meet our exceptional staff
Get to know some of the talented people of Eviama who support you, body and soul.
Marissa
Marissa enjoys and loves her big extended family, and spiritual life is very important to her. She plays at being a fashionista, too, so there’s room for material girl action as well. One day she’ll come in looking like Mary Tyler Moore, the next she looks like a rockstar!
Marissa loves her dual life as a licensed skincare professional and massage therapist. She is clear, intuitive and very discerning in determining the appropriate depth and nature of the work you need in each session. She takes great pleasure in the healing arts and can deliver deep tissue work as deftly as the more etheric forms such as Reiki. Her excellent abilities extend to all her extremities – you know she is certified in Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy – so the magic flows through her hands, arms and feet with equal grace and effectiveness.
Her work is serene even when it is intense. Marissa’s lightheartedness and joyfulness are golden – and contagious! We love working with her.
Marissa wanted to help her mother who had chronic skin irritation and chafing under her breasts. After several trials with various medicated powders, nothing was working. We suggested Dr.Hauschka Body Silk, an exceptionally fine body powder of rice, silk, and healing plant extracts. This did the trick – suffering gone, skin happy.
For her own daily use, Marissa loves the Rose Body Oil, and buys it for everyone she knows as the quintessential gift. Every fall, she stocks up on Lemon Lemongrass Body Oil to infuse her body with light to replace what is lost in the earlier fall of darkness. As for work related preventative care, Rosemary Leg and Arm Toner saves the day and keeps her feeling lively through all her sessions.
One more thing – Marissa never wore lipstick before meeting Dr.Hauschka Decoratives. Now she can’t say enough good things about the lip colors and the eyeshadows.
Cheryl
Cheryl is a woman on the move. Currently pursuing a double major in psychology and neuroscience at Temple University, she has her sights set on graduate school, where she plans to obtain a PhD in clinical psychology. She’ll be a great asset to the mental health field when her formal training is complete. Right now, we are glad to have her with us: from her first massage at Eviama, our clients have happily returned and requested her.
She feels strongly the connection between healing body and mind, and finds following her intuition invaluable in treatments like Houdini JINI, Reiki, Foot Reflexology and all forms of bodywork. Cheryl is also certified and extremely enthusiastic about the benefits of Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, a therapy growing in popularity and locally unique to Eviama.
Cheryl is very much a family-loving person. As the oldest sibling of five (she has four brothers!) Cheryl has learned to work as part of a team (it takes a village to raise a child); to embrace responsibility and provide gentle guidance for her younger siblings. Compassionate and able, Cheryl felt like a mother to the youngest brothers. Nurturing while carefully defining boundaries has become second nature to her.
Passionate and creative, Cheryl loves music, art, writing, astrology, and of course, her present and future work in the healing arts.
Cheryl loves working with the Dr.Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass Body Oil (sunshine and liver support in a bottle) and the Birch-Arnica Body Oil (relief for a hard-working body), and has become enchanted by the Spruce Bath for her personal use. Also a hit – the Dr.H Decoratives lip colors – because they are so emollient and healing – not a bit drying!
Emily
At Eviama we are grateful to have Emily's bubbly, keen energy among us. Spirituality is an important part of her life, and you will feel it manifest in her healing touch. As a dedicated massage therapist and esthetician for over a decade, Emily believes in the benefits of Thai Yoga and Shiatsu so much that you'll find her self-treating when she has a break. Whether it's a balancing facial, a special brow waxing, or therapeutic massage, Emily's many gifts and enthusiasm flow through all her spa treatments.
Emily is a loving and devoted mom to her lil' man, Dylan, who will be three this fall. The patience, presence, love, and intuitition that grow in complexity with motherhood are reflected in her work at Eviama.
For a decade Emily competed in triathalons (placing in the top 95th percentile!) and now she regularly pushes her son in the jogger. These two can fly! Joy in her yoga practice and joy in dance hold the key to balance in her many-faceted life. She understands well the physical challenges of being an athlete, so if you are looking for a strong and sure touch, Emily's your gal!
Her Dr.Hauschka favorites? Can't do without Cleansing Cream (which suits her out-doorsy rigor) and Cleansing Milk (which suits her penchant for make-up... the perfect remover!) and she loves the feel of Rose Day Cream and Toned Day Cream... the latter softens her rosy red cheeks to a natural glow. And, as odd as it may seem, she recently discovered that Dr.Hauschka Moisturizing Mask works well for fixing chapped hands.
