Danielle Eden Hill

| Licensed Massage Body Therapist | NCLMBT #18897 |

Danielle believes strongly in the importance of creating a feeling of safety in order to allow the body to release tension and restore balance. With sensitivity and clear communication, she meets each client at their body’s distinctive boundaries. In this way, she works together towards returning to the breath and towards fostering a sense of rooted embodiment. Whether you are on a healing journey, or seeking massage as preventative medicine, Dani is humbled to work with you to better understand your own health. Sessions address the energetic and physical body alignment through nervous system courting and gentle breathwork. Treatments are unique to the client’s needs, and are often an artful synthesis of Tui Na, Trigger Point Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, and Abdominal Massage. Sessions may also include, Gua Sha, cupping, hot towels, aromatherapy, and breathwork. Dani approaches each session with full confidence that through patience and persistence, change can and will be felt.

Dani came to massage therapy after years of working within organic agriculture, native plant conservation and the world of specialty teas. The need to sustain her own physical vitality cultivated her fascination with massage therapy. She believes that the preservation of kind relationships, Earth stewardship, and the creative fire first originate within understanding our own bodies.

Dani was born to a family of clockmakers and artists, was raised within Waldorf education, and later graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A in Geology and Music[Cello]. Dani has traveled extensively throughout both India and Mexico studying music, bodywork and yoga [200 hr YTT], and completed her massage therapy studies at the Asheville School of Massage & Yoga in Asheville NC.

Dani has studied Holistic Pelvic Care™ under Tami Lynn Kent, MSPT, Pelvic Floor Therapy and Nervous System Courting under Muse (Jen Aliz Lakajickova, https://medicineofthefeminine.com/), Craniosacral Therapy from the Upledger Institute, and is currently completing a masters in Acupuncture through Jung Tao School of Classical East Asian Medicine. Dani is currently studying Chinese Herbalism and Medical Massage under JulieAnn Nugent-Head MD (China) and Andrew Nugent-Head MSOM, LAc.

When not at the studio or studying, you can find Dani in the garden with her cats, playing old time fiddle and cello, and rock climbing.

Testimonials & Press

‘Working with Dani has changed my life in many ways. She is very talented and so kind, grounded, and helpful. She is patient, listens, and gives guidance as well as having an almost magical ability to tailor a session to what my body desperately needs. This investment in my own health has saved countless doctor's visits and have improved the quality of my life more than I could ever have imagined. When anyone talks of pain or needs to be present in their body, I direct them here! It is the meaningful gift I give to those in my close life who encounter a hardship. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Dani!’

Deborah H.

‘I'm beyond grateful to be working with Dani. Sessions with her are a holistic journey towards psychosomatic peace and well-being. I feel resounding echoes of this in my daily life following each session. Her innate kindness and gentle approach create an atmosphere of trust and relaxation that is unparalleled.’

Ash L.

‘Dani is a talented and intuitive body worker. She helps you feel so comfortable and at-ease, allowing you to surrender deeply, as she cares for your body, and supports your body’s natural healing abilities. I highly recommend her!’

Sarah L.

‘Getting bodywork from Dani is always a pleasure. She is clearly a well trained technician who draws from a rich array of modalities while also being highly attentive and sensitive to a person's individual needs. Her kind and caring demeanor is evident throughout the experience of being in her care.’

Elizabeth S.

“You will immediately feel comfortable with Dani before your session even begins. Her warmth and knowledge of the bod goes beyond physical healing to reach you energetically. She has drastically contributed to activating areas in my body that needed deep emotional and physical healing. As someone who suffers with an autoimmune disorder and CPTSD she has greatly improved my gut health and gently calmed and regulated my nervous system to an unbelievable degree. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself and I cannot thank her enough for making me feel amazing. As a hairdresser my body takes a beating and she is there to ease away the aches and pains by working smarter and using her gifts as a modern day healer. Cannot recommend her enough, and cannot thank her for the impact she has made on my life.”

-Genevieve H.

“Bodywork from Dani is truly holistic healing. She brings together breathwork, massage, and an intuitive, gentle presence that allowed my muscles and spirit to deeply relax. I often have a difficult time bringing my nervous system to a state of calm, but Dani gave me the gift of bringing me home to my body.”

— Alexa B.

“Dani provides first rate care and attention. She made me feel at ease and relaxed. The massage was truly excellent.”

— John D.

