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What makes a great massage therapist?

Knowledge

The base of all talent comes from a broad understanding of the human body.

Experience

Strength and sensitivity can only be acquired from years of practice.

Intuition

Being open to the possibility that the healing process sometimes exceeds knowledge and understanding.

Love

A true passion and gratitude for having a career that allows us to help our community lead healthier, happier lives.

Meet our Therapists

We have created a relaxing and therapeutic approach to healing.

Amber Defazio

CO–Owner + Founder + LMT + cyt

Amber has been interestedin healing and bodywork since childhood. Her passion grew while studying to get her Associates degree in Occupational Science at New York College of Health Professions. This 2600 hour program opened the door to vast array of modalities for her to include in her massage practice. The extensive knowledge of kinesiology, myology, and pathology taught in this program gives her an exceptional understanding of the human body and the tools to treat each patient in the most unique, productive and healing way. As part of the healing process Amber integrates European (Swedish), Amma (Oriental), Sports, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Myofascial Release, Reiki, Prenatal, Reflexology, and Hot Stone therapies to treat everything from stress and sore muscles to chronic pain and energetic imbalances. When she is not taking the time to heal others her passions include family, nutrition, yoga, art, music, dance, and almost everything outdoors.

James Hainsworth

CO–Owner + LMT + HHP

James has been interested in healing and massage for almost 20 years. After beginning a daily yoga practice in his early teens, he self-experimented with many nutrition, cleansing, and meditation techniques. He began doing massage on friends and family and found he had an intuitive sense as to where people held tension. He later became interested in energy work, and shortly after, received his Reiki I and II certifications. James attended Body Mind College in San Diego and received a 1000 hour Holistic Health Practitioner Certificate. During that time, he learned many modalities including Sports Massage, Deep Tissue, and Myofascial Release. He also gained experience in spiritual and nutritional counseling, as well as pursuing interests in shamanism and Tai Chi.


James tailors each massage session to the client’s needs. His focus is on creating a therapeutic and healing experience for his clients that relieves stress and improves the function and feeling of the body. He blends different styles and techniques to create a very nurturing, relaxing, and effective massage. His attention to detail, ability to go very slowly, and comprehensive knowledge of the body are excellent for post-injury and post-surgery applications.

Heidi Brooks

CMT

I begin my Massage career in 1994 in Austin Texas. There I primarily had clients in the tech, service and music industries. I spent 3 years in Hawaii where my love of sports and deep tissue bodywork grew. Since moving to the Sierra's in 1999, I have taken extensive courses in deep tissue and Neuromuscular bodywork. I strongly believe that a deep tissue massage doesn't have to hurt and can be very relaxing. I pride myself in keeping a quiet non-judgmental space for my clients to get the best results. I am also certified in prenatal and Hot Stone

Farida Gipson Burtt

CMT + ChT + cyt

Farida, a native of Kenya, and a Kings Beach resident since 2000, specializes in integrating massage with meditation to bring about transformation and healing.  She began doing foot massage for family and friends at the age of 12 and at the age of 15 she discovered Deepak Chopra, Louise Hay, Ayurveda and Bach Flower remedies. This curiosity led her to become certified in Massage, Yoga Therapy, Energy healing,  Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, Hypnotherapy, Breathwork, and Sound Healing. Her nurturing and compassionate touch is deep enough to effectively alleviate sore muscles and gentle enough to bring about complete relaxation. Her intention for every session is to create a space that is catered to the clients needs and allows the mind and body to return to its natural state of harmony and balance. She is dedicated to personal wellness. Her massage style combines gentle specific stretches with direct focused strokes to release areas of tension and dysfunction. Farida's technique combines the most enjoyable and effective elements of Yoga, Meditation, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Thai Massage, Acupressure, Shiatsu, Hot Stone and Breema. Her intuitive use of gentle stretches, acupressure points and firm, therapeutic pressure, make her massage deeply restorative, and refreshing.

Michele Milazzo

Michele began her journey as a massage therapist over 20 years ago.

After surviving a brain tumor, she decided she wanted to get out from behind the computer at the hospital she was working at and do something more hands on to help others.