Cooper
Cooper has been winning clients’ loyalty for a year now at Eviama. All our therapists love his intuitive, strong, mindful work: here, we all need to trade and work on each other regularly to keep our excellent flow happening. If you’re thinking, “uh, no, not a male therapist please” – think again. First of all, really, gender’s got nothing to do with what we do here. Second, the man really deserves credit for working so well with an otherwise all female team.
Where did he get his training? Cooper completed a 1200 hour program in massage therapy at the Swedish Institute in NYC. He’s a good fit for Eviama: easy-going but disciplined, and fascinated by sanctuary and holistic healing. Cooper is an extraordinary percussionist, so he has a deep relationship to rhythm which is reflected in his work. Staying focused in each massage session, he works the tissue until he finds good balance. Cooper is happy with his avocation of bodywork, and we are lucky to have him here.
As a part time musician, illustrator, muscle enthusiast and an avid student of qi gong disciplines, his passion for the arts matches that of his work. Try his Shiatsu, Houdini JINI, Foot Reflexology or a session of Myofascial Release blended with polarity.
Cooper was converted by our natural, plant medicine approach to lip balm and votes yes! for the biodynamic beeswax-based Dr.Hauschka Lip Care Stick. Bless those bees. He also marvels at the effectiveness of the Dr.H Arnica Bump and Bruise Relief (homeopathic pellets) and the Birch Arnica Body Oil.
Vicki
Vicki took a great leap of faith and determination and sought fortune and fame in Hollywood, where she studied massage and skin care. You might catch her in a repeat of a Seinfeld or Drew Carrey episode! She returned to the east coast recently and has been busy practicing her healing arts to favorable reviews. Her inspiration for learning skin care came through her own battle with acne. Her esthetician, Dawne, made her a firm believer during eight years of regular facials. You should see her skin now! And as for her somatic therapies talent, The Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing in Los Angeles gave her terrific training in holistic body therapies. Vicki, too, dedicated her spring break to Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy training and will be certified by the end of summer 2010.
Vicki’s passions involve reading (she’s training to become a reading specialist!) and yoga. In her spare time she does a lot of shopping, lots of shopping, and she has her own distinct fashion sense. Our boutique makes her crazy! She is all about the bags, the scarves, and everything new. She’s sampling all our spa potions one by one, and we are glad to oblige.
Cassandra
Cassandra has always had an inclination to inspire people. As a young girl, she trained in acting, dancing, and singing in hopes of gracing the hallowed Broadway stage or the silver screen. After realizing the power of her own words, she attended University of the Arts for screenwriting. Graduating with honors, Cassandra set her sights on the Big Apple to pursue a career in her field. But even after landing her dream job, she felt like there was something more for her in life.
Cassandra has since been on the path towards spiritual enlightenment and self growth, developing her massage skills to inspire people with therapeutic touch. She immediately fell in love with the healing arts on her first day of massage school and realized that massage therapy was her true calling. This woman may be diminutive, but she is strong! How many yoga classes can you take in one week? You’ll probably run into her at half the classes you’re taking! And like all of us at Eviama, Cassandra is avid about continuing education. Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy is a newly acquired certification, and also her new favorite!
As for Eviama’s treatment line-up, Cassandra enjoys the Houdini JINI massage for its focus and intricate use of fine motor skills. But the Myofascial Release Integrated Massage is Cassandra's favorite, because it allows her to apply science along with improvisational technique. She definitely recommends AromaScentral as a preface to any treatment - it helps each client to relax more deeply, to be more receptive to the healing process. Cassandra adores using Dr.Hauschka’s Neem Hair Lotion to make her (beautiful!) hair shine and to balance and condition her scalp. The Rose Body Moisturizer and Lemon Body Moisturizer are also her new best friends.
Penny
This whole thing, Eviama, was Penny’s idea. Before it was fashionable to be green or know what it meant, Penny was pulling together resources for green construction and drawing plans that respected energy flow and principles of feng shui; researching alternative energy sources and ruthlessly healthy, pure organic products for a spa; and devising a genuinely holistic treatment menu that could bring the most benefit to clients. She wanted a real place for healing in the city – and that is what the city got.
