In the fall of 1989, Bob & Roy, then new owners of Heartwood Institute near Garberville, California, were in need of a new Deep Tissue instructor for their intensive, 10-week, residential Deep Tissue Therapy Training. They called Robert K. King, then President of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and then owner of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy, asking his suggestions to fill that position. Mr. King’s first recommendation was David Scott Lynn.

David had performed many therapy sessions with Mr. King in Chicago, so he was very familiar with DSL’s work. They had also communicated frequently on issues regarding the future of the profession, especially regarding state licensing of massage therapists. Mr. King had also invited David to be keynote speaker regarding licensing issues at an AMTA National Convention in Dallas/Fort Worth in 1988. Licensing issues being of primary concern at that time, David’s presentation was extremely well received by a significant portion of attendees. Unfortunately, the trends at the time turned against David’s cautions, and the profession headed toward further bureaucracy and state legislation. In later years, Mr. King publicly expressed regret that the profession had not listened and acted on David’s warnings and recommendations. But the die was cast.

Regardless, Bob & Roy took Robert King’s advice, and brought David to Heartwood. Over the next year, David taught several programs at Heartwood, with the following results:

The students in Heartwood’s approved Massage program felt that The DSL Method[now known as DSL EdgeWork] was the most valuable work in Heartwood’s massage curriculum. Many students felt that David’s work instilled a sense of competence in their ability to do massage & bodywork. It is an open ended system allowing and encouraging students to continually improve their work through active practitioner/client exchange. I have personally found that, based on feedback from clients, The DSL Method is on par with, if not superior to, the other major bodywork systems available today.

Rex Dippre, Massage Therapist, Director of Admissions, Heartwood Institute, 1989-1992, Arcata, California

I met, worked with and studied with David in 2001. This work changed my life and the way I work with clients dramatically. It is the most profound body of work … bodywork … that I have encountered. It makes sense, and opens up the senses. It decompresses the body, thus allowing for the body to truly release and come back to its proper function and form. This work is cutting edge, yet so clear and powerful. It is what the bodywork/massage world have been waiting for and have needed for years. We owe this to our client’s health, if we are really practicing what we preach, and working in integrity with the laws of the body. I do not know how or what most massage therapists are doing with their clients these days…if they are not using these techniques. … Thank you David for all of your passion, intelligence, and commitment to the work.

Sharon Shapiro, LMT, Sedona, AZ
Prossage-Bodywork Redefined

I have been in the massage therapy business for over 10 years and an instructor of deep tissue manipulation for over 6 years. David’s principles, although easy to understand, are high impact when applied. His understanding of postural assessment and the mind-body connection is amazing. David’s ability to communicate his understanding has helped me to share information with my clients, allowing them to achieve outstanding results from our bodywork sessions. … Thank you David! I look forward to more of your unique classes.

Mike Bass, LMT, Greenville, South Carolina

Communication is everything! Whether you are instructing a class or working one-on-one with a client. … David has a natural ability to share his understanding in a manner that is to the point and easily understood, yet entertaining. The interactivity he encourages in his classes helps to solidify the information in your memory. David’s approach to bodywork is respectful to the client and very effective. I have been able to move some of my clients beyond barriers they were facing by applying the principles I learned in his class. … If you are ready to take a step beyond your current skill set, I highly recommend you consider one of David’s seminars. Thanks David, for the deeper understanding of the body-mind connection and the increase in practical knowledge and application.

Kathy Hobgood, LMT, South Carolina

David is a Master Bodyworker who continues to be invited back here over and over by clients who love his work! His yoga workshops help one to get into their body and experience the principles of how yoga and the body works.

Sandy Aquila, BodyMind Therapist & Director
Omaha Healing Arts Center, Omaha, Nebraska

David is an important leader in the field of BodyWork.

From a Brochure of National Holistic Institute
Emeryville, California

Through my years of experience in clinical practice and taking over 100 seminars in bodywork, I have found The DSL Method to be the missing link toward a greater understanding of human physiology and chronic reflex pain patterns. I endorse and highly recommend taking a course in The DSL Method.

Kyle Wright, L.M.T., Director of North Carolina School of Advanced Bodywork, Asheville, North Carolina

My associates and I attended this DSL Workshop and want to share this new information with you. We have been using the Structural Balancing & Release Technique, and are thrilled with the results.

David Shue, L.M.T., N.M.T., National Instructor of NMT for the Blind, Neuromuscular Therapy Center, Sarasota, Florida

I’m writing to let you know I found your seminar very motivating and informative. I now know areas I can and will study further, your class gave me the incentive. I like the Edge concept … it was really exciting to feel the muscle tension releases. I can’t say enough about your work. I know this method will become known and used. It’s got to because its just so very, very, helpful.

Susan Biercuk, Massage Therapist, Vermont

David Scott Lynn is fast developing into one of the bright teachers in the field of bodywork. His knowledge and enthusiasm challenges the student to begin thinking and experiencing themselves and their clients in new ways.

Gene Arbetter, Massage Therapist, Chicago, Illinois

I am really pleased, and truly amazed. The DSL Method is a revolutionary, exciting new addition to soft tissue bodywork and pain relief. A thorough, complete, in-depth system, it is the missing link to postural alignment and pain relief. I had worked on some of my clients for years with good results, yet The DSL Method, especially the abdominal wall technique, changes them incredibly in a very short time. The new techniques save my body from wear and tear with profound results for my clients.

Peter Howe, N.M.T., Howe Pain Relief Center
Greenfield, Massachusetts

David’s emphasis on viewing posture as dynamic with the focus on the individual has increased my results. I would recommend the course to anyone who is looking for an understanding of the structural functioning of the body.

Ralph Stephens, L.M.T. , N.M.T.
Sports Massage Instructor, Iowa City, Iowa

David Scott Lynn is addressing and challenging issues that are not being significantly approached in the field of Massage & BodyWork.

Dan Ulrich, L.M.T., Cofounder of Suncoast School of Massage & Former Chairman of the Florida State Licensing Board, Tampa, Florida

From a professional bodyworker’s point of view, David Scott Lynn’s work is exemplary. This is not a massage, it is [as much as possible] a pain free release done at the deep muscle level and a perfect complement to other forms of bodywork you may employ. I am completely devoted to his work and would stand in line on a rainy day behind the rest of you for one of his sessions.

Karen Spencer, Chinese Massage Therapist
Prescott, Arizona

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David Scott Lynn (DSL)

DSL the Yogi at Whole Life Perspectives

Beginning at 13 years of age, DSL's been involved with alternative philosophies & practices most of his life. Becoming a yoga teacher in 1976, then a hands-on bodyworker in 1981, he developed a unique & highly effective form of Yoga / Bodywork / Whole Health Fitness & Therapeutics. … David wrote the chapters on a wholistic philosophy & physiology of bodywork & stretching for the textbook Structural Balancing, published by McGraw-Hill, Inc. in 2010. … He is the author of the e-Book Simple Steps to Let-Go Yoga, available at: www.letgoyoga.com/simple-steps/ and several other upcoming e-books.

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Latest posts by David Scott Lynn (DSL) (see all)

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