Occupation: I am a licensed massage therapist at the Physical Medicine & Wellness Center at 24 Glen Road in Sandy Hook. I work also at Envisage, which is a spa in the same building.

I am licensed to work in New York having completed 1,000 hours of training to be certified there. In Connecticut I needed “only” 500 hours for my license, but it was much more rigorous and harder to get. I have an associate degree from the Swedish Institute in New York City.

Every country has a different method. Swedish massage is more of a medical massage. Shiatsu is Japanese massage using finger pressure. Thai-Yoga is done on a mat on the floor in comfortable clothing while you stretch out. Chinese massage concentrates on the legs because the Chinese must walk everywhere and they do a lot of physical work. Westerners need more neck and shoulder massage because they sit at computer terminals all day.

My decision to go into massage therapy was due to my own experience after a bad car accident. In recovery, I realized how important it is for other people to physically care for you. It’s amazing what an appropriate human touch can do. While you are having massage treatment, it’s a time to relax and not worry about anything. Let your mind wander. It is very healing.

How Long In Newtown: I have lived in Sandy Hook one year. Before that, I lived in Somers, Westchester County,  N.Y. I grew up in Oregon.

Biggest Change You Have Seen In Town: I haven’t lived here that long so I’ll comment on the nice things that I hope won’t change. It’s very quiet and peaceful where I live near the Housatonic River and there are places to walk. I love the tranquility and just being outdoors a lot, summer and winter. I was a Boy Scout growing up, and that’s probably where I first felt at one with nature.

Family: I have a sister living in Oregon, a brother in Ann Arbor, Mich., and a half-brother and half-sister in New Jersey. My grandparents, who are both approaching 100 years old, live in Ohio.

Hobbies: I’m an amateur photographer. I like winter activities such as snow-shoeing and snow-mobiling. In summer I like kayaking.

Favorite Book, Movie: One of my favorites is The Native American Series, a 20-book reference collection that is very hard to find, written by Edward S. Curtis. He was a photographer living in Seattle. I first found the books in Carol College, Helena, Mont., and have been looking for them ever since.

I enjoy going to movies and do appreciate the Edmond Town Hall Theatre. It’s priced just right and they always have something new that hasn’t been out for too long. They get it just before it goes to video or DVD.

Most Vivid Memory About Newtown: I love watching people who live near where I do walking their dogs. They are so friendly and always say hello. I don’t know their names but I do know their dogs’ names. I love all animals, especially dogs.

Favorite Vacation Spot: I love going to Kauai Island in Hawaii. My sister has a timeshare there, and every other year I go. It’s like a garden island in paradise, not over-developed at all.

Personal Philosophy: I’ve had a lot of great teachers and they have inspired me. The only constant in life is change. Beyond that, I believe you are what you eat, and you are what you do. The only person that can change you is you. Finally, I’d like to pass on four keys to a great life: Sleep, Exercise, Nutrition, and Meditation. Just take five minutes for yourself and block out all the external things. Sit back and soak in all that life is. And never go to the grocery store hungry.

Snapshot: Gordon Young