specializes in Pre- and Post-Surgery, Specific Injury, Scar Tissue, and Sports Massage. She believes in assisting with the healing process to produce a life without pain and educating her clients on how and why the pain exists, with hands-on training to manage the pain at home.  As a business owner, teacher, and Chico Massage School President, Candi is devoted to sharing her talent, knowledge, and desire to help and educate others. She provides a positive, ethically sound classroom and clinical environment.  Her skills and experience allow for mechanical precision and clearly communicated lessons and encouragement of self-care for all of her staff and students.

Aaron has more than 13 years of experience as a massage instructor and 20 years as a massage therapist. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Nevada, he attended the Ralston School of Massage in Nevada. After completing the 710-hour program, including a 175-hour sports massage externship, he taught there from 2001-2011. He has also taught anatomy & physiology for the Truckee Meadows Community College massage program. He is passionate about being a teacher in all settings. Since moving to California in 2013, he has been tutoring college students in anatomy & physiology and practicing massage therapy in a variety of settings. His specialties include sports, spa, deep tissue, and geriatric massage. He loves helping people, playing with his two children, dancing to live music, and exploring the world. Aaron is our Lead Instructor and will be teaching the majority of the Level 1 Program.

Rosemary Compton: CMT, Instructor, graduated from Chico Therapy Wellness Center in 2001 and has since gained certifications in multiple massage modalities. With a holistic view of health and wellness, she has also attained her level 1, 2, and Master Reiki Certifications as well as completed a 500-Hour course in Aromatherapy. She has always had a love for plants and dabbles in herbalism and homeopathy, and loves growing plants for their scents, beauty, and medicinal values. She also has a mind for numbers, as a former business owner, and a bookkeeping background; she has good insights and perspectives to offer around the business side of massage therapy.

Anasuya Basil: CMT, Instructor NC, Dipl. ABT, CST as the owner of My Body Wisdom, Chico, the Bay Area, and virtual private practice, she integrates nutrition, craniosacral therapy, and acupressure for individuals and groups.

As a Holistic Health Practitioner and Midlife Renewal Health Coach, she counsels individual clients on food and supplement plans for various health issues, including musculoskeletal injuries, blood sugar balance, weight loss, smoking cessation, brain chemistry balancing, and women’s health. She continues to perform craniosacral therapy and acupressure to relieve pain, support hormonal balance, and improve energy concentration, focus, and mood balance.

Jenni has a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and will receive her Master of Social Work degree with an emphasis in clinical psychotherapy in Spring 2023. Internationally educated in India, Mexico, California, and Hawaii, Jenni has thousands of hours of experience and training and has practiced massage and bodywork for over eleven years in her hometown of Chico, CA. Jenni’s specialties include mindfulness-based psychotherapy incorporating somatic engagement, barefoot massage, and integrative therapeutic massage. Her massage and yoga philosophy encompasses traditional and science-based techniques to maximize client results. Her goal is to lengthen and enhance the careers of thousands of massage therapists, both new and experienced, by sharing the deeply beneficial art of barefoot massage.

Michelle “Ell”  Jaramillo: CMT, Instructor, is a Certified Massage Therapist, Educator of Infant Massage, and proud graduate of Chico Massage School’s 625-hour Level 1 Massage Therapy Program (Class of 2023). She is the owner of Knead Massage in Chico and has been voted Best Massage Therapist in Best of Chico in both 2024 and 2025. In her practice, Ell specializes in modalities such as Ashiatsu, deep tissue, myofascial release, cupping, and IASTM, and she brings that same clinical expertise and passion for holistic bodywork into the classroom. As an instructor, she creates engaging, hands-on lessons that empower students to think critically, build confidence, and understand the deeper mind-body connection. Outside of massage, Ell enjoys reading, book club, time with her close friends she calls family, and visiting Chico favorites like Chico Chai, Broadway Heights, and the farmers market. She is also preparing to become a first-time mom.