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About Us
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SPA OWNERS
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Isa Ruiz Marino Off on Mondays
Spa Director
Licensed Massage Therapist
Brennan Healing Science Practitioner
Certified Birth Doula
Isa’s passion lies in educating and supporting clients and staff. Having cancer in her early twenties took Isa through surgery and radiation to energy healing and transformational work. She believes in the body’s ability for self healing and views disease as the body’s mechanism for survival. Mostly she believes in the body’s ability to communicate what it needs, the spirit’s innate ability to listen and the individual’s right to choose. Her strength is rooted in self responsibility and intention. |
“I have incredible faith in your ability to know for yourself what you need to do in this moment…if you can take the time you need to find the deep stillness within and make your choice from that stillness, you cannot make the wrong choice, you can only make the choice that is the best one for you at that moment.” – The Call by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Isa is primarily spa director but may be available for Brennan Healings (especially for clients experiencing cancer) and birth doula services upon request. She is also available to answer questions regarding Waves Spa and its services.
If Isa looks a little familiar you may be spotting her resemblance to her father Santi of Santi Salon also located in the Graham Center. Isa grew up in the family business and helped her father obtain and launch his beauty salon at FIU in 1999 and now has the honor of having her own spa with her husband Dave right next door. Although the two spaces could not look & feel any more different from one another there is a deep connection and great support between father, daughter and son-in-law.
Click here for Isa's story about her cancer featured on the Caroline Myss website in 2005.
Click here for Isa & Dave's wedding announcement.
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David Marino Off on Tuesdays
Certified in The Rolf Method of Structural Integration
Licensed Massage Therapist
Brennan Healing Science Practitioner
Dave obtained certification in The Rolf Method of Structural Integration from The Guild in Boulder, CO. He is one of only a few certified practitioners in South Florida offering this effective form of bodywork. His work is very unique and incredibly powerful. He integrates the subtle energy work of Brennan Healing and his intuitive nature with the deeply physical work of The Rolf Method of Structural Integration. The most common response we get from Dave’s clients is “I have no idea what you did but I feel fantastic!” |
Dave is greatly passionate about sports. He grew up with a college hall of fame football coach as a father and was an athlete himself. He played baseball internationally and was on his way to the minor leagues when an injury ended his career. He set out to find physical relief for himself and that’s when he discovered Rolfing® . As a result, Dave has a deep understanding of the demands placed on an athlete’s body and knows how to truly care for injuries and chronic conditions.
If you are curious as to what your body is communicating through specific pains, injuries or diseases Dave’s work offers you an opportunity for clarity and personal growth. His intuitive abilities allow him to make deep contact and reveal unresolved trauma and emotions that your body is unconsciously holding. Often times it is these unresolved issues that lead to disease within the body and distortions in life. Working with Dave offers you a chance to bring these to the forefront for healing in order to transform your body, your relationships and your life.
Dave began receiving healing work in his early teens, has traveled to Machu Pichu and studied in Chicago with Caroline Myss, spent time living at The Pathwork Center in Virginia and most recently challenged himself by attending the annual Hero’s Journey Program in West Virginia with Michael Mervosh.
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LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPISTS
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Joyce Thurs 2-6 and Fri 11-4
Licensed Massage Therapist
Pregnancy Massage
Sports Massage
NMT style
Joyce is a multifaceted individual whose journey towards her life’s work in health and healing was sparked 11 years ago. Joyce obtained a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from the University of Florida although her love and passion is in holistic health. She is currently a first year student at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing and loving it! |
Joyce offers a combination of massage & healing modalities along with birth doula services. The fortune of attending Educating Hands School of Massage while 7 months pregnant provided Joyce with intimate knowledge of the needs and challenges the body faces while pregnant. Her pregnancy was highlighted by the beautiful experience of having a water birth in 2001. Joyce’s NMT styled body work, sports massage, deep tissue and pregnancy massage are just a few of the modalities she offers.
When not at Waves Spa, Joyce enjoys spending time with her daughter and teaching ashtanga based yoga and Pilates. She is interested in supporting and empowering individuals toward a healthy lifestyle by incorporating the whole person. She decided long ago, the importance of human touch and truly being present is the utmost compliment you can pay another human being.
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Melody Wed & Fri 2-7 and Thurs 11-4
Licensed Massage Therapist
Pregnancy Massage
Hot Stone Massage
Sports Massage
Melody grew up in a family devoted to each other, music, and sports. She became the only female in her family to become a tri-athlete in high school as well as a dual-sport participant at the collegiate level. Her deep roots in athletic competition snowballed into a passion for the health, wellness, and fitness industry.
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As a result, Melody received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology and Sports Science from Sul Ross State University in Texas in 2004. To continue in her success, she also received her Master Personal Training Certificate and Massage Therapy Certification from the National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) in Orlando, Florida within the subsequent year. Melody is also licensed as a massage therapist both nationally through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the State of Florida. In addition, she has been awarded a certificate as a Level 1 Yoga for Wellness Professional.
