Our Team
We have an amazing team of 8 massage therapists, 1 Alexander Technique educator, & 1 Reiki master teacher. Swipe right to read more about each person, and find the therapist for you!
careers —
March 2024— We’re hiring!
Metta is actively seeking 2-3 exceptional massage therapists to join our coop. All MTs are W-2 employees, with strong autonomy and good benefits.
To apply, send your resume and cover letter to: info@metta-wellness.com
Jennifer Stephens, RMP (she/her) —
senior massage therapist
e. jstephensmp@gmail.com
i. @jenn.ifer_shannon
With over 10 years of background conducting therapeutic recreation in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, Jennifer is highly attune to the sensitive nature of transition and the importance of presence and connection through, and with, life’s changes. She is passionate about finding sustainable solutions to opportunities, not only with her clients, but also in the community. To her, sustainability is achieved through agency and accessibility and her work, on and off the table or mat, is dedicated to facilitating these concepts. She is enthusiastic about being a co-owner of Metta Wellness Coop and is always striving to evolve the ethos of the business via decolonization, anti-capitalism and anti-racism education & action. Jennifer completed her massage training at BSOM in 2014. She is certified in Thai Folk Medicine (including prenatal Thai bodywork) and has completed training in Ayurvedic techniques and applications. Jennifer is experienced in prenatal, postpartum, and CST.
Jennie Herb, RMP —
senior massage therapist
e. jennieherb@gmail.com
t. 443-520-0225
Jennie Herb, a Registered Massage Therapist, graduated from the Baltimore School of Massage in 2007. Jennie incorporates Swedish, Neuromuscular Therapy, Deep Tissue, Hot Stones, Cupping Therapy and Myofascial Release in her massage as is appropriate to the individual needs of each client. Jennie believes that massage is an effective tool for relieving both mental and physical stress and that massage plays an important part in overall wellness.
Mike Mapes, RMP (they/them) —
co-owner, senior massage therapist
e. msmapes@gmail.com
t. 301-395-6191
Since graduating from the Baltimore School of Massage in 2011, Mike has steadily increased their capacity to help their clients through a commitment to consistent practice and study. Over the past 11 years, the core of Mike’s work has become neuromuscular therapy, which combines techniques of deep tissue massage, myofascial release, sports massage, and trigger point therapy to relieve and manage clients’ acute and chronic pain. For those clients who prefer to focus on stress relief and relaxation, they blend the fundamentals of Swedish and Russian modalities with elements of reflexology for calming, balanced massage experience. In any case, Mike takes an evidence-based approach to massage and greatly enjoys the knowledge-work aspects of their practice: seeking out the latest research, educating clients about the science of bodywork, and collaborating with colleagues to solve clients’ problems. Whether you’re seeking to address a specific pain or mobility issue, want to simply rest and de-stress, or are looking for some combination of all of the above, Mike is happy to help you out — book appointment with them today!
molly farwell baker, LMT (she/her) —
co-owner, senior massage & craniosacral therapist
e. m@mollyfarwell.com
i. @LMTmolly
t. 443-380-3886
Molly’s bodywork sessions resonate with the subtle energies of life, through her gentle, slow touch and deep presence. Her work is well-suited for addressing stress-related tensions, trauma resolution, and chronic pain.
In addition to her Swedish and deep tissue expertise, Molly has extensive training in biodynamic craniosacral therapy (BCST) and Alchemical Alignment. She is inspired by a passion for integrating wholeness, and re-introducing touch as a safe, nurturing, and empowering experience.
Specialties: chronic stress, nervous system regulation, Alchemical Alignment, craniosacral therapy, biodynamics, trauma-informed care, hypermobility/EDS, yoga
Nicole Martinell, AT educator (she/her) —
Alexander Technique
e. nicolea.martinell@gmail.com
t. 443-567-0028
i. @resiliencythroughmovement
Nicole A. Martinell is a movement educator, artist, and mother of 3. She offers 20+ years of experience in working with the mechanics of the human body. Martinell is a Certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique (through AT MidAtlantic) as well as a Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst (through Laban Institute of Movement Studies). Pursuing her passion for dance/science, she received a BS in Kinesiology from Penn State University and an MFA in Dance from Texas Woman’s University. Her dance, science and somatics research has been presented nationally and internationally, and she has facilitated numerous workshops for such organizations as the Maryland State Department of Education and Baltimore County Public Schools. A professional dancer and choreographer, Martinell is the Founder/Artistic Director of Deep Vision Dance Company, a performing arts organization in Baltimore, and she is on faculty in the Department of Dance at Towson University. As an Alexander Technique educator, Martinell creates a warm, welcoming environment and encourages her students to question, discover, laugh, and grow.
Alexander Technique is an educational movement practice that heightens awareness, improves posture, reduces pain and tension, and encourages ease and efficiency in action. Through verbal cueing and gentle touch, practitioners guide individuals through everyday movements, such as sitting, standing, using the arms, typing, walking, etc. Students become mindful of their daily habits and engage their thinking to facilitate healthy change and coordinated movement. This practice is excellent for those desiring to take a proactive approach to their overall wellbeing. Sessions are 45 minutes and clothed.
