About Jill

Jill and family relocated to Australia in 2000 from the United States.  Jill grew up in Chicago, then moved to nearby Madison, Wisconsin where she received her Bachelor’s in Science in Community Health Education, with a minor in Cultural Anthropology from University of Wisconsin. 

Traveling has always been a passion for Jill, and during final year of study she took a year off to travel and work in Latin America.  Jill was employed as a research assistant on a rural health care project in a remote community of Bolivia.  The project was funded by the Dept of Family Medicine, Duke University.  Working with the indigenous Aymaran Indians, their local healers (i.e., Curandaros) and the western doctors and support staff of the area was a life changing experience.

Following this experience, Jill trained for a year in a rigorous Iyengar Yoga certification program.  She then worked as a yoga teacher on the University of Wisconsin campus, working with low-risk Cardiac patients in a cardiac rehab program.  As part of the program Jill ran with her clients to assist them to increase health and wellness. 

After moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, Jill entered a Master’s program in Public Health at San Jose State University.  She specialized in maternal and child health, with her final project focusing on breast feeding for low-income women.  In addition to her Master’s degree, Jill trained and was certified as a Natural Childbirth Instructor/ Doula (Mothering the Mother during and after birth).  Jill worked as a health and wellness consultant, incorporating her public health background in traditional health care-hospital settings along with more intimate environments such as birthing and infant massage classes.

Eventually Jill and family relocated back to the Chicago area where Jill focused on raising her children.  It was a lovely time to be a mum as Jill had her extended family nearby.

In 2000 Jill’s husband John took a job w/the Australian government and the family relocated to Canberra, Australia.  Jill worked as a health and wellness consultant during the first year. 

In 2003 Jill attended the Brandon Raynor’s School of Natural Therapies, Yepoon, Qld.   The Raynor School, part of the International Massage Therapists, provided Jill with a certification to work in Australia as well as around the world.  Her work as a Raynor therapist has been a life-changing experience.  Jill is passionate about what she does and the Raynor method fits with Jill’s philosophy of mind/body connection. 

When Jill isn’t working as a massage therapist, she spends time with her family (Bennett, Margot, and husband John).  Jill’s home, also called Karool, is located in a tranquil bush setting near Michelago.  Their strawbale home has won several awards for sustainable design and is a great place to come for a massage in her home studio.

In addition to home life, Jill enjoys the camaraderie of her friends and rowing on Lake Burley Griffith .  Jill is a member of Canberra Rowing Club  and competes in Master’s rowing events.  The combination of rowing and massage is a great balance both mentally and physically for Jill. Jill enjoys the tranquility and health benefits of Dru Yoga and Tai Chi.

Jill has a few four legged friends she’s very fond of: her dogs Red and Jedda, and her rabbits Chin-chin and Sylvie.  They seem to enjoy yoga and massage too, and join in when family members do the occasional stretch.

After traveling across the globe, the place Jill calls home is Karool.  Come for a visit, and especially a massage.  The quiet of nature will relax and rejuvenate your soul.  To quote Jill’s mum, “It’s like a blood transfusion”.