The spa at the Jewish Community Center's Staenberg Family
Complex is a haven, a quiet place to relax and unwind with a little
help from the eight certified massage therapists there - and it's
getting even better.

"We have a gorgeous facility with a range of services and a great
team," says Mark Lumpkin, 45, spa manager. "Soon we may add some
new services, including more aromatherapy massage, additional body
treatments and facial massage."

Services currently include Swedish relaxation massage, hot stone
massage, sports massage, deep tissue massage, pregnancy massage,
warm paraffin treatments and couples massage. Treatments range from
$45 to $115. Gift cards are available.

A native of San Antonio, Lumpkin moved to the St. Louis area 10
years ago. He has worked at the JCC for about two years. "I have
been involved in the healing arts for 20 years, and I enjoy the
rare opportunity to explore the integration of body, mind and
spirit through massage therapy, martial arts, yoga and psychology,"
he says.

Lumpkin made time recently to talk about his work.

Why is therapeutic massage beneficial?

First, it helps connect your body to your mind, and gives you a
greater awareness of your kinesthetic ability to move in relaxed
manner. Massage also reduces blood pressure, aids connective tissue
and helps your joint capsule mobility.

What does that last one mean?

Whether you have arthritis or you just ran a marathon-or you are
sore or tired for any other reason - massage eases the muscle
tissue around your joints.

What about stress reduction?

Massage therapy definitely reduces stress. You're in a quiet, safe
space where you focus on yourself, take an hour for self-care. What
a luxury. You refill your cup and then go back into the world,
restored.

Why is that important?

If you are stressed, it's hard to give, hard to be present, hard to
multi-task. When you are centered in your body physiologically and
psychologically, it's so much easier to deal with life's
stresses.

What about people who are too shy to disrobe for a
massage?

You are always covered when you are on the massage table, but we
are respectful of people's boundaries. We always ask clients to
undress to their comfort level. Plus, we also offer chair massage
or a short table massage where you can leave on all your
clothes.

Who are your clients?

Most of my clients are medical rehab clients, people in recovery
from hip replacement and such. I have had orthopedic surgeries from
several injuries, so I know what rehab is like. I also work on the
ultra-fit, some of them semi-professional athletes.

What is your basic approach with each
client?

I take a holistic approach. We talk about what's going on medically
and whether there are any psychological concerns about the body's
performance and biomechanics.

Have you always been drawn to this work?

When I was 18, I started martial arts training, and I loved it.
Then I earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in sculpture and
figure drawing. Next I got a master's degree in counseling
psychology, and at the same time I studied massage therapy. The
result was that I got a clear insight as to what hands-on healing
can do for people physically and psychologically.

You also earned a master's degree and then a Ph.D. in
mythological studies with an emphasis on depth psychology from the
Pacifica Graduate Institute in California. How has that influenced
your work?

Those subjects incorporate the physical and the esoteric - and
that's the cutting edge today of sports, sports psychology and
medical research. Society is redefining what wellness is. Exercise
and diet certainly are important, and more important is the
synergistic effect of combining body, mind and spirit.

Is this fulfilling work?

I love to help people be better - and as I continue to be
challenged, it makes me better.

Mark Lumpkin, Ph.D

WORK: Manager of the Massage Therapy Department at the
Jewish Community Center, personal trainer, yoga instructor

HOME: Ballwin

FAMILY: Single

HOBBIES: Music, film, reading and exercise