Our Team

Brian Alexander (Licensed Massage Therapist) is a 2018 graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Massage. He enjoys using his knowledge of kinesiology and an array of massage modalities to create a deeply therapeutic session that addresses his clients’ needs. As an active person, Brian is passionate about learning how the body moves and functions. He believes good communication is foundational to everything we do, and welcomes feedback from his clients.

Katie Barnes (Licensed Massage Therapist) moved to Ithaca in September 2010 to start massage school at FLSM. On the first day, she knew she had found her new love. She was in awe of the art of massage and fell in love with FLSM and the Ithaca area. Her interest in massage stems from two different people in her life: The first, her grandmother. Her feet were always cold and achy. She didn’t like for anyone to look at her feet, but would let Katie soak and massage them. The simple soak and rub drastically improved her circulation and they felt warm again. The second is her father, a Navy SEAL who lost his left leg in the Vietnam War. Katie watched him struggle with pain her entire life until her family figured out that an hour of massage leaves him pain-free for almost a week. Katie believes in a wide variety of modalities in her practice. One of her favorite services to do is massage with cupping. Her main focus is to center her sessions around each client’s needs.

Corirose Benitez Anjali (Licensed Massage Therapist) has been a healing practitioner for over three decades. She enjoys supporting people to experience the renewal of deep relaxation and self-connection through massage and bodywork. She likes to integrate relaxing deep tissue massage, myofascial release, and craniosacral therapy, individualizing her therapeutic touch for each client’s needs. Corirose moved to Ithaca in 2019 from St Louis, MO, where she was an instructor at Elements of Wellness School of Massage, teaching Foundations of Bodywork, Ethics, Communication, and Craniosacral Therapy. Corirose loves working in the peaceful and healing environment of Rasa and the opportunity to be a part of a team of gifted and caring practitioners!

Corirose is bookable by request at this time.

Julianne Brower (Licensed Massage Therapist), lovingly referred to as Jules, has been practicing  as a Licensed Massage Therapist since graduating from the Finger Lakes School of Massage in 2013. She has experience working in many different settings, including spas, hospitals, chiropractic offices, and wellness collectives. Her varied experience has allowed her to work with many different clients and pathologies, furthering her knowledge of the human body and the health benefits of Massage Therapy. Julianne’s style of bodywork is an integrative approach, using a combination of modalities and techniques to effectively meet the needs of each individual she works with. She has continuing education training in Myofascial Release Therapy, Oncology Massage, Reiki, Cupping, Mayan Abdominal Massage, and Integrative Energy Healing. Jules specializes in deep tissue facial massage for TMJD, as well as abdominal massage – especially specific to endometriosis and reproductive health. Her intention in every session is to improve each client’s quality of life through physical and/or energetic release.

Julianne is bookable by request at this time.

Carol Clune (Licensed Massage) (she/her) has been practicing massage since 2007, when she received her Associates in Massage Therapy from the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences in New York City. She knew for many years prior to attending massage school that it would the right career path. Before enrolling, she practiced on friends and family at any get-together, and clearly had a gift. Carol relishes piecing together the puzzle of bodywork needs for each and every client she works with, and she is great at connecting with her clients to identify those needs. Carol has a range of modalities and specialties to offer, including medical massage for a specific problem area that can be delved into, to reflexology where she can assist in relaxing body parts that aren’t even being touched, to a full body relaxation session that is flowing and seamless. Carol also loves offering the Ananda, Rasa’s signature scalp and hair treatment. She looks forward to connecting with you for your needs, whatever they may be.

Christy Carpenter (Licensed Massage Therapist) is a 2012 graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Massage and believes that her purpose in life is to be a vessel to help individuals on their healing journey. Her love for helping and healing people has played an important role in her own journey to therapeutic massage therapy. Her heart feels full when she can help ease pain or provide much needed relaxation. Every session Christy’s clients receive is unique to what is going on in their bodies on that day. She addresses both physical and energetic issues of the whole body through modalities like Swedish Massage, energy palpation, trigger point therapy, Shiatsu, deep tissue, and stretching. Her ultimate goal is to leave you feeling better in your mind, body, and soul.

