About Us
About Tennessee School of Massage
Founded by David and Cissie Pryor in October 1988, Tennessee School of Massage has been part of the Mid-South wellness community for almost four decades. What began as a professional massage training institution has evolved — today, TSOM is focused entirely on continuing education for licensed massage therapists and holistic classes open to the community, taught by Cissie Pryor RN, LMT, Aromatherapist, Sound Healing Practitioner, Energy Worker, and Hypnotherapist.
Our classes cover aromatherapy, sound therapy (singing bowls & gongs), cupping, reflexology, hypnotherapy, and more — offered both for LMTs earning CE credit and for anyone in the community committed to personal growth and wellness.
About Cissie Pryor, R.N., LMT — Director
Cissie Pryor developed an interest in all things health-related early in her life. At 22, she graduated from the Methodist School of Nursing and began her professional career in psychiatric nursing. While working in the hospital setting, she began studies in hypnotherapy and other complementary health alternatives to support mental wellness. A devotee of Ericksonian Hypnosis, Cissie was certified in hypnotherapy in 1982, authored a wellness and stress-reduction program and an assertiveness training booklet for a local institutional hospital, and produced a hypnosis soundtrack for the hospital's psychiatric unit. She conducted research in hypnosis and schizophrenia with Dr. Paul and served as a local coordinator for M. Scott Peck's Foundation For Community Encouragement.
In her practice and research over the years, it became apparent to her that massage, hydrotherapy, and detox methods were key to healthcare and mental wellness. She believes people are empowered to live a healthy life when their central nervous system is relaxed and when they are in control of their mind and body.
In 1988, Cissie finished her foundational massage education and became the first R.N., Nationally Certified Massage Therapist in Tennessee. She also studied aesthetics under Lydia Sarfati at the Repêchage Educational Center in New York and added skin care to her spa's expanding menu. She and her soon-to-be husband, David Pryor, started a successful massage practice and opened the Tennessee School of Massage in 1988.
In 2014, Cissie and David traveled to Peru with a group led by Dr. Dennis McKenna. This excursion led her into the study of plant medicines and sound therapy.
In 2016, she and David began their study of sound using gongs, singing bowls, and other overtone-producing instruments. Over the next few years, they added a foundational sound course to the curriculum at Tennessee School of Massage.
Today, Cissie teaches sound healing, therapeutic touch, reflexology, cupping, and many more alternative therapies as continuing education and stand-alone courses. Her spa, Living Health Day Spa in Arlington, TN, offers treatments in esthetics, bodywork, aromatherapy, sound therapy, and cupping.
Cissie and David Pryor are lifelong partners and native Memphians. Together, they raised three children and enjoy expanding their career interests while helping people live happy, holistic, and fulfilling lives.