Origin

In 2003, Jill Berkana, a very successful Massage Therapist from Boulder, Colorado, had reached all of her goals in private practice and thought to herself, " I need more hands." She knew the work she was doing was positive and impactful but was limited to supporting 3-4 people a day. She felt called to something much bigger and knew it was time to expand and pass the torch.

Having worked in the rainforest at a spa in Belize for a few seasons, traveling extensively through Costa Rica, as well as having extensive experience as a Massage Therapist, Project Manager, and Karate School owner created an alchemical moment when she decided to bring her passions, and knowledge of holistic health, bodywork, and travel together to produce her first big educational venture, the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy. 

In 2005, she and a partner founded and launched the original Jungle Massage School. She lived in Costa Rica and developed and ran the school until 2011. She returned to the Front Range of Colorado to reimagine a school that would be completely focused on the art and craft of mindful bodywork and retired the element of tourism to focus on the heart of this holistic healthcare art.  

The Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy was launched in November 2011. The Allen House is the fourth Campus for Berkana, and in 2025 Ms. Berkana will launch her 50th class. Berkana has 550+ graduates worldwide. Over the years, she has brought in significant subject matter experts to refine and evolve the curriculum repeatedly and considers the Institute to be a living and evolving expression of professionalism and art.