My Massage Therapy Journey: Part 1— My Why

By Mandy Kanaulu

Massage Therapy Student at Kapiʻolani Community College and Administrative Assistant at Seven Senses Spa

Aloha Kākou!

Many of you don’t know me yet, but my name is Mandy, and I began my massage therapy journey in June, starting the Massage Therapy Program at KCC—the same time I joined the team at Seven Senses Spa.

Massage has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my papa would massage my tūtū's feet every night. Before long, I became part of that nightly ritual, and even today, whenever someone massages my feet, I think of him. On days when I was bored, my tūtū would ask me to massage her feet, too. Although my grandparents have since passed, those simple moments left a lasting impression. They taught me that touch is more than a physical act—it is a way to show love, provide comfort, and stay connected to the people we care about.

As I got older, that never changed—especially during the COVID pandemic. With most of my siblings home, if I asked one of them for a massage, the others would soon want one too. Before long, we'd be sitting in a line, taking turns giving each other massages while watching K-dramas. Even my nephew, who was only two at the time, would eagerly squeeze into the line asking for "scratch back."

Massage has always been woven into my life, and it's something I naturally incorporate into my relationships with family and friends. While not everyone is comfortable with touch—and it's important to respect those boundaries—many people don't realize just how essential healthy, caring touch can be to our well-being. Sometimes, even something as simple as a hug can go a long way.

My First Experience with Therapeutic Massage

Shortly after I turned 14, I began experiencing the worst headaches of my life. They would last for weeks, leaving me frustrated and searching for answers. A few years later, my mom reached out to a family friend who was a massage therapist.

The first time I met him he did a quick assessment and immediately focused on the muscles in my neck and shoulders. Those ten minutes were incredibly uncomfortable, but when he finished, I felt immediate relief. For the first time in a long while, I had hope that things could get better.

At my next session, I had been dealing with nearly constant headaches for about two weeks. After evaluating me, he explained that factors such as teeth clenching, poor posture, and tight muscles in the front of my body could all be contributing to the tension I was experiencing. As he worked, he took the time to explain what he was doing and why. It was also the first time I learned about fascia and the important role it plays throughout the body.

He didn't just help relieve the tension contributing to my headaches—he also addressed the tightness and pain in my hips and lower back. When I left that session, I felt like I was in a new body!

What impressed me most wasn't just his skill, but his knowledge and genuine passion for helping people understand their bodies. That experience sparked a curiosity in me that has only continued to grow.

After that session, my headaches didn't return for another two years. While I was disappointed when they eventually came back, they felt noticeably less intense than before. Previously, I would experience them several times a year, with each episode lasting close to a month. This time, they lasted about two weeks and were much more manageable.

Although we eventually lost touch, the impact he had on my life stayed with me. Years later, I was diagnosed with cluster headaches, a neurological condition that shares some similarities with migraines but is characterized by severe pain behind one eye, often accompanied by a burning sensation and shorter, more frequent attacks. Medication has helped manage my symptoms, but massage therapy continues to be an important part of how I care for my body. It helps relieve the muscular tension that can accompany or worsen my headaches and has given me a greater understanding of the value of treating the body as a whole.

My Journey

It took me some time to realize that massage therapy was where I was meant to be. Before finding this path, I studied botany at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, English at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, and later transferred to Arizona State University as a Liberal Arts major.

Although I've put my pursuit of a bachelor's degree on hold to attend massage therapy school, I don't see those years as a detour. Each field taught me something valuable—from expanding my knowledge of Hawaiʻi's endemic plant species to strengthening my communication, critical thinking, and understanding of people. Together, these experiences have given me a broader perspective, one that has already begun shaping the way I approach massage therapy.

Before starting the program, I thought I would naturally gravitate toward medical and myofascial styles of massage. However, after just one month of training, I've begun to appreciate the important role relaxation plays in recovery. While I still have a strong interest in therapeutic bodywork, my perspective has expanded.

As I continue learning and gaining experience with different techniques, my goal is to develop a style of massage that thoughtfully blends deep therapeutic work with the calming, restorative benefits of relaxation.

Where To Go From Here

As I continue exploring massage therapy, I hope to approach this path with the same curiosity that brought me here. There is still so much I want to discover about the human body, different techniques, and the many ways massage can support overall well-being. Through this blog, I hope to share not only the science and techniques behind massage, but also the lessons I gain about connection, healing, and caring for others.

Stay tuned as I continue sharing what I learn through topics such as anatomy, Lomilomi massage, reflexology, and so much more. If you see me at the front desk, feel free to ask me questions about massage! While I may not have all the answers yet, every question gives me an opportunity to think deeper, expand my knowledge, and continue growing.

Meet Mandy

Mandy was born and raised on Oʻahu and graduated from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in 2022. Her curiosity and love of learning led her to explore a wide range of subjects, including nutrition, sustainable lifestyles, human history, and behavior. In June 2026, she began the Massage Therapy and Bodywork Program at Kapiʻolani Community College and is expected to graduate in May 2027.

Driven by a lifelong passion for learning, Mandy hopes to combine her understanding of the body, wellness, lifestyle, and human connection to provide thoughtful, client-centered care. Through this blog, she shares her experiences and what she's learning as she grows into the massage therapist she aspires to become.