Therapists
In October of 2009, Sarah Darval and Shannon Dunlap joined efforts and opened Escape Bodywork Boutique. The two met while working at Crested Butte Mountain Resort's Elevation Spa during the previous winter. For three years prior to working at the Elevation Spa, Shannon lived in Burlington, Vermont and maintained her own clinical massage therapy practice. Upon returning to Crested Butte in the fall of 2008, it was her hope to open a private practice again. In the fall of 2009, Sarah returned from a summer in Chamonix, France and the two worked hard to realize their vision of a massage studio that promotes the health and happiness of its clients and its owners.
SARAH DARVAL, CMT
Sarah’s main interest lies in facillitating whole person healing, utilizing techniques she learned in massage school as well as her studies in Buddhism and yoga. She earned certification as a massage therapist (CMT), neuromuscular therapist (CNMT), and mind-body therapist (CNMBT) after attending school at the Mountain Heart School of Bodywork in Crested Butte. Since graduating from massage school she has worked as a therapist at the Elevation Spa as well as maintaining a private practice. She also holds a degree in Religion and Philosophy from Prescott College. Sarah teaches Introduction to Buddhism classes at Western State University and leads meditation and yoga classes at Yoga for the Peaceful in Crested Butte. Sarah has been a resident of Crested Butte for four years. She now spends her summers in Chamonix, France enjoying the mountains.
Sarah specializes in relaxation massage as well as deep tissue work. Her studies in Transformational Neuromuscular Therapy influence her style as she considers the whole person (mental, emotional, physical, and energetic) while facillitating change in the muscles. She also integrates her knowledge of Ayurveda and yoga in the Abhyanga massage.
SHANNON DUNLAP, CMT
Shannon is passionate about massage not only for relaxation, but as a treatment effective in relieving musculoskeletal pain. Her deep tissue work, which is like no other in the valley, combines neuromuscular therapy techniques, myofascial release, and structural integration. Her medically-based approach has consistently helped people heal from musculoskeletal pain in areas such as the low back, neck, shoulders, and lower leg. Shannon recently completed a training in Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and offers this unique style of massage to clients looking for a deep, relaxing treatment. Utilizing her creative side, Shannon also offers Mehndi (Henna Body Painting) at Escape.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Shannon has been a resident of Crested Butte on and off since the winter of 2003. In 2005 she moved to Vermont to attend Touchstone Healing Arts School of Massage. After completing the training to become a Certified Massage Therapist, Shannon continued studying with Stephen O'Dwyer, founder of Neuromuscular Therapy of Vermont. From him she learned the deep tissue, neuromuscular, and fascial release techniques that make her massage treatments effective. Shannon also holds a degreee in art from Yale University, where she competed as a springboard and platform diver. Her passion for diving has since been transferred over to the practice of yoga and the sport of mountain biking.