Meet Reyna Quinn | CA Certified Massage Therapist & Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Reyna Quinn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reyna, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Deciding to go to therapy was and continues to be the single most important decision that contributes to my success. It has helped me in so many more ways than I could have imagined. I am so grateful that I made that decision when I did.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The desire to connect with others is the main source of motivation behind my practice and a large part of why I decided to pursue massage therapy, I feel this is what might set me apart from other massage therapists. I have always dealt with a high level of anxiety when in social situations. Initially, I thought massage therapy would be great for me to practice because I wouldn’t have to verbally communicate much (which I was very wrong about), but could still connect with people on a very honest level. In my 5 years of practice, I’ve come to learn & understand the importance that the art of communication has in massage therapy. I am proudest of how much more comfortable I am now with meeting and connecting with new people. It is always exciting to me when I meet a new client who is nervous about massage therapy because I look forward to being able to communicate with them so that they feel safe and in control while they are in the environment. This is very important to me.

I got to where I am today professionally by a lot of trial and error (and success). While it has been enriching, it has not been easy. I would say that what got me through the challenges was taking a step back. Stepping back, reflecting, resting, being gentle with myself and the process, re-centering, and then coming back to the purpose with a fresh perspective.

One of the lessons I’ve learned along the way is that I am capable. There have been multiple times when I didn’t believe I had the knowledge or creative vision to make something happen. When I entertained that idea, I found myself disappointed with the outcome every time. When I began to believe that I am capable, I began to prove it to myself. My ideas are worthy and important, and I give them the attention and level of execution that they deserve. I find so much joy in knowing that I am capable of doing so. It feels like magic.

I want people to know that before practicing massage therapy, I had a strong dislike for touching and being touched by others. I am a survivor of both childhood sexual and domestic abuse. Prior to my massage therapy career, I was not comfortable in my body at all, I hadn’t danced in years. I didn’t feel like myself, I didn’t even know what it felt like to “feel like myself” anymore. I dealt with depression and anxiety for a long time. Through these 5 years of practice, I have learned so much, and have been able to heal many parts of myself. The need for human touch is one of our most basic, primal needs. It is a shame that so many of us experience traumas that leave touch feeling unsafe, and often impossible for us to receive. I want people to know that I see them, I care about them, and they are not alone.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a typical San Diego native, I find joy in visiting the beach, Sunset Cliffs, or getting an iced coffee from a cute coffee shop. One of my favorite coffee spots is Por Vida in Barrio Logan, where I grew up & currently live. Some of the best food I ever had in my life was at Herb & Wood in Little Italy and the drinks were really good too. I don’t think I’ll ever stop talking about it.

The top two SD past times:
1. Going to the farmer’s market
2. Attending community events/small business pop-ups (aka the farmer’s market with a twist, just more exciting because they aren’t weekly and they have cool stuff you don’t see every week at the farmer’s market)

I’ll leave you with this quote from my good friend Ramel Wallace (SD native): “One of the best things to do in San Diego is nothing. It’s one of the best places in America to do nothing. I mean this in the most exciting way possible. If you know you know.”

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Adanna Earl is an incredible human being. She is the founder of Queens In Training, a movement therapy practice where queens fix their crowns by learning to connect with their bodies and emotions through dance in heels. I have been a dancer all my life. Before I met Adanna, I hadn’t taken a formal dance class in years. It meant so much to me to be in that space, with every intention of connecting with myself and my body again. The atmosphere that Adanna creates is welcoming, safe, and very fun! I am so grateful for Queens In Training, it has given me a space to move my body in a way that I love, and I feel more connected to myself now than ever. Thank you so much, Adanna!

Website: https://www.sdinclusive.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdinclusive/