Healers

Alina Parada

Alina Parada

L.M.T.

I have been a therapist for the past 11 years and truly love doing what I do. I graduated from Olympia College in Burr Ridge, IL in 2006. I’ve worked with a few chiropractors throughout the years, along with various spas and fitness centers. These experiences have brought a greater understanding of the structural anatomy of the body, allowing me to provide my clients with vital ‘homework’ (different exercises and stretching techniques) between sessions. I am very grateful to be a part of the Yoga Now family! Sharing my knowledge and expertise with my clients while providing a professional, nurturing environment to heal or simply unwind.

My modalities include Swedish, Lomi Lomi, Deep Tissue, Sports, Prenatal, and Reflexology, in addition to being Reiki level 1 attuned. I use my intuition and listen to clients’ needs to provide the most attentive and rejuvenating massage in order to help heal the mind, body and soul.

Kelly Oshita

Kelly Oshita

LMT

Kelly studied at Cortiva Institute in Chicago. She enjoys incorporating Swedish technique and neuromuscular treatment into her practice creating a relaxing but therapeutic session for her clients. Kelly practices Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point therapy and myofascial massage. Her goal is to help her clients feel relaxed, rejuvenated and more in tune with their body.

Dana Ruygrok

Dana Ruygrok

My name is Dana and I am a budding, passionate and young massage therapist. I am fortunate to have discovered early on that I want to pursue healing and body work. Not only do I have the blessing of this knowledge but the capability to share it. In our sessions we go deeper than surface pain to its source, then, eradicating it. I look forward to meeting you seeing as knowledge gained in the practice of massage therapy is best obtained by providing relief to its recipients. I wish you all the best until we meet.

Cynthia Zikowski

Cynthia Zikowski

Within several months of obtaining licensure in 2016 I began my career as a massage therapist, and have never looked back. I can honestly say I love what I do, and that I truly enjoy my “work”! I invest 100% of my capabilities in each and every session, never any less, to provide the treatment that is just right for that client. There are many elements to the art and science of therapeutic massage that I incorporate in crafting a treatment specifically tailored to the individual. In addition to palpation skills and technique, intuition, intention, communication, mindfulness, and energy work are all tools that I utilize. For me, there is no greater sense of accomplishment and joy than to have my client say “That is the best massage I’ve ever had”, and that is the experience I strive to provide in every session!

My interest in massage led me to obtain the Associate’s Degree in Therapeutic Massage in 2017. Along the way, thanks to a wonderful teacher, I began my journey as a Reiki practitioner, and have recently completed training as a Reiki Master Practitioner/Teacher. I have worked in social services for many years, and still do. Always fascinated by psychology, I have earned a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology.  My future goals are to become a certified Shiatsu practitioner and to obtain licensure as a Professional Counselor, with which I hope to specialize in bereavement counseling and hospice work. I have a soft spot for animals & pets, especially dogs. I greatly enjoy the beauty of nature, and I love to capture that beauty with photography. The virtues I value most are loyalty, honesty, and kindness. I believe we are here on this earth with a mission: to use whatever talents we were given to care for, to value, and to share with, each other.

LaTanya Harris

LaTanya Harris

LaTanya Harris, LMT also known as Therapist_T has been licensed and practicing massage since 2012; immediately proceeding her graduation from Cortiva (Loop Campus). While specializing in results she uses a combination of modalities including but not limited to deep tissue, Swedish and trigger point relief. LaTanya’s desire to help others along with her intuitive touch serve for a fantastic massage therapy experience.

