Spa Staff
IO CERTIFIED MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Arjuna Bressack began his healing journey at a tender age. He was inspired by the family interest in Ayurvedic and Western holistic practices. His true passion for healing was ignited by his first level Reiki and has now culminated in the Reiki master attunements. Arjuna began his massage career in Gainesville, Fl at the amazing Florida school of massage which has an extensive and well rounded training program. The foundation of Arjuna’s work is energy flow, compassion, trust, intuition, core release, and a healing touch. He is always a work in progress and has learned some valuable tools along the way such as Swedish, deep tissue, neuromuscular, trigger point, Reiki, polarity, and a loving touch. Arjuna’s life goal is to heal others using music, vibration, and touch, thereby, allowing his own healing to continue onward.
Jane Conway has been a massage therapist since 2009. After studying at the Massage Therapy Institute of Missouri, she moved to Chicago where she started her massage career, and upon arriving in San Francisco was happy to find a new home at International Orange. Her massages are tailored to clients’ specific needs while still incorporating the whole body for overall healing. Although she loves a good deep tissue massage, she doesn’t believe in the “no pain, no gain” philosophy and instead tries to work at a client’s comfort level to achieve the benefits of deep tissue work with no soreness the next day. She particularly enjoys incorporating hot stones and aromatherapy into Swedish and deep tissue massage to facilitate deeper relaxation of the mind and the body.
Jessica Davies MTCM, LAc is an acupuncturist, herbalist, massage therapist and Yogi whose passion is sharing simple and effective medicine. Jessica likes to focus on alleviating physical pain (carpal tunnel, headaches, neck/shoulder/back pain) through a gentle style. Jessica also specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, insomnia, stress, allergies, auto-immune concerns, and chronic and adrenal fatigue. She believes in growing older better and shares remedies and ideas on choosing an inspired and healthy life.
Maureen Dooley has been playing massage since a young girl, and practicing professionally since 2005. She was trained at the McKinnon Institue in Oakland, CA and the Vancouver School of Bodywork and Massage in Vancouver, BC. Maureen believes in deep but gentle work, and intends to bring profound relaxation to her clients. Her bodywork is infused with her past and present studies of yoga, dance, mindfulness and anatomy and physiology. While not practicing massage at IO she is studying to be a nurse, running around in the great outdoors, cooking and crafting away, and dreaming up means and manners of global adventures. Her belief is that the creation of sanctuary is incredibly and powerfully healing.
Michelle Dooley has a client centered massage style and intention, treating each session as sacred. She likes to incorporate a lot of stretching within a Swedish/Esalon style massage, working a client’s full body while using deeper work (deep tissue or pressure points) to focus on areas of concern. Michelle also incorporates energy work into every session. She really likes to work with clients who are using massage as a tool to work towards a personal goal, whether that be to deepen their meditation practice, yoga practice, training for a triathlon, or just be more present in their life and body. Michelle has been practicing massage since 1999, studying at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts, and has continued her education at San Francisco School of Massage and Bodywork.
Julia Forberg is dedicated to helping others discover their potential for healing. As a classically trained dancer for most of her life, Julia has an intuitive sense of the body and its complex nature. Since moving to San Francisco from the East Coast in 2009, Julia has been integrating her knowledge of whole-person healing through her studies in dance, massage, and psychology. Julia recently completed her Master’s Degree in Somatic Psychology from the Califonia Institute of Integral Studies and is currently working on her Marriage and Family Therapist license. Julia’s approach to massage is grounded in the idea that a peaceful body is a peaceful self. Her gentle approach is well suited for clients who are new to massage or who need special care because of limitations, as well as for anyone who is seeking a calm, relaxing, and meditative massage. She has experience working with clients suffering from chronic and acute physical pain, providing massages for men and women with terminal illnesses. She has a client-centered approach and takes time to listen to each client’s needs prior to the session. Julia creates a safe and welcoming space and finds great joy and peace in providing massage.
