Our entire team of friendly, professional bodywork professionals are some of the best in Springfield. All therapists and estheticians are state-licensed and insured. All of our massage therapists are nationally certified through the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
Christy M. Claybaker, LMT, NCTMB (MO License #2003005009)
Christy is the co-owner of Life Essentials and a graduate of the School of Massage Arts. As a business owner, massage therapist, wife, and mother, Christy has a full and exciting life. Her passion for massage therapy was born from a strong desire to assist family members suffering with chronic pain. Christy especially loves helping her clients to de-stress from their busy and hectic lives. Certified in Sports Massage, she also loves the challenge of working with athletes and weekend warriors. She is a member in good standing of American Massage Council.
Michelle Porter, MA
Michelle is co-owner of Life Essentials and a graduate from the School of Enlightenment and Healing. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Through her studies and experience working with emotionally disturbed children and their families, she felt something was lacking therapeutically. Traditional psychotherapy does not generally address the soul of the individual which she feels is so important. By combining traditional psychotherapeutic training with energy healing, Michelle offers a truly whole-person approach to wellness.
Gloria K. Weaver, LMT, NCTMB (MO License #2003005012)
Gloria is a graduate of the School of Massage Arts. She has been referred to by her clients as “The Massage Whisperer”. She has a seamless and soothing touch as well as the ability to work deeply in areas of distress. She enjoys being a mother to her teenage son as well as spending time at her cabin on the river. She is certified in Cranial Sacral Therapy, Reflexology, and has studied head and neck Precision Neuromuscular Therapy and incorporates it into her massage routine. She is a member in good standing of the American Massage Council.
Serenia McMellen, LE (MO License #2004005925)
Serenia is a graduate of the Missouri College of Esthetics. She believes in approaching skincare from a natural perspective using herbs and organic ingredients. She is excited to be adding more natural skin therapies to her menu of services. Serenia is known to be a perfectionist and has a nurturing and gentle touch.
Kate Dodson, LMT, NCTMB (MO License #2004033393)
Kate is a graduate of Professional Massage Training Center. She is a ‘natural’ due to her intuitive ability to read the landscape of the body focusing in on areas in need. She is currently following her passion to become a Doula and is certified in prenatal massage therapy. Kate is a member in good standing of AMTA.
Rita Silic, Reflexologist
Rita received her Reflexology certification from BMSI in Kansas City, MO. She is also certified in SOOJI CHIM Hand Therapy. She combines these therapies to create a comprehensive healing treatment. Rita’s passion for healing and reflexology extends to our four-legged friends as well. She enjoys working part-time at a nearby Veterinarian clinic.
Keisha Morin, LMT, NCTMB (MO License #2000175771)
Keisha is a graduate from Professional Massage Training Center. She believes in helping her clients take control of their own wellness. She has a natural ability to find problem areas in the body and works effectively in restoring balance to them. She has combined her love of playing golf with a specialty in sports massage. Keisha is also certified in Massage for the Mother-to-Be and has recently completed her certification in Stone Massage. She is excited to now offer this service using the heat of the stones to better affect therapeutic change in the body. She is a member in good standing of AMTA.
Lydia Baumgardner, LMT, NCTMB (MO License #2004025817)
Lydia has been practicing for nearly nine years and is certified in CranioSacral Therapy. She also focuses on therapeutic, deep-tissue massage. Lydia also works part-time performing medical massage at Cox South Hospital. She is a member in good standing of ABMP.
Tiphany Meyers, LMT, NCTMB (MO License #200502767)
Tiphany is a graduate from Professional Massage Training Center. Her focus is primarily on deep-tissue, therapeutic massage and in sports massage. She spent New Years Eve 2006/2007 with the Missouri Sports Massage team and is excited to continue to build her sports clientele.
Karen Dorris
Karen is a giftet intuitive energy healer. She works with the chakras and energy systems in the body while using the skills she has gained through counseling others in a substance abuse setting, to assist in the healing and balancing of the body, mind,and spirit.
Debbie Smith, LMT, NCTMB (MO License #2006009955)
Debbie has been doing massage practically her whole life. She grew up on a farm and was always working on her mother and the animals on the farm. In fact, at age 12 she saved a horse from being put down, which is what led her to the field of therapeutic massage. Debbie is a 2006 graduate of the Professional Massage Training Center in Springfield, Missouri. Her formal training is in Swedish Relaxation Massage and her true passion is helping people who are in pain due to stress or injuries. She has some training in deep tissue and prenatal massage, and reflexology which she utilizes in her practice. She is highly regarded by her clients, many of whom have had massages from professionals all over the world.
Erin Heschong, LE (MO License #2006014311)
Erin brings dedication and enthusiasm for the Life Essentials spa environment that emphasizes customer service, santiation, mentoring of co-workers, and continuing education. She has attended every possible conference since she began her career as an esthetician. Certified in Microdermabrasion, Rhonda Allison Chemical Peels, Brazilian Waxing, and a Professional Nail Technician, Erin has the background and well-rounded education to bring amazement to any customer of her 'speed waxing' services. Her enchanting facials will restore the 'chi' energy in any person needing a lift in spirit.
Since early childhood, Erin has been enveloped in the salon and spa environment following the steps of her well-known mother, who is a cosmetologist and esthetician in Taipei, Taiwan. Her mother has helped build a rock solid foundation of knowledge, healing and artistic skills since she was 14 years old, in which Erin has fuzed with the modern technology in the United States. Erin has truly been blessed with the gift of creativity, spirituality, and above all - healing, which has brought her the success and well-known reputation she continues to grow today.
