Maria was born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, PA. In 1998, she graduated from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy, focusing on Swedish, Therapeutic Deep Tissue and Sports Massage. She was certified in Pre-Natal Massage and studied at the Dr. Vodder School of North America in Victoria, BC, Canada where she received her certificate in Manual Lymph Drainage and Combined Decongestive Therapy, which taught her how to help heal the body after surgeries and injuries. In 2008, she graduated from the Chicago School of Thai Massage with a certification in Traditional Thai Massage. She has spent more than 2 years living and studying in India, and became YA Alliance certified in teaching Ashtanga Yoga (200 hours from Ajarya Yoga in Rishikesh, India) and Traditional Tantric Yoga (500 hours from Shrikali Ashram in Goa, India). She completed a 3 month intensive program from PVA Ayurvedic College in Kerala, India, where she studied the theory, therapies and herbs of the 3,000+ year old science of Ayurveda, one of the oldest forms of natural and holistic medicine. She received a diploma in Ayurvedic Beauty from Anjali School and Spa in Kerala, India. She also has studied with John F. Barnes, the creator of the technique of Myofascial Release, which may just be the future of healthcare. She continues to evolve in her practice and study every year in order to further help heal her clients.

Maria has worked in the top award-winning 5-star spas and spa companies in the country. In her 22 years as a massage therapist and 16 years as an esthetician, she has worked for the Ritz-Carlton at the Four Seasons and Peninsula Hotel Spa in Chicago, as well as Bliss Spas (a well-known international NYC-based spa) in both Chicago, IL and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. During her time in Chicago, she also worked with professional athletes, healing them from injuries and surgeries, as well as helping those to heal faster after cosmetic surgery.

 

Maria is also a yoga instructor and has taught workshops in: Sanskrit Chanting, Thai Massage, Traditional Tantric Yoga, Ayurvedic Walking Massage, Ayurvedic Theory, Ayurvedic Health and Beauty.

 

When she is not massaging or teaching yoga, Maria loves to travel and enjoys experimenting with healthy cooking and organic gardening.