Sam Pohl, RMP (they/them) —
co-owner, massage therapist
e. seen.by.samwise@gmail.com
t. 859-963-5454
i. @seen.by.samwise
Specialties: trans health, neurodiverse populations, integrative swedish, connective tissue disorders/EDS, nervous system regulation, trauma-informed care, craniosacral therapy
Sam is a soft-hearted cinnamon-roll of a person who graduated from the Lexington Healing Arts Academy at the top of their class with a passion for holistic care. With a bachelors degree in somatic psychology, Sam came to massage practice with an understanding of how the mind-body works to either hold or move energy and how trauma can be stored in the body. Sam works to delve deep through slow and controlled, nervous system-regulating manual work. They are skilled with neurodiverse populations and strives to make massage accessible to anyone who might want to try. They are passionate about the body in a nerdy way and are constantly seeking new educational opportunities to expand or deepen their offerings. They believe in collaborating with their clients to make the safest place possible for healing to happen. Whether you want to work on specific issues or general relaxation, Sam will offer their powerful combination of deep listening and nerdy skill to come up with a treatment plan that is focused on you.
Stephanie Barger, RMP (she/her) —
co-owner, senior massage therapist
e. smarieba@gmail.com
t. 240-925-9075
Stephanie shares a rhythmic, yet calming style of bodywork, helping the body achieve a parasympathetic response of relaxation and self-restoration. She began her practice in 2011 after graduating from the 750-hour program at the Baltimore School of Massage and has since maintained her Board Certification and professional membership of the American Massage Therapy Association. Clients have said her sessions provide a nurturing sense of relief, and are especially helpful to those with conditions such as chronic fatigue and joint pain, migraines, and TMJ. She blends traditional Swedish with myofascial release techniques, as well as elements from the Trager Approach, Craniosacral, aromatherapy, cupping and sports massage. She is looking forward to her time visiting with Metta Cooperative!
Tanefa Wallace —
Crystal Reiki Master Teacher & FLY coach
e. hello@TanefaWallace.com
i. @_iamtanefawallace_
f. @IAmTanefaWallace
Tanefa Wallace is an educator, speaker, author and Reiki Master Practitioner who has been practicing Reiki since 2009 and received her Reiki Master Teacher (RMT) certification in 2018. Tanefa also has a Counseling Master’s Degree from Loyola University. In 2003, she studied with Iyanla Vanzant in her Spiritual Life Coaching Certification Program for Inner Visions and Empowerment for Women.
As the CEO of Soul On Purpose, an emotional wellness company for Women of Color, Tanefa is invested in WOC being able to live life on their terms in ways that afford them grace and a healthy measure of self-love. To this end, she has created The FLY Course – How to First Love Yahself & Live Life on Your Own Terms, a course that assists women in building a foundation with The 3 Steps to Foundational Love & The 5 Habits to FLY!
Tanefa has always been passionate about storytelling and impressed by the influence it has on women and the decisions they make in life.
Yoshi N. Roberts, LMT (she/they) —
senior massage therapist
e. yoshi@metta-wellness.com
t. 443-593-8587
i. @Yoshi_enroe
I am a Baltimore native and this is my 12th year practicing massage therapy. I am passionate about the intricacies that come with the human experience, having a human body and honoring the full spectrum of human emotions.
Within the massage therapy umbrella, I hold certifications in various modalities ranging from pregnancy massage, cupping, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, chakra balancing and Thai massage. I also hold qualifications as an End of Life Doula, Usui and Sekhem-Seichim Reiki Master/teacher and Akashic Record reader and teacher.
Bloom Y. Rhys, LMT (they/them) —
co-owner, massage therapist
e. bloom@metta-wellness.com
t. 443-977-1248
i. @Phoenix.Rhysing
As a recent massage therapy graduate of the Holistic Massage Training Institute, Bloom is excited to serve the community of Hamden with the healing ability of touch and holding space. Bloom applies a gentle and soothing approach to massage helping to induce a whole-body relaxation response to reset the nervous system which can often become "stuck" in fight, flight, or fawn.
Bloom is also a yoga instructor with over 10 years of personal practice. They believe that we store trauma and powerful emotions within the body. This can often show up as chronic holding patterns, pain, and restricted breathing. Breathwork has become a powerful tool Bloom employs in their own healing journey, as well as in their work as a Certified Personal Trainer - where they worked mostly with clients in chronic pain. It was Bloom’s own healing journey and struggles with chronic pain that inspired them into a field of Holistic health and healing. Bloom has long been drawn to metaphysics and Mayan healing techniques such as Mayan Abdominal Massage for releasing stored trauma and pelvic issues.
Bloom draws from all of their experiences to create a truly profound experience for their clients. Dedicated to learning and growing within this field, they are humbled to provide support and a nurturing environment for relaxation to take place.
Bloom graduated from Stevenson University with a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with focuses on Psychology and Human Services in 2014.
