Now Open!

 

address

80 Center Square
East Longmeadow, MA 01028

hours

Monday - Friday 9 am - 8 pm

Saturday- Sunday 9 am - 7 pm

 

phone

phone: 413.525.4456
fax: 413.647.1134

 

email

eastlongmeadow@touchofelements.com

 

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Kristen Thiel

General Manager

 

Education: I earned a B.A. in Psychology from Illinois State University and completed massage training at Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in Newington, CT.

Places Lived: I grew up in the Midwest in Central Illinois and relocated to the Pioneer Valley in 1998.

Places Traveled: I’ve visited many places in the United States and have crossed borders into Canada and Mexico on a few occasions. And then I went to Iceland…

My Dream Vacation: I’d love to see Alaska!

Favorite Massage Modalities: I appreciate an eclectic mix of bodywork styles, and tend to most like strong pressure combined with movement.

Philosophy on Healing: I believe there are many ways to heal and that every body (person) heals in its (his or her) own unique way.

In my other life (before I found massage therapy) I was… a community mental health worker (mostly).

 

Samantha Young

Member Services Rep

 

Education: In 2006 I received my certificate in Massage Therapy from The Stillpoint Program, Greenfield Community College

Degrees in Criminal Justice, and Pre Nursing
Certificates in Nail Technology and Medical Assisting

Places Lived: Massachusetts and California

Places Traveled: Drove cross country twice, well my mom did the driving I was only 10. Recently I have been traveling all over New England. Most of the USA, Mexico and Canada (only 19 more states to go then I have been to all in the USA)

My Dream Vacation: That’s a hard one… a cruise around the world visiting lots of new places and meeting new people

Favorite Massage Modalities: Reiki, Swedish, Deep tissue, Hot Stone Therapy, Contrast Stone Therapy, Triggerpoint Therapy, Pre and Post Natal Massage

Philosophy on Healing: People can’t just do one thing to heal themselves and it will not happen overnight or with just one massage session. It can take time and many different types of therapy.

In my other life (before I found massage therapy) I was… I have been told that I am a “Jill of all trades”. You name it I have probably done it, but I believe I have truly found my calling with massage therapy… Waitress, bartender, retail sales, food service, CNA, medical assistant, PCA...

 

Rachel Beam

Education:
Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences, AOS in Massage Therapy, 2005

New York University, BFA in Dramatic Writing, 2001

Places Lived:
Long Island; Northampton; Manhattan; Brooklyn; Queens; Holyoke

Places Traveled:
The entire east coast down to the southernmost tip of the United States (closer to Cuba than it is to Miami); Chicago; Las Vegas; the California coast from San Francisco to San Diego.

My Dream Vacation:
Any place where I can sit and stare out at the ocean.

Favorite Massage Modalities:
I try not to play favorites, but I am partial to shiatsu and tend to incorporate bits of it into all of my sessions.

Philosophy on Healing:
I believe in the body’s ability to heal itself and, above all, that each individual knows what is best for her or himself; it’s simply question of listening to one’s body and trusting what it says. I am not a “healer”, but rather a facilitator of healing. I offer the benefits of my education, experience and intuition for clients to use as tools along their own personal wellness journeys.

In my other life (before I found massage therapy) I was…
…existing on the fringes of the film industry. My work ranged from research, script editing and production assisting for various documentaries, to script reading for a small independent film company.

 

Michel Vassallo

Education
Arlington School of Massage, Jacksonville FL

An amazing school that had very small classes and excellent instructors!
On the job training with Debrah Gramah in Medical Massage.

Places Lived:
Western Mass & Jacksonville,FL.

Places Traveled:
Vegas!!! Montreal! San Dieago, NYC, FL, RI, NJ

My Dream Vacation:
Disney and Sea World with my family!
Paris, Mexico, then Hawaii!!!

Favorite Massage Modalities:
Medical and Swedish and some trigger point work combined!
Makes for the best long lasting results.

Philosophy on Healing:
You have to first WANT to be healed and be willing to let go of all negativity to get results...
And find a good MASSAGE THERAPIST that can connect with your energy!

In my other life (before I found massage therapy) I was…
Helping people in their homes and in the restaurant business, some cleaning jobs, lost and looking for my way of making a real difference in others lives!

 

 

Jeremy Walker

Education:
Graduated high school at Woodstock Academy in Woodstock CT
Graduated the Still Point Program at Greenfield Community College with high honors, awarded the Alison Mace Scholarship for academic excellence.               

Places Lived:
Pomfret  CT - grew up
Boston MA - 2years
Lahaina  HI - 1 year
Pioneer Valley (various towns) - 10 years

Places Traveled:
Basel, Interlocken -  Switzerland
Ensenada -Mexico

My Dream Vacation:
A month long historic tour of  England and Scotland focusing on Tudor/Stuart era structures and events - including a stay in the highlands of Scotland and the Orkney Isles.

