Tabitha Ward OR Lic #12671
Attended the American Institute of Clinical Massage in Post Falls, Idaho after following the advice of friends and family to follow her passion for massage that she had exhibited since the age of six. Tabitha graduated in 2004 and has provided the gift of massage to clients in Idaho, California, and Oregon for 15 years. She has worked in several high end spas providing luxurious treatments to travelers local and far. She recently retired from being a doula for the last decade, attending over 160 births, but continues to help pregnant mommas through prenatal massage, which is still her passion. Tabitha has helped over 100 families through the birth process, from: education, to massage, to birth and photography. Birth Love Photography seeks to capture those fleeting moments when infant and parents are most beautiful and delicate. She also passes down her techniques and wisdom to the next generation of massage therapists at Central Oregon Community College.
Our Tenured Therapists have been in massage practice for many years and have been with us for over 3 years. They have worked hard to develop their vocation and have a regular clientele.
Claire Navarra OR Lic #25789
Claire grew up in Bend, Oregon and loves being outside playing with her pup, dancing to folk music, trail running, climbing and snowboarding. She continued her education in Salt Lake City where she studied environmental studies, Spanish and played soccer. She acquired her passion for massage while traveling in Central America. In Nicaragua she was introduced to massage through workshops on a small island called Inan Itah. She continued her travels through Guatemala where she was mentored by a holistic healer and truly fell in love with healing. When she returned to Bend, she studied massage at COCC and graduated in 2019. She is drawn to eastern healing modalities and specializes in Swedish and deep tissue massage. She has a deep yet nurturing touch. Claire is a present, caring, outgoing and enthusiastic person.
Elena Beitzel OR Lic #26696
Elena started her journey in bodywork at Oregon State University where she obtained a degree in Kinesiology. She followed her passion for anatomy and physiology working alongside physical therapists in both inpatient and outpatient orthopedic clinics. Seeking a deeper understanding of whole person health, she expanded her professional scope to the mental health field working for wilderness therapy programs in Hawaii and Oregon. Observing the social, emotional, and cultural influences on our physical experience she sought a modality of healing that could address an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. In this pursuit she found Massage Therapy and attended Sage School of Massage in Bend, Oregon.
Elena is passionate about working from a trauma informed perspective; she is constantly evolving and adapting to create an environment for all bodies to feel safe and nurtured. Elena integrates many techniques into her work such as Deep tissue, Injury treatment massage, Rigor Therapy, Cupping, Trigger Point Therapy, Swedish, and hot stones.
Outside of bodywork, Elena is inspired by the outdoors and loves snowboarding, rock climbing, and backpacking. She finds joy in independent study of neuroanatomy and mind body healing practices with the excitement and intention of integrating this knowledge into her work.
Kai Maschmedt LMT OR Lic #21434
Kai has always been an adventurous spirit and over time their travels led them onto a clear, synchronistic path to massage therapy. Kai knew the healing capacity for massage from a young age after receiving massage to support in a serious outdoor injury and chronic TMJ pain. Once Kai received their first Craniosacral session in 2013 their path was set. Massage was a way to serve their community, to discover their own capacity to heal, and to continue to work and travel to beautiful and remote places. Kai graduated from East West College of the Healing Arts in Portland Oregon in 2015 and has provided massage in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska for 8 years. Kai’s work is slow, deep, intuitive, subtle, led by the body, and blends myofascial techniques, craniosacral techniques, intra-oral, deep tissue, and relaxation. Kai has plentiful experience in working with the head, neck, and jaw. Adept at providing focus work in any area of the body that slowly unravels the web of physical and energetic restriction while still considering the body as a whole. Kai’s intention is to provide a safe, connected, and nurturing space that welcomes the foundation for clients to be present and centered in their healing journey. Whether you are looking to meet long term goals of shifting pain and structural imbalance or looking to relax and settle your nervous system Kai is excited to work with you to create a plan that is uniquely supportive.
Kai is an avid outdoors person and has a passion for all things nature. They love to hike, backpack, kayak, swim, watch wildlife, and forage for medicinal plants. They are also a passionate musician and love to connect to music through singing and dancing.
Book a Massage with Kai (They/Them)
Tim Bisby LMT OR Lic #19352
Tim is an active Oregon native. He grew up in a small logging town playing team sports and exploring the outdoors in as many ways as possible while looking for adventure. Joining Search and Rescue as a teenager provided a foundation in first aid and preparedness that lead into a Wildland Fire career. Fighting fire provided winters off to ski, snowboard and climb. Which made Bend the perfect place to call home. He obtained his Wilderness EMT while working as a Hot Shot and Smoke Jumper, spending a decade traveling the country putting out forest fires.
After suffering broken ribs, nerve damage and compensation issues due to a dirt-bike accident. He found Western medicine's only solution was long term pain medication. This started a journey into alternative options and eventually found that Massage combined with Yoga provided relief in a healthy way. This experience started the desire to learn more about the body and the effects bodywork can provide. Tim graduated from the Sage School of Massage in 2012. Over the years he has gained experience in both Spa and Clinical settings. Throughout his career he has continued his education in Zen Shiatzu and Sports massage.
Tim’s latest outdoor obsession has been white water kayaking and rowing multiday river trips with his raft. When not on the water he will be out adventuring with his newfoundland mix Dalma. Who is always ready to go no matter the conditions or terrain.
