Who We Are

Mission Statement

Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy strives to provide professional quality continuing education and community education to professional massage therapists, educators and the community. It is our goal to provide each participant with a safe, nurturing environment where they can share professional experiences and create new ones. We build our continuing and community education programs around the premise that every person needs the most current classes available in continuing and community education to further promote their business and themselves.

A Brief History

Established over 16 years ago, Blue Ridge Healing Arts continues to thread together skills set in the principles of environmental, self, community and culture awareness. Our internationally attended continuing education classes and community forums are personally designed by owner Rene Shuford to bring you training on the most progressive techniques in the holistic healing experience. Please browse our extensive class selection and join the Blue Ridge Healing Arts newsletter for the latest information.

Rene’ Shuford, LMBT #357

Rene grew up in the mountains of North Carolina. She graduated from Appalachian State University in 1986 with a B.S. in graphic communications and business management. After living in Washington, D.C. for several years working for the Department of Defense, she moved back to North Carolina and began working in the advertising industry and teaching in the public school system. During this time period she attended the Massage Therapy Training Institute in Charlotte and graduated from that program in 1995. She began working at an alternative rehabilitation center in Salisbury where she was a full-time massage therapist. She then decided to open Blue Ridge Healing Arts Academy and has continued to grow the business over the past 16 years.

Rene’ loves to garden and travel and she most especially loves her dogs Benny and Hound Dog Bits.

Rene’ specializes in massage and bodywork treatments that focus on head/neck and face problems, LaStone Thermal Therapy and facial massage. Rene’ also specializes in curriculum and workshop development for massage and bodyworkers and courses in self-awareness and personal growth for the general public.