You’re Invited! ABMP Movie Night
Join us Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in our virtual movie theater to watch the 30-minute documentary film Touched: A Massage Story, featuring ABMP member Jonathan Grassi. Jonathan and filmmaker Chandler Toffa will be with us to interact with you while the movie plays and for a 30-minute live Q&A session afterward!
This interactive online event is free for everyone in the profession: ABMP members and nonmembers. There is no CE credit associated with this event.
BYOP: Bring Your Own Popcorn!
Movie Night Information
Touched: A Massage Story unfolds the art of human connection through the hands of a massage therapist. The hands are ABMP member Jonathan Grassi’s, but they represent those of so many in our profession.
Jonathan’s story—of hard work and perseverance, loss and disillusionment, healing and hope—reflects the story of many of his colleagues. Touched: A Massage Story is a film that gives us an opportunity to bring much-deserved attention to our profession. Seasoned massage therapists who have seen the documentary say they’re inspired by it. New therapists say they’re encouraged by it, buoyed by the hope it brings them to work through the frequently difficult early years in our profession. Commonly, therapists who have viewed the film say it increases their commitment and passion for the profession.
Nontherapist viewers say the documentary increases their respect and understanding of our profession because it shows the training, commitment, and dedication of our professionals. Jonathan’s goal has always been to elevate our profession and increase the public’s understanding of massage as a pillar of the health-care system. Touched is an avenue to achieve this goal—and help our profession as a whole.
Touched: A Massage Story can be a message of hope for all massage therapists. It can be an example of cultural awareness and human connection across the globe.
Author Bio:
Jonathan Grassi, founder of Bodywork for Liberation, is dedicated to promoting somatic bodywork and advancing the field of massage therapy as a pillar of the health-care system. Featured in national and local print and broadcast media, Jonathan brings vast training, expertise, and passion to his work.
Jonathan is the subject of the documentary Touched: A Massage Story (Toffu Films, 2020). The film unfolds the art of human connection through massage, and reveals Jonathan’s journey to the World Championship in Massage. It offers insight into the massage profession and showcases massage throughout the world and the importance of touch in all cultures. Grassi is a graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Massage and completed advanced neuromuscular training at the Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado. In 2018, Jonathan won the bronze medal in the Freestyle category at the World Championship in Massage in Copenhagen. He lives in the foothills of Colorado with his family and dogs. You can find out more about his work at Bodywork for Liberation (bodyworkforliberation.com).
Chandler Toffa is an international storyteller in both traditional and new forms of media. He graduated from USC’s Film Program with a BA in Film & Television Production and East Asian Area Studies. With human connection at the focus of his work, he has directed and produced a variety of projects ranging from VR/AR to linear narrative and documentary films. His passion lies in bridging cultures and finding humility in the depth of what is bigger than us, one story at a time. He previously worked for Universal Pictures and currently works with Participant’s documentary team in Beverly Hills, California. For more information, visit chandlertoffa.com.
Listen to their feature on The ABMP Podcast.
Ep 114 – Touched: A Massage Story, ABMP Movie Night! with Jonathan Grassi and Chandler Toffa.
