ABOUT LITTLE BIRD WELLNESS

After dabbling in music education and yoga instruction, Lani finally landed where she always has belonged and graduated from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT) in 2010. She has been an active member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) since graduation, previously serving on many volunteer committees and the CT Chapter Board, and earned the President’s Award in 2021 and the Distinguished Service Award from the CT Chapter in 2023. Lani was a faculty member at Cortiva Institute (formerly CCMT) from 2014 to 2019. She taught multiple bodywork classes, professional preparation & science classes, and brought that same spirit of education into the growth and development of the Little Bird Wellness staff family. In her massage work, Lani has been practicing Traditional Thai massage for 12 years, and Sarga Bodywork for 4 years. Her clients describe her style as “deceptively deep” and she has been known to lull people to sleep just as easily as she can unstick a frozen shoulder. In 2021 Lani also became a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, to help clients find balance through the foundations of health. She is passionate about finding healing from the inside out, and loves the therapeutic qualities of food! See me for: Therapeutic Massage, Sarga Bodywork, Thai Massage, Body Treatments, Nutritional Therapy

Chris is a formally trained Shaman in the Peruvian traditions. He has 25 plus years of experience as a personal and profession coach stemming from his career in the U.S. Army and in corporate America. Chris holds a B.S. in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis with a minor in Anthropology, a Masters of Leadership, and an MBA. Chris combines his corporate, military and healing training with his love of nature to provide coaching and healing sessions which are unique to each client. See Me For: Shamanic Healing

Emily graduated from Cortiva Institute (formerly CCMT) in October of 2019 for Massage Therapy, and returned in November of 2020 to pursue Skincare. Finishing the program in May 2021, she now has a dual-license for Massage and Esthetics. She has additional education in lymphatic bodywork, offering a type of massage that focuses on the body's Nervous system, rather than the musculature. Most recently, she has trained with the owner & creator of Solavedi Organic skincare, and is now offering Ayurvedic facials. With a passion for helping people and an education in muscles & skin, she’s there to help anyone feel better, inside and out. See me for: Therapeutic Massage, Lymphatic Massage, Body Treatments, Facials, Lashes & Brows, Waxing

Stacey graduated from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT) in 2002. Over the next 15 years, she supported massage therapy students using both her experiences in the massage therapy field and her degree in Psychology from St. Joseph University. She has training in multiple modalities, including Thai massage, Myoskeletal Alignment techniques and, most recently, warm bamboo massage. Combining intuition and various massage modalities, she supports each client towards their own personal healing. See me for: Therapeutic Massage, Thai Massage, Body Treatments

Rachel has worked in the medical, dental, insurance, and natural health industries in roles ranging from support to management. She earned a B.S. in Family Studies: Adulthood and Aging Concentration with a minor in Gerontology from University of Connecticut in 2001. Rachel graduated from Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT) in 2007. She is a certified Reiki practitioner and she earned 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification from Journey of Yoga in 2020. As the receptionist for Many Rivers Community Acupuncture, Rachel fondly remembers numerous occasions of people coming into the clinic in pain and then leaving with a smile on their face as they floated out. She is looking forward to utilizing her acquired skills and education, fueled by her passion for holistic health and healing, in her new role as receptionist at Little Bird Wellness.

Carrie is our part-time receptionist at the Manchester location. In her other life, Carrie is an RYT500 and received her certification from Crossroads Yoga Teacher Training in 2018. She is additionally trained in Energy Medicine Yoga (EMYoga) and is a Reiki III practitioner.

Jasara is a 2002 graduate of the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (CCMT), and has worked in many different venues of massage over the years. She has been trained in many modalities and takes that knowledge into every session. Using a combination of intuition & client communication, she develops a plan for continued work and care with clients. Sports massage, deep tissue, reflexology, or a combination of all & more. Jasara focuses on a shared goal of client health for each session. See Me For: Therapeutic Massage, Body Treatments

Pam became a state licensed Aesthetician in 2019 after completing the 1250-hour Advanced Esthetics Program at ACC. Not only does Pam bring her dedication and love to her profession, she has an extensive medical background as a dental hygienist to ensure her clients the highest standards of care, infection control and safety. Her thirst for knowledge in the ever-changing skin industry led Pam to obtain additional certification in: Jet Peel, Microdermabrasion, ProCell Microchanneling, and Microcurrent. Pam's approach is one that encompasses all the technical knowledge with a relaxing and soothing touch. A true master of customized facials, body treatments, peels, mechanical exfoliation modalities, lymphatic drainage techniques and relaxation. She enjoys providing her clients an opportunity to achieve healthy skin through services that are truly unique, personalized and precise. Pam believes there is no better satisfaction than knowing she has helped a client achieve far more than what they hoped for. ​ See Me For: Facials, Waxing, Body Treatments, Lashes

