Kara graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master's degree in acupuncture and herbal medicine, as well as a Bachelor of science degree in nutrition at Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, and also holds a Bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Illinois. Kara has also traveled extensively and taught English and Spanish, particularly in Latin America. Her travels and global friendships led her to study eastern medicine, chiefly because acupuncture had a monumentous impact, physically and emotionally, in her early twenties. She is a proponent of natural childbirth and breastfeeding, and mother to both a young boy and girl. Kara is most pleased to help others unify their psyche and body through acupuncture, using the body as a gateway to heal the mind, as they are connected. She also has a special interest in treating issues pertaining to gynecology, pregnancy, and pediatrics. Kara often uses acupuncture in the hospital or birth setting to assist mothers during pregnancy and childbirth, for a variety of indications including induction, expedition of efficient contractions for slow or stalled labor, malpresentation of the fetus, pain management, and rehabilitation for the mother, or "motherwarming," after delivery and in to the post-partum phase.
Kara is an active member of the Elk Grove Village Chapter Dynamic Professional Women's Networking group. To learn more click here. __________________________________________
Sarah Zender, L.Ac. LMT.
Sarah Zender began her studies of holistic health at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard school of Massage Therapy where she earned a certificate in Therapeutic Massage Therapy in 2003. Sarah continued on her educational journey at the Temple of Kriya Yoga where she earned a 200 hour certificate in Hatha Yoga teacher training. From here Sarah continued on to the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine earning a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Master's degree in Oriental Medicine. Sarah also holds an advanced 108 hour certificate in Acupuncture from the Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, China where she spent time in specialized lectures on Traditional Chinese Medicine for women’s health, weight loss, MS, strokes and more in addition to interning at the teaching hospital on both the acupuncture and tui na (massage) departments.
Sarah’s approach to the human body is truly holistic using a wide range of modalities. The goal of this approach is to learn the deeper meaning of dis-ease by not only healing the symptom but the root cause of imbalance as well. The approach emphasizes the partnership of Practioner and Client and the empowerment of the Client through education and self awareness.
Sarah is also facilitating ASIS Arizona School of Integrative Studies curriculum as Adjunct Professor at Oakton Community College and College of Lake County in the areas of Student Liaison, Swedish massage instructor and Communication and Ethics instructor. For more information about ASIS click here: http://www.ASISmassage.com
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Maggie (Malgorzata) Boruch, NCLMT
Maggie graduated from the College of Lake County/ASIS Massage Therapy program and also received a Phlebotomy Technician certificate from CLC. She is a Nationally Certified and Licensed Massage Therapist by the State of Illinois. Maggie is also a proud member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals(ABMP). She strongly believes that Massage Therapy offers an array of health benefits geared toward improving one's overall health and wellness while relieving tension and stress and helping to detoxify the body.
Maggie was born in Poland where she graduated from Higher Pedagogical College in Krakow with a MS in Early Childhood Development. She loves to write poems for children. Maggie published Stories of the Meadow in March 2009. Everybody can read it along with Maggie and her friends on mojeokienko.com She also likes to travel and plant flowers.
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Mary Pat Payne, NCLMT
Mary Pat graduated in 2003 from the 770 hour massage program at the Wellness and Massage Training Institute (WMTI) in Woodridge, Illinois. She simultaneously graduated with honors from the College of Du Page with an associates’ degree in Therapeutic Massage. She is a Nationally Certified and Illinois Licensed Massage Therapist and a proud member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP). Mary Pat credits WMTI with introducing her to a holistic approach to wellness and instilling the body, mind and spirit approach to massage that she practices today.
Mary Pat’s style of massage is often described as therapeutic or integrated massage. It is a blend of Swedish and deep tissue massage, stretching, reflexology, positional release and energy techniques. Each person is unique and even the same person has different needs on different days. By taking the time to find out a client’s medical history and their reason for choosing massage, Mary Pat is able to create a customized session each and every time.
In addition to therapeutic massage, Mary Pat offers hot stone massage and has taken specialized courses in prenatal and geriatric massage and is an EFT (emotional freedom technique) practitioner. EFT is a form of energy work that stimulates acupressure points on the face, upper body and head by tapping on them while focusing on a specific issue. It can be used for pain relief, the elimination of phobias, allergic reactions and cravings, reducing stress, weight loss, improving sports performance and many, many more issues. The EFT motto is to "try it on everything".
Mary Pat believes that when two people enter a bodywork session with a shared intent, a place of healing can be created. Her goal is to create a sense of empowerment in her clients - a feeling of balance and harmony that awakens in each an inner resource for healing.
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Ashley Stamatinos, RMT
Ashley is a certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher and 13D Shamballa Master Healer. Ashley is also an Animal Reiki Master Healer and an Akashic Records consultant. She provides both individual Reiki Healing sessions and Reiki certification classes at Whole Health Acupuncture.
Reiki Healing sessions work to re-align your chakras and balance your endocrine system to help you achieve better health and happiness in every area of life. Reiki certification classes are a wonderful way to take your health into your own hands by learning to heal yourself with this powerful, non-invasive healing method.
Ashley has been working with energy healing for more than seven years. She continues to develop and add energy healing techniques to her practice so she may provide deeper and more diverse healing sessions for her clients. Ashley has experience working with those who struggle with chronic pain as well as other chronic issues such as fatigue and depression. Ashley also has specialized training in Reiki for those in various stages of cancer survivorship. With the assistance of energy healing, Ashley has worked on a wide range of people who are dealing with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual issues
