OUR TEAM

Velina Lujan – Owner/Founder

A short bio of myself: I have 14 years of experience in health care, geriatrics, hospice, social services, and holistic healing. For 8 years I worked with the elderly as a social worker in nursing homes and now I am an independant contractor providing comfort touch and healing to elders in senior communities. During my time as a social worker, I obtained a Certificate from DU in Gerontology from the graduate school of social work and later trained in Comfort Touch, a method designed for the elder and ill. I have been in private practice since 2003 as a bodyworker and coach/consultant. In 2005 I completed a 1 year certification course in a Korean healing art form based in Qigong and Eastern philosophy and medicine. I also obtained an MA in Psychology from Naropa in 2005. In 2009, I completed a Certifcation in Massage Therapy in order to stay compliant with Colorado State regulations. I am currently working towards a Certificate in Holisitic Stress Management Instruction which will be complete this September 2009.

I would like to introduce to you our team.  We bring a kinder gentler approach to stress and pain. You don’t have to hurt to feel better. We want you to feel at home here and offer the best in tender loving care.  We bring you even more diversity in techniques and expertise but with one common goal, to deliver our service from our hearts with humility, love and respect for each body’s inner wisdom. We are not here to heal you, but to support your body in healing itself.

     Lara Alexander, LMT

SMS is very fortunate to have this highly seasoned Massage Therapist on our team. Lara has been practicing since 1995. She brings a ray of sunshine with her many years of experience and joyful, light-hearted nature. Lara’s gifts are many. As well as her diverse experience and training in the various massage styles, she is also trained in Energy Work. Whether you are looking for relief from pain, or just want a yummy, deeply relaxing, Swedish massage, you will melt in her large, warm, loving hands. Lara puts her clients at ease immediately with her friendly, welcoming demeaner and masterful touch. She is also happy to do house calls for an additional $20.00.

    I’ve had massages from nearly all the therapists at SMS and they’ve all been wonderful. Lara is one of my favorites. She’s very professional, friendly and does wonders for reducing stress. After my knee surgery, she was able to relieve much of the pain and discomfort in my knee while I was recovering. I recommend SMS to my friends all the time!      Dr. Scott Sides

   Lara gave me the best massage I’ve ever had and I tried five different massage therapists this year alone.  She intuitively knew how to relax and sooth my aching and knotted muscles.  I was totally relaxed and not thinking about what I wanted her to do to give me relief.  The pressure was perfect.  The experience was bliss!   Nancy – Louisville.

    Dawn Hartman, CMT

Dawn has an exceptional quality of touch that is rare and wonderful.  She combines Cranial Sacral and somatic therapies with massage, seeking to facilitate deep integration and a felt sense of the body for every client.  She specializes in transformation-oriented bodywork, postural analysis and training, and myofascial balancing.  A graduate of BCMT, Dawn is also certifed in Cranial Sacral (Upledger), Polarity, Pre-natal, and Orthopedic and also holds a BFA in Dance.  Her touch is deeply nourishing to the body, mind and soul as she slowly, mindfully holds you with reverence in her healing hands. She is highly committed to making an authentic connection with her clients in order to find what your body most needs and addresses those issues thoroughly.

     Dawn Hartman and Lara Alexander have been massaging me for several months now.  Their superb work has allowed me to perform the cycling and other exercise critical to my recovery from a hip fracture and six months of chemotherapy.  Thanks largely to their work, I’m now riding over 50 miles and completing yoga classes.       Jack-Boulder

     When I had my first 4-hand massage in 25 years I told  Dawn and Sam that I’d gone to heaven. They told me to let them know if I saw any angels and I replied that I’d met two at the door… When Sybil left after the four-hand session I arranged for her with Tava and Sam, she called me to say “Well, THAT was really special!” There’s a lot of stress in our lives these days, but there’s nothing that helps us deal with it better than an SMS massage. Especially a 4-hand!   – Paul, Longmont

Kellie Mayber, CMT

SMS has again, been gifted with another highly seasoned therapist. Kellie has been in private practice for 17 years and specializes in Deep Tissue Massage, Prenatal, Infant and Postpartum Massage. Kellie also provides integrative massage which is a combination of many therapeutic modalities. Kellie’s approach is focused on communication and applying techniques to decrease symptoms and promote an overall sense of wholeness and well-being. Her sweetness and humility, combined with her strong warm hands and many years of massage experience provides a beautiful experience for the client.

     As a deep tissue massage addict, I almost always leave a massage wishing I could have had a little more pressure from the therapist.  Then I met Kelly! Her amazing thumbs reached all those hard-to-get-at places that almost never get worked on.   I was amazed at the sensitivity and soothing nature of her touch, despite the strength in her hands.  I left my first massage from Kelly feeling better than ever and have been back many times for her fantastic work. - Beth L., Boulder

  Kristin McCormack, RMT

Kristin comes to us with a unique combination of experience and training. I discovered this sweet nurturing soul at the facility where I do elder massage. She also holds a special place in her heart for elders and teaches Tai Chi there. Her training at the Institute of Phenomenal Touch brings a wonderful addition to SMS. That in combination with Kristin’s training in Jin Shin Tara, Medical Qigong, Intuitive Healing, Thai Yoga Massage, Ama Therapy, Trager, Watsu, and Zero Balancing brings to you an experience like no other. Kristin also works as a Tai Chi Instructor and is currently attending the Insistute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture and is a student of Plant Spirit Medicine, Taoist Philosphy, Classical Chinese Medicine.

   SMS is by far the best message studio in Boulder. I have lived here since 1977 and have been getting massages for 30 plus years and to date I have never found a group of therapist that are so in touch with your needs. They have a great touch and listen to your needs. Each one brings their own unique ability to the table so give them a try today, you wont regret it.      Bob Avery

Heather Neher, CMT

Heather is a graduate of Healing Spirits Massage Training Program. She graduated with honors in anatomy and physiology and loves to do detailed work with her strong skillful hands. She excels in Deep Tissue Therapeutic Massage, Sports Massage, as well as working with the elderly and ill . Heather is also a Comfort Touch practitioner, Certified Yoga Instructor, and Beyond Consequences Parenting Coach. We are blessed to have Heather as a sub on our team. She does not hold regular hours but will fill in when necessary or if there is a special request for her.

Christina Ricchi, CMT

Christina is a graduate of the Cortiva Massage School and has been in practice for over 2 years. She specializes in Swedish Massage, Integrateive Massage, Deep Tissue, Prenatal and Post Partum Massage. Her work is deeply nourishing and nurturing to the body, mind and soul as well as her lovely presence. She has the strength to work through the kinks and the warmth to melt them away gently. She can not only bring deep relaxion to your being, she is able to focus on problem areas effectively. Christina is also a student at Naropa University and is sharing the gift of her loving hands to us part time Fridays and Saturdays.

     I’m very picky about my massages (I was really spoiled having had an amazing therapist for over 13 years in Ohio).  After doing much shopping around in Boulder I was amazed to find not just one, but eight (haven’t tried them all yet…), wonderful and amazing gals!  I’m hooked…   Tom Lietaert