East Village Spa's team has specialists in sports and deep tissue massage, Shiatsu, hot stone massage, prenatal massage and more. Because our therapists have built a loyal clientele and space out their services to ensure their guests receive their full attention, some have limited availability. We suggest finding 2-3 therapists you enjoy to increase your scheduling opportunities.
Our licensed estheticians and nail care providers are experienced, safe, and skilled. They offer customized Rhonda Allison and Farmhouse Fresh facials, CBD facials, Hydrafacial, waxing, and natural manicures and pedicures. Their focus is on the health of your skin and nails. They are happy to customize a skincare routine that best fits your lifestyle and skincare goals.
This is the crew that answers your calls, e-mails, texts and greets you at the spa. They've got a yummy beverage to start your visit and chocolate to send you back into the world. Please show them photos of your pets, talk about podcasts, and don't judge them if they're snacking on the job.
Justin (he/him) is our longest-practicing massage therapy mentor on our team. Licensed since 2007 (IA 004736), Justin is a great choice for athletes and people recovering from surgeries or facing chronic injuries and pain. He works with moderate to very firm pressure and may incorporate some stretching or massage tools if appropriate. He's also able to provide a great relaxation massage for people who want to zone out. He practiced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for years, loves snowboarding, and has a passion for cooking really involved dishes (and posting pics to make everyone jealous) and driving his co-workers crazy with puns. (Justin does not offer body scrubs, prenatal massage, or foot reflexology)
Conny (she/her) is a native German who loves to hear about your European relatives and travel. It is always fun hearing guests practice their German with Conny! She has been licensed since early 2017 (IA 086019) and offers a combination of relaxation and focused work, using light to firm pressure, varying speed and techniques. She includes a bit of trigger point work and techniques like Craniosacral Therapy a into her work. She especially loves focused neck and foot massage. Conny used her background in engineering to creating allergy-friendly recipes. She owns an in-home bakery, Sunrose Bakery, and you can ask her to deliver your baked goods to you at the spa!
Klay (he/him) has been licensed since January 2018 (IA 094557) and works with more moderate to firm pressure. He loves helping people with neck pain and general relaxation. Klay came to this field from social work. Massage blends two things he's passionate about: physical activity and helping people. Dogs make him smile, he loves tiny versions of things, and is a pretty good woodworker. We jokingly refer to Klay as the "spa handyman" though he's also a one man party planning committee, coming up with creative potlucks and events to keep the breakroom fun.
(Klay does not offer prenatal massage or reflexology)
Anna (she/her) became a massage therapist to help people's bodies feel better and help people feel better about their bodies. She has been licensed since 2016 (IA 082550) and is primarily a relaxation therapist, using slower, flowing massage techniques with light to moderately firm pressure. She's perfect for a meditative relaxation experience but not the best choice for someone looking for super aggressive work. She loves hot stone massage, our seasonal features, body scrubs, and providing a quiet session all about her guests. She has a *slight* addiction to baking to both the delight and detriment of her coworkers. She's a plant parent and loves the arts in general.
(Anna does not offer Targeted Sports Massage or super heavy pressure.)
Jamee (she/her) came to massage after 17 years in dementia care and a desire to seek alternatives to conventional Western medical treatments. Licensed in 2015 (IA 077705) she is our Eastern massage specialist. She's taken a deep dive into studying techniques from Thailand and China like cupping, acupressure, and Shiatsu. Her focus is helping to remove mental, emotional, and physical blockages to facilitate the release of pain and discomfort. She offers a "custom Eastern massage" Jamee has lived and traveled extensively with the stories to go along with that! She's also a got a collection of "stray kids" whom she loves.
(She's not the best choice for someone looking for a light Swedish massage.)
Gloriose (she/her), or "Glo" is a licensed massage therapist (IA 112637) Glo has lived in 4 countries and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines before attending Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School. Glo spent many years caring for aging adults as a certified Nursing Assistant and she has a passion for helping people, especially pregnant women, through massage therapy. Glo loves creating poetry and art. She's a perfect fit for people seeking a very relaxing light to firm pressure massage, pregnant women, seniors, or people who enjoy a bit of stretching with their service. Don't be surprised if you catch Glo performing Karaoke with her friend Thea, another spa LMT!