Christy is bookable by request at this time.

Anna DiPilla (Licensed Massage Therapist) (she/her) brings over twenty years of experience in body-based and spirit-led healing to her work at Rasa Spa. She holds a Holistic Massage Therapy Certificate from Health Choices Holistic Institute in New Jersey and has extensive training in trauma-informed yoga, somatic practices, and integrative healing modalities. Her studies include trauma-conscious yoga with Dr. Nathalie Edmond and the Trauma-Conscious Yoga Institute, psoas work with Liz Koch, aromatherapy, infant massage, and hospice and medically frail massage.

In addition to her massage and yoga foundations, Anna has completed year-long shamanic studies through the Church of Earth Healing, Unergi BodyPsychotherapy, and training in Shamballa Multi-Dimensional Healing and Visioning B.E.A.R. Circle practices. She has taught massage and Reiki, and her work as an embodiment coach informs her attuned, holistic approach.

Her sessions weave therapeutic touch, nervous system awareness, and intuitive presence to support deep release, embodied self-trust, and holistic restoration. Anna also offers private and couples yoga classes in Rasa’s Community Space.
Anna is a member of the Trumansburg Community Chorus, a parent volunteer and Secretary of Trumansburg PTO, and is currently pursuing a nursing degree.

Shura Gat is a Certified Advanced Practitioner of Eden Energy Medicine who has been immersed in energy healing since 1995. Her approach centers on creating welcoming, affirming spaces for healing, honoring the uniqueness of each individual, their identities, and their journey. Drawing on decades of study in Healing Touch, Reiki, Qigong, and sound healing, Shura works in deep dialogue with clients and their energies to help restore balance and vitality as they navigate their life paths. A lifelong learner, she brings curiosity, compassion, presence, and honed intuition to each session.

Shura is bookable by request at this time.

Teresa Grady (Licensed Massage Therapist)studied at the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy, and became a New York Sate licensed massage therapist in 1993. The last 31 years of experience has provided her with a strong appreciation for the healing power of touch. Teresa sees massage as an important supplement to health insurance; as it maintains overall health and a strong immune system. Over the years she has become convinced that connective tissue health and positioning directly impact body pain and comfort levels. For this reason, her use of cups during massage is common. Overall , Teresa addresses massage sessions integrating modalities learned in school and from various continuing education courses over the years. These include Swedish massage, Shiatsu, Trigger Point, Myofascial Release, and Cupping. She loves her work and greets each session with the same enthusiasm as if it were 1993.

Anke Hoffstaetter (Licensed Massage Therapist) describes doing body work as feeling like flying in a time capsule. If you’ve heard of “flow state,” you know what she’s talking about. Anke originally wanted to become a talk therapist and studied psychology at Cornell, and while she still loves to lend a listening ear, her true passion is to treasure the wisdom of the body.

Inge Johnson (Licensed Massage Therapist) is a 2007 graduate of The Finger Lakes School of Massage. Alternative approaches to self-care have been an interest for her since she was a child. Finding that she had intuitive healing touch when she was 13 and starting her life study of herbs and yoga at seventeen. She grew up in Ithaca and has raised her two children here as well.

Cross cultural appreciation has been a theme throughout her life, seeking mutual understandings and experiences to enrich community and personal learning. Massage offers her an expansive field of study with modalities from every culture and the complexity of the body to explore. Whereas she integrates many modalities like Swedish, Deep tissue, Orthopedic, and Shiatsu, her main goal is to meet a client where they are at in that specific moment.

Pranis Malone (Licensed Massage Therapist) graduated from the Finger Lakes School of Massage in 2018. He is skilled in Swedish massage, connective tissue therapy, energy palpation, and neuromuscular therapy. Whether you’re looking for deep relaxation or targeted muscle work, Pranis tailors each session to help support your wellness goals. He is here to help you unwind, recover, and leave stress behind, and he looks forward to working with you.

