Seeking a Sound Body and a Sound Mind

As the oldest girl of eight siblings growing up at the Jersey Shore, I had more responsibility than most kids. Our home, and my childhood, was bustling and busy, so I cherished summers spent at Camp Mesacosa, a leadership camp for girls in the Adirondack Mountains that was owned by my Great Aunt Dean.

Bernadine Yunk was Aunt Dean's given name, but campers called her Miss Yunk. She was a Health and Physical Education professor at Columbia University and the camp name was taken from a Latin inscription on a university building there: mens sana in corpore sano, which means "sound mind; sound body." Aunt Dean was a strong, independent woman and a naturalist who knew exactly which leaf or home remedy would cure a camper's ailment. I recognized in her a kindred spirit and each summer found a way to rejuvenate from my busy home life. I began to understand how relaxing with friends, enjoying outdoor recreation, and learning to be resourceful were physically and mentally beneficial. We swam, played tennis, rode horses, and were immersed in clean, healthy living every day. After 10 summers at Camp Mesacosa, these experiences would become an influential thread that wove its way throughout my journey to become a health and well-being expert.

Always at the Forefront of the Wellness Movement

I come from a long line of nurses and as a girl thought I would be one too. Eventually though, I knew I was destined to become a massage therapist.

At Montclair State University, not many students were studying massage or aware of wellness and holistic health. I majored in Recreation/Tourism and Business Administration while independently studying the wellness movement. On campus I maintained two libraries: one filled with school books and the other with holistic titles.

I taught myself yoga and attended workshops about reflexology, massage, and holistic health. Each summer I traveled the country as a camp counselor and connected with leaders of the wellness movement. In 1978, for example, I worked at a camp in Woodstock, New York, where I visited my first health food store and was introduced to holistic health and the Human Potential movement. In 1982, I accepted an invitation to participate in a pilot wellness program organized by Frost Valley YMCA in the Catskill Mountains of New York. There I poured over a large manual outlining self-care philosophies, breathing exercises, meditation, and mind/body wellness. This was a revolutionary program that confirmed my growing passion.

Travel for Discovery

Success Is Working through Your Gifts and Passions

Therapeutic Touch "early days" 1989

I smile recalling how my skeptical father said my interest in massage therapy was "rebellious." That is until he let me give him his first massage! Afterwards he said, "Good for you Patti, you've found your niche for helping others."

In the beginning, folks were leery of a massage business and warned me of my imminent failure. I even had to convince the Yellow Pages representative that Massage Therapist should be a category in the phone book. Determined to succeed, I continued to promote my business. In between scheduling clients and giving massages, I would ice my forearms to keep up with the pace.

Once I had mastered Swedish and Therapeutic massage, I gradually added other modalities to my skill set, including Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular Therapy, Zen Bodytherapy, Lomilomi Hawaiian massage, Thai massage, Sports massage, and Reiki. Now my hands intuitively know what clients are responding to and I combine techniques to best meet their individual needs.

The Future Will Be Built on History

Twenty-two years after Therapeutic Touch opened in the charming beachfront resort town of Bay Head, New Jersey it is recognized as one of the state's leading therapeutic massage and wellness centers. We offer a complete center for well-being, including five luxury treatment rooms, a wellness boutique, holistic skin care, nutrition and wellness coaching, acupuncture, meditation, hypnotherapy, seasonal beach yoga and outdoor fitness classes, and a friendly, experienced staff.
Therapeutic Touch is located one block from the beach and has a wonderful layout that allows clients to quickly escape from their busy lives. Our clients come from all over the world to vacation at the picturesque Jersey Shore and many of them tell us that our massages are the best they have ever had. This feedback fills my heart with joy.

Because I take such care in selecting staff, clients know that they're going to leave Therapeutic Touch feeling relaxed, balanced, and rejuvenated, no matter which therapist has attended them. Through expert hands-on training, our exceptional staff gains mastery over innovative therapeutic techniques. I continue to research new and ancient traditions of massage and life enhancing products that align with my focus and with my passion for wellness. The wellness boutique reflects this research and carries at-home spa products for relaxation and rejuvenation, holistic skin and natural body care, and nutritional products of the highest quality. Always a camp counselor at heart, I regularly take groups of clients on spa vacations to Canyon Ranch in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. My goal is to expand this concept globally and organize trips to the best wellness spas in the world.

Patti Durkin

My personal mission is reflected in everything we do at Therapeutic Touch. I want others to see the importance of wellness and self care in their lives. Self care is no longer considered indulgent, but is a way to reduce stress and stay emotionally and physically balanced and healthy. In small increments, my staff and I help our clients discover what creates a sound mind and sound body and then we help them determine what they need to do to incorporate these principles into their lives. As a September 2011 graduate of the esteemed Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City, I will be certified to assist them in recognizing and mastering their health challenges. When someone's self is full and cared for, that nurturing feeling will overflow into other areas of their life.

The story of the cornucopia from Greek mythology illustrates this point well. The story goes that Zeus accidentally broke the horn off the goat that raised him on her breast milk. In remorse, he endows the horn with supernatural powers when he gives it back to her. Whoever possesses the horn will receive whatever they wish for. Early cornucopias were filled with fruits and flowers. This is how they came to represent the horn of plenty.

To me, the cornucopia symbolizes the power within each one of us that is the essence of all my work. Through massage, coaching, and the healing arts, I seek to bring people back to themselves. I want to empower them to awaken the healer within. More than anything I wish for others to cultivate a sense of well-being and learn the wonderful art of self care. That's the journey I have been on all along. Taking care of others came naturally to me, but making the shift to prioritizing self care has been the key to vibrant well-being. And this ties me and my work to the legacy of Camp Mesacosa, which is celebrating life, having fun, and overflowing with a cornucopia of joy!

Patti and Roger