Our back story:
ROOTS Massage was founded in December of 2016. It started as my (Julieta Benavides’s) little solo massage practice, where I offered relaxation massage, prenatal, and orthopedic massage for pathologies and manual lymphatic drainage. Demand for lymphatic drainage increased exponentially every year, and in 2023, I decided to add more therapists to better serve those who needed a seasoned therapist for their lymphatic needs.
Meet your massage therapists:
Julieta Benavides, LMT, CMLDT
As your massage therapist, I invest in your well-being by providing a nurturing and knowledgeable foundation for your best self.
Whether you need my support for lymphatic health, pregnancy or desk-job-tension, my first goal is to address the nervous system and to ensure that you feel safe and relaxed while in my care. All details are considered to ensure that you are comfortable; I understand the vulnerability involved in presenting yourself for massage and the importance of imparting healing with full presence and attention. I combine warmth and intuition with technical skill in order to build trust as the massage unfolds. Once this is established, together we will make magic!
My practice has evolved into a good mix of lymphatic drainage, orthopedic work, relaxation and perinatal massage (which encompasses prenatal, labor and postpartum) – and I truly love to mix it up! Since lymphatic drainage is such an important part of my work, it has its own page HERE.
My work surrounding the childbearing year has a special place in my heart, because it is the time during your life in which you will require the most support (both informative and nurturing) and so often will not get it. This work allows me to be a part of your “village”! I have resources to share along your journey – I can suggest a trusted chiropractor or be the one to remind you about your pelvic floor physical therapy after the baby comes. In addition to the massage piece, I was a doula for a few years, so I integrate techniques to get mom and baby ready for labor.
For therapeutic massage, my style is a blend of myofascial and active techniques knitted together with slow, broad strokes. I draw from a variety of modalities (Swedish, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, active release, pin & stretch, passive stretching, manual lymphatic drainage, positional release, cupping, hot stone therapy, aromatherapy, Zero Balancing, craniosacral, shiatsu) in order to curate the most therapeutic session for each client. Often clients find they like a combination of all of the above. If you want to read what my actual clients have to say, check out my reviews HERE.
BACKGROUND
Prior to graduating from A New Beginning School of Massage, I managed restaurants for twenty years. After having been in the hospitality industry for much of my life, I have a deep understanding of the importance of compassionately listening to a client, making them feel safe and comfortable, and anticipating their needs. Taking care of others is something I have always done naturally and I genuinely love doing it. Prior to receiving schooling in massage therapy, I taught myself basic techniques using DVDs and would practice on others just for fun and to relax. After doing this for ten years, I loved it so much that I had to do it full-time. I have also been a boot camp instructor and a running coach. My background in athletics and running gives me an understanding of the basics of human movement and how pathologies can develop, but also the empathy to understand being injured and unable to find solace in the exercise one loves. In 2019, I opened a wellness center with my partner at the time, complete with a full body red light bed (photobiomodulation), infrared sauna, oxygen therapy, e-stim, and PEMF therapies. While we did not survive the pandemic, this experience helped me to understand so much about the biophysics of the body and has greatly informed my lymphatic practice.
I believe that regular massage should be a part of everyone’s maintenance regimen. Our current medical system often addresses illness when it is already a problem in the body and daily life is affected. However, massage can be a powerful preventive tool, especially given that stress is a precursor to and a causative factor in many chronic illnesses. Regular massage calms the nervous system, promotes body awareness, gets the lymph flowing, and decreases anxiety, allowing the integrated body systems to better function as a whole. It also provides you (and me, haha) with some much-needed human connection and one more person checking in on you in your circle of care! Massage (including lymphatic drainage) is also beneficial for calming autoimmune disorders, addressing repetitive use injuries and postural distortions as well as alleviating pain due to soft tissue injury.
