About Nissa
Coaching
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Spa Wellness Coaching, ASTECC. 2020
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NLP Master Practitioner, iNLP Center. 2020
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Life Coach Certification, iNLP Center. 2020
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Inner Dynamics Practitioner, iNLP Center. 2020
Esthiology
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Aveda Institute, Minneapolis, MN. 600 hours in Esthiology Science. 1998
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Dr.Hauschka Skin Care. Advanced skin care training, approximately 150 hours. 1999-2009
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Oncology Esthetics Certification. 2014
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Manual Lymph Drainage, Basic & Advanced Neck & Face, Vodder School. 2016
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Holistic Esthetics Certification, ASTECC. 2019
Yoga
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Forrest Yoga Teacher Training Course. Yoga Teacher Training – 619 hours. 2003
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Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Prenatal Yoga Training – 32 hours. 2005
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Therapeutic Yoga Training. White Lotus Foundation – 35 hours. 2011
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Mind Body Solutions. Adaptive Yoga Training. 2012
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iRest Yoga Nidra Level 1 Training – 36 hours. 2012
Accreditations
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Board Certified Massage and Bodywork Therapist (NCBTMB) since 1997
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Licensed Esthetician since 1998
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Certified yoga instructor since 2003
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Member of the Society for Oncology Massage
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Certified Clinical Wellness Therapist through The Vodder School
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Registered Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist – RCST


In 1996 I decided to be trained as a massage therapist in hopes of finding some proactive ways to deal with the pain I felt in my body on a daily basis. What I found in massage school was a way of living that was based on caring for myself and others in the most thoughtful and deliberate ways. Since then, the healing arts have been my way of living and my way of being in service to the world we share.
I have been guided by my clients the entire way and today most of my clients are living with chronic illness, or in recovery or treatment for cancer. After two of my clients were diagnosed with cancer in 2008, I found an oncology massage certification program and started learning about how I could work with people with cancer safely. During my first class in 2009, one of my sisters was diagnosed with breast cancer. Shortly after that, my husband was diagnosed with lymphoma.
My mission is to help people connect to the beautiful stranger within, to feel at home in their bodies, and to fortify their allegiance to themselves. I am committed to helping people access their innate ability to heal themselves, in connection to the Earth and in partnership with one another. I am devoted to living in the path of beauty.
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I am committed to empowering people in the courageous act of learning about themselves by lovingly tending to themselves.
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I aspire to affect not just the individual but also the community, through compassionate self-discovery, and products that foster health, beauty, and sustainability. I have years of experience working with people living with all stages of cancer and chronic illnesses.​
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I acknowledge and offer gratitude, respect & love to the Dakhóta Oyáte land where I create, work and grew up, and to the Dakhóta Oyáte people who tended and cared for the land for many, many generations. I would also like to honor my ancestral homeland, colonially known as northern New Mexico and the San Luis Valley of Colorado, where I have done much of my learning, growing and experiencing. I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for my mentors and teachers, many of whom are clients. I am honored and humbled to be entrusted with the knowledge that has been passed down to me by many special people and so happy to be using these skills to help others in my life’s work.​
Curriculum Vitae
Board Member - Society for Oncology Massage - 2024-present
Board Certified Massage and Bodywork Therapist (NCBTMB) since 1997
Licensed Esthetician since 1998
Certified yoga instructor since 2003
Preferred Provider with Society for Oncology Massage
Certified Clinical Wellness Therapist through The Vodder School
Registered Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist – RCST
Affiliations and Board Participation
Art
Year-long Poetry Apprenticeship, Loft Literary Center. 2022 - 2023
Year-long Haiku Master Class, Clark Strnad. 2023 - present
Publications:
childhood punctuated - Solstice Literary Magazine
Minerals and Of Water - Querencia
Shows:
Rejected! Show, Burl Gallery. 2024
Yoga
Forrest Yoga Teacher Training Course. Yoga Teacher Training – 619 hours. 2003
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Prenatal Yoga Training. 2005
Therapeutic Yoga Training. White Lotus Foundation. 2011
Mind Body Solutions. Adaptive Yoga Training. 2012
iRest Yoga Nidra Level 1 Training. 2012
Coaching
Spa Wellness Coaching, ASTECC. 2020
NLP Master Practitioner, iNLP Center. 2020
Life Coach Certification, iNLP Center. 2020
Inner Dynamics Practitioner, iNLP Center. 2020
Esthetics
Aveda Institute, Minneapolis, MN. 600 hours in Esthiology Science. 1998
Dr.Hauschka Skin Care. Advanced skin care training, approximately 150 hours. 1999-2009
