![Allyu Spa, 600 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, 312.755.1313 [p], 312.755.1616 [f]](http://www.allyuspa.com/wp-content/themes/allyu/images/address.png)
Staff Bios
Massage Therapists [+ show][- hide]
Amado graduated from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy in December 2000. Since becoming a massage therapist, he has developed his skills by working in many areas of the field including health and fitness centers, luxury spas, chiropractic offices, and wellness centers. In 2003, Amado was featured in Allure magazine article, “Best Massages from Manhattan to Santa Monica.” He believes that all clients deserve a personable, customized experience and he is committed to treating everyone with courtesy and respect.
Antonia is a graduate from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy and is certified through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She uses an integrative approach specializing in deep tissue, Swedish, pre-natal, and hot stone. In her work she pulls from polarity therapy, a practice that is used to assist balance within the bodies energy fields.
Arra is a nationally certified medical massage therapist with six years experience in clinical and rehabilitative massage. Arra specializes in deep tissue, trigger point, acupressure, and sports massage with a personalized focus. She is currently working on certification in Asian bodywork that will add Thai, Shiatsu, and Tui Na to her practice. Arra is a highly dedicated therapist with a passion for helping people reach their holistic well being.
Becky graduated from Seattle Massage School in 1996 and brings years of diverse experience to Allyu. She started her career in the dot.com boom and is familiar with the ailments of clients who spend their days at the computer. Becky has completed 3 marathons and translates her love of running into well studied sports massage. She also is trained in the Neuromuscular Technique for spinal muscles. By using tools on specific myofascial points she is able to balance the central nervous system. She comes from the school of thought that the whole body is connected and likes to address the body as a complete system while focusing on a client’s specific needs.
Cameron is a graduate of Cortiva and has a foundational belief that movement is life. She combines intuition and technical skill to provide a touch that allows guests to release and let go. She brings a diverse skill set and has worked within athletic, rehabilitation and relaxation settings. Cameron is passionate about helping guests feel physically and emotionally self aware during massage and even after you leave the table.
Christine has been offering massage since 2005. Her background as a massage therapy instructor & collaboration with physical therapists and chiropractors has given her a uniquely compassionate approach to clients’ needs. She values holding space, educating the client about their body & careful listening to achieve the goals of each individual.
She fuses clinically based, deep tissue & myofascial techniques to both clam and relax. Adding stretching, movement & kneading to provide a restorative, therapeutic treatment that aids in the body’s natural healing process and re-connect the person as a whole.
Those who have benefited from her work are: pregnant women, athletes, chronic pain & migraine sufferers & anyone seeking overall wellness of being.
Edith has been a practicing massage therapist for 9 years. As a compassionate and talented healer, she provides a customized treatment for every client. Whether it be relief from an injury or relaxation, Edith is exceptionally skilled in deep tissue, prenatal, hot stone, and swedish massage.
Elizabeth K. With 8 years of experience as and esthetician and massage therapist, Elizabeth is dedicated to caring for others. She is the lead esthetician at Allyu and has been with the spa since its opening. She takes a holistic approach to her work, customizing each massage and facial she gives. Her calming presence radiates her love of natural beauty and wellness. Elizabeth is also known for her quick and proficient waxing treatments!
Erin (coming soon!)
Gerri is a graduate from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy and has been working full time since 2005. She is Allyu Spa’s lead massage therapist and is skilled in deep tissue, Swedish, pre-natal, hot stone, reflexology, core synchronism and Reiki. Gerri’s style is a blend of therapeutic touch and relaxing bodywork customized for each client.
Joseph is an alumnus of Cortiva Chicago School of Massage and Chicago School of Thai Massage. He has spent the last several years sharing his practice in medical clinics and spas in Chicago and Asia. Whether it’s through compression, soft glide, or the comfort of a sustained stretch, Joseph utilizes a fusion of Western and Eastern mindful practices. He prides himself on his ability to listen, move energy, soften stubborn muscles and promote healing through a careful balance of mind, body, movement, and breath.