Vianey (she/her), pronounced "V.N.A." became a licensed massage therapist in 2023 (IA 118884). She looks familiar because she's been caring for our guests at the front desk since 2021! Vianey left a medical coding career to pursue a field that allowed her to work hands-on helping people. While originally considering a different healthcare career, Cassie and the spa LMTs asked Vianey to consider massage therapy as an option and immediately after visiting Body Wisdom Massage School, she leapt right into training! Vianey enjoys using medium to firmer pressure and loves incorporating a bit of reflexology into a massage. She'd love to see you for focused reflexology foot massage too! In her free time she loves on her dog Ruth and is committed to her gym routine.
Soraya (she/her) is a licensed massage therapist (IA 122015) who graduated from Body Wisdom school. Growing up in Las Vegas, she fell in love with the robust spa scene. She knew when she moved to Iowa she wanted to be a part of it. Soraya chose massage as a career to help people give thanks to their bodies that work hard every day and feels people deserve to step away and "just be." She loves providing a quiet and relaxing light to medium pressure massage and incorporating hand and foot reflexology. She has trained in barefoot bars massage and will be adding that to her services along with prenatal and hot stone therapy soon! Soraya loves thrifting, Star Wars, fashion, and above all time with her family, including her deaf puppy Beanie.
Soraya does not offer heavy pressure or targeted therapy massage.
Maddie (she/her), is a full time licensed massage therapist (IA 116701 ) who joined our team in 2024. She's a Body Wisdom massage school graduate with a passion for deep tissue and targeted massage. Maddie is working toward her personal training and nutrition certifications and enjoys working with active clients and helping people who are experiencing pain to find relief. Maddie enjoys incorporating heat from warm stones into sessions to help relax muscles, and also the CBD targeted relief cream. Maddie does not currently offer prenatal massage, but will soon!
Thea (she/her) is a licensed massage therapist (IA 11975). She graduated from Body Wisdom school where she studied with several of our popular therapists as classmates. Her style blends Myofascial release, relaxation and deep tissue or stretching techniques. Thea listens to what her guests tell her and what their bodies need. Thea feels massage is an important tool for mental wellness and to quiet intrusive thoughts. She is honored to create a safe space for people experiencing mental or emotional strain or who have a history of trauma. Thea is perfect for people seeking a light to firm pressure, quiet, slow massage. Outside of the spa, you'll find her enjoying karaoke, writing, and dabbling in pottery.
Wade (he/him), is a licensed massage therapist (IA 111049) specializing in orthopedic and Thai massage. Wade worked as a CNA starting as a teenager, with the intent of becoming a nurse. After working as a traveling nurses' aide in short-staffed care centers during the pandemic, Wade realized that massage therapy would be a path forward in healthcare that would give him a better opportunity to help and connect with people in a meaningful way. Wade attended Body Wisdom School in 2021 and has been providing exceptional care as a therapist ever since! We lucky he chose to bring his skills in massage and his background in caring for people with diverse health needs to our team in 2023!
Logan (he/him) is a licensed massage therapist. He moved to Des Moines in 2019 to join his wife as a dancer with Ballet Des Moines. Logan graduated from Body Wisdom's massage therapy program in 2023, attending classes as his ballet schedule allowed. His hours are very limited during the fall and winter, and increase during the summers. Logan's background in a physically demanding profession helps him empathize with athletic guests and people frustrated by pain or injuries that limit their daily activities. Logan appreciates his guests' flexibility with his schedule during peak performance seasons. He is a great choice for both targeted therapy and relaxation massages!
Anna K (she/her), is a licensed massage therapist (IA 119058) seeing clients currently Wednesday evenings and every other Saturday at the spa. Anna grew up with chronic pain from arthritis. In her 20's a yoga class unlocked a new world of understanding her body. As her yoga practice deepend, she became a certified yoga teacher. Massage therapy is a continuation of that love of creating space for people to find a connection with their own bodies. In addition to massage therapy, Anna works a full time desk job so knows the toll that takes on the mind and body. She's a great fit for people with chronic pain, active lifestyles, or office jobs. You might run into her on the bike trails, at yoga studios, or thrifting!