Cynthia Maxwell (Licensed Massage Therapist) is a 2012 graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Massage. She believes that massage can help in the healing process by creating an environment where the body feels safe and supported. She primarily uses Swedish massage techniques infused with other modalities to meet the unique needs of each person that she works with. Her sessions are designed to release stress and tension, soothe the nervous system,and hold space for deep relaxation and restoration. 

Sara Morganti (Licensed Massage Therapist and Esthetician) is a Finger Lakes native, and has recently moved back to the area from South Carolina. She completed her massage training at the Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, NY in 2005 and esthetics training at The Aveda Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2015. She also holds a BA in Complementary and Alternative Healthcare. Sara offers a holistic approach to both skincare and massage, and has worked diligently to learn and offer minimally painful techniques while providing maximum results. Sara has studied a variety of massage techniques and found her niche in neuromuscular work and relaxation techniques. She is certified in prenatal and perinatal massage. Sara has also completed manual lymphatic drainage training, oncology massage, and oncology skincare. Her area of interest with esthetics is centered around improving overall skin health, particularly with immune compromised skin and rosacea. When she isn’t at work, Sara is working on restoring the farm she and her husband own, hiking, or spending time with her rescued pitbull named Jammin Mugs.

Natalia Rosa (Licensed Massage Therapist) is a dedicated massage therapist, proudly graduated from the Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy. With a keen focus on attentive care, Natalia is passionate about helping clients achieve their optimal wellbeing. Specializing in myofascial therapy, sports massage, and traditional Swedish techniques, she offers a personalized approach by blending a variety of mobility techniques to address individual needs. Whether you’re seeking relief from tension or looking to enhance your physical performance, Natalia is committed to providing a rejuvenating experience tailored just for you.

Peter Sayet (Licensed Massage Therapist) has been a massage therapist for almost 30 years. His inspiration is undoubtedly because of the outstanding bodywork he had received, and what it revealed for him about his own body. (Honorable mention to the dogs in his life who have expressed such appreciation for touch!) Peter has advanced training in athletic massage and injury evaluation, connective tissue release, SomatoEmotionalRelease (SER), and numerous craniosacral classes. He has experience working in health clubs, medical offices, elder facilities, Amish community, spas, and music festivals. Peter endeavors to provide deep, focused bodywork with a gentle, sensitive touch. He enjoys the challenge of massage work, whether it is helping clients cope with stress, the tightness and aches that daily living brings or finding techniques and strategies to mitigate chronic conditions.

Hannah Shadrick Hummel (Licensed Massage Therapist) (she/her) specializes in gentle myofascial release and women’s health, with a focus on abdominal massage. Hannah’s approach centers on the belief that our bodies are brilliant—and her job is to listen to this brilliance. She works with clients of all genders who are curious about their own inner experience. Outside of massage therapy, she is certified as a Pelvic Floor Yoga™ Instructor and has trained in Trauma-Sensitive Yoga. She originally graduated from The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School in Austin, TX and recently attended the Institute for Holistic Health in Poughkeepsie in order to transfer her license to New York from Texas. When not at work, you can find Hannah lifting heavy weights at the gym, harvesting kale in her backyard garden, or hiking with her husband and two Great Pyrenees.

Liz VanEvery (Licensed Massage Therapist) is a graduate of the New York Institute of Massage. Liz’s love for massage and bodywork is a continuation of her desire to care for the larger community. She is an intrinsic life long learner, and is inspired by the work of Feldenkrais. Her massage is informed by a mixed modality method that pulls from Neural Muscular therapy, Manual lymphatic drainage, Myofascial release, Shiatsu, ScarWork Therapy, and Thai massage. As a trauma informed therapist, she is ready to help co-create an experience that both calms the nervous system, and relieves aches and pains. Prenatal massage holds a special place for Liz. As a mom, she is here to help you through the ever changing marathon of growing a human. Her greatest desire is to work with a spectrum of clients and help every person walk out of her sessions ready to face whatever challenges life has for them. She looks forward to working with you.

