We pride ourselves on having the best instructors around. Experts in the field of massage, specialists in the modalities they teach and long-established working professionals, our core instructors and those we hire as teachers-in-residence are second to none. Students leave here with the confidence necessary to work in most spas, hotels and special needs institutions. It is a great comfort to learn from knowledgeable experts that have the benefit of experience along with the proper massage vocabulary and the ability to convey proper technique to the students.

Ramona Moody French

The Director of Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy since 1991, she has over 3,000 hours of training in Swedish massage, acupressure, deep-tissue massage, manual lymph drainage, and related techniques; Instructor at Mueller College in San Diego, California, from 1983 to 1991; three trips to China to study Tui Na.  Ramona teaches Lymph Drainage massage, Holistic Theory and Business and Ethics. Unfortunately, Ramona must now be accorded Emeritus status so she can concentrate on writing. Currently, she is finishing her second book on Lymph Drainage Massage.

Burt Boss

Burt is the former General Manager of Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy. He holds degrees in engineering and business and previously worked in the health technology field.  Teaches Business, Ethics, Kinesiology and Deep Tissue Massage.

Gary Nolan

Gary attended Mueller College of Holistic Studies in San Diego where he completed the HHP program of 1000 hours. A perennial student, Gary has added classes and studies to compliment everything he learned at Mueller where subsequently he became an instructor of Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue and Kinesiology. Eventually, Gary moved to Palm Springs and became a massage therapist at the Spa Resort and Casino in 1995.

He was asked to join the roster of instructors at the Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy where he taught Sports I and II, Swedish, Kinesiology, Deep Tissue I and III and Myofascial Release. Gary continues as a teacher here while remaining a massage therapist at the Spa Resort and Casino.

Mariellen Boss

Mariellen Boss, HHP, CMT  has been working in resort and day spas in the Coachella Valley since 1992.  She is a licensed esthetician and co-owner of Massage Rx in Rancho Mirage, CA.  Mariellen is a graduate of Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy and has studied massage and herbalism in China and Belize.

Mariellen uses many modalities in her work: Among them are lymphatic drainage, massage for special needs, and aromatherapy/spa services.  The classes that she developed and teaches come from her massage and esthetician work at Massage Rx.

Frank Marin

Frank has been a professional massage therapist for thirty years. He was the most requested therapist at the JW Marriott for the many years he spent there and currently he is a therapist at the Agua Caliente Resort Hotel and Spa. Frank teaches reflexology.

Gabriella Curry

Is a Graduate of Desert Resorts School of Somatherapy, a Licensed Esthetician, and has a background in the beauty, massage and spa industries. Gabriella teaches Aromatherapy and Spa Services, and other modalities including, most recently, Acupressure Face-lift.

Lani Paden Ph.D.

Lani Paden has extensive training in transpersonal psychology. She has a degree in nursing and health science along with 23 years experience as a massage therapist. Lani works with individuals to overcome trauma while integrating mind-body-spirit awareness.


Lena Nyholm

Lena started her carrier in the massage and health care field in 1980. She has been working as a licensed physical therapist and massage therapist in Scandinavia, Germany and the US. The use of hands to help and heal has been the main focus on her path. Lena’s devotion to touch inspired her to write three books on the subject.

 Lena has been sharing her knowledge of different massage techniques for decades to massage therapists and bodyworkers. For over eight years she has returned to the Desert to teach what she calls the most enthusiastic students around.

She presently resides in Ojai where she is preparing for a career change.


Ron Garcia

Ron has been a massage therapist since 2004. He is currently working as a therapist at the Spa Resort Casino and Big Horn Country Club.  He is very passionate with the eastern style of massage and as a result, he traveled to Asia (Chiang Mai, Thailand and Manila, Philippines)  to study and learn more about the different eastern modalities.  He's planning to go to China also for continuing education.

We are in the process of editing and bios of each of our instructors will become readily available in the next week.

Mireya Escalante is co-owner of Somatherapy Institute and teaches Basic Swedish, Spa Services Aromatherapy and Pre-Natal massage. One of Ramona Moody's disciples and one of her first students, Mireya has been a therapist at the JW Marriott Desert Springs for over twenty years. She has trained most of their therapists in Spa Services and designed many of their  specialty treatments.