Allison (she/her) is a licensed massage therapist since 2014 who is able to provide every massage we offer. She takes care of our guests seasonally and quite part time. Allison might not be the best choice for someone seeking the same therapist at every visit due to her limited hours and summers off, though she is a phenomenal massage therapist so please don't hesitate to book with her when she's on our schedule! Allison is open for specialties like barefoot bars, Thai-style massage, targeted therapy, and prenatal massage. In addition to massage, she teaches dance, loves music, travel with her husband, and her pets.
Stay tuned! We’re excited to bring more great providers to care for our guests.
If you hear contagious laughter in the spa, it's Cyerra (she/her)! She's been a licensed esthetician and nail tech since 2015 and leads our skin and nail care department. She trains our estheticians and nail technicians as an expert in Hydrafacial, Farmhouse Fresh, and Rhonda Allison skincare. Our "newer" nail techs have learned from this expert so their guests can expect her level of sanitation and care. Nervous about a Brazilian wax? Just get her laughing and you'll see why people actually look forward to wax appointments to catch up with her. You will not regret booking a facial or Hydrafacial with Cyerra! She's a mom to 4 kids from elementary school through college and gets a sense of peace from making others smile.
Blaire (she/her) is a licensed esthetician who is known for very relaxing yet effective facials. Blaire loves treating acne prone or congested skin. She also adores brow shaping and body waxing. She's fast, respectful, and thorough at waxing and has quickly become a favorite for Brazilian and other body wax services. We joke that she's our "old soul" and is great for anyone who is anxious about trying skincare or waxing and she instantly puts guests at ease. Blaire is always our go-to when we have questions about trendy new skincare ingredients or services. Blaire loves travel and spending time with her rescue cat!
Kanika is a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician. Her guests always tell us they feel the "good energy" flow when enjoying a service with her. Kanika is a reiki master and fertility and post partum doula. Kanika seems to know everyone in town, so it is always fun hearing the conversations with her nail guests. Kanika's family has a long history in cosmetology. Her mother and grandmother were both cosmetologists! Kanika's nail and brow wax guests love visiting with her, it seems she knows everyone in town! She was a massage therapist for years so she's a great choice for back facials and body scrubs too!
Allie (she/her) is a licensed esthetician and licensed massage therapist (IA 123481). She offers waxing and facial services at the spa. Allie has a calm, nurturing treatment style. She graduated from the Aveda esthetics program in 2021. She has worked in esthetics since graduation. Allie completed her massage therapy training at Body Wisdom school in 2023 and loves providing a diverse mix of waxing, facials, and massage therapy services in her day.
Cassandra (she/her) is a super experienced esthetician and nail technician who has been licensed since 2006 and on our team since 2013. She's not only a great choice for caring for your skin and nail care, she is passionate about animal care! You'll find her pet-sitting for Auntie Abbie's Pet Sitting and working at Jett and Monkey's Dog Shoppe. When she's not nurturing humans or pets she's paddle boarding or dreaming of her next warm beach escape! If you're getting your nails done for a beach vacation, she'd love to hear all about it.
Dee (she/her) is a full time Licensed Nail Technician who provides skilled natural manicures and pedicures to our guests. After studying Equine Sciences and caring for horses (how cool!) Dee attended LaJames to become a licensed Nail Technician and care for humans. Her foot massages are phenomenal. She danced for 18 years and now channels her creativity spirit into beautiful nail art. Dee loves chatting about anything and everything and has a contagious laugh. She truly is as sweet as can be. You can follow her on Instagram and see her creations at deeznails2022. Iowa fans beware, Dee is a die hard Iowa State fan!
