Tabitha Ward OR Lic #12671
Attended the American Institute of Clinical Massage in Post Falls, Idaho after following the advice of friends and family to follow her passion for massage that she had exhibited since the age of six. Tabitha graduated in 2004 and has provided the gift of massage to clients in Idaho, California, and Oregon for 15 years. She has worked in several high end spas providing luxurious treatments to travelers local and far. She recently retired from being a doula for the last decade, attending over 160 births, but continues to help pregnant mommas through prenatal massage, which is still her passion. Tabitha has helped over 100 families through the birth process, from: education, to massage, to birth and photography. Birth Love Photography seeks to capture those fleeting moments when infant and parents are most beautiful and delicate. She also passes down her techniques and wisdom to the next generation of massage therapists at Central Oregon Community College.
Our Tenured Therapists have been in massage practice for many years and have been with us for over 3 years. They have worked hard to develop their vocation and have a regular clientele.
Claire Navarra OR Lic #25789
Claire grew up in Bend, Oregon and loves being outside playing with her pup, dancing to folk music, trail running, climbing and snowboarding. She continued her education in Salt Lake City where she studied environmental studies, Spanish and played soccer. She acquired her passion for massage while traveling in Central America. In Nicaragua she was introduced to massage through workshops on a small island called Inan Itah. She continued her travels through Guatemala where she was mentored by a holistic healer and truly fell in love with healing. When she returned to Bend, she studied massage at COCC and graduated in 2019. She is drawn to eastern healing modalities and specializes in Swedish and deep tissue massage. She has a deep yet nurturing touch. Claire is a present, caring, outgoing and enthusiastic person.
Elena Beitzel OR Lic #26696
Elena started her journey in bodywork at Oregon State University where she obtained a degree in Kinesiology. She followed her passion for anatomy and physiology working alongside physical therapists in both inpatient and outpatient orthopedic clinics. Seeking a deeper understanding of whole person health, she expanded her professional scope to the mental health field working for wilderness therapy programs in Hawaii and Oregon. Observing the social, emotional, and cultural influences on our physical experience she sought a modality of healing that could address an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. In this pursuit she found Massage Therapy and attended Sage School of Massage in Bend, Oregon.
Elena is passionate about working from a trauma informed perspective; she is constantly evolving and adapting to create an environment for all bodies to feel safe and nurtured. Elena integrates many techniques into her work such as Deep tissue, Injury treatment massage, Rigor Therapy, Cupping, Trigger Point Therapy, Swedish, and hot stones.
Outside of bodywork, Elena is inspired by the outdoors and loves snowboarding, rock climbing, and backpacking. She finds joy in independent study of neuroanatomy and mind body healing practices with the excitement and intention of integrating this knowledge into her work.
Kai Maschmedt LMT OR Lic #21434
Kai has always been an adventurous spirit and over time their travels led them onto a clear, synchronistic path to massage therapy. Kai knew the healing capacity for massage from a young age after receiving massage to support in a serious outdoor injury and chronic TMJ pain. Once Kai received their first Craniosacral session in 2013 their path was set. Massage was a way to serve their community, to discover their own capacity to heal, and to continue to work and travel to beautiful and remote places. Kai graduated from East West College of the Healing Arts in Portland Oregon in 2015 and has provided massage in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska for 8 years. Kai’s work is slow, deep, intuitive, subtle, led by the body, and blends myofascial techniques, craniosacral techniques, intra-oral, deep tissue, and relaxation. Kai has plentiful experience in working with the head, neck, and jaw. Adept at providing focus work in any area of the body that slowly unravels the web of physical and energetic restriction while still considering the body as a whole. Kai’s intention is to provide a safe, connected, and nurturing space that welcomes the foundation for clients to be present and centered in their healing journey. Whether you are looking to meet long term goals of shifting pain and structural imbalance or looking to relax and settle your nervous system Kai is excited to work with you to create a plan that is uniquely supportive.
