12/20/2025
It is with deep sadness and deep gratitude that I share this today. John F. Barnes, the incredible pioneer of Myofascial Release, passed away yesterday. To say a void will be felt is an understatement. I send my deepest condolences to his family, the MFR community,, and all of the therapists and staff at the Sanctuary in PA, and Therapy on the Rocks in AZ.
John literally changed my life. My first seminar with John was in 2014. That class and John's inspiration completely changed the way I viewed healing. He literally opened a place in my mind, heart and awareness that started me on a new path. The trajectory of my career started to shift from that very first meeting. Working alongside him in 2016, he inspired me to pursue my dream of specializing in MFR. With the amazing support of my husband and family, that is what I began to do.
John taught me concepts of energy, the power of healing touch, and the importance of being grounded and centered. He had a profound way of getting right to the point - challenging you to be your best self and a skilled therapist. I still attribute the best learning experiences of my career to John and his Myofascial Release Seminars. There is not a week (sometimes days) that goes by that I do not hear his voice when I am treating. His steadfast commitment to the principles of Myofascial Release gave us all the tools we need to guide our patients on their own authentic, holistic healing journeys.
I would not be where I am today without the inpiration from this man. John's courage to continue to expand beyond "traditional" approaches to empower us to look at people holistically in body, mind and spiriit, has profoundly changed the way we approach healing.
Thank you for the love, for your leadership, and for the lifelong dear friends that I have made because of you.
It has been a privilege to know you John.
May your spirit travel easy on its way.