Penny loves her work, and has been continually expanding her training since her first energy class nearly three decades ago. She is ever grateful to her teachers, and to her teachers’ teachers, and to every blessed soul on whom she has ever had the privilege to work.
Often asked what is her favorite service to perform, Penny says it is the diversity and variety of her work that is so satisfying. Whether it is eyebrow waxing or Spiritual Healing, CranioSacral Therapy or a Special Challenge Facial with Color Therapy, Maya Abdominal Massage or a detoxifying body wrap – all involve transformation for the client - and that is the purpose and reward of her efforts.
She likes to wear lots of hats (figuratively), so the demands of business suit her just fine – with the blessing of many lessons and new perspectives to enhance her path.
As for her product picks – Dr.Hauschka Blackthorn Body Wash (for gentle cleansing), Weleda Birch Shower Scrub (once a week ritual), Dr.H Rosemary Leg and Arm Toner (for toning droopy skin and enlivening muscles), and either Moor Lavender Body Oil (sinking-in-emollience combined with spiritual protection) or Blackthorn Body Oil (enhance elasticity! beat gravity!) start her day with self-love and care. Her face really likes the Regenerating Serum (to use day and night) and Regenerating Day Cream, new from Dr.Hauschka Skin Care, formulated for mature skin….But she still loves the incredibly effective combination of Moisturizing Day Cream and Rose Day Cream to balance and protect her dry, over fifty skin. Never one to go crazy over make-up, she’s really loving the new Eye Duo Pencil to brighten and contrast her peepers.
Astra
Astra is on sabbatical right now. Once she sells her house in Ithaca, she'll be back!
Astra draws her inspiration from the stars and from the core of the Earth. Where we meet in the middle is an opportunity for healing. Astra has always been a good listener and, being an artist by heart, sees things in colors and textures. Her bodywork is a dynamic integration of Swedish techniques, deep tissue, neuromuscular release, energy balancing, and Thai Yoga Bodywork (also known as Thai massage). Astra is also certified in and extremely enthusiastic about Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy!
Astra studied at the Finger Lakes School of Massage, and has found a home at Eviama. She sees her existing massage practice and energy work deepening and her knowledge of skincare expanding very nicely with the Eviama family.
In terms of Dr. Hauschka, Astra truly values the dynamic relationship between human, plant, mineral, and animal as the guiding principle in Dr. Hauschka’s approach to health. Her favorite products have quickly become Cleansing Milk for daily face care, Lip Care Stick, Rose Body Oil for harmonizing and calming, and Neem Hair Lotion for supporting a healthy scalp. Astra recommends regular facials and loves the way we do extractions here!
Our Trusty Desk Managers
Shannon
Shannon hails from Bucks County, but has called Philadelphia home for six years. She is an Artist and a recent graduate from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Shannon loves paint, sculpture and has explored working two and three dimensionally using recycled and repurposed materials as her medium. Shannon lives in Fishtown, but is committed to spending time in her center city studio, convenient to Eviama
One more convert to Rosemary Leg and Arm Toner: Shannon says it is THE BEST to keep the blood flowing, to make feet and legs strong and happy to be standing all day and zooming everywhere on her bike.
Sarah
After fifteen years in tropical Tampa and Miami running her own business and assisting another business (woman-owned!), our gal Sarah has returned to her native roots here in the Philly region. She is LOVING living in the city, can’t wait to spend lots of time with her niece and is happy to report that all three of her very well-loved cats have made the transition to apartment life in record time.
Sarah is amazingly focused, sensible, and so easy to work with... We are lucky. When she gets organized in her new digs, she will spend some time scrapbooking and enjoying watching her handsome young cousin cook an inspired dinner.
Web Design
Mel
First and foremost, Mel is capable and creative. A crack photographer whose talent is technically impeccable and richly diverse, she doesn’t stop there. No boundaries for this gal in the creative realm! The Eviama website is her design and construction. View more of her lovely work here.
Daring haircuts? Great eye for accessories? That’s Mel. She loves the scarves and jewelry selection in our boutique.
What are Mel’s Dr.Hauschka must-haves? Facial Steam Bath and Cleansing Clay Mask make her happy just because weekly use reduces pore build-up and the inevitable extractions during her regular facials at Eviama. Neem Hair Lotion calms her scalp – must be all that cerebral output that revs it up, eh?
High on her list for therapies at Eviama, Mel recommends CranioSacral and Ashiatsu.