Staff Highlight: Allison Snell LMT

Allison Snell is the newest member of our massage department at Urban Sanctuary. Allison brings with her a wealth of interesting life and career experience as well as a real passion for massage.

People are raving about Allison. She is really fun to be with and clients thoroughly enjoy her massage work.

Allison has a background in Medical Massage which has proven useful in instances where people seek pain relief from their massages.NueromuscularTherapy, Myofacial Release, Deep Tissue and Reiki are some of her favorite modalities to incorporate into Medical Massage or stress reduction Massage.

Allison excels at Sports Massage. She was massage therapist for Georgia Southern University Swimming and Diving Teams at Collegiate Coastal Conference Championships! Not an honor that many licensed massage therapists are afforded. It speaks volumes about the quality of Allison's deep tissue, sports massage and therapeutic massage skills.

Background: Allison holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Georgia.She's a graduate of the Georgia Career Institute  in Conyers. After completing their massage program, she studied Thai Massage and medical massage.

Experiences: Allison was a wild-land firefighter for the United States Forest Service in both Vermont and Colorado. She spent many years as an organic farmer in the western mountains of Maine and in Mansfield, Georgia.

Enjoys: Telemark skiing, mountain biking, hiking, organic farming and yoga.
Loves: Trail running with her English setter, belle. Loves bluegrass music and Thai food.

 

Staff Highlight: Dina LaFera

Dina has joined us on staff at Urban Sanctuary with 18 years of success in the field of esthetics under her belt. To name a few of Dina's gifts, she has a wonderful passion for skincare, a nice sense of community and a great love for people. We are thrilled to have Dina with us.

Dina gives facials, facial peels, waxing and microdermabrasion treatments at Urban Sanctuary during the week and weekends. Call us at 706-613-3947 to find out which available appointments suit your schedule and book yourself in for a great spa service.

Dina, tell us about your career background and your skincare philosophy.
I have come full circle with my skincare philosophy. I began working in esthetics 18 years ago at Natural Body in Buckhead and later grew into medical esthetics for a while.

I believe in balance. You must feed your skin, the largest organ in your body, the same as you would feed your body. Use whole and organic ingredients as much as possible and save the pharmaceuticals only for occasional use.

Where are you from and what brought you to Athens? 
I was born in Kingston, New York. I later moved to Athens from Atlanta to simplify my life with my children and escape Atlanta traffic. I am blessed with two angels, my daughter Gabrielle and my son Sasha.

How long have you lived here?  
7 years

Tell us what you love about Athens.  
There's an amazing sense of community here! I used to love WOW boot camp at 5:30 with my sister Andrea. (Andrea owns A LaFera salon here in town). I also really loved watching my son, Sasha (a musician), find his happiness with the help of Nuci's Space. Nuci's Space is amazing. Also, I've had the best clients in the world here! I have bonded differently with my clients in Athens than I have in any other city where I've worked. The relationships have been stronger.

What do you put your energy into when you're not at work?
I love cooking with my fiance, Martin, and cooking for friends. I love gardening and specialize in growing herbs and flowers. Fresh flowers in my house are a must!

You come from a big Italian family, right?
Yes, I am one of seven siblings. I love American Italian classic music and anything that reminds me of my family.

Anything else that you'd like to share?
I love people and food from all over the world. My dream would be to be able to speak every language and experience all cultures in my lifetime.

What a beautiful dream, the product of a lovely human being's imagination...

Read about the many services you can book with Dina and the other talented estheticians at Urban Sanctuary on our facials, facial ad-ons and microdermabrasion website pages. Microdermabrasion benefits, pumpkin and cherry facial benefits are listed on our blog, as well as the general benefits of getting facials regularly.

Urban Sanctuary is open seven days a week. Pick a day and come by for an hour. Smell the delicious soaps, try on a hot neck pillow and sample our vast array of eco-friendly, organic skincare products and gifts for the home. Some of our products can be viewed online. Gift certificates can be purchased online.

Staff Highlight: Nathan Hale

 Urban Sanctuary has been voted Athens' Favorite Day Spa 3 times and Athens' Best Day Spa 5 times.

