User:Irene Gauthier

In June 2010, Irene Gauthier, affectionately called “Momma Bear” by her students, will celebrate her 90th birthday in a grand record-breaking fashion. What Irene has given to the world of massage and the world at large is invaluable. Her thousands of graduates are themselves now practicing in 38 different states and three countries. Her intuitive sense of how to help others is part of what makes her such a gifted healer and teacher. The techniques she has developed are an integral part of her school’s curriculum, as well as documented in her text book and video.

Irene was born in 1920 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She is a proud Finnish woman who typically greets people in that language. Like most in her generation, she has worked hard all her life. She moved to Detroit in 1938 to attend beauty school. In the 1950’s, she owned a beauty parlor on McNichols. She then discovered a passion for natural health and began studying massage formally. Irene went to massage school when massage's reputation was tarnished, and has worked ever since to make it respectable to do and to receive. In 1971, Irene co-founded the International Myomassethic Federation (IMF) and, simultaneously, the Michigan Myomassologist Association.

Irene has been a foremost advocate of massage and natural healing, and by harnessing her innate ability to sense others pain coupled with years of experience in the healing arts, she developed a comprehensive system and coined the term Myomassology to describe her combined work of Swedish massage, craniosacral therapy, reflexology and body mechanics. Myomassology provides the therapist with a variety of skills and techniques to tailor each session uniquely to the client. Irene used her intuition to develop new techniques for the benefit of individual client needs. She gives credit for these techniques to what she calles her inner physician. Everyone has this ability, she believes; they only need to learn how to listen. Irene always says, “Regular massage is just rub, rub, rub. I do Myomassology!” This statement is one all of her students are fondly familiar with. Irene's students and collegues speak fondly of her. A commonly heard statement in regard to her training is, "Studying with Irene changed my life. It is an experience I'll never forget." She has instructed thousands in the healing art of Myomassology, and forged a path of wider recognition for the massage profession. Through the years, Irene has maximized every opportunity to educate the public about the benefits and rewards of Myomassology.

She began sharing her knowledge with students in the basement of her home in the 1970’s and has been teaching ever since. What began for her as a way to help people heal naturally and to care for her family as a single mother, has expanded into a business that now employs over 70 people. Irene’s Myomassology Institute is the Midwest's most well known and respected school for massage therapy. Irene is one of the foremost authorities on massage, and as she approaches 90, can still be found at her school six days a week.

In celebration of this landmark birthday, Irene’s Myomassology Institute will officially smash the Guinness World Record for the Largest Massage Chain ever! This record is currently set in British Columbia, Canada at 630 people. Irene’s intends to host more 2,000 participants on campus in Southfield, MI on Friday, June 18, 2010 at 6:00pm. Everyone is invited!

We will have live entertainment, informational tents, chair massage, vegetarian food, beverages and of course birthday cake. Michigan Animal Rescue League (MARL) will be on campus with pet adoption. In lieu of gifts, Irene has asked that you make a donation to MARL in her honor. There are numerous opportunities to volunteer. We want everyone to participate in the massage chain to make this record unbreakable!