About Us
Montgomery “CareBear” Norton
CA State Certified Massage Therapist (#81698) on the Central Coast of California!
I have studied many modalities that I incorporate into my work: Anatomy & Kinesiology, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Reflexology, Touch for Health, CranioSacral, Sports Massage, Aquatic Integration, Shiatsu, Oncology Massage, etc. For a complete biography, including my educational background and approach to massage therapy, simply give me a call or send me an email.
Well, this has been a long time coming...!!! It all started when my Mom, formerly known as Sharron Norton, now Kalaya Delmars decided to follow her dream and attend Massage School way back in 1988-1989. I was just 13 years old, but her choice had a profound effect on me and opened a whole new door in so many ways. She is still practicing to this day on the island of Kauai, where she has lived and worked for the past 20+ years under Bridges to Wellbeing.
Specializing in Sports Massage to begin with, my Mom went to many sporting events to practice her craft with elite athletes, including the famous IRONMAN competition in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i. She was even so generous as to volunteer her services at many of my sporting events in high school: Football, Water Polo, Swimming, and Crew/Rowing. Thankfully, she was able to help me through several sports injuries across these different sports.
I was also introduced to a whole new world when I participated in my first energy healing experience at just 16 years old. It was a workshop led by Dr. Fernand Poulin that my Mom was attending in Topanga Canyon and they needed an extra "body" for the second day, so I was volunteered. Well, my Third Eye was completely blown open and the instructor had to help ground me, so I didn't pass out. We discussed energetic boundaries and grounding the whole drive back home to Orange County.
Back then, I attended several energetic and specialized modality classes with my Mom. We took classes from Chuck Logerwell, who became a mentor of mine before his passing (before the internet, thus no web presence): Energy Healing training (04/1992) and Energy Touch Therapy/Psychogenic Healing Process (01/1993). My mother and I attended a Thai Massage course (my first massage modality exposure) with Teri Rogers in Laguna Beach (08/1992). I also attended many workshops and experienced several modalities living and working at Esalen Institute for two years (1997-1999). I started as a Work Scholar and then was elected into an Extended Student position within the Kitchen department (1-year position), wherein I was allowed to work as one of the Chefs. I received training in Spiritual Massage from one of my mentors at Esalen, Maria Lucia Bittencourt Sauer (04/1998). In addition, I participated in a Jahara Aquatic Bodywork class at Harbin Hot Springs (11/1999) - 8 months after my near-death, drowning experience for which I am famous for at Esalen to this day. I was rescued from the cove at Esalen by a Coast Guard helicopter and a CHP Officer in a wetsuit, who put me in the basket while unconscious due to hypothermia and exhaustion. Like one of the nurses said when I had regained consciousness and function in the hospital, it was like I had just run 50 miles! Everybody kept saying how lucky I was to be alive. I didn’t feel so lucky in the moment. In fact, it was quite the recovery process.
Esalen was also where I really started to learn and understand Astrology. I had already received a Birth Chart reading years prior when I was just 19, which was a truly profound experience! My life and chart were described by this Astrologer friend of my Mom's, as being one of the gnarliest he had ever seen. At the time, I thought of his reaction as a badge of honor and a reflection of the intensity that I had reveled. Little did I know how much the universe would respond to the lessons and trials I would evoke / call forth for my evolutionary journey. Yes, I had the gall, ignorance, audacity, temerity, and arrogance to challenge the universe. I would basically call out, “Bring It!” Bring forth my challenge, lessons, and purpose. Yes, I was a purpose-driven, brash young man. When I was at Esalen, I posted my chart on the wall next to my bunk and would reflect my experiences onto the chart. I also participated in a two-week "staff" course led by resident Astrologer, Silvia Guersenzvaig, which brought on a whole new reality. I have continued to study astrology and provide these services as well. See my AstroCosmology page here, as well as my Facebook Page: AstroCosmology.
So now, more than 30 years later, I am finally getting back to my roots of care for myself and others, energetic sensitivity, healing modalities, and bodywork... I graduated from the 500 hr. Massage Therapist program at the California Holistic Institute (CHI), right here in San Luis Obispo on 7/28/19, which I started on 11/19/18. I am also registered as a CA State Certified Massage Therapist (CMT #81698) with the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC).