Favorite Massage Modalities:
Swedish Circulatory Massage
Body/Joint mobilization
Myfascial release

Philosophy on Healing:
The potential for healing in the human body is limitless.   With the care of skilled professionals and a positive relationship with the body/mind/spirit anything is possible. 

In my other life (before I found massage therapy) I was…

A pastry baker

A buyer in a busy health food store

A holistic skin care consultant

 

Heather Dexheimer

Education:
*1998 Graduate from Westfield High
*2001 Graduate from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy

Places Lived:
I was Born & Raised in Westfield, Ma and haven’t moved too far since. Family is my world so moving too far away just isn’t in the cards. For the past 5 ½ years, since my oldest daughter was 6 months old we’ve lived in Springfield.

Places Traveled:
As a child we went to California, Florida, Maine, New York and Pennsylvania. As an adult and with my own family We’ve been to Florida several times, New York, and Canada to see the Redsox for a 3 game weekend in 2005!

My Dream Vacation:
Hmmmm. A Cruise somewhere exotic, or France. Though I studied French in High School and don’t remember much, I’d still love to go to France some day!

Favorite Massage Modalities: I’m ALL DEEP TISSUE.. Though I enjoy a nice fluff and buff Swedish massage here and there, I prefer Deep Tissue. Hot Stone is also another great way to Relax!

Philosophy on Healing:
My goal in life is to share the gift of touch and a stress free, pain free way of life with others and to make a difference in the best ways I can. Massage therapy is the way for me to accomplish that goal. Massage is my opportunity to share the experience of touch and educate people on its tremendous benefits. Massage is not only for athletes or a luxury but a necessity for everyone from newborn to 101, the health benefits are endless and the experience of therapeutic massage is priceless. It’s the natural way to alleviate pain and reduce stress!
In my other life (before I found massage therapy) I was…
In High School I was a teacher’s Aid in a Kindergarten class for 5 years. My first class of kindergarteners graduated from High School in 2007. That’s when I knew I was getting old!

After school I was an assistant manager for local Sunoco Stations. I’ve also been a devoted Mom of two little girls since 2002.
To keep me as busy and active as my girls, I also have a Gourmet Photo Chocolates Hobby Business and enjoy making soy candles for my clients, friends and family as well.

 

 

Crystal Morris

Education: Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from University of Hartford (West Hartford, CT). Diploma from Branford Hall Career Institute (Springfield, MA) for Massage Therapy. Currently licensed in Massachusetts for Massage Therapy.

Places Lived: Springfield, Ma & West Hartford, CT

Places Traveled: Florida, New York, Trinidad & Tobago

My Dream Vacation: Italy

Favorite Massage Modalities: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage

Philosophy on Healing: Healing is something that must come from the heart and soul. If the healer is only in it for the financial aspect, then they are in it for the wrong reasons.

In my other life (before I found massage therapy) I was…
attending the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business and was a member of the Women’s soccer team. I graduated in May of 2007.

 

Angie Lamothe

Education: Bancroft School of Massage Therapy Certification in Massage Nationally Certified and Licensed in MA/CT, Prenatal Certification, Hot Stone Certification, working on Thai Chi Yoga Massage Certification.

Places Lived: I have lived in Westfield my whole life.

Places Traveled: The whole East Coast from Maine to Florida, Canada (Niagara Falls) and Hawaii.

My Dream Vacation: To Take my husband to Hawaii, and maybe Italy.

Favorite Massage Modalities: I like Therapeutic, Deep Tissue, and Thai Yoga the best. Prenatal, Swedish second, Hot stone third. I enjoy all massage for the healing!

Philosophy on Healing: I believe the Wellness industry is growing more and more each year. Consumers believe that massage is a healing art and is getting recognized more and more. I am proud to be part of an industry that deals specifically with people that have a benefit for massage and want to make a change for themselves without medication. I would rather be able to heal a person without medication, because once medicated you are only treating the symptom and not the problem. I am a problem solver. If you have “issues in the tissues” so to speak I am the massage therapist that will work them out for you.

In my other life (before I found massage therapy) I was in High school wanted to maybe be a Chiropractor, I loved the wellness industry and knew I did not want to be in the sickness industry, but wanted to heal people. I chose massage after a friend who had gotten hurt went to a massage therapist for healing, and it did so much for this person, he did not have to quit his dream of being a gymnast and trying to make the Olympic team. I decided Massage was for me and went to school for it 6 months after High School.

I worked as a cocktail waitress and bartended until I finished school.