About Ova

From being an Art Teacher, Artist, Traveller, and Practitioner of Hatha Yoga since 1969, because it’s based on Yoga, Ova became interested in The Dance of Traditional Thai Massage (T.T.M.).

After starting her studies of T.T.M. in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, in 1995 and 1996, she continued her training in 1997-Now, in Thailand, returning every couple of years to understand more deeply and fine tune her skills. Ova has studied at various reputable, established schools in Chiang Mai, Thailand , but has devoted most of her study time to , reknowned, worldwide Thai Massage Master, Pichet Boonthumme, over the past several years. Ova says, “The reasons that I like studying T.T.M. with Pichet are because he is constantly making minor, but important over the long run, adjustments to my body mechanics, so that the stretches are accomplished in the most relaxed way possible. And the stretches are more effective, and feel better to the client when the therapist also feels relaxed and centered. Pichet’s concern for the sensitivity, and focused presence of the therapist is also different than many teachers; he is not concerned with only teaching sequences.” Starting in 1998, Ova became a practitioner of T.T.M. on Maui, Hawaii, and in 2001 she started teaching classes there as well. From 2003-2005 Ova headed the Thai Massage Department at The World Class, Grand Wailea Resort and Spa on Maui.

It was on Maui that Ova met her soon to be Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure® Teacher, Sara Rose , and took her first class with her in 2001.

Ova left Hawaii to travel in India and Thailand for most of 2006, teach a couple of classes on Maui in the fall of that year, and then Ova returned to her beloved New Mexico in the winter; where she had lived previously. In 2008 Ova returned to Maui to finish the Advanced and Master classes in Jin Shin Do® with Senior Teacher, Sara Rose, and to take Kamala Quale’s Hakomi class on “Mindfulness and the Body”, which are skills in integrative psychology to help the client process their emotions, and environmental factors affecting his/her well-being. It is a Jin Shin Do ® Foundation recommended course.

Ova is affiliated with The Mesilla Valley School of Therapeutic Arts (MVSTA), established 23 years, in Las Cruces, and it’s owner/director, Wanita Thompson. She is also a member of NCBTMB, The Jin Shin Do® Foundation, and AOBTA. She is a New Mexico practitioner and teacher, LMT #5655, RMTI # I-0411. And Hawaii MAT #5281. You may book a private session or tutoring with her at her studio, Wholistic Healing Arts(WHA), 1110 E. Riverside Drive, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, USA. She has scheduled classes (look on the classes page), ongoing and weeklong intensives available. Contact her if you want her to teach in your area.