Heather Hughes began her wellness career at IO while gaining her BA at SFSU. During her time on the front desk she was exposed to, and inspired by, all we had to offer including skilled staff, our beautiful aesthetic and top-of-line products. After moving to get married, start a family and find a career, she decided that massage was her true calling. After gaining certification at San Francisco School of Massage, she returned to IO and began working on the massage team. Heather embraces all forms of healing and lives a holistic and natural way of life. She has practiced with world-renowned deep tissue expert Art Riggs and continues to practice and learn from her amazing coworkers. Her strongest attributes are her natural way of nurturing clients and being very approachable. These, combined with our signature IO massage, will have your body slip into deep relaxation.
Sarah Pedlow has been practicing bodywork since completing her 1,000 hour certification at the Finger Lakes School of Massage, Ithaca, NY, in 2005. An interest in alternative health and thinking about bodywork as a meditation led her to follow a path in the healing arts. Her work combines Swedish, Connective Tissue, elements of Shiatsu, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Reiki level II to assist the body’s natural healing process and return a sense of wholeness. She enjoys employing gentle to firm techniques to address injuries and patterns of holding. Clients have commented on her intuitive, deeply listening presence and healing hands. Sarah holds a BA in Studio Art and French Studies from Scripps College, Claremont, CA, and an MFA in Visual Arts from Rutgers University. In addition to her work at IO, she’s starting a textile business working with international artisans. She views massage as an extension of her creative practice.
Jeff Pontillo has over 1500 hours of professional training in Neuromuscular Therapy, Kinesiology, Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Shiatsu. He received his initial certification at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in 1996. In addition he has a degree in Psychology from the Evergreen State College where he created an independent study program in Somatics and Transpersonal approaches to bodywork. He then went on to study Hanna Somatics, Yoga Therapy, the Feldenkrais method and the Alexander technique at Antioch University in Seattle at the Master’s level. Jeff has engaged a consistent and committed meditation practice for more than twenty years. He began a consistent practice of Yoga in 1995. Jeff has attended levels I and II of Richard Freeman’s Teacher Training Intensives. Classical Ashtanga is Jeff’s foundational practice and study. His aim in the therapeutic setting is to help clients connect with their innate ease and freedom. He works intensively to facilitate sensory-motor awareness to release long standing patterns of trauma, pain, and/or immobility. His working hypothesis is that pain and restriction in the body are simply unnecessary byproducts of degenerative, chronic patterns of misalignment. Whether you are looking to simply relax, speed recovery time between exercise, or become free from aches and pain, Jeff can tailor a custom session to meet your needs.
Chloë Poulter first discovered her love for bodywork and helping others while traveling in South America in 2001. Finding a way to travel and help people in need of therapeutic touch, led her to a career in bodywork. Since then, she has traveled and worked in many beautiful locations while studying and working as a massage therapist. Recently relocating from Big Sur, California, Chloe was originally trained as a massage therapist in Vermont in 2003, but her continuing training and education has led her across the country and to the Esalen institute where she has studied the Esalen technique on and off for 4 years. Continuing education is important to Chloe, she has studied anatomy and physiology, deep tissue, prenatal, and many other modalities which has helped her become a well rounded, well trained therapist. Chloe’s massage technique is intuitive and relaxing with focused work incorporating the whole body and bringing it back to its original calm, less stressed state of being.
Joyful Raven is a native Californian, and has been practicing Massage Since 2001 after attending Virginia School of Massage. She specializes in a fluid style of deep tissue that addresses your clinical concerns and simultaneously leaves you feeling cared for and relaxed. She brings a nurturing attentiveness to the table and believes that good bodywork starts with good communication. She integrates many modalities into her session including Myofacial, Sports massage, Shiatsu, Trigger point, Deep tissue, and classic Swedish relaxation.
Lisa Souza has dedicated her life to facilitate others in their health and wellbeing. Helping people as a whole; Body, Mind, and Spirit. She has chosen Massage Therapy as a tool in hopes to reach out to all who need assistance in healing. Lisa has been energetically drawn to alternative therapies since she was a child, though her massage journey began in 2002. Since then it has blossomed into a full time passion, leading her to study other avenues of holistic health care such as healing through nutrition, aromatherapy, yoga, and herbal and homeopathic remedies. Lisa tends to her own garden of medicinal herbs, and seasonal vegetables, where she makes a variety herbal tinctures, salves, and flower essences. Lisa combines Reiki, Deep Tissue, Acupressure, and Stretching into her sessions and she is also trained in Bowen Pain Relief Therapy, and BodyTalk Therapy.
