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Founded in 2001 as West Wind Massage & Wellness Group, Apotheca Skin Body Wellness is a friendly, results-oriented holistic wellness, skincare and massage therapy practice serving our loyal client base in a soothing, convenient, and simple office space in downtown San Francisco. Our licensed acupuncturist will work with you one on one to create a health and wellness plan that may include acupuncture, herbal consultations, nutritional guidance and Tui Na medical massage to boost immunity and correct imbalances that lead to illness. Our estheticians offer a full menu of organic, vegan and holistic therapies for skin health and beauty, featuring the best of high-end lines to bring out your inner glow, naturally. Our massage therapists provide personalized holistic massage and bodywork to relax and rejuvenate, enhance sports performance and soothe chronic stress and pain. No cookie-cutter, spa-style fluff-and-buff here, this customized bodywork is the real deal: a results-oriented and uniquely satisfying blend of Tui Na, Swedish and deep tissue techniques, shiatsu, foot reflexology, custom aromatherapy, flower essence therapies and special attention to your aches and pains.

Please note: If you have a gender preference for your massage therapist, please be mindful when making an online booking. The online system will ask you to choose not only a session type and date, but also a practitioner from a list of four. Choose any of us if gender is not a consideration for you. Please choose only Kim or Kirsten if you prefer a female massage therapist. Thank you.

Practitioners:

Eri Cela, Certified Massage Therapist specializing in Deep Tissue Massage and Myofacial Release

Professional: As most, if not all, massage therapists I became interested in bodywork because I loved receiving it. In 2002 I took a 2-year rest from my undergraduate studies. I still desired to be in a learning environment so I enrolled in a few healing arts workshops. I initially studied Reiki under Reiki Master Mimi Becigneul, in Detroit MI. In the spring of 2003 I enrolled in a year-long massage program at the Michigan School of Myomassology. I have practiced massage therapy since then. The bulk of my experience as a therapist developed at a yoga studio in the Detroit area where I was both a massage practitioner and the studio administrator. Working with yogis & yoginis has enhanced my massage practice, helping me to understand the advantage of incorporating breath, movement and stretching with traditional massage techniques.

Personal: I was born in Tirana, Albania, a small Mediterranean country with a climate much like that of Northern California. I came to the Unites States 11 years ago as a high school exchange student. Since then I can call a few places home. The latest is San Francisco, which as of now I love the best. I hold a B.S. Degree in Psychology from Wayne State University, Detroit MI. I attend the Somatic Psychology Graduate Program at CIIS, San Francisco. Some of my greatest pleasures are listening to international folk music, reading about and physically experiencing other cultures and sharing that of mine. I love to stare at art and occasionally create some with my camera. I must have my daily BBC World News fix so please do not get me started on world politics in the middle of our session.

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David Lesseps, Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Massage Therapist specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Tui Na Massage

Professional: I am a graduate of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where I received a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I completed my studies in 2007 and earned my Acupuncture License in February of 2008. As part of my studies, I completed a certification in Tui Na therapy, which includes 341 academic hours of training, to which I have added more than a year of clinical Tui Na experience, as well as maintaining a private practice. I have had the pleasure of treating, and benefiting, patients with chronic and acute pain, multiple sclerosis, stroke-related paralysis, and anxiety disorders.

Personal: I moved to San Francisco in 1994 after studying painting and drawing at the University of Texas with the dream of becoming a famous artist. I quickly became a retail drone – a condition that lasted until I returned to school to study TCM. At the same time I became a TCM student, I also became a father. Much of my time is spent enjoying my family and watching my son grow into an expert on dinosaurs, trucks, and of course Tui Na. Along with my wife and son, I also live with two old and cranky cats.

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Tess Lush , Licensed Esthetician specializing in Waxing and Holistic Skincare Therapy

Professional: I’ve been in the service industry for the past eight years and through a friend got introduced to Esthetics. I instantly became hooked. In June of 2007 I decided to move to California to pursue a career in Esthetics and began school in August at a cosmetology training center here in beautiful San Francisco. After several months of training and working with clients in the school’s busy clinic, I graduated in January 2008, specializing in skin care and face and body waxing. I received my license in February 2008 and I have since received additional training at the International Dermal Institute in San Francisco, taken post-graduate training in product knowledge, advanced skin analysis, and treatment of skin concerns and conditions from skin experts Lori Nestore and Patty Gehraty, and enjoyed lectures given by Ben Fuchs, a well-known and respected nutritionist and skincare expert.

I love what I do and I hope to share my passion and knowledge for skincare with you.

Personal: I was born and raised in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. I like to think of myself as a laid-back and outgoing person. I love to dance hula and have been dancing for the last 20 years. I have recently begun taking lessons again since I’ve moved here. I love dancing and how graceful and interpretive it can be, and also the discipline and friendships that have been formed with it. In my spare time I also like to hang out at the beach, go for walks, and spend my time with family and friends. I love life and I like to keep busy, and am always willing to try new things.

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Kim Pon , Certified Massage Therapist an Certified Shiatsu Practitioner specializing in Prenatal and Sports Massage

Professional: Prior to being a bodyworker, I worked in corporate sales. I am a Certified Shiatsu Practioner with my initial education at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley. I am also a graduate of the National Holistic Institute, Emeryville, where I completed my 720-hour Certified Massage Therapist training program. I specialize in prenatal and sports massage therapies.

Bodywork has always been an interest and passion for me and I'm glad I get to share it with you.

Personal: I was born and raised in San Francisco (... and I obviously love it here enough to stay despite housing prices!). I have two young boys that keep me busy and I love hanging out with them!

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Kirsten Quint Fairbanks (Brown), Founder, Licensed Esthetician, Certified Massage Therapist

Professional: I have nearly a decade of practical experience working with my wonderful clients. I hold a license in esthetics and certifications in massage, Reiki, and Reposturing Dynamics sports massage. I left a successful career in PR and marketing, where I represented corporate clients as well as musicians, artists and non-profits, while growing intimate with "desk shoulder" and "monitor headache." Needing a major life overhaul, I received the majority of my body therapies education at the Institute of Conscious Bodywork, in private training with Reiki Master Pamela Adler and with Olympic massage therapist Aaron Parnell. I tried the spa route for a few years before going into private practice doing massage in 2001. I am more recently a licensed skin care therapist; I started practicing in the Fall of 2006 in a busy clinical setting and got my Esthetics license from the State of California in early 2007. I continue to persue post-graduate education, taking additional coursework at the International Dermal Institute, plus advanced training in skin nutrition and product chemistry with skin experts Dr. Peter Pugliese and Ben Fuchs, as well as skin analysis with Tu'eL's Lori Nestore and advanced peels and holistic skincare for rosacea and acne-prone skin with Nina Curtis of the Nile Institute in West Hollywood.

Personal: I was born right here in San Francisco. When I'm not in the studio I am probably rocking out to Al Green with my baby son. Or when time permits I may be taking singing lessons, making web sites, doing freelance PR and marketing work, practicing yoga, learning to love running, or creating and performing custom wedding ceremonies. I may also be training other massage therapists, cooking or seeing bands with my sweetie pie; or writing or reading about dead writers (like Percy Bysshe Shelley, whose poem Ode to the West Wind inspired the original name of this practice). I have an on-again off-again romance with UC Berkeley, where I study literature and history, and if it's nice outside, it's as likely as not that I am off somewhere feeding ducks.

We think you'll like our work and the effect it can have on your happiness, health and well-being. We look forward to working with you.

To make an appointment or ask questions, please use our online booking scheduler or write to kirstenqb@gmail.com.

tel: 415.573.9077

email: kirstenqb@gmail.com