  
Nathan Hale came on staff at Urban Sanctuary during our couples massage rush week in February, this year. He brings many years of experience and professional training to the table. Nathan has worked in Athens as a massage therapist for over 6 years and has enjoyed great success in a medical massage practice as well as another busy spa in town. Nathan is trained in Thai Massage, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue, Swedish Massage, Hot Stones, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Medical Massage and Body Scrubs. In the  time that he's been with us, several clients have shared with glee at the front desk, "That's the BEST massage I've ever had in my life!"

We love it when clients are absolutely blissed out after a  massage with us. It looks like Nathan has a lot of very happy clients. There is nothing in this world quite like a really good massage. Learn more about Nathan here or on the "Staff" page of our website, where our staff profiles are listed...


Nathan, where are you from and how did you end up in Athens?

I'm originally from New Holland, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. I wound up in Athens because one of my high school drum teachers had moved to Athens with his band and he loved it here. When visiting family in Pennsylvania, he came to check out my band and convinced us that we'd do really well in Athens. We visited in June 1994 and moved here in August that same year.

Tell us what you love about Athens.

I love the Athens community. There really is no place like it. While I was drawn to Athens because of its music scene, there are lots of other things that make Athens very appealing to me. Places like Wuxtry Records, Cozy Yum Yum and Daily Groceries give Athens an atmosphere that I haven't found anywhere else. 

What did you do in town for work before you went to Atlanta School of Massage?

I've always enjoyed the downtown area. Before I began working as a massage therapist, I worked in many different restaurants and clubs downtown, while also playing music in various bands. My longest stint was at the Grit. I also worked at the 40 Watt Club and the old Georgia Theater.

How did you become interested in being a massage therapist?

I first got interested in massage in high school when I received a massage after a wrestling tournament. I was really impressed with the benefits I got from it. It relieved both old injuries and new injuries. That's also how I became interested in physical therapy. Currently, I'm pursuing a BA in Exercise Science at UGA.

Tell us about your wife and your family.

My wife, Jessica, is in the Anthropology doctorate program at UGA. She is an underwater archeologist with an MS in Geology. We are both certified scuba divers. We have a daughter who is 2 1/2 years old and I have an 11 year old step-son. We may not have much free time, but we certainly have a full life!

And your music life?

I stay active in playing music, although my band SVA with whom I moved to Athens, is no longer performing. I play drums for Cosmic Charlie and have been part of that project since its inception in 1999. I used to be an active member of an Athens Haitian folkloric drum and dance group called Dance Dambala. I've studied Haitian music in Manhattan, Brooklyn and briefly in Haiti. I'm fascinated with world music; especially Afro-Cuban and Afro-Haitian folkloric drum and dance.

Mention this blog post and enjoy $5 off your first massage with Nathan. He works on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Urban Sanctuary. Nathan has a special interest in providing massage to people with cancer and in recovery from cancer. View our entire menu of services and our prices online. Call 706-613-3947 to book yourself a service. People love to unwind at Urban Sanctuary...

Urban Sanctuary won a Historic Preservation Award in 2010 and a Beautiful Business Award in 2012 and 2013.

Staff Highlight: Misty Hardin

  We are very pleased to have Misty Hardin join us on staff full-time at Urban Sanctuary! Misty is a very talented esthetician who has been doing facials, waxing and make-up in Athens for several years. She knows the Naturopathica Skincare line very well, loves make-up, is very passionate about skin care and giving personal service. It shows.

Misty, what attracted you to the skin care profession?

I used to have really bad skin and was very self-conscious about my face. It really affected my social life. I was actually diagnosed with rosacea and I also had a lot of acne. When I finally got up the nerve to have my first  facial, I was 23. I had been discouraged about my skin for so many years by then, and I said to the lady, "I don't think you're going to be able to do anything about my skin because it's just so bad." The woman doing my facial said, "Of course I can help! Your skin isn't that bad." She was so encouraging, Dena Lafera, an Athens celebrity as it turns out!