Kai is an avid outdoors person and has a passion for all things nature. They love to hike, backpack, kayak, swim, watch wildlife, and forage for medicinal plants. They are also a passionate musician and love to connect to music through singing and dancing.
Book a Massage with Kai (They/Them)
Phoenix Liu LMT OR Lic #19111
Phoenix is a treatment oriented massage therapist who specializes in chronic pain or discomfort and injury rehab and incorporates the full body into each session.
Phoenix graduated from East West College of Healing Arts and has been practicing bodywork for over ten years. She has experience in multiple techniques such as Myofascial Release, Thai, Tui Na, Trigger Point, Deep Tissue and Structural Integration. Her training allows her to pull from different techniques to make impactful change, based on the individual needs of each client.
Her approach to bodywork is slow, intentional and therapeutic. She utilizes deliberate touch to invite tissues to soften, allowing her to access targeted layers. She focuses on soft tissue manipulation through skin-to-skin contact or through linen, allowing her to treat with little-to-no use of oils.
During your session you can expect dialogue about your musculoskeletal symptoms, your lifestyle, how you use your body, and your priorities for your care. She will perform a postural assessment to observe your body at rest and how it moves in space. This process allows her to formulate a plan for your session with the goal of alleviating discomfort and helping to determine the root cause for your symptoms. Her approach results in bodywork that is effective and specific to your unique needs to increase range/ease of movement, increase flow/circulation, and allow lasting relief by creating sustainable structural changes.
Phoenix grew up in Oregon and moved to Bend in 2023. She has experience working in manual labor, landscaping and restaurants and remembers well the ways in which the repetitive work can strain the body. Outside the office, she can be found at home in her garden, working out at the crossfit gym, knitting, cooking, fishing, spending time with her family, rowing or providing bodywork on the river for a local fishing outfit.
Kelly Ward OR Lic #12811
Began falling in love with massage while seeking its beneficial stress and structural relief. After years of being a massage junky, Kelly finally sent himself to school at Utah College of Massage Therapy graduating with honors in 2001. After a year working at a high end spa in Sun Valley, Idaho, Kelly moved to Hollywood where he managed and trained massage therapists. Once meeting his wife to be, Kelly and Tabitha packed their bags for Bend, Oregon. Beginning work at Shibui Spa in Sisters, Tabitha and Kelly soon opened a thriving practice in Bend. Kelly draws from his years of experience as an athlete, educator, manager and therapist to customize treatments to match any goal. A passionate educator, Kelly has been teaching Swedish massage and hydrotherapy at Sage School of Massage since 2007.
Our Tenured Therapists have been in massage practice for many years and have been with us for over 3 years. They have worked hard to develop their vocation and have a regular clientele.
Lucy Gossett OR Lic #25922
Lucy is a West Coast native, growing up as an athlete and outdoor enthusiast. She remains very active in her free time when she enjoys riding motorcycles on the street or at the track, riding mountain bikes, training to run half marathons, competing in Spartan races, hiking, and yoga. She does just about anything that is outdoor and gets blood pumping. Years ago, she learned about the benefits of massage for athletes and decided to give it a try herself. With regular massage added to her training, she experienced personal gains and relief from muscle aches and pains. Making the decision to go to Sage School of Massage and Esthetics was a way to follow her passion for bodywork and increase her knowledge about the body. She is a true believer in the healing power of touch and enjoys sharing her passion with others. Lucy is enthusiastic about integrating massage techniques such as Deep Tissue, Swedish, Trigger Point Therapy, Sports Massage, Cupping, Hot Stones and Gua Sha into a treatment that focuses on results customizable to your body and goals. She is here to help you succeed in your self-care regimen and focus on specific muscles to help you feel great and attain your personal goals.
Naomi Posh OR Lic #26361
Entering this world in a gentle deliberate way, where mountains and ocean reach toward one another, Naomi’s practice embodies the same qualities. Exploring both inner and outer movement has been fundamental in Naomi’s approach to bodywork. Through experience, she believes that the physical disturbances we encounter can guide us toward deeper inner truth, balance, and serenity when tended to with gentle awareness and caring hands.