Oncology Esthetics Certification. 2014
Manual Lymph Drainage, Basic & Advanced Neck & Face, Vodder School. 2016
Gua Sha Facial Fusion, CJB Spa & Wellness. 2018
Holistic Esthetics Certification, ASTECC. 2019
Herbal Poultice Facial Massage, CJB Spa & Wellness. 2019
Advanced Buccal Massage, Fiona Harlowe. 2025
Therapeutic Massage
New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts, Santa Fe, NM. 157 hours training in massage therapy. 1996
Scherer Institute of Natural Healing, Santa Fe, NM. 680 hours training in massage therapy. 1997
Bodywork for the Childbearing Year. Prenatal massage certification. 2001
Craniosacral Therapy, Upledger Institute – completed levels 1&2. 2003, 2004
Heated Stone Massage, Scherer Institute of Natural Healing. Training. 2004
Strain Counterstrain, Jones Institute. 2008
Infant Massage Instructor Certification, International Loving Touch Foundation. 2009
Oncology Massage Certification, Peregrine Institute of Oncology Massage Training – 300 hours. 2009-2011
Manual Lymph Drainage Certification, Klose Training. 2010
Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy, Milne Institute. 2010
Pediatric Massage Certification, Liddle Kidz Foundation. 2010
Manual Lymph Drainage, Basic & Advanced Neck & Face, Vodder School – 40 hours. 2016
Manual Lymph Drainage, Basic Body, Vodder School – 40 hours. 2017
Manual Lymph Drainage, Therapy 1, Vodder School – 40 hours. 2017
Manual Lymph Drainage, Clinical Wellness, Vodder School. 2017
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Santa Fe School of Massage - 700 hour certification program. 2015 – 2018
Barefoot Basics, Deep Feet Bar Therapy. 2024
Ashi Thai, Deep Feet Bar Therapy. 2024
Therapy Update, Vodder School. 2025
Education, Publications, Shows
Nissa Valdez / Ritual Self Care, Minneapolis, MN. Owner and operator. 2018 - present
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I offer therapeutic massage and holistic esthetics and curate a small shop with clean beauty products, home goods, and products that enhance wellness and beauty.
Estrella Apothecary & Spa, Minneapolis, MN. Owner and operator. 2014 - 2018
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I offered therapeutic massage and holistic esthetics and curated a small shop with clean beauty products. I managed front desk staff, massage therapists, estheticians and nail technicians.
One Yoga Studio, Minneapolis, MN. Yoga Instructor. 2003-2010
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I taught traditional yoga classes, prenatal yoga and restorative yoga. I also taught outreach classes at Minneapolis South High School to high school girls who were pregnant and already had children.
Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis, MN. Research Assistant and Yoga Instructor. 2010-2011
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I worked on a research project and taught individualized yoga classes to children with cystic fibrosis. I collaborated with medical staff and recorded findings from each class and student.
Penny George Institute, Minneapolis, MN. Yoga Instructor. 2011- 2013
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I taught weekly yoga classes to people with cancer and limited mobility.
Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN. Yoga Instructor. 2010 -2013
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I taught weekly yoga classes to people in the back pain clinic, with the objective of providing alternatives to surgery and narcotic pain medication. I worked directly with the clinic physician to customize a safe and effective yoga class for each individual in attendance.
Estrella, Minneapolis, MN. 2002 - 2014. Owner and operator
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I offered therapeutic massage and holistic esthetics and curated a small shop with clean beauty products.
Work Experience
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New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts, Santa Fe, NM. 157 hours training in massage therapy. 1996
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Scherer Institute of Natural Healing, Santa Fe, NM. 680 hours training in massage therapy. 1997
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Bodywork for the Childbearing Year. Prenatal massage certification – 34 hours. 2001
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Craniosacral Therapy, Upledger Institute – completed levels 1&2, 48 hours. 2003, 2004
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Heated Stone Massage, Scherer Institute of Natural Healing. training – 16 hours. 2004
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Strain Counterstrain, Jones Institute – 20 hours. 2008
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Infant Massage Instructor Certification, International Loving Touch Foundation – 24 hours. 2009
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Oncology Massage Certification, Peregrine Institute of Oncology Massage Training – 300 hours. 2009-2011
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Manual Lymph Drainage Certification, Klose Training. 2010
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Pediatric Craniosacral Therapy, Milne Institute. 2010
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Pediatric Massage Certification, Liddle Kidz Foundation. 2010
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Manual Lymph Drainage, Basic & Advanced Neck & Face, Vodder School – 40 hours. 2016
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Manual Lymph Drainage, Basic Body, Vodder School – 40 hours. 2017
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Manual Lymph Drainage, Therapy 1, Vodder School – 40 hours. 2017
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Manual Lymph Drainage, Clinical Wellness, Vodder School. 2017
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Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Santa Fe School of Massage – 3 year, 700 hour certification program. 2015 – 2018