Sierrah Umhauer LMT OR Lic #27443
Sierrah is a passionate individual and challenges mind body and soul in all aspects of life. She grew up as an athlete in Bend, Oregon and graduated the massage program at COCC. She is currently obtaining a license to become a yoga instructor through the 300-hour yoga teacher training program. Sierrah has competed in the women’s free ride mountain biking. She has faced injuries and surgeries from pushing her limit on her bike and understands the importance of healing through bodywork. Her injuries have guided her to pursue her passion in a holistic approach to healing the body and maintaining the health and body. Her focus is on therapeutic massage that blends Eastern and Western theory to provide a unique experience for each individual.
Other places you may find Sierrah might be rock climbing, snowboarding or trail running with her dog Alby. Sierrah has a strong understanding of the human body as well as the injuries and pain that come with sports and everyday living.
Kelly Ward OR Lic #12811
Began falling in love with massage while seeking its beneficial stress and structural relief. After years of being a massage junky, Kelly finally sent himself to school at Utah College of Massage Therapy graduating with honors in 2001. After a year working at a high end spa in Sun Valley, Idaho, Kelly moved to Hollywood where he managed and trained massage therapists. Once meeting his wife to be, Kelly and Tabitha packed their bags for Bend, Oregon. Beginning work at Shibui Spa in Sisters, Tabitha and Kelly soon opened a thriving practice in Bend. Kelly draws from his years of experience as an athlete, educator, manager and therapist to customize treatments to match any goal. A passionate educator, Kelly has been teaching Swedish massage and hydrotherapy at Sage School of Massage since 2007.
Our Tenured Therapists have been in massage practice for many years and have been with us for over 3 years. They have worked hard to develop their vocation and have a regular clientele.
Lucy Gossett OR Lic #25922
Lucy is a West Coast native, growing up as an athlete and outdoor enthusiast. She remains very active in her free time when she enjoys riding motorcycles on the street or at the track, riding mountain bikes, training to run half marathons, competing in Spartan races, hiking, and yoga. She does just about anything that is outdoor and gets blood pumping. Years ago, she learned about the benefits of massage for athletes and decided to give it a try herself. With regular massage added to her training, she experienced personal gains and relief from muscle aches and pains. Making the decision to go to Sage School of Massage and Esthetics was a way to follow her passion for bodywork and increase her knowledge about the body. She is a true believer in the healing power of touch and enjoys sharing her passion with others. Lucy is enthusiastic about integrating massage techniques such as Deep Tissue, Swedish, Trigger Point Therapy, Sports Massage, Cupping, Hot Stones and Gua Sha into a treatment that focuses on results customizable to your body and goals. She is here to help you succeed in your self-care regimen and focus on specific muscles to help you feel great and attain your personal goals.
Naomi Posh OR Lic #26361
Entering this world in a gentle deliberate way, where mountains and ocean reach toward one another, Naomi’s practice embodies the same qualities. Exploring both inner and outer movement has been fundamental in Naomi’s approach to bodywork. Through experience, she believes that the physical disturbances we encounter can guide us toward deeper inner truth, balance, and serenity when tended to with gentle awareness and caring hands.
Naomi graduated from Adams State University in 2003 with a degree in Exercise Physiology, laying the groundwork for an evolving vocation. For nearly the next decade, she shared her passion for health and movement as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. Continuing in her journey of wellness and discovery, she graduated from Sage School of Massage & Esthetics in 2021.
Devoted to life-long learning, Naomi’s most recent training is in Crainosacral Therapy. This light-touch, non-intrusive manual therapy that honors and supports each individual’s innate self-healing ability, resonates deeply for her and it can for you too! Through precise and patient work, the deepest connective tissue the body can be assessed. Allowing core restrictions to release creates the space for a return to one’s natural range of motion and homeostasis. A session with Naomi weaves together the intentions of deep relaxation and restoration. She delights in being of service in the community, consciously inviting ease and acceptance into breath and being.
Casie Kelly LMT OR Lic #27427
Casie is a licensed massage therapist with a passion for helping clients relieve stress, address specific bodily discomforts and improve their overall well-being. She specializes in cupping, deep tissue, prenatal, Swedish and sports massage techniques - tailoring each session to the individual needs of the client.
In addition to her passion for massage therapy, Casie enjoys the beauty and peacefulness of the great outdoors. She, along with her husband and twin sons have lived in beautiful Bend, OR since 2006. In her free time, Casie loves hiking, kayaking, camping and snowboarding with her family and friends. Like all multisport athletes in Bend, she has long used massage and bodywork to keep her body moving through the seasons. Inspired by the power of massage therapy, she sent herself to school at Sage School of Massage, and is happy to utilize her passion and knowledge in massage therapy to help others.
Evan Miller LMT OR Lic #27694
Evan Miller has a unique ability to connect with others, is observant and is a good listener. He is fluent in Spanish, and his has a friendly demeanor, intentional touch and exceptional communication skills. He works quickly to establish a safe, relaxing and soothing atmosphere, all while making your experience one that is both restorative and healing.
Evan has lots of experience working with sports-related injuries. Combining over 15 years guiding rafts, working as a ski patroller, teaching P.E, leading climbing expeditions, and working in wilderness therapy. Evan loves sharing his passion for field science and outdoor stewardship with others. Evan enjoys spending his spare time with a healthy balance of adventure recreation and gardening, cooking and creating art while listening to music.
Graduating from COCC’s Massage program with honors, Evan is excited to share his joy of service to others by integrating his background in wilderness and sports medicine with restorative, therapeutic and relaxation massage. He incorporates a unique blend of deep tissue, cross friction, scrubbing, and wringing techniques for myofascial release, as well as the use of trigger point release, and stretching in his massage practice. He is an advocate of hydrotherapy and the use of hot and cold stones, application of topical CBD and the integration of Eastern and Western medicine. Evan has lots to bring to the table and looks forward to creating a treatment plan and setting goals to meet your needs.