Esra Seniz, LMT (she/her) —
e. eseniz91@gmail.com
i. @sacredsomatics_
t. 443-534-9964
w. somabodyworkwellness.com
After 4 years at Metta, Ezzy has decided to pursue her bodywork career in private practice. Esra is one of our founding co-owners, and she will be dearly missed!
Rates
$49*-65 for 30 minutes
$89*-110 for 60 minutes
$120*-145 for 90 minutes
$165-$170 for 2 hours
*Apprentices at Metta are newly licensed, and exceptionally talented therapists. Rates for apprentice sessions are slightly lower, while these therapists learn the ropes of working in the profession and in our business. Apprentices work closely with owners to develop and hone their talents over a 6-month period.
*Senior therapists at Metta have at least 5 years’ licensed experience. Some senior therapists elect to raise their rates for services. 100% of the rate increase goes to the therapist’s pay.
Membership
become a member!
Many of you have been members of Metta Integrative Wellness Center in the past. Membership of a cooperative is slightly different. When you become a member of the new Metta Integrative Wellness Cooperative, you pay a membership fee up front. This up-front cost is different because it is an investment in the business. By becoming a member, you are helping our small business to build capital that we need to succeed. In return for your member support, you will enjoy a 10% discount on all of our services.
How to join
Membership of the cooperative is open to anyone, and it is not necessary to be a member to book our services. Memberships will be available for a yearly fee. Your first year’s membership will cost $90. Your renewal (if timely) will be 50% off! If you visit us at least 12 times per year, this option will amount to savings. The more you visit us, the more you save! Instructions for joining will become available after the official business conversion date (August 1st).
Benefits
In addition to the intrinsic benefit of supporting worker-owned local business, your membership will earn you 10% off of all services. If you intend to visit us once per month or more, that adds up to a savings of $114* per year or more! The more often you come, the more you save.
The Fine Print
• Membership is valid for one year from purchase date.
• Membership fees are non-refundable.
• Membership may not be shared with others.
• A family membership is available for $135/year – that’s 50% off for additional members.
• Membership renews for 50% the current rate (within 2 months of expiration).
• Your membership is not an ownership share;
• Members are eligible to be elected to the Board of Directors.
*Savings of $114 is calculated at the 60-minute massage rate. If you book longer or specialty services, your savings will add up even more!
a note
from Laura Kalman
In late December of 2020, I came to the difficult decision to step away from ownership of Metta and (I thought) close up shop for good. Shortly thereafter, the opportunity for Metta to continue in the form of a worker-owned cooperative was presented to me. Over some time and many in-depth conversations it became clear to me that this was not only a viable path for Metta’s continuation, but an important milestone for Metta to belong even more fully to the communities we have always endeavored to serve. For me personally, it presents an opportunity to focus first and foremost on my clients and the healing work that I love so much.
Of course, my decision to step down as sole owner and lead decision maker comes with many emotions. Metta has been my chosen family, my touchstone for friendship, community, and purpose for the past 13 years.
And so with a spirit of deep reflection (and some letting go), I have recently been sifting through the “stuff” within Metta, the old rowhouse at 720 W. 36th Street. In this process, it has become so clear to me that the objects we collect and maintain can do us such a great service in holding our memories.
Here are some things I have revisited as of late:
• Pages of hand written notebooks with words, drawings, and designs that went into forming our earliest ideas, inspirations, and logo/branding content beginning in 2008
• Binders of research that informed the Heal Baltimore Project which aimed to create a network of accessible healing services for the underserved in Baltimore and provided bi-weekly massage to women in homeless shelters in 2011-12
• Original artwork commissioned by many amazing local artists and friends to promote our events (Community Energy Healings, First Fridays, annual holiday sales)
• Flyers for Fundraisers like “The Art of Healing,” a silent auction for A Moveable Feast, and “The Baltimore Healing Music Project,” a collaboration with numerous local musicians who created a beautiful healing soundtrack in support of Believe in Music
• Festival tents, handmade signs, and bins of decorations and supplies loaded up for street festivals like HampdenFest and the magical Wellness Camp at Fields Festival 2016
• Numerous precious, handwritten notes from practitioners and clients expressing love and gratitude for the healing that Metta helped provide for them (my heart!)
• Soooo many crystals, trinkets, and found objects carefully placed throughout the building by numerous practitioners creating alters of sacred reflection and offerings of Love
Through the artifacts that fill this space, I have accessed so much of the rich history and energy that made this place feel like a healing home to many, and I am beyond grateful. I’ve also realized that the vision that I held for Metta back in 2008 has manifested itself over and over in ways that I never could have imagined. I have been so incredibly lucky to be a witness to so many Blessings.
As I let go of the reins and pass on the torch, I am comforted that the history of Metta Integrative Wellness Center will continue to live on through this new and equitable cooperative.
As time will inevitably bring us back to a new and more stable sense of normalcy, I look forward to seeing the new and skillfully crafted healing sessions, events, and community services that will be created by this thoughtful, compassionate, and loving collective.
In the spirit of Metta, I offer my deepest gratitude for all that has been and what has yet to become.
OH HEY, FOR BEST VIEWING, YOU'LL NEED TO TURN YOUR PHONE