Elizabeth (EJ) Davis is a graduate of Cortiva Institute of Cromwell, CT. After having a demanding corporate career for over 26 years she realized the cathartic power of a routine massage and decided to do what she loves and became a Massage Therapist. Every session is customized from light to deep pressure to best suit your needs allowing you to completely relax. Her style is calming and effective by working with your nervous system and muscle tone. Sinking in slowly to melt away muscle tension. EJ comes to massage with genuine compassion, and a deep desire to help people. See me for: Therapeutic Massage, Body Treatments

Christine is a Licensed Massage Therapist who graduated from Cortiva Institute in 2019. She first became a Licensed Cosmetologist in 2014. Since then, Christine has worked in both fields and has developed a passion for the importance of self care. She believes that the power of touch is essential, and massage therapy is a way to improve your mental and physical well-being. Christine has a strong interest in anatomy and views each body as its own unique puzzle. And to better serve her clients, Christine plans to further her education in order to help whomever should walk through the door. See Me For: Therapeutic Massage, Body Treatments

As a Violinist and Violin instructor for the past 20 years, Bronwyn has studied and implemented use of correct posture. She has trained her hands to be sensitive and finds this ability transfers well to massage therapy. As a Certified Music Teacher in the Hartford Public Schools, she has experience in maintaining equilibrium being sensitive to the needs of a wide variety of individuals. As an undergraduate she minored in Philosophy of Science & has knowledge of the concepts and practices of Energy Work. Bronwyn is a Martial Artist, this is helpful for strength, flexibility and endurance. This, along with regular meditation, helps to maintain her spiritual, mental and physical balance. Bronwyn enjoys sharing these qualities, and feels a deep sense of satisfaction in bringing comfort and relief through massage therapy. See Me For: Therapeutic Massage

Sarah studied massage therapy at CT State Community College in 2018, and has been a licensed massage therapist since 2019. Her massage therapy style blends swedish, deep tissue, stretching, and trigger point therapy, as well as acupressure and meridian techniques in order to ease client pain and increase her client's well-being. She is interested in the interplay of physiological healing with energy-centered philosophy, and looks forward to continuing to deepen her knowlege and understanding of acupressure and meridian massage through the ancient medical science of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Katarina graduated from Central Connecticut Massage Therapy school (CCMT) in 2008 and got her manual lymphatic drainage certification from Klose in 2016. Her passion for physiology and energy of the human body led her into the massage profession. Over 15 years she has been helping clients with the management of stress, pain and discomfort. She has been certified and trained in many modalities and uses them in her integrated massage and bodywork. Her client’s well-being, health and relaxation is always the priority. Sessions are customized based on the needs of each client. See me for: Therapeutic Massage, Reflexology, Prenatal Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Through my educational experiences working with chiropractic patients I have a solid understanding of how to treat people who are recovering from a fall, surgery or car accident. I assist in the healing process and eliminate scar tissue. My favorite type of massage to perform is deep tissue and I have seen and felt these techniques work in these types of patients. In addition, I’ve paired well with physical therapists to help with the strengthening of clients muscles. I’ve had the opportunity to work with professional athletes who have benefited as well and made a difference in their performances. I have such a passion for massage therapy and it shows when I work on clients. You can feel that I want to heal. I am still continuing my education and adding more techniques and knowledge to better serve the community.

Alana embarked on her journey to become an esthetician by graduating from Cortiva in 2022. She furthered her education at the International Institute of Cosmetology in 2023, emerging as an eyelash technician. Alana loves to perform customizable facials, where she crafts personalized treatments to address unique skincare needs. Additionally, her skills extend to full body waxing, body treatments, and lash lifts. Alana wants individuals to feel entirely at ease in their own skin. Her ideal client is someone committed to skin improvement, ready to invest time in understanding and maintaining their skin's health. Ensuring that each client not only looks but also feels their best.

Kiley's favorite part of the skincare industry is that it is always growing, allowing her to expand her knowledge in the field. She loves being able to help people feel their best and revealing their improved skin to them after treatment, along with helping them curate a perfect home care regimen

Krissa believes it’s important that every client gets a personalized treatment as unique as they are. She feels blessed to have found her passion and have the opportunity to make other people feel happy in their skin. She offers the highest standard of treatments that will not only help you look your best, but also enhance your total health and wellbeing!

Beki is a CCMT graduate from 2007. With over 13,000 hours of hands on experience and use of techniques such as deep tissue, Swedish, sports, assisted stretch, prenatal, hot stone (including Himalayan), cupping, basic trigger point, basic reflexology, and rehab/post surgery work. One her specialities is helping with headache and migraine relief. She also has worked along side a chiropractor for over 13 years with patient care and care plans within a massage therapy scope of practice. She is always willing to help and provide the best therapeutic pressure and relaxation for every BODY- using empathy and intuition to make you feel refreshed and renewed.