Leo Vazenios (Licensed Massage Therapist) is motivated in his bodywork to create a deep sense of relaxation while targeting deep muscular and connective tissue  through an amalgam of styles. He has been most influenced by the principles of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy, deep Swedish, Connective Tissue Therapy, and Shiatsu. He graduated from the School of Finger Lakes School of Massage in 2017.

Leslie Vincent (Licensed Massage Therapist) works with intention, presence, and without judgement while aiming to help people understand, respect, and feel comfortable in their bodies. She is a 2007 graduate of the revered Body Therapy Institute in North Carolina, and aims to care for the whole person. She also specializes in prenatal care as a massage therapist and birth doula. Having been in private practice for eight years, followed by four years at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, she feels a peaceful sense of home returning to New York in 2019, and finally planting roots in Ithaca.

Dex White (Licensed Massage Therapist) graduated from the Finger Lakes School of Massage and has been working as a massage therapist since 2000. He was an instructor at FLSM for 15 years, teaching Swedish, movement-based work, energy work, deep tissue techniques, medical massage, and communication skills. His sessions usually draw from all of these approaches, based on his client’s preferences and his own deep listening to the body’s responses to the work. Dex truly enjoys following his intuition and responding to his client’s needs in the moment, and he places great importance on laughter and play.

Rose Zonetti (Licensed Massage Therapist) is thrilled to be back at Rasa! Rose’s deeply affecting bodywork helps her clients find balance and ease through a combination of deep tissue, stretching, and Shiatsu techniques. She aims to facilitate healing and empower individuals to be agents of change for both themselves and those around them. Rose believes that promoting holistic health among individuals is key to promoting healthy communities.

Rose is bookable by request at this time.

Anna DiPilla (Certified Yoga Instructor) was introduced to the ancient somatic practice of yoga while a student in massage school 20 years ago. She quickly realized that yoga helped soothe her anxiety and began a regular, consistent practice. In March of 2020, Anna graduated from Devalila Yoga’s 200 hour TraumaWise(R) yoga teacher training. This unique program was developed by Stephanie Pappas. Stephanie studied with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who is known for founding the Art of Living Foundation and whose teachings focused on breath-based meditation techniques and stress management. Stephanie then went on to study with Dr Peter Levine, becoming an Advanced Somatic Experiencing(TM) practitioner. She combined her yoga and Somatic Experiencing trainings into a yoga teacher training focusing on trauma and somatics. Prior to this training, Anna spent a year in apprenticeship with Ute Arnold, founder of Unergi, a somatic modality combining body, mind, emotions, art, and nature. Anna offers private and group trauma-informed yoga and somatic movement classes at Rasa.

Astrid Jirka (Certified Yoga Instructor) is a certified advanced Hatha Yoga and Restorative Yoga teacher. She has been teaching since 2004 in many different venues, including wellness and fitness centers, yoga studios, and private settings. She teaches with a well-rounded focus on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels of the yoga practice in order to achieve positive health and well-being. The physical aspects include the goal of creating a balance between strength and flexibility an overall balanced and healthy lifestyle. Essential to this concept is deep awareness and control of the breath and the ability to look inward while remaining connected to the outside world. She is interested to assist people at any level who are looking to heal or enliven their bodies and lives through increased awareness and mobility.

Eleanor Liebson (Certified Yoga Instructor and Licensed Occupational Therapist) is also a Certified Laughter Yoga Instructor. She brings 25 years of rehabilitative experience and ongoing continuing education to her yoga therapy practice. Eleanor has taught numerous specialty yoga classes for pregnancy, breast cancer survivors, Parkinsonism, arthritis, osteoporosis, senior chair yoga, special needs children’s yoga, and also provides one-on-one yoga therapy for persons with unique orthopedic and neurological conditions such as those with spinal issues, stroke, MS, CP, chronic pain, and emotional dysregulation. She incorporates stress management into her outpatient occupational therapy (OT) practice where she works for Cayuga Medical Center at the Brentwood PT clinic and has taught stress management workshops at TC3 and yoga in the Physical Therapy Department at Ithaca College.