Galina Urrutia
I believe massage is a highly effective preventative treatment for achieving optimum health by relaxing and connecting body, mind and spirit.
About
Galina Urrutia has been a Holistic Massage Therapist since 1999, achieving her national certification in 2004. She is now a Certified Massage Therapist licensed by the State of California and Oregon, with an office in Albany, CA and Eugene, OR. She completed most of her training at the School of Healing Arts in San Diego. To deepen into the eastern bodywork, she has also taken classes at the Ohashi Institute in New York and did a Thai Massage training at the Wat Po School of Traditional Thai Massage in Bangkok, Thailand. In addition, Galina has also taken Ayurveda basic classes in India to expand her knowledge in traditional medicine.
Holistic Massage Therapist
Galina Urrutia is a highly experienced Holistic Massage Therapist with over two decades of practice in her field. Beginning her journey in 1999 and achieving national certification in 2004, she is now a Certified Massage Therapist licensed by the State of California. Galina operates her practice in Albany, offering a wealth of expertise to her clients.
Her foundational training took place at the School of Healing Arts in San Diego, where she honed her skills in holistic bodywork. Committed to a global perspective, she expanded her practice through specialized studies: eastern bodywork at the Ohashi Institute in New York, traditional Thai Massage at the renowned Wat Po School in Bangkok, and Ayurveda basics in India. These diverse training experiences enrich her therapeutic approach, blending traditional and modern techniques to cater to her clients’ unique needs.
Body-Mind-Spirit
Galina Urrutia’s approach to healing extends beyond the physical body, emphasizing the interconnectedness of Body, Mind, and Spirit. She is deeply committed to personal growth and holistic well-being, dedicating her time outside of work to exploring and integrating these three dimensions.
Since 2009, Galina has practiced Kum Nye, a form of Tibetan yoga that promotes relaxation and self-awareness. In 2012, she deepened her connection to yoga by traveling to India for an intensive yoga teacher training program. Her commitment to mindfulness and spiritual growth led her to Plum Village in Bordeaux, France, where she completed a mindfulness meditation retreat in 2015. These experiences enrich her practice, allowing her to bring a profound sense of balance and harmony to her clients.
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Experience
Galina Urrutia’s extensive experience as a Holistic Massage Therapist spans nearly two decades, shaped by her dedication to addressing a wide array of client needs and goals for healing. She has worked with cancer patients throughout their journey—before, during, and after chemotherapy. Her practice also includes those recovering from soft tissue injuries caused by accidents, individuals managing chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and Parkinson’s disease, elders requiring a gentle touch, and clients seeking stress relief, relaxation, or simply a rejuvenating, wholesome massage.
Galina firmly believes in the preventative power of massage therapy for achieving optimal health. She understands that stress weakens the immune system, paving the way for inflammation and other long-term health issues. By alleviating stress and promoting overall well-being, Galina views massage therapy as a critical tool for preventing physical deterioration and supporting the body’s natural healing processes. Her holistic approach provides her clients with not only relief but also a pathway to sustained health and balance.
Credentials
2001
2021 OBMT Certified
2021 NPI
1999 – 2003
Certified from School of Healing Arts now International College of Holistic Studies.
2004 – 2010
NCBTMB Certified.
2006 to Present
Licensed in Berkeley
2016
Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist.
2017
CAMTC Certified.
Experience
2011 to Present
Massage Therapist, Total Health Dental Care (Independent contractor), Berkeley, CA.
Performing 30 to 40 minutes chair massage to dentist patients.
2006 to Present
Massage Therapist, Self-employed, Albany, CA
Performing 60, 90 and 120 minutes massage therapy, using modalities such as, Deep Tissue, Acupressure, Shiatsu, Pre-natal, Swedish, Hot Stone, Energy Balancing and Manual Lymphatic Drainage.
Thru the years I have seen clients relaxed and feel relief from pain. I have helped some of them recover from injury or dial back the stress that might be contributing to other health issues. I have helped cancer patients with relaxation and quality of life during and after their chemotherapy treatments. I have also worked with chiropractors using massage to complement their treatments and reporting the work and progress of the treatment using C.A.R.E. notes.
2004 – 2006
Massage Therapist, San Diego salon and spa at Grand Hyatt Salon and Spa, San Diego, CA
Performed 50 and 80 minutes massage sessions as well as body treatments such as, Body Scrubs, Herbal Wraps and Hot Stone.
2003 – 2006
Massage Therapist, Balance Point Massage Clinic (Independent contractor), San Diego, CA.
Performed 60 and 90 minutes massage session, Sports, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue and Swedish.
Education
2016
Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist, Monarch continuing education, with Carmen Thompson. Christiansburg, VA (120 hours)
1999 – 2003
Certified Massage Therapist, School of Healing Arts, now International College of Holistic Studies, under the supervision of Seymour Koblin. San Diego, CA (970 hours)
2001
Thai Massage, Wat Po School of traditional Thai massage, Bangkok, Thailand (60 hours)
Affiliations
2011 to Present
AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association)
Community Services
2013
Chair Massage, Women’s Daytime Drop-In Center.
Women’s daytime drop in center. Berkeley, CA. Chair massage to homeless women.
2007 – 2008
Massage, Cancer Awareness Resources and Education, C.A.R.E. San Francisco, CA
Contributed to C.A.R.E. experiential sessions focused on the healing power of touch working on cancer patients.
2002