Susan
Susan has been working in the field of massage since 1998. She received her training at Brenneke School of Massage (now known as Cortiva Institute) in Seattle, Washington.
After graduating she returned home to Michigan to be close to family and set up her practice. She was the owner/operator of her own studio, A Peaceful Place, for six years. After a successful run, she closed the business to focus on her growing family. She is the proud mama of three beautiful boys. She enjoys spending time with her sons laughing, playing and loving life.
Susan has such a vast knowledge of the field and the way the body works. She assesses her clients’ posture, gate, tissue condition, joint function, muscle strength, and range of motion, and responds with all of her skills to what she feels your body needs. She provides clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement, stretching, strengthening, and relaxation.
Susan incorporates many different modalities in her massages. She works from a base of Swedish massage and includes elements of deep tissue, reflexology, trigger point therapy and shiatsu. Based on the clients’ individual needs, she will customize each session to ensure that those needs are met.
Her work is an art, and she is a therapist who loves what she does, continues to learn, and, with her intuitive touch, she enhances her client’s well-being. A massage with Susan is an experience to be remembered. She gives your body what it needs to be healthy and whole. She guides your body into remembering how to feel strong, flexible and relaxed.
Bekah
Bekah is a licensed massage therapist who is dedicated to wellness. She is active and enjoys sports, meditation through yoga, and the beauty of nature. She hopes her healthy living inspires clients to embrace positive change and take care of themselves beyond the treatment table. She trusts in the body’s innate capacity to heal and that there is an energy within us that when open and unobstructed promotes our health and well-being.
Bekah works with a variety of clients and her massage style is one of subtle intensity. Her hands see beyond skin; molding, reconnecting, and reminding. Her work inspires a sense of renewal to restore optimum function throughout the body. She allows the body to de-stress, helps alleviate discomfort from fibromyalgia and other chronic pains, trigeminal nerualgia, repetitive motion syndromes, and tendonitis. She has continued her education and today integrates cranial-sacral work from the Upledger Institute, neuromuscular massage, deep tissue, Swedish massage, reflexology, and is trained in hot stone massage.
Bekah attended Bowling Green State University, and graduated with a degree in Applied Health Science, which prepared her to further her education in the medical field. Questioning which avenue to take, she became intrigued with the idea that simple touch can be so healing and so powerful affecting all of your body’s systems in ways that can influence much more than just the physical body, but also the mind and spirit. Many students chose medical school, nursing, or physical therapy work as subsequent education. Bekah chose massage therapy to address pain and offer a preventative medicine using natural hands-on methods, which best fit her creative ideas, yet scientific education. She attended the Northwest Academy of Massotherapy and graduated in 2004.
Bekah truly enjoys her work in massage and believes the power of therapeutic touch with the right intention has the potential to holistically change lives.
Birgit
Birgit holds a degree in physical therapy and has been working as a licensed PT and MT in Germany, her home country, since 1999. With a great passion for natural health and holistic therapies, she soon pursued further training in osteopathic manual therapy, reflexology, lymph drain, and Craniosacral therapy. She skillfully integrates these modalities into each clients session.
Through her work as a PT, she gained a lot of experience with clients recovering from injuries or surgery, suffering from chronic pain, or dealing with postural imbalances.
After taking some time off to devote herself to her growing family she relocated to Michigan in 2008, excited to have the opportunity to explore the field of natural health in the States. She completed a therapeutic bodywork program at the Naturopathic Institute in Mt. Pleasant, MI, where she fell in love with aromatherapy and energy work, which she added to her repertoire of bodywork.
No two sessions with Birgit are ever the same. Each client is thoroughly assessed, and then the session is tailored to the individual needs and can range from deep tissue work with joint mobilization and stretching techniques to Craniosacral work or healing touch session.
When Birgit is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and engaging in various outdoor activities.
Maekena
Maekena became interested in massage therapy to connect with others in a meaningful way. She enjoys the learning experience for both client and therapist. She first noticed the physical need for massage, but also found massage very beneficial for mental health, and inner peace.