“Massage with Dani is an incredible experience. I was relatively new to massage, and didn’t quite know what to ask for. Dani patiently asked questions and made suggestions. It felt like we were collaborating on a plan for massage to address my personal needs.”

— Julia B.

Finding Meaning in Your Work

https://www.massagetoday.com/articles/1605021310343/finding-the-meaning-in-your-work

By Danielle Galian, Editor November 18, 2020

Danielle Eden Hill, LMBT, is a licensed massage therapist working in North Carolina. She completed her training at the Asheville School of Massage & Yoga and currently works at two massage studios. 

Born into a family of clockmaking artists, Hill is accustomed to people who make their living by working with their hands. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in geology and music in 2015. She traveled around the world, worked in organic/biodynamic agriculture, and furthered her study of both music and yoga, experiences that helped lead her to where she is now, pursuing a career in massage therapy. “My love for working with the Earth expanded throughout the years, and I felt called to work with the human body as well,” Hill says. 

This calling was personal in the beginning as she worked on her own body mechanics, which helped ignite her interest in craniosacral therapy. “After feeling the cranial rhythm for the first time, this concept began to crystallize before me and the gentle but powerful and intentional method of working with the body resonated with me,” explains Hill. 

Hill recalls her peers and educators as bright spots in her massage therapy education, and sources of continued inspiration. “We were able to work directly with the community for the majority of our schooling through the student clinic,” she fondly remembers. 

Creating Meaning in Tough Times

There are a number of causes close to Hill’s heart. However, this past year has taught Hill a lot more than she imagined in regards to bringing health care closer to home. Over the summer, Hill’s father passed away after suffering from central nervous system lymphoma, a rare form of brain cancer. “Our family chose to take care of my father at home rather than let him spend his last months alone in the hospital,” Hill says. “Being a part of in-home-hospice was simultaneously liberating, extremely difficult, and an important part of our mourning process.” This experience showed her how integrative approaches to health care continue to be extremely limited and difficult to navigate, which made pursuing education in a hands-on career like massage therapy even more important for Hill. 

“I am grateful to have been able to provide massage therapy for my father throughout his last months. I am grateful to have been able to understand the gravity and importance of this form of health care. I am grateful to have been born at home, into the hands of my father, in the same house in which he eventually passed away,” Hill says. 

Additionally, COVID-19 has reinforced Hill’s commitment to massage therapy. Like many people, she takes great interest in environmental and social issues currently affecting our world. COVID-19 taught Hill the importance of touch and how to maintain connections even when hands-on work is prohibited.

In relation to distance learning, the touch aspect of her studies reinforced the power of effective educational platforms. “I was lucky, COVID-19 only affected the last two weeks of my 675-hour program, which happened to be our business block,” Hill says. “If the pandemic has shown us anything, it is that we are creatures of connection. Touch is vital to both our physical and emotional health.” Hill’s advice in getting through the pandemic is to use the time given to advance self-practice and work on creating balance in health every day. 

A Job Well Done

This year, Hill was awarded the American Massage Therapy Association’s (AMTA) 2020 Massage Therapy Journal $5,000 scholarship for her dedication and commitment to the profession of massage therapy. Hill only feels grateful when asked about her award: “This [scholarship] not only allows me to pursue continuing education courses, but also allows me to prioritize massage therapy and give my full time and attention to deepening my craft.” 

Continuing her education in massage therapy is a top priority now more than ever. Hill took side-jobs throughout her massage therapy education to help pay for her courses, something that she now can pull back on thanks to the scholarship. 

Looking Ahead

Success looks different to everyone. For Hill, success means continuing her relationship with education, her community, and causes close to her heart. “No matter what road this career takes me down, giving back to my community, creating a ripple of momentum towards social and environmental mindfulness, and feeling mutually energized by the work I do, counts as success in my book,” she says. That, tied with her continuing to learn and grow within the profession of massage, fuels her passion for the future in massage therapy. 

When asked what advice she has for young people looking to pursue massage therapy as a career, Hill’s answer is simple: “Seek out a holistic program that emphasizes self-care and body mechanics, as well as in depth anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology and ethics. Taking care of your body, mind and soul are important aspects of being a great practitioner. Developing strong self-practices to sustain your own well-being, through school and beyond, is vital.”

Hill encourages those feeling nervous about taking the first step in massage therapy to remember it as “a beautiful journey” that you can share with the people you love.