Denisse (she/her) is a licensed nail technician providing both relaxing and artistic services for our guests. Denisse is a great choice for people seeking to relax quietly during their nail service. Denisse is bilingual in Spanish and English! She takes a gentle yet thorough approach to nail shaping and cuticle care, so she's perfect for more sensitive guests. She adores her two senior dogs and loves hearing about your pets! Denisse is channels her creative gift into beautiful nail art. She's a great choice for a Work of Art Shellac manicure, classic or creative French tips, and more! Check out her portfolio on Instagram at Kirakira_nailsbydenisse East Village Spa only offers natural nail manicures.
Cammie (she/her) joined our team in 2014. She's cared for our guests while raising her growing family. Cammie works just a few hours a month now to continue facial and nail care primaily for her long time guests as she also works in a chiropractic clinic. If you regularly book with Cammie for nails and can't find shift that fits your needs, Denisse is the perfect fit for your future appointments as she's both gentle and thorough with manicures and pedicures. Blaire is the closest style match for waxing. Cyerra, Kanika, and Blaire are happy to see Cammie's facial guests if they can't get onto her schedule.
Cassie (she/her) has been a licensed massage therapist since 2005, valuing high professional standards. Cassie was honored to serve on the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy working to help the public enjoy safe, ethical massage. You can be sure that she only works with therapists who share her high standards. Cassie has a BA in Recreation Therapy from UNI and worked in brain injury aquatic therapy and as a care center activity director for years before starting her massage career. She opened the spa in 2008 because she couldn't find a work culture that suited her personality. Her office is full of clothes and snacks that get her from presenting to large groups to jumping into a massage or cleaning out a gunked up washing machine hose. Her husband is her favorite human (don't tell him she knows how to clean a washer hose), and she loves behaviorally challenged hound dogs.
Kirstie (she/her) is a licensed massage therapist who stepped into a spa leadership role in 2023. Kirstie has a business degree from Iowa State and worked in corporate events before attending massage therapy school. After years as a massage therapist specializing in orthopedic and deep tissue massage, Kirstie is transitioning into a role helping to ensure the spa is running smoothly for both guests and providers. She will be coordinating events and new community outreach and partnerships for our spa. Kirstie will also be coordinating educational opportunities for our providers and planning exciting service features and menu updates. Kirstie doesn't accept regular appointments, but is on call with Cassie to help cover as many massages as we can if our therapists need to miss work! Kirstie is a cat mom and loves traveling.
Shekendra (they/he), not only provides great service and booking suggestions, they also help organize so many behind-the-scenes projects like managing all of the spa's retail, battling technology issues, brainstorming great ideas to continually improve services, and generally herding Cassie and Kirstie. They can make a mean spreadsheet. Shekendra is a local performer, passionate about inclusive theater. In 2023, Shekendra graduated from the One Iowa LGBTQ Leadership academy. A transplant from South Dakota, Shekendra is always adding to their list of our guests' recommendations for cool things to do in Des Moines and surrounding areas so please give them all your best "staycation" ideas!
Almost daily, someone walks into the spa, sees Abbie (she/her), and asks "Are you a Cooney?" Aside from knowing everyone in town, Abbie is an exceptional front desk associate and licensed esthetician. She can advise guests and shoppers on the best products for their skin, and help them find the right shade in Jane Iredale make-up. Abbie has loyal regular facial guests and has a passion for staying current on emerging strategies to assist folks who are transitioning to feel their best, whatever their changing skin and beauty needs are.
Maddie (she/her) is a gem. Early in her career she took a spa receptionist position with another local salon spa to see if she wanted to go to school for cosmetology. She quickly learned that her passion was leading the front-of-house aspects of a spa to create a welcoming and unique guest experience. After years of witnessing the positive impact massage therapy could make for others, she decided to start school at Body Wisdom in January 2024. She will split time between the front desk and her year long program, look for her to start seeing clinic guests at the school in the spring of 2024!
Olivia (she/her) is an amazing Guest Services Associate on our team. She has a degree in gender studies and art. She's an artist specializing in ceramics and photography. Olivia also enjoys volunteering at ceramics classes at her old high school. Olivia loves checking out local restaurants with her friends and she always love seeing your cat pictures!
Copyright © 2024 East Village Spa - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder
Download our app or create an account through the website to snag last minute openings online quickly!