The beginning...

    Connie Ernst graduated from the Baltimore School of Massage/York in October of 2002 as a Certified Massage Therapist.  She then became Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in December of 2002.  Techniques in which she has training and experience includes Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release.  

    Around the same time she began building her private practice, Hands of the Heart, on a part-time basis while continuing to manage a very busy medical office which specialized in behavioral health in the Hanover area .  In July of 2003 she decided to end her full-time Office Manager position and devoted her energies to nurturing Hands of the Heart into a full-time business.  After spending 20+ years as a full-time working mom, she was then able to enjoy the serenity of her home, her flower garden, her husband, Scott and their Golden Retriever, Shadow.  She has 2 sons, David and Eric, who are fine, young men and off on their own.

    Connie's personal interests include music, church related activities, golfing, skiing and motorcycle riding with her husband.

The background...

    According to Mosbey's Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage, the history of (therapeutic) massage goes back a very long way.  Research has found that it has strong roots in Chinese folk medicine; however, it has also been found in a variety of other Eastern healing traditions such as Indian herbal medicine and Persian medicine.  Historical medical literature references massage being a part of the Egyptian, Japanese and Greek cultures as well.  It is believed that the art of massage was first mentioned in writings dating back to 2000 BC and written extensively in books since about 500 BC.  According to many of these research reports, most ancient cultures practiced some form of healing touch.  Massage evolved and endured over time as a part of "manual medicine" to promote health and well-being.  Manual medicine grew to become the foundation of osteopathy, chiropractic and physical therapy.

 

The inspiration...

    What inspired Connie to seek out this profession as a career that began in the Spring of 1993?  She believes it was after receiving massage therapy for her first time.  The entire experience was so wonderful that she could not help but be inspired to learn massage therapy someday.  Subsequent sessions over the course of a year reinforced that desire within.  Little did she know that what she thought was desire was instead, "stirrings of the spirit" leading her on a [spiritual] journey that would develop before her eyes over the next several years.  Her journey continues, however, she feels as though she is not in the thick of it yet, still an infant; she hopes it never ends.  

 

    Her clients are very much like herself, people on a spiritual journey seeking balance and wholeness in their lives.  However, most of them do not know it as their own stirrings are masked through physical pain (i.e. headaches, stress, generalized aches, etc).  The impact massage therapy has on her clients is quite profound.  she is continually amazed at how her energy intersects with theirs to provide people of all ages with comfort, rest, and a place for them to begin healing on all levels.  Connie always learns something new about that person and/or even herself with every massage that she gives.

 

The connection...

    Connie Ernst is nationally certified by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage (NCBTMB).  She is also a proud member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) and the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM).