It was at the heart of the vision of our Founder and Owner, Suzie Newcome, from the very beginning of Namapsa in 2007, to create a space where people would have access to the highest quality yoga classes, workshops, and trainings and massage and bodywork services. And so Namaspa was born: a unique and creative take on the ancient Sanskrit word namaste, often used at the end of yoga classes as an acknowledgement of shared humanity and Divinity, combined with our modern use of the word spa.
At Namaspa, we also understand that wellness isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. While yoga is a powerful tool for building strength, flexibility, and mindfulness, massage and bodywork can both bring their own unique and powerful benefits, and further enhance the benefits of a regular yoga practice.
So this month, as our massage therapy team continues to grow at both our Bend and Redmond locations, we’re excited to highlight the ways in which massage and yoga complement each other, introduce our skilled therapists, and share these practitioners’ wisdom on self-care and healing.
Massage therapy and bodywork are ancient practices that have been used for centuries (and even millenia!), to promote healing, relieve pain, and restore balance in the body. As one of our Redmond massage therapists, Julie Funke, says: “Massage therapy is one of the most natural and original forms of healing. Since the beginning of humankind, we’ve intuitively known to massage our bodies when we sustain an injury. For example, we all rub our elbow instinctively when we bump it on something!”
Massage involves the manipulation of soft tissues – muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia – while the term bodywork is broader and can include practices that go beyond manual manipulation of soft tissues. It often encompasses energy-based therapies (such as Reiki), movement-based therapies (like Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique), and structural integration techniques (like Rolfing).
We are proud to offer a diverse range of massage and bodywork services at Namaspa, each designed to meet the unique needs of our growing community and individual clients:
Aromatherapy Massage: Uses essential oils to enhance relaxation and healing.
Deep Tissue/Therapeutic Massage: Targets deeper muscle layers to relieve tension or pain from a current injury and/or longer-term chronic tension.
Cupping Therapy: Utilizes suction cups to improve circulation, provide detoxification benefits, and release muscle tension and tightness.
Energy Healing: Incorporates energy-based techniques, like Reiki, to restore balance at subtler levels of the layers of lifeforce and mental/emotional bodies.
Prenatal, Pregnancy, & Postnatal Massage: Safe, nurturing bodywork designed to support expecting and new mothers through every stage of their journey.
Relaxation Massage: Focuses on stress relief and gentle, soothing techniques.
Sport Massage/Active Isolated Stretching: Helps athletes and active individuals prepare for competitions, reduce the risk of injury, and recover from strain.
Thai Massage: An ancient healing art that blends assisted yoga postures and energy line work to enhance flexibility, harmonize the body’s energies, and promote deep relaxation.
Sound Therapy: Strategic and intuitive use of diverse instruments like singing bowls and tuning forks – and their unique frequency and vibrations – to restore harmony in the physical and energetic bodies.
“Snehan” Ayurvedic Oil Massage: one of the most rejuvenating treatments of Ayurveda, Snehan is whole-body oil application with specific medicated herbal oils to nourish, revitalize, and detoxify the body tissues and bring balance to body, mind, and Spirit.
Each of these modalities offers unique benefits, and our skilled therapists tailor sessions to individual needs. “I love being able to offer whatever meets my client’s needs at the time,” Julie says about her passion for providing personalized care. “Working with the same clients over time and seeing them progress in their own health and wellness journey is so rewarding.”
Any/all of the above modalities on their own, and especially in partnership with yoga, support both physical and mental wellbeing in countless ways, as well as opportunities for spiritual growth and connection. This is how and why it’s accurate to say that yoga and massage/body work are complementary practices. As Mariah Sunday – another one of our skilled massage therapists who practices in both Bend and Redmond – comments: “Yoga and massage complement each other beautifully, each playing a vital role in restoring balance and promoting overall wellbeing. Together, they create a powerful synergy that nurtures the mind, body, and Spirit, fostering a deeper connection to oneself and a greater sense of harmony.”
Some examples of the overlapping benefits of massage and yoga separately are listed below, and are thoroughly studied and well-documented. And when yoga and massage are combined on someone’s path to long-term health, disease-prevention, and longevity, think of how much greater these benefits become!
Reduced Stress & Promotion of Relaxation: Massage calms the nervous system, lowering cortisol levels and promoting deep relaxation, much like meditation and restorative yoga.
