Practitioners
Our reputable practitioners train extensively in their specific areas of expertise to deliver the Healing Garden signature experience. While each brings a varied background, every practitioner possesses superior assessment and evaluation skills and practices with the utmost attention to detail.
Heather Ryan, LMT Owner, Licensed Massage Therapist
License #MA0024159 Intraoral endorsement
As owner and founder of The Healing Garden, Heather realized her dream of providing a welcoming and restorative retreat with a strong focus on massage and skin care excellence. Her practice takes the whole person into consideration: body, mind and spirit.
Awarded "Best Massage Therapist of the Snoqualmie Valley” in the Valley Record since 2009, Heather is a talented and experienced body worker with a genuine commitment to health and wellness. Combining her sensitive, intuitive approach with 16 years of experience and extensive training from the esteemed Brian Utting School of Massage, Heather delivers a client-centered experience that addresses individual needs and exceeds expectations.
Specializing in Intuitive Integrative Therapeutic Massage, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Injury Treatment, Swedish Relaxation, Intraoral Therapy, Prenatal Massage, Cupping, and Sports Massage, Heather exemplifies the warm, welcoming and professional qualities treasured at The Healing Garden. (No longer accepting new clients, please call the office for assistance with booking)
Tanya Maw, BS, LMT Licensed Massage Therapist
License MA60553336
A Licensed Massage Therapist with a full roster of specialty certifications, Tanya draws on her years of professional experience as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and as a Physical Therapy Assistant. She brings her broad knowledge of anatomy and physiology to her specialty practice as well as certification in the Vodder Method of Manual Lymphatic Drainage.
A graduate of Bellevue Massage School and Brigham Young University with a degree in Athletic Training, Tanya works with the client to achieve their individual health and fitness goals, an ideal choice for anyone dealing with injury recovery and for those who want to reduce their risk of sports injury to stay at the top of their game.
Specializing in Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Deep Tissue, Treatment and Sports Massage, Passive Stretching Techniques, Myofascial Release, Relaxing Swedish, Hot Stone, Massage Cupping and Pregnancy Massage.
Cindy Costa, LMT Licensed Massage Therapist
License #MA00005988
Cindy believes in the profound healing power of massage. She takes care to treat her clients as whole beings, not just a collection of symptoms. An expert in Relaxing Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue and Acupressure, Cindy brings 30 years of massage mastery with her to The Healing Garden.
A graduate of the well-established Bellevue School of Massage, she continues to enhance her education with multiple massage modalities as well as Energy Work, Aromatherapy and Nutritional Testing.
Cindy also specializes in the delightful Polynesian art of Lomi Lomi Massage, Deep Tissue, Pregnancy Massage, Sports Massage and Reiki energy work. Whether you need deep work or a relaxing transformative experience, we invite you to experience her massage expertise for yourself.
Neesa Artz-Barker, Licensed Esthetician
License # 108317
A graduate of the well-respected Euro Institute, our Licensed Esthetician is a great fit with The Healing Garden’s philosophy and style with an emphasis on healthy beauty and radiant skin care. Neesa is extensively educated in the Glo Skin Beauty product line and provides a wide range of professional treatments that can be combined with homecare products to deliver transformative results.
Whether you’re receiving a rejuvenating and relaxing facial or personal hair removal, you’ll find Neesa to be considerate, knowledgeable and very attentive to your skin care needs. She expertly matches individual skin types with the appropriate service and professional products to deliver a personalized prescription for healthy, beautiful skin. Neesa is also skilled and certified in facial Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Microdermabrasion, Peels, Spa Body Works and can expertly address any unique skin care issues.
Jenni Gant, BA, LMT Licensed Massage Therapist
License #MA60826088.
An enthusiastic advocate for the healing properties of bodywork, Licensed Massage Therapist Jenni Gant learned first-hand, as a former tech worker, how massage therapy can help alleviate neck, shoulder and back pain caused by stress and long hours at a computer. She brings this visceral knowledge to her practice, helping clients with injury recovery, chronic pain, and stress relief.
Jenni graduated from the Northwest Academy of the Healing Arts in West Seattle. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Languages and Literature from Washington State University and worked in the software industry for over 20 years. She is an excellent observer and problem-solver, using a variety of therapeutic and relaxation techniques, including Swedish and Deep Tissue massage, Myofascial Release, Thai Massage, Pregnancy massage, Cupping and Hot Stone massage.
She sincerely believes in the power of massage therapy to help people of all ages and abilities, in practical and nuanced ways. Whether you’re enduring hardship, living with the aches of aging or decreased mobility, or just want to release tension and relieve discomfort, Jenni looks forward to helping you address your treatment needs with compassion and sensitivity.
Karen Rutledge, LMT Licensed Massage Therapist
License #MA 00008200
Karen first experienced the power of bodywork when she saw the positive impact of equine bodywork in her horse! Since graduating from Seattle Massage School in 1995, Karen has developed skill and proficiency in many different massage modalities. She specializes in Deep Tissue, Swedish, Medical Massage, Pregnancy Massage, and Sports Therapy.
