About Stephen
Stephen has followed his fascination with the human body his entire life.
When younger, athletics, and hours spent exploring all-natural mysteries sharpened the relationship with his physical self. Followed by college and then professional theatrical performance, often with a movement focus. More outdoor adventuring, then massage school, intensive yoga study, teaching anatomy, kinesiology, yoga, movement, practicing bodywork privately and in clinical settings for years. And still more hiking, backpacking, cycling, swimming, weight workouts, and beloved dancing.
Stephen studied Theater at Northwestern University and Massage Therapy at the small, intensive Brian Utting School of Massage in Seattle. Since, in addition to technique courses, he has studied intensively with Norman Allard (movement, yoga, anatomy, breath, joint mobility) and Mary Ann Foster (Experiential Kinesiology, breath, anatomy, Neuromuscular Therapy). For years he studied yoga with Richard Freeman, Rodney Yee, and many other elite teachers. He has studied Mindfulness and Meditation with Thich Nhat Hanh and others. He adores the dance practice Body Mantra as taught by Kimberly Jonas.
Stephen has a great passion for continued learning about all aspects of health, as amazing new ideas and information come out all the time. Around holistic health, nutrition, exercise, supplementation, and beyond he has been inspired by Dave Asprey, Dan Butterfield, Dr. David Tusek, Ty Miller, LAC, and many more. They continue to show him that there is always more to learn, that we can do better.
For his own health and balance, Stephen nurtures good sleep, moves/exercises every day, meditates and then does a short movement progression each morning, eats thoughtfully and gratefully, spends whatever time he can in nature and lying on the earth, reads, inhales wide-ranging music, travels/explores, and thrills to spend time with his beautiful friends, family, and, beyond all else, his remarkable daughter (oh, and their cat). He is humbled and astonished by the wondrous, temporal time we are given and relishes to explore it with you.
“I am from Arizona and only see Stephen during the month of July when I visit my son and grandkids in Boulder. I am in my late 70s and very active. So much so that I have had several injuries and surgeries. But Stephen has been able to understand and treat all of these areas so that I have improved in movement, range of motion and strength in just 3 or 4 treatments. I highly recommend Stephen West as he keeps me feeling younger and stronger.”
“I have been using the services of Stephen West for ten years. In our sessions together he has one-pointedly devoted himself to my well being. He is a superb massage therapist with an instinctual sense of what is needed. He is also highly knowledgeable about nutrition, supplements for any given condition or ailment. He works from his heart and soul. I feel so blessed to have Stephen in my life.”