Melody has experience in an array of therapeutic modalities including Swedish and relaxation, deep tissue and neuromuscular, pregnancy, hot stone, post-operative, and chair massage.
Currently, Melody is working on her Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics with a combined education from Florida Gulf Coast University, The University of Florida, and Florida International University. Her quest for knowledge is never-ending as she is truly dedicated to continuing her education in various subjects, techniques, certifications, and licenses including, but not limited to, reflexology, aromatherapy, and sports massage.
Melody brings expertise, balanced energy, and conviction to each individual and session. She has a deep-seated commitment to healthy living and wants to convey the power of human touch and healing.
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Andrea Mon thru Thurs 11-7
Licensed Massage Therapist
Reception Desk
Andrea's greatest gift is her ability to make others feel comfortable. She has a very natural and fun way about her. With Andrea as your therapist you are bound to experience her laughter and her deep compassion. Her friendly nature is balanced with a solid strength and discipline which was instilled in her at a very early age through Tae Kwon Do (Black Belt at age 9) and continues to be developed with her current Kung Fu practice. Clients appreciate Andrea's joyful and relaxed state of being and the staff loves her ability to step up and kick-butt whenever necessary
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Andrea received her Massage license in 2007 and will be returning to school for a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant. She wants to interweave physical therapy and post treatments with massage therapy to keep the body and mind healthy and strong in order to facilitate a faster recovery. She is currently exploring thai massage, aromatherapy and neuromuscular therapy.
In life, Andrea believes balance is essential in order to achieve happiness. For her, balance is not in the rigidity of self-control but rather in allowing the ups and downs which are the natural flow of life itself. She is committed to creating a space for her clients allowing them to experience their own rhythm without any expectations or demands. She's conscious of how each and every session serves as her client's time to relax, revive and feel refreshed.
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Heather E Mon thru Wed & Sat 11-4
Licensed Massage Therapist
Pregnancy Massage
Heather wanted to be a massage therapist ever since she received her first massage in high school. After graduation, she attended massage school in Clearwater, FL. Her training included an overview of just about every type of massage but her preferences are for prenatal massage, deep tissue massage and general relaxation massage. She received her massage license in 2007 and has been acquiring a great amount of experience here at Waves Spa. Clients love working with Heather. |
Heather is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in psychology and plans on getting a masters degree in the future. She is newly married and has a dog. She loves being able to have the ability to help people feel relaxed and at ease.
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Heather H Tues 11-7
Licensed Massage Therapist
Although Heather H is only here from time to time she is very much a part of our team. Her work is phenomenal and her cheerful state of being is delightful. Truth is most of the staff lines up for massages from Heather H. when she’s here. We look forward to each and every opportunity. |
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LICENSED AESTHETICIANS/FACIALISTS
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Abigail Thurs thru Sat 11-4
Licensed Aesthetician
Abigail began her career in Israel over 15 years ago. She was greatly influenced by her European mentors who passed on their impressive style of facial, pectoral, neck, scalp and hand massage. These days Abigail incorporates this inherited style with her profound knowledge and years of experience to achieve the best possible results for her clients |
Abigail was motivated to delve into seminars on acne, hyper-pigmentation and scarring when one of her daughters developed acne at a young age. She took this condition very seriously and set out to become an expert. Around here we affectionately call her “A Doctor of Acne”.
Abigail has an insatiable passion for her work. She prides herself on giving clients the most memorable experience ever. She has the outstanding ability of achieving results while providing a pampering for the body & soul. We frequently experience clients walking out of Abigail’s room in awe of their experience
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Maria-José Mon & Tues 11-7
Licensed Massage Therapist
Licensed Aesthetician
Pregnancy Massage
Hot Stone Massage
Shiatsu
Certified Hypnotherapist
Maria-José is an experienced Massage Therapist offering a variety of therapeutic styles. She believes that “Nothing Heals Like the Human Touch”. Her life journey has brought her to discover alternative healing ways to improve and grow as a person. |
For the last 10 years Maria-José has been a practicing yogi and Qi Gong student. She attained her training and initiation by attunement into the First and Second Degree of Reiki Natural Healing by Reverend Rina Lichtinger at Healing Light; Got trained as an Infant Massage Instructor at Educating Hands; Graduated from the Acupuncture and Massage College where she learned the fundamentals of Oriental bodywork (Shiatsu, Tui Na, Tai) and Swedish Massage; Has been trained in craniosacral techniques, reflexology, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy, and graduated from The Florida College of Natural Health where she got her training as an Aesthetician and obtained a Science Degree in Natural Health with concentration in Therapeutic Massage and Skin care.
Maria-José continues to expand her abilities to help more people achieve their goals through different therapeutic techniques. She has attained her certification in Hypnotherapy and uses Guided Imagery as well to aid in the processes of: relaxation, stress management, addictions, weight control, test anxiety, self esteem issues, coping with loss or divorce, phobias, pre and post surgery stress, traumas, regressions, etc.
Above all, Maria-José considers herself an intuitive holistic healer who incorporates her acquired knowledge and connects to her patients Mind/Body/Soul energies to help them achieve the balance they need and are ready to receive.
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