MeganRose (coming soon!)
Nichole graduated in 2001 from The Chicago School of Massage Therapy. She has worked in resorts, spas, and health fitness centers throughout her career. Nichole brings balance and relief for clients by utilizing her intuition and exceptional expertise. She excels at head, neck, and shoulder work, blending a variety of techniques to custom each session.
Patrick graduated from the Soma Institute in 2008. He specializes in clinical and sports massage utilizing myofascial release and trigger point techniques to address his client’s issues from chronic ailments to recent strains. His treatment goals are customized to each individual and he asserts the importance of integrating lifestyle changes with a feasible massage treatment plan.
Roger is a graduate of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy. He specializes in therapeutic deep tissue and trigger point massage with the intention of relieving muscular pain and dysfunction. He enjoys working with clients who want to overcome on-going muscular pain and soreness in order to live happier, healthier lives. Roger has had great success helping clients who are dealing with pain, headaches, and postural dysfunction associated with office work and regular computer use.
Sanji (coming soon!)
Sara M. trained in massage at the Chicago School of Massage Therapy. She has been a body worker for six years and has studied a variety of modalities, including Swedish massage, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, body mobilization technique, Thai yoga massage, sports massage, hot stone therapy, and Reiki. Through listening to the body, Sara skillfully and intuitively integrates these therapies to create a deep, nurturing, and effective treatment that addresses each individual’s needs and assists in the body’s own healing power. Sara is honored to be doing this work and believes strongly in accessible bodywork to facilitate change in each individual as part of healing for the larger community.
Steve graduated from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy in 1995 and has worked as a massage therapist in spas, hotels, chiropractic offices and health clubs. His style is innately therapeutic and induces the deep relaxation that allows that body to heal and restore. Steve is also a trained in reflexology. His goal is to provide personalized work for each client, incorporating techniques to unwind tight muscles, correct imbalance and restore over all well-being.
Tania has developed a nurturing therapeutic technique that allows the body to create a harmonious balance of relaxation and self-healing. Craniosacral therapy, Reiki, Swedish, deep tissue, aromatherapy are just a few collective methods used in her work. Also a yoga instructor, she incorporates her 14 years of experience as a body healer to facilitate transformation of self by connecting Mind, Body and Spirit. Tania believes bodywork is a creative expression and dance that communicates love and support for a fellow human being.
Estheticians [+ show][- hide]
Elizabeth K. With 9 years of experience as an esthetician and massage therapist, Elizabeth is dedicated to caring for others. She is the lead esthetician at Allyu and has been with the spa since its opening. She takes a holistic approach to her work, customizing each massage and facial she gives. Her calming presence radiates her love of natural beauty and wellness. Elizabeth is also known for her quick and proficient waxing treatments!
Erin (coming soon!)
Hayat‘s curiosity with skin led her to attend Pivot Point Academy from which she graduated in 2007. Growing up with not so great skin led to her pursuit of understanding the body’s largest organ. Being able to relate to the frustrations of the skin, having been through it herself, she brings a compassion and energy to her service that is unrivaled. When you leave Hayat’s treatment room, you know that you have received the best possible service from someone who can’t help but go above and beyond in helping you achieve your skincare goals. She is also great at helping you pick a restaurant for date night!
Kris is a graduate of Pivot Point International with a focus on esthetics. She regularly supplements her skincare knowledge through advanced studies, including waxing techniques, chemical peels and medical esthetics. She loves her profession and empowers her guests to leave with a better understanding of how to maintain beautiful and healthy skin.
Randi completed her esthetics degree in Colorado in 1999 and is passionate about her career. “I believe I was born to be an esthetician. Skin care is about finding the solution rather than covering up a problem and teaching people how to take care of their the skin is my number one goal. I love to treat the body, mind, and spirit when doing a service.” She has an amazing reputation for taking the fear out of waxing services, especially Brazilians. Randi’s advanced studies are extensive and diverse, from Ayurvedic skincare, Reiki and Reflexology to advanced facial peels and medical esthetics.