I was really surprised at how much better my skin looked and felt after just one facial. The redness and irritation went down a lot! I felt so much better about my face and more confident in general... That's when I thought, I really want to do this for people - I could totally help people.


Where are you from, and how did you end up in Athens?

I'm from Gwinnett County and I grew up in Barrow County. I started driving to Athens every day for work after I graduated from the Atlanta School of Aesthetics. When I lived in Crawfordville, it used to take me an hour to drive to town each day to work and then I turned around, and did that drive again every night. After putting up with all of that driving for about a year and a half, I finally moved to Athens.

How do you like living here?

I love it! I love being close to everything. Living in Crawfordville, it took me 30-60 minutes to get to any stores.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to shop for clothes. I hang out with my family and my boyfriend a lot. We watch a lot of television. I listen to a whole lot of country music. People give me a hard time about it, but I just love country music.

Who do you like to listen to?

Alan Jackson, Reba, Rascal Platts, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes and Dolly Parton

What are your favorite TV shows and movies?

First 48 and Dance Mom 5. Also, The Notebook and Paul

     Misty gives an amazing facial. She loves doing make-up applications and has many years experience with make-up services dating back to her department store job years before she went to school for Esthetics. Her extensive knowledge of problem skin care coupled with her sweet and gentle personality make Misty a fine esthetician. Unwind at Urban Sanctuary. Have a facial, make-up application or waxing service with Misty. Call 706-613-3947 to get on her schedule. Misty works Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Treat yourself!

Staff Highlight: Elizabeth Sheppard

Elizabeth Sheppard has worked as a massage therapist at Urban Sanctuary for over six years. She came on staff as extra help during our Valentine's Day rush in February 2009, and we have loved her ever since...  One of the reasons we love Elizabeth is her personality -- she is really up-beat and easy to talk to. Her comforting touch makes her massage absolutely magical!

Where are you from? 
 Snellville, Georgia 

Why did you move to Athens?
 For school

How long have you lived here?
 10 years

What are some of your favorite things about living in Athens?
The sense of community, great food and great shopping options (Co-op!),  and the music.

Favorite hang-outs?
 My front porch swing.

Favorite places to shop?
Trader Joe’s and Native American Gallery

Favorite places to eat?
Trapeze and The Grit

Do you garden?
I love to garden – veggies, flowers, and a variety of herbs...

Do you speak any foreign  languages?
Hola  and Bonjour!

TV? 
True Blood and The Walking Dead

Do you have any pets? 
A giant husky/retriever mix named Benny

Elizabeth is passionate about herbal medicine. She loves giving mud and seaweed wraps. Interested in a spa service with Elizabeth? She is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Try a massage scrub combo, a mud wrap, seaweed wrap or a deep tissue massage with her! To schedule a massage with Elizabeth call 706-613-3947.

Staff Highlight: Jennifer Bridges

            Jennifer Bridges has been at Urban Sanctuary for almost 4 years. She loves speed waxing and is probably the fastest at Urban Sanctuary. Jennifer also loves microdermabrasion and the Naturopathica facial peels. Jennifer gives results producing  and deeply cleansing facials.

Do you have any pets?

I have a beagle named Jake, and I am fostering a sweet puppy named Sophie.

What music do you enjoy?
  
I enjoy all genres of music, but I like country the most because the lyrics tell a meaningful story. Some of my favorite artists include Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan.

What movies do you like?  

The Notebook, and everything from comedy to chick flicks to drama and war movies.

What about TV shows?  

Dexter and One Tree Hill

Do you have any hobbies?

Cooking is a passion I learned from my mom and granddad, and I love trying out new recipes or coming up with different concoctions on my own! I love shopping, scrapbooking, road trips, and hiking.

Jennifer is an esthetician, make-up artist, and speed waxer. Some of her favorite Urban Services are Brazilian and  Bikini Waxing, Urban Facial, Clarifying Facial, and Pumpkin Enzyme Peel. To book a session with Jennifer, contact us at 706-613-3947 or info@urbansanctuaryspa.com