Our Staff
Our Massage Therapists are licensed by the state of Illinois, are competent in Swedish, relaxation, deep tissue, prenatal and medical massage and specialize in chronic muscle pain due to overwork or overuse and also work with many equestrian riders, dancers, runners and athletes on their specialized needs and conditions. Many of our massage therapists specialize in various different techniques which can be found on their bio page.
Jon Petersen
Jon studied at Lakeside School of Therapeutic Massage in Milwaukee and has completed advanced anatomy studies at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He has studied massage for cancer patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, was lead massage therapist at Centegra Sage Cancer Center in McHenry, Illinois and is experienced in post-surgical scar tissue treatment. Jon was trained in the St John method of neuromuscular therapy and myofascial release and specializes in chronic muscle pain due to overwork or overuse. Jon is currently not accepting new massage therapy clients.
Taylor Edwards, Massage Therapist
Taylor is a nationally certified massage therapist licensed by the State of Illinois. She has completed an intensive massage training course from Cortiva -Chicago School of Massage Therapy. Taylor has exceptional technique, truly loves what she does and is known for her warmth and thoroughness. She became a massage therapist because of her desire to positively affect the health and well-being of her clients. Taylor is well respected for her therapeutic massages, prenatal and hot-stone massages.
Liz Cappellano, Massage Therapist
Liz Cappellano attended First Institute in Crystal Lake in June 2012, passed her boards and started her massage career employed by a local chiropractor in August of that year. During her time at the chiropractic office, she studied various techniques and procedures that allowed her to improve her abilities to treat her patients for pain relief and improved functions. She helped her patients with their muscular tension and pains, migraine headaches, aided in rehabilitation from vehicle accidents and surgeries, and helped relieve the pain from arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Yvette Fuiava, Massage Therapist
Yvette is a graduate of Columbia College of Missouri and a 2012 graduate of Cortiva Institute of Crystal Lake. She believes that there are many paths to healing and enjoys helping others meet their wellness goals through massage. Yvette practices Thai bodywork, Reiki, deep tissue, manual lymphatic drainage and relaxation massage and has expanded the Thai Yoga Massage program at Natural Therapy Wellness Center which has been receiving glowing reviews from her clients. She is STAR Program Certified through Oncology Rehab Partners. Her favorite quote is “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you” by Fred DeVito.
Jill Morgan, Massage Therapist
Jill graduated from First Institute in 2006 from their Massage Therapy program. She has since worked alongside chiropractors and is very therapeutic minded.
She was certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (KLOSE trained) in 2010, and has helped clients with lymphedema, lipedema, Lyme disease, and post plastic surgeries.
She does deep tissue massage to the client’s preference, trigger point work, myofascial release and reflexology.
During her off time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and riding her motorcycle.
Mattie Lantvit, Massage Therapist
Mattie, a 2008 Massage Therapy graduate of First Institute in Crystal Lake, practices massage styles ranging from stress-relieving relaxation sessions to therapeutic & deep tissue massages. She enjoys yoga, concerts, Reiki, and believes in the natural ability of the body to heal itself with the proper care.
Ieva Scoggin, Massage Therapist
Ieva moved from the country of Latvia in northern Europe and is a member of their traditional dance group performing at their annual Independence Day celebration. She is a graduate of First Institute of Crystal Lake, Illinois. She practices massage, reflexology, cupping and in very compassionate for people in pain.
Rachel Monge, Massage Therapist
Rachel, a 2011 graduate from Cortiva School of Massage Therapy, enjoys offering her clients a massage with a smooth flow with therapeutic results and relaxation in all of her massage sessions. Rachel also enjoys manual lymphatic drainage in her treatment offerings. In her second decade as a massage therapist, she has a great sense of humor and a passion for raising butterflies, gardening, kayaking, camping, and road trips.
Larissa Widdis, Massage Therapist
Larissa is a graduate of First Institute’s massage therapy program. This complemented her skills as an athletic trainer where she was able to assist athletes with their injuries and help improve their techniques. This combination of training has equipped her to provide excellent massage therapy to runners, athletes and everybody with their various muscular concerns.
Aaliyah Torres, Massage Therapist
Aaliyah is a graduate of First Institute of Crystal Lake, IL. Her hobbies include music, reading, spending time with family and friends, and teaching herself new languages.
Sara Polovin, Licensed Massage Therapist
Sara is an Illinois Licensed Massage Therapist who graduated from First Institute in Crystal Lake, Illinois. She loves her career as a massage therapist because she is able to help improve people’s physical and mental health by relieving pain and encouraging her clients to better understand their bodies. Sara has a client centered approach where she focusses on their individual needs and creates a plan specifically for them. She specializes in therapeutic relaxation while her favorite modalities include hot stone massage and reflexology. Some of her hobbies include baking, dancing, hanging out with friends, family and her 2 cats.
Bobbie Buerer, Licensed Massage Therapist
Bobbie is a graduate of First Institute in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
She went into the massage therapy profession because she was been surrounded by this profession since she was a young girl and has always been interested in how it has helped so many people. She wanted to be a part of a community that helped improve people’s day to day life.
Hobbies: She enjoy cooking and baking in her free time. Bobbie also enjoys playing tennis and cycling.
Her Specialties: Swedish relaxation, cupping, prenatal and salt stones
Cayla Mullins, Front Office
If you call our office during the morning or early afternoon, you will probably be familiar with Cayla’s voice. She has been our office manager/ receptionist/ client services representative for several years. A transplant from New York (Bronx), she now calls Illinois her home.
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Haley is currently serving as our afternoon receptionist and client services specialist while she is in training as a Licensed Massage Therapist at First Institute in Crystal Lake and our in-house mentoring program.
Bonnie Spina, Acupuncturist
Bonnie graduated in 1997 from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine, studied under the renowned Dr. Fu in the Peoples Republic of China and received certification from the Guangzhou School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, China. She is board certified by National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Suzanne Ott, Thai Yoga
Suzanne has been practicing yoga for nearly 30 years and teaching for 20. Her style focuses on sharing the benefits of yoga and working slowly and mindfully with the breath. After taking a Thai Yoga Assist class, she was hooked on the benefits which led her to further her training with Thai Yoga Massage. Her approach is to use compassionate touch and the application of Metta (loving-kindness) to help heal your mind, body, and spirit. When she is not doing yoga or massage you will find her reading, trying to protect the environment, and just hanging with Kaylee, her Springer Spaniel.
It's time to start taking care of you.