Improved Circulation, Which Supports Healing: Techniques like deep tissue massage and cupping stimulate blood flow, which is one of the body’s ways of healing from the inside – and can therefore even help muscles recover faster after intense workouts and/or your daily/weekly yoga practice.
Enhanced Flexibility, Range of Motion, & Balance: By releasing muscle tension and lengthening fascia, massage makes it easier to move with ease in your daily life and in the activities you most love. All of us are also aging, so both yoga and massage, in improving flexibility, range of motion, and balance, become valuable practices for staying mobile and reducing fall risk.
Supporting Nervous System Regulation: Practices like massage, Reiki, and sound healing work with the body's energy systems – ultimately restoring the inner harmony and balance that is our natural state.
Aiding in Injury Prevention & Recovery: Massage in general, and sports massage in particular, benefit active people, athletes, and yogis.
Improved Sleep: Support of the parasympathetic nervous system reduces stress hormones and increases serotonin and melatonin levels, which are essential for deep, restorative sleep.
Namaspa wouldn’t be what it is without our dedicated staff members. This month, we are thrilled to be taking time to focus on introducing our growing team of talented massage therapists. Each of them brings a unique background, skillset, area(s) of expertise, and passion for healing.
Julie Funke (Redmond)
Nugget of wisdom from Julie: “Taking care of yourself is not selfish or indulgent. We cannot pour from an empty cup, so taking the time to ensure your own needs are met is truly a blessing to all those around you.”
Julie’s journey to massage therapy came after a 20-year career in the banking industry and as a manager and coach. She wanted to shift toward a profession aligned with her values and passion for healing and natural wellness. She offers and blends therapeutic techniques based on clients’ areas of concern, incorporating massage modalities such as Swedish, relaxation, myofascial, trigger point, muscle energy techniques, and manual lymphatic drainage.
Prior to leaving banking and going to massage school, Julie’s journey into the world of natural healing began with yoga and meditation 10+ years ago. She became a Reiki Master and certified in Beyond Quantum Healing hypnotherapy (past life regression). More recently, she has worked with the Emotion Code, a simple yet profound method to release trapped emotions stored in the physical and energetic bodies. She currently is practicing only massage therapy, but is excited to incorporate more energy work experience in the future.
Through her experiences as both a yoga practitioner and a trained massage therapist, Julie encourages clients to consider adopting both modalities for both what they provide ‘in the moment,’ as far as immediate benefits, as well as for their longer-term, cumulative benefits. “Whether it’s the breath work, meditation/visualization, or working with muscle energy and fascia release, yoga and massage overlap in many ways. Both practices are a form of self care, and our bodies recognize when we take the time to care for them and respond positively. Both practices are also cumulative – just like you can’t expect to fix your body with one yoga class, massage is the same way. It can certainly provide much-needed temporary relief, but consistency over time has a much more profound and lasting effect on overall health and wellbeing.”
Julie is grateful for the welcoming community at Namaspa and feels honored to support the community and clients in Redmond on their healing journeys.
You can book 30, 60, and 90 minute sessions with Julie in Redmond (Mondays and Fridays).
Julie is also partnering with yoga teacher, Julia Curtis, this month to provide a workshop called “Lymphatics and Yin” on March 23, 1:00-3:00pm. This workshop will teach yin yoga poses and other simple ways and tools to increase lymphatic system function, reduce swelling, and give your immune system a boost.
Joshua Holmbo (Redmond)
Nugget of wisdom from Joshua: “Having a bad day? Sounds like you need a massage!”
Joshua’s path to massage therapy was unexpected, yet has become deeply fulfilling. He first began giving massages informally to friends, only to realize he had a natural talent. This led him to study at Sage School of Massage & Esthetics in Bend, where he specialized in Swedish massage (relaxation) and deep tissue massage (therapeutic treatment). His experience working in a chiropractic setting has given him extensive hands-on practice and experience, helping clients release chronic muscle tension.
Joshua found yoga through his massage and bodywork practice. Joshua says: “Working with clients who practice yoga is what has inspired me to explore yoga myself. I find that people in the yoga community bring such great energy, and I truly enjoy being part of that atmosphere through practicing and working at Namaspa.”
Joshua is passionate about holistic healing and has recently been exploring sound therapy – beginning to incorporate singing bowls, tuning forks, and gongs into his practice. He finds working at Namaspa deeply rewarding, not only for the supportive community, but also for the opportunity to continue learning about yoga and integrative healing.