EDUCATION
A New Beginning School of Massage – Massage Therapy, 500 hours
Lauterstein-Conway School of Massage – Advanced Program for Clinical Massage and Bodywork, 250 hours
STRUCTURAL
Relieving Chronic Head and Postural Distortion, 6 hours
Releasing the Rotator Cuff: A Massage Perspective, 6 hours
Clinical Massage for Piriformis Syndrome and SI Joint Dysfunction, 6 hours
Advanced Muscular Therapy with Ben Benjamin: Neck and Back, 7 hours
MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
Introduction to Manual Lymphatic Drainage, 6 hours
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Certification Course (Klose Training, Vodder Method), 45 hours
Introduction to Cupping as a Lymphatic Drainage and Deep Tissue Tool, 6 hours
Plastic Surgery Recovery and Fibrosis Massage, 3 hours
Massage After Tummy Tuck, 1 hour
Myofascial Massage after Liposuction, 1 hour
Lymphatic and Fibrosis Massage Cupping after Liposuction, 2 hours
PRENATAL
Pre- and Peri-Natal Massage Therapy, Carole Osborne, 32 hours
Childbirth Education and Doula Training Workshop (DONA), 23 hours
Rebozo for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond, 7 hours
Breech Basics Online (Spinning Babies), 3 hours
CRANIOSACRAL
Upledger Craniosacral Therapy I & II
OTHER
Reiki Levels I, II and III
Pranic Healing, Level I
Krisheena Rippy, LMT, CMLDT, CLT
My journey into the world of massage therapy began with my own need for recovery after undergoing surgery. What initially seemed like a path to healing gradually revealed itself as a profound exploration into the art and science of massage. I immersed myself in various modalities during my schooling and gained expertise in different techniques. Each modality opened new doors of understanding, revealing the intricate connections between body, mind, and spirit that massage therapy addresses.
Recognizing the growing need and profound impact of Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapy, I pursued certification in this field. I have taken extensive continuing education in post surgical lymphatic drainage and I am a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. Manual lymphatic drainage therapy resonates deeply with me due to its gentle yet practical approach to promoting lymphatic circulation, reducing swelling, and supporting immune function. I saw firsthand its transformative effects on myself and with clients recovering from surgeries, managing chronic conditions, and seeking overall wellness.
Additionally, I pursued a specialization in perinatal and pregnancy massage. This specialization allows me to support mothers-to-be during one of the most transformative periods of their lives, providing comfort and relief through the power of touch.
Now I am dedicated to providing holistic care that enhances well-being and promotes healing. Combining my journey from recovery to professional expertise has shaped my therapeutic touch and reaffirmed my belief in the healing power of compassionate care. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
PRODUCTS I USE
I support small, women-owned businesses that share my ethical principles. All of the companies I buy from exhibit a commitment to high quality, ethically sourced, and third-party tested ingredients, giving back to the community, no testing on animals, and concern for the impact on the environment. None of them are distributed through Amazon.
LUBRICANTS
The choice varies depending on the goals of the massage:
Pure Pro Ultra Massage Oil: Unscented, nut free, gluten free, cruelty free, vegan. Completely natural – absolutely no chemical dispersants or preservatives. Made in the US by a team of women massage therapists.
Deep Tissue Massage Cream: Unscented, nut free, gluten free, cruelty free, vegan. Free of parabens, formaldehyde & phenoxyethanol. Made in the US by a team of women massage therapists.
MotherHylde: Brigid’s Body Oil: Small batch, hand-crafted plant medicines made by an herbalist and massage therapist in Pennsylvania using plants she’s grown and wildcrafted herself or has sourced locally. This is the “kava oil blend” everyone loves – I dilute it in a 1 to 4 ratio for massage use. I personally also use her Bliss Elixir and Beyond the Veil Elixir.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Barring allergies, clients normally like incorporating one or two essential oils into the session. Topically, I use only the highest quality oils from Aromatics International, as they are responsibly sourced, third-party tested and each one comes with a GC/MS document detailing the chemical make-up of the batch. Essential oils are a wonderful way to support the goals of the massage: I have oils that help lymphatic drainage, oils that combat colds and flu, some that calm muscle spasms, relieve sinus congestion, relieve anxiety and promote better sleep. Oils can be uplifting, promote mental clarity, balance female hormones and even calm obsessive thinking or foster a stronger sense of self. Using the oils in small dilutions on the feet and back can promote calming of the mental state as well as soothing the physical body.
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