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David Lobenstine Wins Two Essay Competitions (4/04)

David Lobenstine, a third-semester student in the Swedish Institute's Massage Therapy Program, recently won scholarship competitions from both the Swedish Institute and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) with essays on his decision to become a massage therapist.  Lobenstine, a graduate of Vassar College ('98) with a major in English, was formerly employed as a history editor at Harvard University Press. 

He says of his decision to change careers, "Coming to massage school was definitely a big change for me, but that was part of the appeal.  Making connections between body, mind and spirit is a big part of my conscious life, and so massage seemed like a unique way to work with all of these elements.  I felt it would be a good way to better understand the body and ultimately, the world around me."

Lobenstine says that the change was precipitated by growing tired of sitting in an office alone for so much of his work day.  "I knew I wanted to do something more active and meaningful that would serve other people.  I started to look at massage therapy schools around the country and chose the Swedish Institute because it seemed the most comprehensive and serious.  The curriculum was very grounded and focused; clear about its ability to train massage therapists.  And it has a real legacy of doing so.

Even though I came because of an interest in body/mind/spirit, I value the emphasis on the body —the anatomy, physiology, pathology and hands-on technique.  The curriculum has given me a stable platform which I can build upon for the rest of my life as I attempt to figure out the more ethereal connections to the mind and spirit."

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