My RI Life: Meet Massage Therapist Jeanne Batting

I've lived in Rhode Island since I was 5 years old. Prior to that I lived in Foxboro, MA, having been born in Norwood, MA. I spent most of my adolescent and adult life working at my father's real estate appraisal business, both in the office and in the field, once I'd attained my appraiser's license. When the economy collapsed, I held on for a few years, but knew it was time to reconsider my professional ambitions. For reasons I can't even clearly articulate myself, it occurred to me that massage therapy was a path I wanted to follow. Call it empathy, call it intuition, soon I was enrolled in classes at the Lincoln Technical Institute to become a licensed LMT.

Soon after graduating (and making the Dean's List 3 times!), I was hired at Massage Envy at their new franchise location in Lincoln, RI. In less than a year, I was building up a regular clientele. I had found something I was really good at! Not wanting to limit myself, I teamed up with Deb Manera Cunha, proprietor of Essence Yoga, who envisioned the concept of offering massage as an enhancement to her yoga studio. The business is located in historic Pawtuxet Village in a building that was once a theater; my massage studio is actually the old dressing room area. I focus on deep tissue, reflexology, Swedish massage but customize my approach to each person's needs. The studio has a cozy, welcoming atmosphere which I feel is integral to a positive massage experience. At times it might hurt a bit, but at least you'll be cozy!

I have been married to my husband for 19 years with two beautiful daughters to show for our sins. We met at the Rocket, a night club in Providence, which then became Club Babyhead, then Club Hell. At the time I was singing in a band called Spindle Shanks while my husband was a vocalist for the punk/metal outfit Strange Flesh. After a few false starts, we've been going strong ever since.

We presently reside in Scituate and don't get out like we used to, but when a sitter can be procured, we like to hit either the Scurvy Dog or Nolan's Pub, both in Providence, for the casual atmosphere yet expansive drink options. Closer to home, the Village Tavern on Danielson Pike is unrivaled for pub-fare and pints. Their Bentley Burger is as good a burger as you will get anywhere in our solar system. But our favorite night out is a couple of steamed lobsters and a budget bottle of shiraz picnic at Beavertail State Park to catch a sunset, watch some bunnies, and maybe spy a deer or two...or three.

Photo Credits: All pics courtesy of Jeanne Batting, except for the Pawtuxet Village exteriors.