I specialize in working with trauma of all kinds. I have experienced much myself, having had multiple near-death experiences (NDE's), surgeries, and physical injuries; as well as emotional and psychologically trying times throughout my life. I have been fortunate to find my way through deeply challenging life circumstances and events, sometimes receiving great support and sometimes experiencing utter abandonment and betrayal. Healing all these wounds can be a process, but certainly a worthwhile endeavor despite the hardships! I am truly honored to be doing this work! My purpose and vision in massage school, was to see myself helping others heal their traumas!
This is why I chose PHOENIX RISING MASSAGE THERAPY! My intention is to help heal trauma for my clients as well as provide the ongoing healing process for myself; so that we may all rise from the ashes and create the life of our dreams. For one, in Astrology, the sign of Scorpio has three symbols: the Scorpion, the Eagle, and the Phoenix. As Scorpio represents death, rebirth, and transformation, each of these three symbols represent the transformational phases of development in the journey of the Scorpio. Given my incredibly challenging life circumstances, including, like mentioned, multiple near-death experiences and multiple surgeries, the Phoenix rising out of the ashes is only fitting.
I have started selling my homemade THCannabalm that I have been using on myself, family, friends, and clients for a few years now. It is a magical combination of powerful CBD & THC in a base of Coconut & Olive oils. You can find it along with my other incredible merchandise (stickers, t-shirts, gift certificates, etc.) on my Merchandise page.
In addition, I have a MA in Urban & Regional Planning, which I acquired in order to understand how to create holistic, integrated, sustainable, and thriving conditions, organizations, and systems for a regenerative society. My big, culminating project that I have been actively pursuing is the creation of EPI-Centers: A Catalyst for Transformation. EPI-Centers are a network of regenerative hubs revitalizing dead/dying towns into healthy, thriving, sustainable infrastructure! Notice the connection with Phoenix Rising? It is also the vision to franchise a local Phoenix Rising Holistic Centers: Opportunity to heal, transform, and support the human community, Providing transformative holistic health for the local townspeople.
Tara Polizzi
Certified Massage Practitioner in the State of California
I am trained in a variety of modalities and techniques that I have studied and incorporate into my work, including Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Reflexology, Energy Work and CranioSacral. In addition to Massage Modalities, I am an Herbologist specializing in teas and have been learning how to use Earseeds (ask me what they are and how they are used). I will be offering healing teas after massage appointments free of charge for a limited time as a promotion.
This is a long time coming. I have been wanting to get my certificate or degree in Massage Therapy since I was 19. There have been a lot of ups and downs since then. I did go to school at the Oregon School of Massage in Salem, Oregon, but unfortunate events happened where I was unable to finish my schooling. I had a challenging relationship situation that lead me to put my dreams up on a shelf for a little while.
Through the years I have learned different healing modalities and developed some of my own, such as an evolution of Color Therapy which includes visualization and body scanning, Ayurvedic Practices, and Sacred Space for those who have had trauma in their lives and need a safe space to process and heal (I use Sacred Space in all of my healing work). When I was little, I gave intuitive massages and trigger point therapy to my sisters and brother after long days on the farm or doing some work to help the family. I also had an affinity for animals and would do my best to heal them (still do). My mother also taught me how to meditate and used alternative healing modalities to keep us healthy. She would take us to the doctors for a baseline assessment of our physical bodies and when there were emergencies. In my early 20's, I was a secretary for a Homeopathic School and that lead me to have a mentor in Iridology and later learn about meridians and energy flow from an Acupuncturist. I studied Astrology and Numerology on my own and have done readings in the past. I have also studied Feng Shui and the art of energy flow in the environment and how it affects our health.
Later in life, I became a caregiver and hospice care worker. I was a Death Dula for 15 years, helping people transition and graduate to another form of existence, including my late significant other who passed away in 2015 from colon cancer. I semi-retired in 2023 (I have one current client and not taking anymore) and decided to evolve myself as a healer. I got my certificate to be a Massage Practitioner and I am looking forward to continued education to get my Massage Therapy license.
Like Montgomery, I have had near death experiences, I have suffered numerous injuries throughout my life and I too experience ongoing challenges with my health. Another thing that Montgomery and I have in common is that we both have Pluto rulers in our Astrology natal charts. I am not a Scorpio though. To me, the Phoenix represents a rising up from trauma and challenge, transmuting what could be thought as negative or "bad" and turning it into something positive, useful and "good". I have done this my whole life and it has helped me keep a positive outlook on my future and to continue to strive for future goals of supporting my own as well as other people's journeys, healing or otherwise.
I look forward to this new chapter in my life where I have a caring partner in every sense of the word, a place to practice healing modalities and to also be able to offer my experience and knowledge to support those that need it on their healing journeys.