During her 29-year career as a massage therapist, she’s helped clients in a wide range of settings — clinics, day spas, chiropractors, and even her own practice.
She draws on her extensive experience in Reiki, Rolfing, Himalayan Salt Stones, Cupping, Hot Stones, and Reflexology to help each client experience restful relaxation, better muscle function, and a strong sense of well-being.
Mao Aoyagi, LMT Licensed Massage Therapist
License # MA61482896
Mao fell in love with the beauty of massage while she was training at Discovery Point School of Massage in Seattle. Passionate about wellness and natural living for years, she is an enthusiastic proponent of the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Mao believes that massage helps people be aware of the connection between mind and body — it helps us rediscover our potential for healing.
She is a certified Aromatherapist, and a level two Reiki practitioner. Mao always takes time to listen to her clients before each session and creates individualized treatment plans best suited for their needs.
She specializes in Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, and Pregnancy Massage as well as Reiki energy healing.
Megan Drum Licensed Esthetician
License # 88883
Megan received her esthetics diploma at Evergreen Beauty and Barber College in 2011. She has had many years of experience in the skincare field and provides a wide range of professional services. Megan loves to see positive results with her client’s skin and provides a relaxing experience for all of your individual needs.
Experienced in all types of hair removal, facial treatments, peels, microdermabrasion, lash and brow tinting and lash lifts as well as recommending professional products for your individual skincare needs. Megan is very passionate about her work and always puts you, the client first to make sure you are pampered and well cared for.
Tina Metzger, LMT, BCST Craniosacral Therapist
License # MA00025263
Tina is a registered craniosacral therapist (RCST®), credentialed by the Biodynamic Craniosacral Association of North America.
This credential follows the completion of a 700 hour Foundation training. The training includes studies in anatomy and physiology, neurobiology, embryology, attachment psychology, birthing dynamics and somatic awareness practices.
Advanced studies of the viscera, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, have furthered her knowledge in the field. Tina has an intra-oral endorsement from the state of WA.
She has been in practice in the Seattle area since 2009, working with people and animals.
She feels a profound appreciation for BCST’s unique capacity to support people who are experiencing the wide array of symptoms that can accompany trauma. Whether it is from deeply-rooted experiences of the past, resulting in chronic auto-immune disorders or PTSD, or acute trauma from more recent emotional upset, physical accident or injury.
With gentle and compassionate care, Tina is devoted to holding a safe and supportive space for people by grounding the work in loving-kindness and neutrality, being attentive to a client’s wholeness and health rather than pathology.
Alexandra Scott, LMT Licensed Massage Therapist
License # MA60902194
Alex is a dedicated massage therapist with a passion for helping clients achieve balance and restoration in their bodies and minds. Since graduating from Bellevue Massage School in 2018, Alex has developed her skills in a variety of healing modalities, including deep tissue, Reiki, warm bamboo, Thai massage, and Swedish massage. Her journey into the healing arts was deeply influenced by her own experiences with insomnia, anxiety, and postural alignment issues, which she has successfully managed through massage, yoga and other therapeutic practices.
Inspired by the transformative power of a soothed nervous system, Alex's work is deeply rooted in the belief that a holistic approach to bodywork can significantly enhance a person's well-being. A practitioner of yoga for nine years, she integrates this knowledge into her sessions, offering clients personalized asana, breath work, and meditation techniques for continued growth at home. She's particularly passionate about warm bamboo massage, which combines the elements of heat and earth to promote deep relaxation, improve circulation, and enhance skin health. Additionally, her incorporation of Reiki into her massages promotes healing on multiple levels -- mental, emotional, spiritual and physical.
Massage has been a cornerstone of Alex's own healing journey, helping her navigate challenging times and physical limitations. Her goal is to share this same relief with others, helping them discover relaxation and rejuvenation.
Cassidy Baker, LMT
License #MA61191442
Inspired by a transformative first massage, Cassidy embraces a preventative approach to healthcare, firmly believing that regular massage is an essential component of self-care. With a client-centered philosophy, Cassidy works hard to ensure that each session—whether it be sports massage or Swedish massage—leaves clients feeling rejuvenated in both mind and body.
Specializing in a wide variety of techniques, Cassidy offers expertise in Swedish massage, myofascial release, deep tissue therapy, injury treatment, sports massage, prenatal massage, cupping, gua sha, and lomi lomi. She seamlessly blends these modalities to address the unique needs of each client.
A graduate of Discovery Point School of Massage in 2021, Cassidy has been practicing full-time for three years, gaining valuable experience in both a clinical setting and a day spa. This extensive background enables her to provide tailored treatments that promote healing and well-being. Book your next massage with Cassidy today, and discover the transformative power of massage for yourself!
Steve Official Greeter and Relaxation Coach
Welcoming you at the door with a wagging tale and a big smile, Steve invites you to come in, let go and unwind.
After being rescued from a kill shelter in California in 2019, Steve began extensive training to become our official Shop Dog. Since then he has taken his new career as a relaxation coach very seriously and brings joy to the hearts of staff and guests of The Healing Garden. Steve understands the value of therapeutic touch and has a gift for showing us how to let go of stress, receive joy, and fully relax.