Maekena is a graduate from Irene’s Myomassology Institute in Southfield Michigan. While attending Irene’s Maekena trained in Structural Evaluation, Muscle Mechanics, Reflexology, Shiatsu, and Thai.
With a previous Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Washtenaw Community College, Maekena appreciates the creative and artful aspects and flow of massage. Through intention of touch and a therapeutic approach, which aims to address all areas of her clients’ specific needs, she creates a personalized massage for each client. She is honored to be a part of others’ healing processes.
Maekena is a member of the AMTA as well as being Nationally Certified and is Licensed in the state of Michigan. Maekena plans on a long career in massage; and is continually expanding her knowledge base, techniques, and modalities.
Amanda
Amanda Crossley is a LMT in the state of Michigan and a proud member of ABMP ( American body work and massage professional.) She is a graduate of Irene’s Myomassology Institute in Southfield, MI. While studying at Irene’s exploring a variety of modalities, she grew a love for Thai, trigger points, and reflexology. Amanda’s goal is to help her clients improve their quality of life. Her massage style blends specific trigger point techniques, a deep rhythmic/relaxing swedish, and Thai. In Amanda’s spare time she enjoys painting, drawing, and taking naps with her cat.
Kirt
Kirt is a Licensed Massage Therapist. He graduated from the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy in the 800 hour massage program. He has taken workshops in Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular Therapy, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Reflexology, And other modalities. He has also studied and practiced Yoga for years and completed a 200 hour Yoga teacher training.
Kirt became interested in developing a more ‘western’ approach to body work after some involvement with spiritual/energy work while apprenticing at organic farm retreats and diving deep into holistic lifestyles and nutrition. Kirt has traveled extensively to pursue his studies of sustainable farms and ecological communities, natural health solutions, and reintegration of the body, mind, and spirit. Certifications: Licensed Massage Therapist Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy Yoga – RYT 200. Specialties: Myofacial release Neuromuscular therapy Sports Therapy +others
Emily
Emily is a Licensed Massage Therapist and has been in the massage field for three years. She studied at Douglas J Aveda Institute in Ann Arbor, then started at Sha Zen Massage. Her massage style bends elements of Myofascial Release, Reflexology, Stretching, Deep Tissue, and calming Swedish Massage. Emily is also studying Moving Cupping Therapy and hopes to offer it soon.
Every massage given by Emily is personalized and dedicated to helping you relax, targeting problem areas, as well as easing your mind. Emily is passionate about helping others and working with her hands.
In her free time Emily enjoys baking, reconnecting to nature, and animals (especially her three lovely kitties)
Laura
Laura is a licensed massage therapist, she graduated from the Michigan School of Myomasology in 2005. She is passionate about healthy diet, nutrition and wholistic lifestyle. She loves organic gardening, connecting with nature and spending quality time with her family, friends and dogs. Laura has been a Reiki practitioner since 1986 and a Reiki Master (instructor) since 1998. This energy balancing technique’s simple, yet profound ability to improve one’s well being quickly captured her heart. She loves sharing Reiki’s many benefits.
“I love helping people feel their more comfortable in their body and soul!”
In 2003 Laura began studying Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and continues her studies with the Upledger Institute.She offers Relaxation massage, Hot Stone, Prenatal massage and Deep Tissue as well as Craniosacral Therapy and Reiki. She incorporates Trigger Point Therapy, stretching and myofascial release and can blend CST or Reiki into your massage session.
Amber St Johns
Amber has been working with the body for many years. After graduating from massage school, she continued her education by earning her degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant. She has a deep understanding of the muscles and movement of the body. Combined with an awareness of the mind-body connection, her approach to massage is a blend of intuition and science. She has the ability to slowly work through tight muscles and provide freedom of movement to sore, stiff areas. She describes herself as a medium to light pressure therapist and doesn’t subscribe to, “ no pain, no gain”. Instead, her focus in session is creating a space for deep relaxation and release.
