At Irene’s Myomassology Institute, we’re proud to highlight the journeys of our graduates. This month, we’re featuring Faye Soli, B.A., LMT, a 2024 graduate and licensed massage therapist who has built a career blending mindfulness, movement, and holistic health.
What inspired you to pursue a career in holistic health and massage therapy?
“After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, I began my journey with civil service through Americorps. This, then-unexpected, led to work centered on health foods. During that period, I simultaneously became immersed in aerial dance, which allowed me to link community and sustainability to the body in a broad sense.
My interest in massage began upon recognizing it as an art form grounded in humanity—an intersection of my values: mindfulness, health, and movement. It seemed like a career that would suit the intuitive passions that naturally resurface in my life, and I craved rewarding employment that would support both my physical and mental wellbeing.”
Is there a memory, teacher, or class at Irene’s that helped shape your views?
“Bil Bitz and Sue Hengel headed my hands-on courses and laid the foundation for my experience as a therapist. Bil was especially supportive with technical material such as postural assessment, muscle mechanics, and SOAP notes. I now have the pleasure of working with him at clinical events, and he always lights up when crossing paths around Irene’s.
In tandem, Sue always offered practical clarity on memorization tips, client relations, and adaptive flows. I have continued to strengthen my bond with her through attending the International Massage Therapy Research Conference together and apprenticing on Monday nights. I am grateful to have such friendly relationships with my mentors and am inarguably better in my profession because of them.”
How would you sum up your journey since graduating?
“After securing licensure, I quickly began offering bodywork through two independent wellness centers. Outside of massage, I also accepted hours behind a front desk; it has been helpful to have income that demands less from my own body, though I want to note that any strain from performing massage is decreasing as my strength and stamina build.
On the side, I have been building my own mobile and event massage business: MyOhMyo, LLC. I have loved taking part in events such as a wellness day at a credit union and an open house at a yoga studio. Last but not least, I’ve stayed connected with Irene’s by working in the student clinic, apprenticing, tutoring, and supervising clinical events. Life has been busy but fruitful.”
What do you do for self-care?
“My first rule is ‘Be creative.’ Manual collage is my primary expressive outlet, followed by photography, poetry, and needle felting. Viewing and creating art has afforded me sanity and rejuvenation during trying periods of life.
My second rule is ‘Don’t forget the housework.’ Time slips so very quickly, and small tasks can feel daunting, or the exact opposite of how I’d like to spend limited waking hours at home. However, I must admit I feel better when completing something as simple as catching up on laundry. Sometimes a clear space is a clear mind.”
Has your massage career helped you grow personally?
“The aspects of being and becoming a therapist that initially felt uncertain have resolved to bolster my confidence and self-value. Getting to this point required trusting my career move, capacities as an adult learner, financial investment, and professionalism.
Now, my confidence grows each time I share in the delight of assisting a client with a new complaint: an old sports injury, entrapped nerve, joint pain, limited range of motion, etc. Additionally, this work has grounded what I’ve always known; regardless of visible variances, we as human beings share more commonalities than contrasts. It is empowering to witness people through intimate snapshots of their current lives, and to feel how that narrative impacts their physical form. The energy in the room as someone releases their stress is pure, peaceful, and even childlike, no matter the body, and a gift to experience.”
Do you have any specialties that enhance your career?
“I currently promote myself for restorative stretch, myofascial release, headache relief, and deep tissue. Lately, I have enjoyed expanding my skillset to better address the anterior trunk through sternal, abdominal, and inguinal massage.
Overall, I am interested in serving all persons invested in bettering their quality of life. I aim to help others release physical and mental tensions while addressing our collective deficit of safe and healing touch. In the future, I plan to enhance my working knowledge of the body to assist field research to increase the public standing of bodywork at large.”
What is the best way for new clients to contact you?
MyOhMyo, LLC – Mobile & Event Massage
Text/Call: (313) 473-7339
Email: myohmyomassage@gmail.com
Facebook | Instagram
Why Faye’s Story Matters to Irene’s Community
Faye’s journey reflects many of the values we hold dear at Irene’s:
- Hands-on learning: She credits instructors like Bil Bitz and Sue Hengel and courses on posture, client relations, and adaptive flows—topics integral to our Massage School Program curriculum.
- Clinical & community engagement: Her involvement in student clinic work, supervising clinical events, and event-massage work ties directly to Irene’s Student Massage Clinic.
- Lifelong growth: Self-care, creative expression, and continuing stretching into newer domains of massage practice reflect how Irene’s encourages not just technical growth but holistic well being.
Get Inspired
Explore Irene’s curriculum to see how our hands-on, diverse training can serve your strengths and interests. Contact us to learn more.