She graduated from  A New You Massage School in Sacramento and then Lake Tahoe Massage School as well in South Lake Tahoe and went on to get her National Certification in Massage and Bodywork.  Her massage training and style can best be described as swedish/deep with a Lomi dynamic and is tailored to meet each client's needs. She also does energy work and believes when the body is given time and a supported space, healing can occur. She tailors each session to match the intention of the client and work in partnership for the best outcome of their session together.


Michele also a certified Yoga instructor to seniors, children and beginner adults and her philosophy is massage and yoga for ALL.

Jaymi Berbert

Jaymi is an experienced massage therapist dedicated to helping you feel your best—body, mind, and spirit. With training in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point, Acupressure, and Reiki, she blends different techniques to create a customized session for each client.


She has been working with North Lake Tahoe visitors and locals for over 10 years and has trained at the Napa Valley School of Massage, the Massage Therapy Institute, and the Bodhi Tree Center. As a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, her approach goes beyond relaxation to focus on restoring balance, easing tension, and supporting your overall well-being.

Patty Roberts

Patricia is a Massage Therapist with a love for helping people heal mind, body, and spirit through bodywork. Immersing herself in a well-rounded 1000+ hour Transformational Psychology degree, majoring in Massage Therapy & Holistic Psychology, and minoring in Yoga Teacher Training from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, Arizona Patty gained a deep understanding of the workings of physical body and how it correlates with the mental body. She couples many well-known modalities including the more traditional Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Trigger Point Therapy with lesser known techniques such as Myofascial Release, Reflexology, and energetic clearing to help you unwind your body and thus, release tension in your entire spirit. In a session with her, you will feel supported to let go of what ails you, leaving you lighter, more relaxed, and ready to embrace the world with a clearer mindset.

Allison Holiday

Allison studied at the Healing Arts Institute in Citrus Heights, CA. She has been practicing massage in Truckee for over 10 years. Her intuitive approach and her studies in deep tissue, sports therapy, and Swedish modalities help her to create a tailored massage to the client’s needs.


Allison is a native of Louisiana and has called Truckee home for over 12 years. She spends her free time with her husband and two dogs enjoying this beautiful area.

Sara Jean Westmoreland "Westie"

Sarah's journey with bodywork began when she enrolled at the Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute, where she honed her skills and graduated in 2016.


Throughout her career, Sarah has immersed herself in various atmospheres within the wellness industry, including chiropractic offices, spas, and general massage centers. It was during this time that she discovered her profound interest in deep tissue, trigger point, and myofascial release work. This passion was ignited by a life-altering event—an unfortunate high-speed head-on car accident in 2018. Sarah personally experienced the transformative power of these modalities during her recovery, which enabled her to regain her strength and return to the activities she loves.


Sarah finds great fulfillment in working with clients who have specific injuries or ailments, as well as those seeking general nervous system relaxation. Her compassionate approach and comprehensive understanding of the human body allow her to tailor each session to meet the unique needs of her clients. Sarah's therapeutic touch, combined with her extensive knowledge and expertise, ensures that you receive a personalized and effective treatment to support your overall well-being.

Sarah's goal is to create a serene and rejuvenating space where clients can experience profound healing and relaxation. Whether you seek relief from chronic pain, want to recover from an injury, or simply desire a moment of tranquility, Sarah is committed to helping others achieve optimal health and balance.

Britney plumber

Britney, is a dedicated massage therapist whose passion for wellness started as an athlete studying Exercise Physiology at CSUC. Her knowledge evolved through working with physical therapists, chiropractors, and in cardiac rehabilitation establishing an intuitive foundation for bodywork.


As an accomplished sports nutritionist; Britney's holistic journey led her to the California College of Ayurveda in 2019, studying practices such as Shidoraha and Abhyanga. In 2021, she completed a comprehensive 650-hour program at the Bodhi Tree Healing Center. Here, she mastered modalities like deep tissue, prenatal, acupressure, myofascial release, dynamic cupping, warm stones, sports massage, and energy techniques.


Britney has experience in co-creating healing workshops, and facilitating women's circles. Today, she is a gentle presence with an integrated skill set of modalities that honor the client's dynamic needs. Britney's unique and effective approach nurtures a deeper connection between mind, body, and soul. Empowering clients to transform and transcend on their wellness journey.

Lydia Wanless

Lydia brings an intuitive touch to every massage. She earned her Massage Therapy certification from The Bodhi Tree, in Carson City, NV, and also has her certificate in Reiki 1.


Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing stress, or simply needing time to reconnect, Lydia offers a range of modalities, including deep tissue, soft tissue, trigger point therapy, Swedish, prenatal massage, and sports massage. She loves to integrate hot stones and/or cupping into her treatments to make an even more amazing experience.


When she's not using her healing hands, she enjoys spending time in the water, hiking, camping and fishing. As a former basketball player, she understands the importance of keeping the body moving and feeling its best.

Willow Esch

My journey to massage therapy began during my adolescence, when I became deeply interested in health and human performance as it pertained to my athletic career as a lacrosse player. Since then, I have studied across multiple disciplines, earning degrees in Biopsychology (BS) and Athletic Training (MS) and studying and practicing Herbalism, Meditation, and Massage Therapy.


Before moving to Truckee and transitioning into Massage Therapy full time, I spent 7 years working as an Athletic Trainer in multidisciplinary settings ranging from professional performance training centers to high school gymnasiums. This valuable time in my career allowed me to cultivate a deep understanding of clinical sports medicine as it applies to athletes and active people in all stages of life and performance. Transitioning into massage therapy has been a harmonious shift that allows me to offer this valuable knowledge to my clients while holding space for healing with presence, intuition, and connection.


In a session with me, you can expect a blend of modalities from my massage trainings in Swedish style, deep tissue, trigger point, myofascial release, Esalen®, cupping/gua sha, and energetic healing. We will discuss your areas of concern and work together to address your goals in a way that supports your body in its own healing process. I look forward to being a part of your self-care team!

Vanessa Dodds

Vanessa Dodds (she/her) is a Certified Massage and Lymphedema Therapist born and raised in Truckee, California. She has traveled extensively for her training and specializes in somatic fascia release therapy, lymphatic drainage, cranial sacral therapy, pre- and postnatal massage, and scar tissue therapy.


Vanessa’s journey into bodywork began in Brazil in 2018, where she studied under Armaund Angibaud and completed 150 hours of training in Fascia Therapy (Danis Bois Method, France). This work deeply shaped her approach, revealing the profound ways gentle, somatic touch can calm the nervous system while supporting the lymphatic system.


In 2024, Vanessa completed the 650-hour certification program at the Massage Therapy Institute (MTI) in Davis, California, which included advanced training in cranial sacral and prenatal massage. She also completed 135 hours of specialized training in Lymphatic Drainage and Complete Decongestive Therapy for lymphedema through the Academy of Lymphatic Studies (ACOLS), utilizing the Vodder Technique.


A Reiki Master since 2018, Vanessa is also trained in additional energy-based modalities, including 90 hours of Rose Therapy (Sanación con Rosas) from Mexico. She offers inclusive, trauma-informed, and highly tailored somatic bodywork sessions, blending energy-focused treatments with Swedish and deep tissue massage to support stress relief, chronic pain and illness, and injury or surgery recovery.


With over 325 hours of Yoga Teacher Training and a background in Hatha and Aerial Yoga, Vanessa’s yoga practice informs her bodywork sessions. Se habla español e fala português.

Tiffany Callaway

Certified Yoga Instructor RYT®, Yoga Alliance

Sound Healing, International Academy of Sound Healing

Student of Ayurveda, California College of Ayurveda & Sattva Ayurveda, Rishikesh


Ayurvedic Massage & Body Therapist, Wild Harmony Health

With a belief that we all have the power to heal ourselves with our innate wisdom, Tiffany guides her students in rediscovering their true nature through Yoga, Sound Healing and Ayurveda. She has been serving the Tahoe-Truckee community since 2017 and continues her exploration into the ancient teachings with an open heart and curiosity.


These ancient practices have shifted my perception and offered me refuge in times of debilitating pain and deep grief. My intention is to share the healing powers of the gifts that have been passed down to me along my healing journey.

What is Ayurveda?


The sister science to yoga. This ancient holistic medicine system originated in India and recognizes that we are nature. With an emphasis on the five elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water, Earth); Ayurveda restores balance to mind, body and spirit through diet, lifestyle and herbs and a deeper understanding of yourself: mind, body and spirit. By inviting Ayurveda into your life you may feel as though you're learning the language of your inner wisdom. Begin to discover the healing benefits of Ayurveda with a nourishing and grounding Ayurvedic oil massage.

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