Naomi graduated from Adams State University in 2003 with a degree in Exercise Physiology, laying the groundwork for an evolving vocation. For nearly the next decade, she shared her passion for health and movement as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. Continuing in her journey of wellness and discovery, she graduated from Sage School of Massage & Esthetics in 2021.
Devoted to life-long learning, Naomi’s most recent training is in Crainosacral Therapy. This light-touch, non-intrusive manual therapy that honors and supports each individual’s innate self-healing ability, resonates deeply for her and it can for you too! Through precise and patient work, the deepest connective tissue the body can be assessed. Allowing core restrictions to release creates the space for a return to one’s natural range of motion and homeostasis. A session with Naomi weaves together the intentions of deep relaxation and restoration. She delights in being of service in the community, consciously inviting ease and acceptance into breath and being.
Evan Miller LMT OR Lic #27694
Evan Miller has a unique ability to connect with others, is observant and is a good listener. He is fluent in Spanish, and his has a friendly demeanor, intentional touch and exceptional communication skills. He works quickly to establish a safe, relaxing and soothing atmosphere, all while making your experience one that is both restorative and healing.
Evan has lots of experience working with sports-related injuries. Combining over 15 years guiding rafts, working as a ski patroller, teaching P.E, leading climbing expeditions, and working in wilderness therapy. Evan loves sharing his passion for field science and outdoor stewardship with others. Evan enjoys spending his spare time with a healthy balance of adventure recreation and gardening, cooking and creating art while listening to music.
Graduating from COCC’s Massage program with honors, Evan is excited to share his joy of service to others by integrating his background in wilderness and sports medicine with restorative, therapeutic and relaxation massage. He incorporates a unique blend of deep tissue, cross friction, scrubbing, and wringing techniques for myofascial release, as well as the use of trigger point release, and stretching in his massage practice. He is an advocate of hydrotherapy and the use of hot and cold stones, application of topical CBD and the integration of Eastern and Western medicine. Evan has lots to bring to the table and looks forward to creating a treatment plan and setting goals to meet your needs.
Onyx Neel LMT OR Lic #28323
Onyx is a dedicated fitness enthusiast, specializing in weightlifting and competitive health and wellness bodybuilding. Beyond the gym, she finds balance and inspiration in the great outdoors, enjoying activities like hiking and nature walks. An avid gardener, Onyx takes pleasure in nurturing a variety of plants, creating a serene and green oasis at home. Additionally, she is passionate about personal development, frequently immersing herself in books on spiritual growth and self-improvement. Through a holistic approach to fitness, nature, and inner wellness, Onyx strives to lead a balanced and fulfilling life.
Onyx, received her education at Sage School of Massage & Esthetics where she was a part of the last graduating classes from the program, since sadly it closed its doors in April 2024. Sage was A school that took a holistic approach to massage, one of the main reason she chose the program. Living a holistic lifestyle is something Onyx is very passionate about.
Onyx utilizes many different styles and techniques in her bodywork, offering a variety of different treatment options. Her focus being, but not limited to, deep tissue, myofascial work, and injury/athletic recovery. She is grateful to be able to share her skills & knowledge with clients, to empower, educate, and inspire those with whom she works with!
Molly Jacobs LMT OR Lic#26704
Molly was certified in 2017 after graduating from the Massage program at Central Oregon Community College. Massage is just one piece of her overall passion for holistic health and embodied vitality. Her undergraduate and graduate studies in psychology and mental health have influenced her approach as an LMT, viewing the connection of mind, body and emotions to be deeply reflective of one’s chronic pain, stress levels and nervous system regulation. On top of this Molly has a vast appreciation and awe for the natural world, as a farmer, herbalist, snowboarder, paddler-boarder and hiker, if she’s not working, she’s usually outside! She also loves writing, poetry and reading with a hot cup of tea.
Her massage practice combines deep tissue, myofascial release, relaxation, acupressure and a variety of techniques that are catered to each client’s needs. Through bodywork she focuses on encouraging the body to return to balance, ease and its innate resilience.