education & background

In January of 2015, Parker became a ToLabor trained Professional Birth Doula. Since that time, she's provided full spectrum doula support to folks in RVA. In 2016, while holding space for a laboring client, she discovered a deep connection with therapeutic touch. Inspired by the immediate relief it brought her client, Parker decided to pursue the study of massage and bodywork to enhance her skills as a doula and care provider.

Parker graduated from the Lotus School of Integrated Professions and is a VA licensed massage therapist. Since graduating massage school, she has been trained by Claire Marie Miller in prenatal and postpartum massage and studied Acupressure for labor and delivery with L.Ac Keith Bell. Parker became a Practitioner of The Arvigo® Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy with the Arvigo® Institute in 2017, where she learned the art of abdominal massage for reproductive and digestive wellness. She’s studied the relationship between the psoas, diaphragm & pelvic floor with anatomist Tom Myers of Anatomy Trains and worked at a Pelvic Health Physical Therapy clinic for two years.

Parker is currently practicing and studying Visceral Manipulation with the Barral Institute. VM assists functional and structural imbalances throughout the body including musculoskeletal, vascular, nervous, urogenital, respiratory, digestive, and lymphatic dysfunction. It elevates and treats the dynamics of motion and suspension in relation to organs, membranes, fascia and ligaments.

She often reflects on the words of her favorite anatomy teacher, “Your body is the healer”, and finds purpose in honoring the mind-body connection. She believes that massage is a moving meditation; one that brings people into harmony with their amazingly resilient bodies. She hopes to give clients a unique and restorative experience.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking with her pup Shiori and loving partner, riding her bike, paddle boarding traveling, cooking nourishing foods and learning about the human body!

EDUCATION

Hatha Yoga Training

2012

Professional Birth Doula Advocate Training - ToLabor

2015

Acupressure for L&D Training - ToLabor & L.Ac Keith Bell

2016

Licensed Massage Therapist - Lotus School of Integrated Professions

2017

ACE Massage Cupping & Medicupping Training

2017

Pregnancy & Postpartum Massage Training