Meet Our Spa & Healing Center Team

Experienced, Caring Practitioners Here in Kona

Christine A. Bevis, Lic. Massage Therapist, NCBTMB, MS Health & Education

Christine is originally from Switzerland and worked with people for as long as she can remember. She holds a Masters Degree in Health Education from the prestigious University of Zurich.

She worked at the Olympic Sports Therapy Rehabilitation in Zurich as a sports therapist, teaching NIA, Stretching  and Aqua Aerobic classes ~ and owned a dance studio for many years.

When she moved to Hawai’i, she received extensive training in Hawaiian Lomilomi and Pohaku Wela. She is trained in Medical & Sports Massage, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue Therapies, Prenatal Massage, Reiki, Spa treatments, and many other modalities. She is also teaching Reflexology.

Her passion is to support people on their journey to balance and wholeness and nurture the healing process through loving touch, massage and energy work.

With island spirit spa having grown so much over the last 13 years she is now more focused on the administrative side of the business ~ you often will her her voice when you are calling the spa!

She feels honored to live on this amazing island and realize her dream to be part of this beautiful sanctuary spirit.

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Ken Bevis, Lic. Massage Therapist, Hypnotherapist

Ken is a licensed massage therapist trained in Medical Massage, Swedish, Lomilomi, Sports Massage, Reflexology, and Myofascial Release Techniques.

He also offers Energy Work, Hypnotherapy, and personal Meditation. He also specializes in Core Distortion Release — call for details.

Ken graduated from The Hawaiian Islands School of Massage (HISM) where he received a solid background in medical massage therapy. His focus is tailoring your healing session to meet your needs

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Jessie Brader, Lic. Massage Therapist,
Licensed Acupuncturist

Jessie is a licensed massage therapist and acupuncturist. She graduated from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

For Massage Therapy, she attended the East West School of Massage and The Maui School of Therapeutic Massage.

Jessie’s practice has taken her from Hawai’i to the Ten Thousand Waves Spa in New Mexico and back to Hawai’i again. She feels that her skills fit in at Island Spirit.

Jessie uses acupuncture to relieve pain, treat & prevent disease and promote general good health. She also does a special laser treatment using acupuncture points for vog and other allergies. In her free time, she enjoys ocean sports, snorkeling and scuba diving.

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Susie Fryar, Licensed Esthetician

Susie came to Hawaii from Las Vegas, Nevada where she was the head esthetician at the top organic day spa for twelve years.

She then went on to start her own skincare and facial business where she created each product used from fresh herbs, fruits, and essential oils.

Susie received extensive training from all the top organic/holistic skincare lines on the market. She is able to pinpoint why a client is having skin issues using her training in Chinese facial diagnosis and her in depth consultations.

Known as a perfectionist with an artistic touch when it comes to brow shaping/waxing.

She is trained in Reiki and Chakra Crystal Balancing that she likes to incorporate into her facials. Susie’s passion for organic and holistic skincare and her soothing touch is what clients remember most.

A Raw Vegan Chef and yogini in her spare time, Susie believes Island Spirit Spa to be the most beautiful and serene spa she has worked for.

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Leslie Reilly, Licensed Massage Therapist

…..for the summer Leslie is spending time with her family on the mainland…We hope she will be back for another winter in Hawaii!

With 30 years of practicing and teaching as a massage therapy professional, Leslie has a passion for empowering clients and students to empower them personally and professionally.

It is her belief that we all have the capacity for self-healing by restoring balance and enhanced well-being to our bodies and minds.

She is trained in many modalities including Medical & Sports Massage, Myofascial Release, Lomi Lomi, Energy Work, Reiki, Reflexology, Cranial Sacral, & Pohaku Wela (hot stone).

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Kathryn Miller, Licensed Massage Therapist

Kathryn was a member of Island Spirit’s first massage class and graduated from the Maui School of Therapeutic Massage.

She has a BS degree in nursing from the University of Evansville in Indiana, is also a Reiki Master and practices and teaches Raja Yoga meditation.

She enjoys working at Island Spirit Spa because it’s so amazing and beautiful to see how much of a difference massage can make in one’s life.

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Shannon Velazquez, Licensed Massage Therapist, NCBTMB, BA

Shannon was first licensed as a Massage Therapist in Louisiana in 2002, NCBTMB since 2003. Graduated from University of North Texas with a BA in Sociology and minor in Psychology in 2007.

CPR- Emergency Responder Instructor since 2008, PADI scuba Instructor since 2008 helping guide people into the amazing underwater world.

Shannon deeply believes we can find peace and heal ourselves by looking inward with positive humble direction.

Therapeutic practices like massage are amazing tools to help find our own space for tranquility and healing. Relax and feel life’s flow, “be like water” (Bruce Lee).

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April Vinnedge, Licensed Massage Therapist

With a lifelong passion for health and fitness April is elated to have found the study and practice of massage therapy.

Her intention is to assist in the process of finding your body’s homeostasis, meaning the balance that can help live an stress-free, fulfilling life.

At times, it’s easy to miss out on the truth within. However, connecting with the inner rhythm of your body can be the opening to harmony and wellness.

April uses a wide variety of therapeutic massage techniques that create deep relaxation and also balance in the musculoskeletal system. This is one way to gracefully and naturally enhance your life and dramatically improve the quality of your daily routine.

She strongly believes every person is unique, therefore she listens carefully to craft individualized plans to maximize the therapeutic effects.

Her practice is focused and every movement is intentional to tune in with the rhythm of your body.  Our bodies have a story to tell, and if we’re willing to listen closely, we can unlock the key to feeling healthy, energized, and blissfully happy.

Her focus is on areas such as Lomi Lomi, Myofascial Release, Lymphatic Drainage, Cupping, Prenatal Tx, Sports Massage, and Reiki.

Her other passions include, adventures with her son, weightlifting, jumping rope, and enjoying the beauty of Hawaii.

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Lou Ann Roemer Gray, Licensed Massage Therapist

Lou Ann, lovingly given name Lehua by her kupuna, has been practicing massage for more than 40 years, trained in the art of Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage therapy. She completed training on the Big Island of Hawaii after studying extensively with the late ‘kupuna Aunty’ Margaret Machado, world renowned master of Lomi Lomi, her traditional family linage of Hawaiian massage.

Lehua spent many years teaching her skill at various retreat centers throughout Europe, Scandanavia, Ecuador, Mainland USA and Hawaii, in addition to Ashtanga yoga instruction and nutritional cooking courses. Her work has been highly sought after by many high profile clients, including celebrities, political figures and royalty.

Lehua is pleased to share her life enhancing skills with Island Sprit Spa since relocating back to Kealakekua, Big Island, Hawaii to be close to her extended family.

From Christine & Ken:

We do have several more massage therapists working at Island Spirit. Some of them do not want to be listed on our team page.

Our whole team counts 15 therapists and estheticians.

Our goal is to find the right therapist for you when we schedule your appointments.

With much Aloha. Christine & Ken Bevis