Athlete Series: Meet Sara
Here’s a not-so-secret secret about me: I cry every single time I watch ballet. I did ballet as a 3-year-old – as much as running around in a circle, limbs flailing, counts as “doing ballet.” Apparently, as can be expected from any stubborn and fiercely independent...
Athlete Series: Meet Marcus
A few weeks ago, I was sitting at Ohana Wellness waiting for my massage. I had come in with an ankle brace and a knee brace – one on each leg. I’m not athletic, I’ve never been—even back in my younger years. I got to talking to Saya and the women at the front desk,...
What You Can Expect From Aly
As I start this piece, I’m wondering what the best way is to describe Aly Breggin. And truly the only way to describe Aly is that she’s a petite little rockabilly nymph that at 40 has the most flawless skin I’ve ever seen and has the strength of a thousand men. I was...
Meet Melanie Gorr
I was taught to skip the chapter of me.I was taught to pull myself up by my bootstraps and keep going.I was taught that self-care was selfish.I was taught that getting a massage was indulgent, luxurious, beyond my means.I am still undoing these teachings, but this...
What You Can Expect from Eva
I’ve come to expect Eva Lazo’s smiling face over the years at Ohana Wellness. It’s become my second home and sanctuary, and it is individuals like Eva that bring an important element to the atmosphere at Ohana Wellness: a feeling of ease. My most recent massage was on...
Small but Mighty: Ohana Wellness as a Business
It is no secret that running a business is hard. But, I would venture to say that running a small business takes a certain kind of person with a certain kind of grit. Add in being a woman-owned business in a major metropolitan area where competition isn’t only stiff,...
What You Can Expect From Natalie
Classic (adjective) – typically defined as a typical or perfect example of something as it should be. This is exactly what my experience with Natalie Foster was as I embarked on my 90-minute journey of pure bliss, unimaginable relaxation, and deep care of my exhausted...
On Mothers: An Interview with a 14-Year Old Apprentice
I am not a mother (only to my 11.5 lb miniature dachshund and my plethora of plants). With the pending holiday to celebrate the women that brought us into this world, I thought it’d be fascinating to interview Saya Barkdoll’s daughter on all things related to...
What You Can Expect From Gloria
All the women of Ohana Wellness are unique healers. Gloria Quezada is in a league of her own. I had the pleasure of working with her recently and it was truly an emotional and in-depth healing experience. Gloria told me that her and Saya (meet Saya HERE) have known...
On Body(work) and Image
I used to be heavy. I don’t like to tell people because I still worry whether or not people view me as a heavy girl (I shouldn’t be). Quite frankly, I still sometimes see the 250 lb girl looking back in the mirror at me. My body is covered in stretch marks, not...
