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Bri Hayes
From Diving Deep to Healing Deep
Nominated and written by: Liv B. Well, Membership Engagement Committee
From the crystal-clear waters of Roatan, Honduras, to the serene hills of New York’s Hudson Valley, Bri Hayes has always been drawn to helping others find peace. Whether it’s under the sea or on the massage table.
Before becoming a licensed massage therapist, Bri spent her days teaching people how to breathe 60 feet beneath the surface as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor in Roatan. Guiding divers through the Mesoamerican Reef, she learned early on what it means to create a sense of calm and safety in unfamiliar environments, a skill that now beautifully translates into her massage practice.
“In both careers, it’s your responsibility to make people feel safe and comfortable,” Bri shares. “Teaching someone to dive calmly beneath the surface helped me understand how to create that same sense of trust and security for my clients on the table.”
After returning to the U.S. to be closer to family, Bri followed her long-standing passion for anatomy and bodywork, earning her massage therapy license in November 2024 and joining AMTA soon after.
Grounded Healing in the Hudson Valley
Now based in Kingston, NY, Bri runs a private practice in her home, where she carefully curates a tranquil, welcoming environment for her clients. She also lends her healing touch to Wildflower Farms, a luxury spa in Gardiner, and Waterside Spa in Saugerties. Both are local favorites in the Hudson Valley wellness community.
Her practice attracts clients from all walks of life, but she especially enjoys working with athletes and prenatal clients. Her go-to modalities include myofascial release, barefoot massage, Thai, and prenatal massage.
“There’s nothing quite like feeling a muscle release under your hands and knowing the relief it’s going to bring someone,” Bri says. “And when a client tells me it was one of their most memorable massages, that’s the icing on the cake.”
Expanding Her Healing Toolkit
Never one to stop learning, Bri is currently studying Sound Healing, which she plans to weave into her sessions to help clients find even deeper balance and relaxation.
Community and Connection
Community is at the heart of Bri’s work and life. She volunteers with the Ulster County Immigrant Defense Network, supporting newcomers and ensuring they feel the same warmth and inclusion she experienced while traveling in South America.
“While I was abroad, I always felt welcome and at home,” she reflects. “It’s important to me that others feel that same sense of belonging here.”
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