Jessica
Jessica began her journey into massage at the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy (AAIMT) where she graduated in 2001. The 650-hour program at AAIMT encompassed training in myofascial, neuromuscular, trigger point, Swedish, Shiatsu, reflexology, deep tissue, and other modalities. Post graduation, in 2002, Jessica and two of her classmates founded Body Wisdom Massage Therapy. She practiced at Body Wisdom up until 2009, when her firstborn turned one year old. Finding herself spread too thin between her practice, a full-time marketing and communications career, and being a mom, she made the difficult decision to pause her professional practice of massage therapy. Luckily, two skilled neighboring practitioners, Susan and Bekah, assumed the care of Body Wisdom and its clients, growing it into the center that it is today. Jessica believes there is no separation between mind, body, and spirit, and that massage helps promote the healthy integration of the self. Her methodology is focused on a holistic approach to well-being, taking into consideration what the client tells her as well as what she intuits. The goal of each session is determined ahead of time whether it is to relax, reduce pain, de-stress, address specific issues, or aid in recovery and healing. Jessica especially enjoys using a mix of techniques to help the client achieve both immediate and longer-lasting effects in a given session. Over the years, Jessica has continued her massage education with training in pregnancy massage, sports massage, Reiki, hot stone, lymph drainage, and more extensively, infant massage. She is a licensed massage therapist in the state of Michigan. Jessica’s return to the practice of massage in 2022 occurred in tandem with her training in life coaching through Martha’s Beck Wayfinder Institute. Jessica intends to support client’s embodiment, self realization, and self actualization by eventually offering life-coaching concurrently with massage, and as a standalone offering.
Cheryl
Cheryl is a 2007 graduate of Irene’s Myomassology Institute in Southfield, MI, Member ABMP since 2006, Board Certified since 2007, Licensed Massage Therapist State of Michigan, Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist ,Medical Massage Therapist , Registered 200 hour Yoga Teacher Yoga Alliance
With a wide variety of education and experience Cheryl’s massage style is flowing, intuitive and flexible based on your needs and preferences and includes a blend of Swedish massage for relaxation, maintenance and recovery and sports and deep tissue massage, assisted stretching, trigger point, reflexology, myofascial release, Thai face massage, hot stone, prenatal, aromatherapy and suggest some holistic Cayce remedies.
Cheryl’s practice philosophy is to meet you where you are and to empower you to help you feel your best. She discovered that massage and yoga helped her to regain her health and have a better quality of life. She hopes her inspiration can inspire you. When she’s not working to help you have a great day she takes care of home and family and enjoys practicing and studying yoga and massage. She also enjoys multiple methods of indoor and outdoor gardening, swimming, travel, reading, healthy cooking and food preservation and teaching her cat to communicate with fluent pet buttons.
Amber DiMeglio
Amber, a graduate of Irene’s Myomassology Institute, is deeply passionate about the healing benefits of massage therapy, with a special interest in fascial work. Her approach to massage is both intuitive and technical; rooted in the understanding that enhancing fascial and soft tissue mobility leads to ease of movement, reduced discomfort, and improved circulation of blood and lymph.
Her sessions incorporate diverse methods like myofascial release, neuromuscular techniques, trigger point therapy, table Thai and assisted stretching, reflexology, Swedish, and Esalen-inspired massage techniques. While deep tissue work is within her skill set, Amber has found that gentle, slow, and persistent pressure can yield significant improvements, and will oftentimes use a combination of both methods. Her style is flowing and rhythmic for mind/ body relaxation, as well as engaging and incorporates passive and active, client led movements for deeper therapeutic effects.
Whether her clients seek deep relaxation, an active therapeutic session, or a blend of both, Amber’s goal is always to meet each client where they are and support them on their own unique path towards holistic well-being.
In loving memory of Dan Preston
Dan was born and raised in Ann Arbor. He graduated from Washtenaw Community College with an Associate’s degree in Science. He is also a graduate of the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy. Dan has a total of 12 years in massage experience, and was the former owner/operator of RUB (Relaxation. Ultimate Bodywork) located in Downtown Ann Arbor before the business closed it’s doors due to COVID-19. Dan’s memory is a light to us, his wife and his 3 children. He greeted us with his huge smile, had big hand shakes for his clients and held the door for them as he said good bye. He is a beautiful soul and was a gifted healer and we will keep him in our hearts.
