Our Story
Namaspa, LLC was founded in 2006 with the mission of helping people realize their full potential in health and well-being through yoga and massage services. The name Namaspa (nah-ma-spa) is an original word (TM) that signifies the company's dual heritage of yoga and massage. The gesture "Namaste" (nah-ma-stay) is given by students at the end of yoga classes, and means "the light within me honors the light within you". The word "spa" is today commonly accepted as an establishment that provides services for improved health, beauty and relaxation. Namaspa therefore brings these concepts together, dedicated to helping each person reach their full potential for living and appreciating life. Our extended name, Namaspa Yoga Community, makes us the West Coast "NYC", carrying on a tradition for diversity, boundless options and eclectic character.
From the Founder
"I'm Suzie Newcome, the founder of Namaspa. I grew up in Bend on a small farm on the East side. After graduating from Mountain View High in '88, I moved to Boston, went to Harvard College ('94), Harvard Business School ('99), and worked for more than 10 years in advertising, retail and strategy consulting. In 2005, however, I decided to leave the corporate world, move back to Bend and change the focus of my career to helping people live healthier, more stress-free and balanced lives. I have lived the benefits of yoga and massage first-hand. In my corporate life I suffered chronic low back pain, as well as insomnia, weakened immunity, and general chronic fatigue due to stress from work. After trying the traditional route of prescription drugs, I started exploring more holistic approaches. I found that regular massage (at least once a month), greatly helped me relax and let go of built up tension, helping me feel more balanced and be more productive. Yoga practice helped end the cycle of back pain I had been in since my teens, while also giving me tools to sleep better, live healthier and even have better relationships. Namaspa is a community that brings people together to learn and practice these tools, while deepening each individual's connection to themselves, their loved ones, this community and their highest intentions."
Our Credo & Culture
Every Namaspa team member - each teacher, ambassador, teacher-in-training is asked to read, process, question and adhere to the following agreements. Grounded in yoga ethics, we use them to settle any and all conflicts that inevitably arise.
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Namaspa’s intent is to assist individuals to enhance their power - the ability to live at their full potential and to realize their life's mission through peaceful action. As a member of the Namaspa team, I promise to create a safe space for all students to be at home and at ease, where they can be themselves and feel accepted for who they are.
I pledge to see the divine light within others and to treat them accordingly, with respect, love and compassion. If I have an issue with another person, my first course of action will be to speak directly to him or her about it, as I would a brother or sister, in an accountable fashion to find a peaceful solution.
I pledge to work and interact with others in accordance with the Core Values and Mission Mantras of Namaspa:
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Core Values: Unity, Integrity & Empowerment
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Mission Mantras:​
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Create Inclusiveness & Accessability
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Hold a Safe Space for Discovery
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Speak the Truth from Love
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...and in accordance with the ethics of yoga practice, in particular:
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Nonviolence: I will practice acceptance and compassion for myself and others, ensuring that my actions are kind and helpful, to avoid creating injury or destruction of any kind.
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Non-lying: I commit to speaking words derived from honesty, truth and love, and not speaking words that derive from deception, assumption, exaggeration or creating or furthering gossip.
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Non-stealing: I commit not to take anything that has not been freely given, including the time, resources and possessions of others.
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Non-harassing: I will not harass, exploit or intimidate anyone at any time.
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Non-grasping: I will embrace the continuous flow of change in our environment and embrace and encourage this for myself and others around me.
I acknowledge and agree to fulfill the responsibilities of my role at Namaspa with the full understanding of the task, the results and the example set for others. I acknowledge that I am a teacher here, teaching empowerment, regardless of my role and whether or I am on my mat, at the check-in desk, interacting with students, on a retreat or in another yoga studio.
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Safe Space Practices
At Namaspa Yoga, we are dedicated to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone. We embody the principle of Saucha, a Sanskrit term meaning "purity" or "cleanliness," which is a foundational aspect of yoga. Saucha emphasizes the importance of cleanliness not only in the mind, body, and speech but also in the spaces we inhabit. With this in mind, we prioritize maintaining a clean studio environment. We use state-of-the-art air purifiers, clean the floors, props, and rental mats after every use, and regularly launder our soft props. Additionally, we wipe down frequently touched surfaces multiple times a day and have professional cleaning services come weekly to ensure the highest level of cleanliness and comfort for all.
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Namaspa Cleaning Products
For the well-being of our students and the environment, we have transitioned away from using isopropyl alcohol to clean our studio. Isopropyl alcohol can have several adverse effects, including respiratory irritation, skin irritation, eye irritation, and flammability. Additionally, it can pose environmental risks, can be a trigger for those with alcohol dependency, and have significant health consequences if ingested.
We have chosen to use an essential oil blend, Naeterra, that has the same six essential oils (cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, rosemary) as Thieves oil in a blend of six natural base ingredients, some of which also have cleansing properties. This blend of essential oils is known for its antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-fungal, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. This natural alternative provides a safe and effective way to maintain a clean and healthy environment for our yoga community while minimizing potential harm to our students and the planet. For research about the effectiveness of the oil blend, please see this multidisciplinary study of the blend, as well as this article which refers to studies of the individual oils.
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Namaspa Air Purifiers
​We use several high performance HEPA & UV-C light purifiers throughout the studio and lobby spaces, rated to reduce the spread of germs by attacking microscopic airborne bacteria, viruses and mold spores. A large activated granular carbon filter attacks common odors and works to reduce any harmful particles in the air. UV-C light technology kills germs including COVID staph, influenza and rhino virus. Our filters are also rated for allergy and asthma sufferers to provide cleaner, fresher air to breathe and relief from allergy symptoms. A true HEPA filter relieves allergies by capturing dust and allergens as small as 0.3 microns in size. According to the American academy of pediatric allergy and immunology, doctors recommend HEPA air filtration to reduce exposure to indoor respiratory triggers.
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Touch with Care Policy
Our Commitment:
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Your well-being matters most.
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Consent is always key: Verbal or with an assist card.
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Respect personal space: Especially in crowded areas.
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We’re here to support you.
Report Concerns:
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Talk to any staff member.
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Use the confidential comments box.
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Contact the Resolution Committee:
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Loren Ash, Rian Kilgore, Ian McLane
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Let’s create a safe and respectful space for everyone. Click Here to view the entire ‘Touch with Care Policy’
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