Tina Cooley

Tina Cooley

Being a part of the Graduating class of 2014 from Baker College of Clinton Township, (Michigan) was the proudest moment of my life. Why? Because I had accomplished something that I never thought was possible for me. Many times I wanted to give up due to a nonexistent support system. I know many can relate to such a problem that can cause a great deal of stress in one’s life. While in school, I learned simple ways to destress my life. Not eliminate stress but how to better deal with stressful situations. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Relax. Smile. Repeat. Go ahead, try it. Did it work? If that doesn’t work for you…Call the Relaxation Specialist.
Stratford Career Institute: A relaxation therapist is someone who knows how to quiet the mind for the purpose of pure relaxation and stress relief. Life is stressful. A relaxation therapist helps clients make life less stressful through specific techniques. With less stress, people live longer and lead healthier lives. A relaxation therapist understands what leads to more stress and how to limit stress in your life. Every day as a relaxation therapist is unique. (Source: https://blog.scitraining.com/what-is-a-relaxation-therapist/)
My name is Tina. I am the Relaxation Specialist. I am thankful for being a part of the Yoga Now family. I bring to the team a passionate, empathetic, & honest approach to therapeutic massages. Using modalities such as Deep Swedish, Swedish, & my signature session, My-Lomi My-Lomi, I enjoy helping others overcome the stressors of living day-to-day. I am a conversationalist that knows when not to converse. I learned early on that sometimes the therapy comes not from just my touch but from being an attentive listener. I listen to what you say as well as paying close attention to what you’re not saying and most importantly what your body is saying. I incorporate all that is needed in order to relax your body so that your mind may follow and release tension altogether.
Honestly, I was never great at remembering faces but I can spot a body just like that!! In the world of massage therapy coupled with what we all are experiencing now, (COVID-19) I hope to see many MASKED faces in the future!

Leyli Valcy Torres

Leyli Valcy Torres

LMT

I’ve been a massage therapist since 2010, I received my training at Cortiva in Chicago. I got my B.S. in biology in 2009 from Eureka College and have taken regular coursework since. I’ve danced my entire life as well as played different sports and made sure to stay active with yoga and Pilates and so the body is my life’s work. My hands are my greatest gifts and I get to share them and the knowledge I’ve gained to help others with their plan of self-care! I really enjoy working with Swedish, stretching and neuromuscular treatments, I do also incorporate some reflexology and light lymphatic drainage. I tend to make a connection with my clients and my hands provide what it is they need most as well as what the client requests.

James Rainbolt

James Rainbolt

I graduated from the Soma institute in 2008. I always listen to what you want, and how you are feeling first. My favorite areas to work on are the shoulders, neck and back. I do Swedish, deep tissue, sports, myofascial, and I have taken massage courses in Thai, shiatsu, aromatherapy, cupping and others. I enjoy traveling, hiking, and reading. I am currently a student at the University of Illinois At Chicago, studying Computer Science, Psychology, and Theatre. One of my favorite places I have visited recently was Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs, CO.  I am a yoga student I would say, and I am very excited to learn more and practice more often.

Tiffany Ketchmark

Tiffany Ketchmark

RYT-500 / Reiki Master

Tiffany began her exploration of Yoga in 2009 as part of a health and wellness challenge at work, and instantly fell in love. She now sees her yoga practice as an essential part of her daily life, as it has aided in both a physical and emotional transformation. After experiencing all the positive changes in her body, mind, and spirit, she decided to take the next step. This led her to Yoga Now Chicago where she completed her RYT-200H with Amy Beth Treciokas who studied under Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. As her passion for teaching continued to grow, she decided to work toward her advanced certification and completed her RYT-500H with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy based in Durango, CO. She is currently enrolled in the RYT-1000H Yoga Therapy certification program with Inner Peace and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge with her students.

Her classes are therapeutic, inspiring, and accessible to all levels in efforts to encourage students to find comfort and inner strength as they grow in their practice. Her intention is to help students embody their full potential and to tap into their own inner peace and happiness.

Tiffany, a certified Reiki Master/Teacher, is passionate about and committed to helping others through this healing energy. Reiki has been an amazing life changing experienced that she and is thrilled to share with those looking for alternative and complimentary therapies enhancing their own health and emotional well-being.

In her free time, you will likely find her traveling, cooking, crafting, spending time with friends and family, laughing, or enjoying the outdoors.