Parnisia Thomas– Recess Guide | Leadership Mentor | Founder of Brain and Body Recess, Inc.

 

Healing is success, and success begins when we accept our inner truth. Parnisia, the visionary behind Brain and Body Recess, is a leader in embodied healing, holistic education, and sustainable leadership. She is a licensed and board-certified massage therapist, a master educator, and an entrepreneur dedicated to disrupting burnout cycles, reclaiming rest, and redefining leadership for high performers, wellness practitioners, and change-makers. With over 20 years of experience as a massage therapist, bodyworker, and educator in college settings, she brings a unique fusion of clinical expertise, movement science, and somatic intelligence to her work. She specializes in sports recovery, biomechanics, fascia therapy, and nervous system regulation, guiding individuals toward deeper physical and emotional resilience.

 

As a survivor of domestic violence, Parnisia personally understands the toll of chronic stress and allostatic overload. Through yoga, breathwork, and embodied movement, she not only reclaimed her own body and mind but also built Brain and Body Recess as a radical invitation for others to do the same. She believes that true healing happens when we stop performing, start listening, and align with what our bodies and spirits are telling us.​A New Model of Leadership & Well-Being In a world that glorifies overwork, Parnisia challenges the outdated model of success that disconnects high-achievers from their bodies, intuition, and true power. She teaches leaders, organizations, and wellness practitioners how to engage with pressure, stress, and decision-making without sacrificing their bodies, minds, or values.

Through Recess Leadership, she provides a research-backed, embodied approach to navigating leadership, wellness, and self-regulation in high-pressure environments.

Her work integrates: 

•  Non-performative yoga to cultivate deep nervous system restoration

•  Breathwork and somatic intelligence for stress resilience and mental clarity

•  Whole-being healing practices that allow leaders to show up fully and sustainably

Her expertise lies in bridging clinical bodywork, nervous system science, and embodied movement, ensuring that her clients don’t just survive stress—but expand their capacity for success and well-being.

 

Professional Expertise & Community Impact

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Parnisia’s work extends beyond individual healing—she is actively shaping the future of leadership, holistic wellness, and community healing. 

•  Licensed & Board-Certified Massage Therapist with specialization in sports recovery, biomechanics, fascia therapy, and injury prevention

•  E-RYT 500 Yoga Educator & Trainer, with expertise in somatic movement, nervous system regulation, and embodied leaders

•  Former Massage Therapy Educator in Higher Education, training the next generation of holistic practitioners

•  Founder of Recess Global, a non-profit empowering melanin girls through leadership, holistic health, and STEAM education

•  Trauma-Informed Movement Facilitator for The City of Seattle Conservation Corps, guiding breathwork and somatic healing for formerly incarcerated individuals and those in recovery

• Collaborator with Collective Justice, integrating restorative justice and whole-body resilience practices for communities impacted by trauma

•  Through Camp Recess, she provides leadership development, yoga teacher training, and acro yoga mentorship—expanding into a global healing movement, with an upcoming retreat in Senegal, Africa, designed to bridge indigenous and modern healing practice. Corporate, Leadership & Holistic Wellness Offerings As an entrepreneur and leadership mentor, Parnisia partners with: 

•  Corporate teams seeking embodied leadership strategies

•  Wellness brands integrating holistic healing into their culture

•  Community-driven organizations prioritizing sustainable well-being

 

Parnisia's work aligns with organizations that recognize rest as strategy, healing as leadership, and full-being alignment as the foundation of resilience. Through Brain and Body Recess, she curates immersive experiences, corporate wellness programs, and leadership workshops that challenge outdated success models and cultivate meaningful well-being practices in high-pressure environments.​

Healing is Successful When We Accept Our Inner Truth Healing is not just about doing the work—it’s about accepting what is true. When we embrace our inner truth, we give ourselves permission to heal, to rest, and to lead from a place of authenticity. Parnisia is not just leading a business—she’s leading a movement. She believes that when we align spirit, mind, and body, we lead from a place of wholeness. Healing is not separate from leadership—it is the foundation of it. Through Brain and Body Recess, she is reclaiming the power of wisdom, rest, and holistic leadership—helping individuals and organizations break free from burnout, embody resilience, and lead with clarity, purpose, and balance.

 

For partnerships, speaking engagements, or corporate collaborations, visit Brain & Body Recess or connect with Parnisia directly.​