My name is Dana Cruz.

I am originally from NYC and have lived in Chicago for the past 14 years.

In '99 I graduated from Boston University's Theater conservatory and received a BFA in Acting. I spent some time temping and waiting tables while doing theater in the evenings. I was working odd hours and not taking care of my body or spirit in a way that felt good. I started struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. I was exhausted and depleted and something had to shift. My boyfriend at the time (now my husband) asked me if I had ever considered a career in massage therapy.

Not really?

It never occurred to me that I could make that work my career.

So I researched schools in the Chicago area and came across the Chicago School for Massage Therapy. It seemed like a good fit and I graduated in 2003.

During my time at CSMT, I became good friends with a woman who did labor support work. I apprenticed with her, assisting her at births and soon after graduation wanted to be certified in pregnancy massage.

I took Kate Jordan's Bodywork for the Childbearing year seminar and not only received my certification but found an amazing mentor and friend in Kate whom I have been assistant teaching with since 2004.

I use a combination of massage techniques to customize the best session I can for my clients. I work closely with other health care practitioners (doctors, physical therapists, yoga instructors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, personal trainers, etc.) to provide the best possible comprehensive care for my clients. But most important to me is being able to listen to my clients and to try and help them look beyond the symptoms and discover for themselves the source of their problem. I try to empower my clients to take control of their own health.

I have also been studying the art of Lomi Lomi (a sacred form of Hawaiin massage) with Tom Cochran and Donna Jason and have found the work incredibly rich, healing, spiritual and rewarding. Through this work I have been able to balance more technical massage skills with a wholisitc approach to care.

My current practice consists of athletes, artists, clients with chronic pain issues and pregnancy massage and I couldn't be happier. Bodywork has been life changing for me and has helped me move further along on my own road to wellness, making good choices and keeping perspective.

I am a Buddhist, cyclist, yogini, teacher, mentor, officiant, student, daughter, wife and the mother of four, my greatest inspirations and greatest teachers.

If there is a philosphy that resonates with me it's "This too shall pass". I always thought of that phrase in terms of loss, although recently I had one of those 'perfect' evenings at home with my family and realized how important it is to cherish every moment, especially those 'perfect ones' because those too shall pass.

Dana Cruz, LMT

Swedish Relaxation Massage