Vanessa is a graduate of Pivot Point International with an esthetics concentration. Her goal is to educate her clients to achieve optimal results with self-care. She is a level two certified Reiki practitioner which she often incorporates into her treatments. Vanessa is also the Midwest representative of Epicuren Skincare, which is Allyu’s primary skincare line.
Nail Technicians [+ show][- hide]
Azucena has been a nail technician since 2001. She enjoys her work with pregnant clients and likes the challenge of callous removal. She speaks Spanish fluently and is certified in Reiki Level II. She enjoys studying reflexology and energy work and often incorporates these modalities into her services. She hopes that as you work with her you feel well taken care of.
Sopanya “Sophie” knows the value of having a tranquil place in the world and attributes that partially to growing up in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She is a graduate of the Botanic School of Nail Technology and also holds a certificate in reflexology. She prides herself on her attention to detail and her customer service skills. When she’s not taking care of her clients, Sopanya loves cooking, eating, and going for walks by the lake with her husband and young daughter.
Coordinators/Management [+ show][- hide]
Ariel (coming soon)
Sara joined Allyu in July 2009 as a front desk coordinator. She has always had a deep appreciation for wellness and is delighted to be a part of an amazing community of healers. Besides working at Allyu, Sara is an jewelry entrepreneur, and deconstructs vintage jewelry to reclaim it into striking compilations of wearable art.
Elizabeth has been part of the Allyu family since 2009. She has lived in Chicago for the past decade, but still finds herself taken aback by the unique beauty and soul this city contains. Her free time is spent cooking spicy food, eating spicy food (way too much), and attempting to read anything and everything that she can. Her husband patiently endures the huge mess her collages/paintings create in their home, and he is her frequent collaborator in multimedia and photography projects. She is grateful to have found such a fabulous second family at Allyu, and looks forward to growing along with the company she loves so much.
Hannah is an artist, musician and the most detail oriented front desk coordinator Allyu has ever seen. She loves talking about crystals, skincare, music, art and microbrews. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Hannah loves nature, but considers Chicago’s massive skyline to be her new mountains.
Kaicy is one of our front desk extraordinaires (also know as a coordinator). She likes to make cupcakes but isn’t really that into eating them. She is a fan of a good, solid handlebar mustache (or a fu manchu!) and often wishes she were born a moose. Or rabbit. Or bear. Or robot.
Kristin is the Floor Manager and Event Coordinator for Allyu Spa. She has been a dedicated member of the wellness industry for several years and believes strongly that care and consideration create a stronger sense of self and community. She strives to give each guest a positive, welcoming and lasting experience. Once told that hers was a “life of service,” she views her background in performance as an additional outlet to provide enrichment and joy to others.
Nina is 12 years old and a Jardine Parrot. She loves children, to play peek-a-boo and to greet you in Allyu’s entrance. Nina divides her time between work and home and would love to say hello to you the next time you visit!
Tamara is Allyu Spa’s owner and a massage therapist since 1996. She operated The Art of Healing for ten years before expanding in 2007 to the newly created Allyu Spa in River North. Allyu is the embodiment of Tamara’s dream to provide diverse wellness services in a hand crafted and upscale location. She prides herself on providing an enriching work environment to her practitioner community in a relaxing and aesthetically unparalled place to receive services for guests. Often at the desk to greet you, and more often barefoot, Tamara looks forward to introducing you to her lovingly created spa.
Tiffany is a proud member of the community since 2008. She has a passion for ecological sustainability and an integrated holistic lifestyle. She is thrilled to be a part of a space that supports these beliefs and personally seeks rejuvenation through spending time with her family, travelling, practicing Reiki and volunteering. Tiffany strives to help you feel relaxed and well cared for each time you enter our doors.
