Our Mission

Maureen has been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1981 and is also a Continuing Education provider for Florida Massage Therapists. She founded Northcoast Yoga Center in 1986. In 2010 Maureen relocated to Ocala, FL and in December 2012, opened Hands of Grace Massage & Wellness Center in Ocala.

Maureen is passionate about movement and Yoga in particular. She teaches Iyengar-style yoga and has been studying yoga in the Iyengar tradition since 1980. Her knowledge of the neuromuscular system has been enhanced by 39 years of bodywork as a Licensed Massage Therapist. She offers Yoga Therapy as a component of her Massage Therapy practice. She is Registered with Yoga Alliance and is a Continuing Education provider for yoga teachers as well.

Maureen's enthusiasm for providing clients and students realistic tools for reaching optimal health goals is evident in the therapy she offers in the massage room and on the yoga mat.

Karen joined Hands of Grace in July 2016. She received her training at the internationally known Florida School of Massage in Gainesville, FL in 2013.

Karen is dedicated to the massage therapy profession and enjoys educating herself with new massage therapy modalities. Her massage technique is uniquely focused and effective. She uses a combination of Deep Tissue, NMT and Trigger Point Therapies.

Karen's specialty is in prenatal and postnatal massage. She has a 64 hour Advanced Prenatal Bodywork Certification. She safely offers deep tissue massage while still recognizing risk factors that may contraindicate certain massage modalities.

Karen enjoys educating her pregnant clients by offering instruction on stretching and muscle resistant exercises to help relieve stressed muscles and to help prevent painful ligament strain.

Kassie was born and raised near Chicago, IL before attending school in Jacksonville, FL where she recieved her Associates degree in Occupational Science, specializing in Massage Therapy. She has always found herself in her element, when helping people create positive change in their lives. She has always been a believer in natural and alternative healing. Her purpose and passion are brought together in therapeutic massage. Self care is one of the ingredients for creating a better world, because when we take care of ourselves, we take care of each other. Kassie practices deep tissue massage for promoting change and healing in muscular tissue, relaxation massage for helping promote mindful meditation and stress relief. She also enjoys incorporating other modalities from sports massage, and trigger point therapy, to hot stone, and aromatherapy. She enjoys customizing massage for each individual. Kassie is a Wellness Advocate for essential oils and health products with the company Doterra. Follow “Kasandra Herff Licensed Massage Therapist” on Facebook for her monthly specials!

Summer is continuing her education to become a Physical Therapy Assistant. She grew up on the back of a horse, she was on a horse before she could even walk. For about 6 years she trained horses in a variety of disciplines such as Polo, Barrel Racing and she also worked with Carriage horses. Her favorite was starting horses under saddle. She discovered Massage Therapy from an Equine Massage Therapist who worked on her barrel horses when she high school rodeoed. She loved the aspect of "natural healing" and believes in it 100%. Summer went to massage school as a stepping stone into another career and that is what brought her to Physical Therapy. She also enjoys working at a Physical Therapy rehab as a Massage Therapist. Since she can relate to equestrians, she hopes to offer an "Equestrian Massage" specifically designed for horse back riders which will combine deep tissue massage & advanced stretching the equestrian can use to advance their riding skills.

After over 15 years in physical therapy, Catherine decided to expand her knowledge and passion for helping people to be pain-free and healthy. She became a licensed massage therapist after graduating from the prestigious Florida School of Massage in Gainesville, FL.

She also holds a special certification in Advanced Sports Massage.

Catherine loves working with athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Sport-specific and deep tissue therapy are her favorite. She is also trained and experienced with Swedish, trigger point release, myofascial release, hydro therapy, cupping, and prenatal massage therapy.

Rebecca is a licensed massage therapist and certified reflexologist who has found her passion. Her goal for each session is to help you to deeply relax, creating an environment where the body may balance and begin to heal. She specializes in the art of reflexology and bringing focus to areas of the body that need attention. Rebecca graduated from the Florida School of Massage in the spring of 2014, and from the Academy of Ancient Reflexology in the spring of 2017. She has always had a desire to help, both human and animal. She and her boyfriend currently have three dogs and twenty-two chickens; roosters and hens of all colors and sizes. Her love for the great outdoors has deepened over the years, so when she is not practicing therapy, you will most likely find her out in nature.

Shaylynn is a Central Florida native, and a graduate of Gainesville’s Florida School of Massage. She specializes in deeper, therapeutic work and intuitively uses a combination of other massage modalities to suit the client's needs. Shaylynn uses her previous work experience in the medical field as a surgical tech to provide her clients with specific, thorough work.

Shaylynn spends her time outside of the office practicing yoga, relaxing at the local springs, and spending quality time with her pup, Madi.

Lillie graduated from Florida School of Massage in 2004 before completing a 200 hour Sports Massage Certification in 2005. Her work incorporates a variety of modalities tailored to the individuals needs. She is experienced in working with many common injuries and pain patterns, and enjoys teaching clients easy ways they can address their specific trouble areas between appointments.

Mary Stevens owned a women's clothing boutique in downtown Ocala, Marketplace on Broadway, for 23 years. A car accident in 2009 forced her to change her workout routine from power yoga and weight training to something gentler. She began studying and practicing Iyengar style yoga with Maureen Whitaker in 2011 and found physical healing through this style of yoga.

Mary received a Yoga Teacher Certification in Vinyasa and Hatha Style yoga in 2017 and continues her study and practice of yoga. Recently she became certified in Holy Yoga, Senior and Chair Yoga.
Mary has personally experienced the physical healing that can result from practicing yoga and is enthusiastic about helping others discover the same benefits.

Eden Nevárez, MA IBCLC is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in private practice, and the owner of Bonding with Baby Lactation, LLC.

Eden provides lactation care to families struggling with breastfeeding offering in-home and office consultations.

Her experience includes working in a NICU and PICU environment with preterm, fragile, and sick babies at Miami Children's Hospital; along with working in a private practice lactation consulting environment. Eden provides care and support for issues such as low milk supply, difficulty with latch/positioning, infant tongue/lip tie, breastfeeding the preterm infant or infant with congenital anomalies. She also provides consultations for parents returning to work, pumping guidance, and breastfeeding care and support for parents of twins.

TO SCHEDULE WITH EDEN, CONTACT HER DIRECTLY @ (352) 615-9307.