Liz Walton has been a Massage Therapist and Yoga Instructor since 1997. She signed up for massage school in Austin, Texas after receiving her first massage. Liz tailors each session to the person and their physical concerns on that day and tries make each experience unique. Her forte is providing massage therapy for people in unconventional settings such as at music venues and festivals, on site movie locations and tattoo shops. She has worked with Riverdance, at Lollapalooza, and toured with many of the best known modern performers in the world. Liz is also teacher in training at Mckinnon Massage School in Oakland. In her free time Liz enjoys riding bicycles, painting, playing guitar and meditation. She is working on developing a series of yoga for cyclists.
Rachael Webb MS, LAc, is a California licensed Acupuncturist and Aromatherapist. Beginning her journey in holistic medicine after more than 25 years exploring dance and movement therapy, Rachael’s intuitive knowledge of how energy moves within the body informs each of her sessions. At IO she combines Acupuncture with aromatherapy and meditative massage to provide clients with the most relaxing experience possible. Rachael specializes in treating stress, tension, anxiety, depression, restlessness, insomnia, painful menses, headaches, and many other conditions. Treating health conditions that are due to a stress response or have an emotional cause inspires her. Her calm, nurturing presence makes clients feel grounded and cared for during their sessions. She is especially skilled at listening to where you are in your healing process, viewing this through a Chinese Medicine lens, and helping you make small changes in your daily life to facilitate healing. This expanded understanding of how your body works can empower you to heal yourself and change your life.
Monk Wellington started his bodywork journey after 10 years studying and practicing dance. His goal became to combine physical, philosophical and energetic focus to his practice of both dance and bodywork as he studied at the National Holistic Institute. Energy work is always a part of his massage as a Reiki Level 1 practitioner. Monk’s bodywork includes several modalities working in combination to give the body what it needs. These modalities include, Thai massage, shiatsu, deep tissue, myofascial and Swedish . Monk’s treatments are deeply relaxing in the spiritual sense yet powerfully effective in the physical sense. Intention, intuition and great communication guide clients through his sessions.
Kala Wright has been practicing massage therapy since completing her certification in 2003 from The World School of Massage and Advanced Healing in San Francisco, CA. On the healing path for over a decade, she began her studies in earnest after receiving bodywork while in treatment for cancer, where she witnessed firsthand the powerful combination of healing touch and full presence to re-align, heal, and deeply transform mind, body and spirit. Deeply committed to offering to others what she herself received, she began both her career as a Massage Therapist and a life-long study in the myriad ways in which we can create balance, wholeness, flow, and vibrant health in our bodies and on every level of our being. Kala combines a wealth of modalities (among them firm Swedish, Vibrational Healing (VHMT), Reiki level II, elements of Shiatsu, Thai, Acupressure and Reflexology) along with somatic and multidimensional awareness, in order to fully address each client’s unique needs as the session unfolds. Her fluid, rhythmic bodywork style has been described as intuitive, nurturing, effective for pain and stress-relief, integrative, and deeply relaxing. A firm believer in the saying “the body never lies”, Kala treats each session as an opportunity to listen to the truth your body has to share.
IO LICENSED ESTHETICIANS
Eleanor Bagley grew up in the rural holistic environment of West Marin, where health and natural beauty are a central part of the community. From her influential upbringing Eleanor has become a passionate advocate of skin care and a healthy lifestyle. Growing up in the restaurant business and finding the relation between food and the benefits of bio-dynamically farmed ingredients for skincare products has always been an interest. Eleanor began her journey to becoming a master esthetician and a CIDESCO trained diplomat certified by Zurich Switzerland. Trained in the latest beauty regimes, ingredients and alternative practices, such as manual lymphatic drainage. With her true beliefs in the science behind skin care, gaining knowledge and continuing a certified education in cosmetic ingredients and aromatherapy has become a huge part of her practice. Eleanor educates her clients on proper skin regimes for skin issues as well as maintaining a beautiful long lasting complexion from the inside out. With a true intuitive and nurturing nature Eleanor provides just the right amount of care, relaxation and technicalities into every treatment for every clients needs. Providing a balance between nature and science Eleanor is bound to put you on the right track to achieving your skincare goals.