Something inspirational Joshua wants to share with the Namaspa community is about the power of massage to help release locked up emotions in the body and tissues. He has a client who has shared with him that this kind and level of release is even more beneficial than going to counseling at this time.
Something practical Joshua wants to share with the Namaspa Community is to encourage everyone to ask their health insurance provider(s) if they have massage benefits, as it could mean that they could get reimbursed for the massages they receive.
You can book 30, 60, and 90 minute sessions with Joshua in Redmond (Saturdays, Sundays).
Mariah Sunday (Bend and Redmond)
Guiding philosophy: “Listen to your body—it’s always speaking to you.”
Mariah believes healing begins with awareness, and through bodywork, everyone can learn to tune into the messages our bodies are sending us. Her approach to massage and wellness is rooted in compassion, balance, and the belief that when we care for our bodies with intention, we create space for deeper healing and overall wellbeing.
Mariah’s journey into holistic healing began through yoga, which opened the door to bodywork and massage therapy. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science for Massage Therapy from Central Oregon Community College and has training in Swedish massage, deep tissue, therapeutic massage, prenatal, shiatsu, hot stones, hydrotherapy, reflexology, sports massage, aromatherapy, and most recently Reiki.
One of the most meaningful lessons massage therapy has taught Mariah is to “embrace my body with love and care,” while yoga has taught her that “a healthy body nurtures a healthy mind.” For Mariah, “together, massage and yoga reinforce the importance of self-care, allowing the body to move freely and fully engage in the activities that bring joy and fulfillment. In this sense, self-care isn't only a luxury. And taking time to nurture your body and mind isn’t selfish; it’s what allows you to show up fully for yourself and others.”
Mariah’s goal is to provide nurturing and therapeutic sessions tailored to each client’s unique needs, and for clients to leave their sessions feeling deeply relaxed, rejuvenated, and more connected to their bodies. She is committed to helping her clients experience relief from pain or tension, while fostering a sense of balance and well-being. She shares: “Beyond the physical benefits, I want them to feel heard, cared for, and empowered to prioritize their self-care.”
Mariah loves that Namaspa provides a space for growth, transformation, and self-reflection, and she’s honored to be a part of that journey.
You can book 30, 60, and 90 minute sessions with Mariah in Bend (Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays) and Redmond (Thursdays).
Evan Miller (Bend)
Goal as a practitioner: “To help my clients not only live comfortably, but thrive.”
Evan’s background in wilderness medicine, sports therapy, and outdoor education gives him a unique perspective on healing. He integrates Thai massage, deep tissue work, and sports medicine techniques to help clients improve mobility and recover from injuries. His understanding of both Eastern and Western healing modalities allows him to create customized treatment plans catering to each client’s needs.
Fluent in Spanish and passionate about building connections, Evan ensures that every session is a safe and healing experience. His deep appreciation for movement and recovery is evident in his holistic approach to bodywork.
Evan is particularly passionate about Thai massage as a practice that incorporates stretching/yoga asana and principles of massage together. The Ayurvedic and Indigenous Thai roots of Thai massage are particularly interesting and inspiring to him, and he is enthusiastic about sharing Thai massage with more clients.
You can book 30, 60, 90, and 120 minute sessions with Evan in Bend (Wednesdays and Thursdays).
This month, we invite you to book a session and discover how these complementary practices can elevate your self-care routine, your yoga practice, and your overall health and vitality! In the spirit of the new life and blossoming the spring season brings, we also invite you to consider exploring a new style of massage or bodywork you haven’t tried before, or to attend the “Lymphatics & Yin” workshop in Redmond (March 23, 1:00-3:00pm). Enjoy $20 off when you book online through Momence with any of these four incredible massage therapists – Julie, Joshua, Mariah, and Evan – using code $20OFFMASSAGE. Your body will thank you!
For current/practicing massage therapists interested in broadening your scope of work and skillset, Namapsa Founder and Owner, Suzie Newcome, is leading a weekend training in May (5/16-5/18) on how to provide a "Snehan" Ayurvedic Oil Treatment in the traditional method. 15 hours of CE credits are available. Learn more and register here.
With a growing team of skilled therapists and a range of healing modalities available, Namaspa is excited to continue offering holistic wellness to our community.
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