Donna L. Brazina is a Certified Neuromuscular Therapist with more than 20 years of experience in therapeutic massage, wellness, client care, and professional leadership. Since completing her training at the Somerset School of Massage in 2000, she has remained passionate about the role massage therapy can play in improving a person’s comfort, function, and overall well-being.
Donna founded and operated Body Essential Therapeutic Massage and Wellness from 2008 through 2020, where she worked directly with clients while also recruiting, interviewing, coordinating, and supervising massage therapists. This experience gave her a strong understanding of both the clinical and professional expectations placed on practicing therapists.
As an instructor and clinical supervisor, Donna brings a practical, hands-on perspective to education. She believes students learn best when they are encouraged to ask questions, develop critical-thinking skills, and connect classroom knowledge with real client experiences. Her teaching approach emphasizes proper technique, anatomy and body awareness, communication, professionalism, client safety, and the ability to adapt treatment appropriately to each individual.
Donna’s leadership style is supportive but accountable. She takes pride in recognizing each student’s strengths while helping them identify areas for growth. Her goal is not simply to teach students how to perform massage techniques, but to help them develop the confidence, judgment, empathy, and professional integrity needed to become successful and compassionate massage therapists.
After many rewarding years as a practitioner and business owner, Donna is excited to bring her experience full circle by mentoring the next generation of massage therapists and contributing to their education and professional development.
Krystle Zayas is a dedicated healthcare educator with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field and more than five years of teaching experience in Phlebotomy, EKG, and Medical Assisting. As an instructor and lifelong learner pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Krystle is passionate about helping healthcare students build practical skills, confidence, professionalism, and compassion as they prepare to enter the healthcare workforce.