Anna Crowley is passionate about esthetics, practicing with intuition, passion, and a strongly educated knowledge base. Coming from the Aveda Institute, she believes in a holistically minded approach towards skin care and has pursued her passion for esthetics with integrity and excitement since 2005. After gaining knowledge and experience through various spas and forms of practice, including Medical Esthetics, Anna is happily returning to her original passion and belief of a more organic, hands-on, result oriented approach. She believes in the efficacy of products and their active ingredients and aims to share her knowledge with her clients. Her goal is to not just work on clients, but to work with them to encourage their skin to be as healthy and radiant as it can. Allow Anna to pamper you while awakening your skin’s amazing potential.
Jennifer Gallegos is a perceptive and skilled Esthetician offering thorough skin treatment with a warm and relaxing style. She enjoys providing in depth information about client’s skin and home care recommendations to help keep it looking its best. Jennifer also includes an extensive, tension-relieving massage in her facials to help her clients feel their best. Jennifer’s well-known waxing technique is gentle and meticulous. Many happy clients of Jennifer’s recommend ending any facial treatment with a brow shaping for the perfect brows. Trained and licensed in Esthetics in San Francisco, and continuing to update her education with advanced courses, Jennifer has been providing excellent skin care in San Francisco since 2001.
Yolanda Porrata creates an unforgettable spa experience with passion, creativity and a love for all things beautiful. She is an experienced esthetician with an exceptional gift for cultivating genuine relationships with her clients. Listening carefully to their needs and concerns, she is able to make well-informed recommendations and provide outstanding service. Yolanda thrives on providing the appropriate atmosphere, from the quiet and grounded facial to the great sense of humor and confidence during waxing. She’ll make you feel safe and at ease even while receiving her highly reputed Brazilian bikini wax. Growing up in the beautiful wilds of West Marin, Yolanda’s appreciation for the natural world has given her a holistic approach to skin care. She believes that the health of this planet depends on each and every one of us. These core beliefs and her commitment to educating her clients on their best choices in skincare are evident from the beginning and keep loyal client’s coming back for more.
Ashley Smith grew up in Utah where in her teens she began struggling with acne. Although the skin disease proved troubling, it began a lifelong interest and passion for understanding health and skincare. Ashley began her career in the medical spa setting working for prominent dermatologists in Northern and Southern California. She brings a results oriented approach to her work at International Orange. Ashley loves listening to her client’s stories, struggles and successes while in the room. She is a warm and intuitive esthetician who strives to make the spa treatment an opportunity for her clients to fully relax while achieving beautiful skin.
Rahnie Smith is dedicated to helping clients maximize their potential for beautiful, radiant skin and is thrilled to have found her home here at IO. After four years of freelancing as a makeup artist in New York City, she returned to San Francisco in 2009. She is delighted to be back to her roots in the Bay Area and back to her passion for skin. Working with the belief that skin health directly relates to one’s overall state and well-being, Rahnie loves to design whole regimens for her clients and to assist them in fine tuning their current skin care routines. She delivers a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, helping clients feel comfortable and confident with the skin they’re in!
Karen Waage began practicing esthetics in 2005. Growing up in the Santa Cruz area she developed her driving passion for organic and holistic beauty and lifestyle practices, making it a natural fit for her to find a home at International Orange. Her second passion is for travel. Karen is constantly growing her knowledge base and enriching her treatments by incorporating the beauty rituals she has experienced around the world. Karen believes in customizing and tailoring each session to treat your individual and changing skin concerns and needs, along with designing a specific home care ritual to keep your skin looking its best!
