Jill Berkana founded the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy (CRSMT) in 2005 with Russell Bennett.

She is the Academic Dean and provides strategic leadership and administrative management for the CRSMT Academic Department. With Russell Bennett and Bev Boyer, she co-directs all CRSMT operational, student and faculty affairs.  

Jill Berkana is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and a graduate of the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Boulder, Colorado.

She enjoyed a thriving private massage therapy practice for nineteen years, during which she has inspired and mentored many students and provided thousands of massage therapy treatments to a dedicated clientele, specializing in Normalization of Soft Tissue techniques (NST), Integrative Massage Therapy, Myo-fascial Release, and Neuro-Muscular Therapy.

She has worked with Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Personal Trainers and Osteopaths in a cooperative effort to facilitate health and healing by sharing the art of Massage Therapy.

Her extensive career in the massage therapy industry has included the development and oversight of massage therapy programs for health clubs and chiropractic offices. She created and launched a destination spa program for a resort in the jungles of Belize where she provided massage, spa treatments, strength training, nutritional counseling, and guided tours.

Over the years, she has worked with a full spectrum of clients including infants, professional athletes, cancer survivors, adolescents, elderly clients and familiar celebrities.

Jill Berkana presents select classes to the CRSMT students, and offers lectures throughout the program introducing CRSMT students to the real world of massage therapy. Her no holds barred approach has been described as thoroughly engaging and outside of the box.

In addition to enjoying long term success in the massage therapy industry, Jill also has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and business professional. She enjoys international travel, yoga, creative writing, chocolate, playing the piano, organic gardening, cooking, and dabbles in graphic design and painting. She is the proud mother of her son, Jade.

Jill Berkana and Russell Bennett first envisioned the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy by bringing two of their common life treasures together; Massage Therapy and Costa Rica! CRSMT is the manifestation of many dreams and developed talents come to fruition.