Birgit Campana, Owner - Dansk Day Spa, Massage Therapist

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Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, her Mother and younger Brother moved to the United States when she was about 9 years old.  She grew up moving back and forth between the US and Europe. Birgit joined and later retired from the US Army in 1998. She worked for corporate America for 18 months when she realized she wanted to do more on her own. She became a nationally licensed massage therapist in 1999 and opened her own business in 2000. In 2002, Birgit expanded to Occoquan and worked in her massage studio until 2004 when she opened Dansk Day Spa at its current location. She has since expanded two additional times within that same building. Birgit has studied many techniques through her hundreds of continuing education hours, such as Thai on the Table, Neuromuscular, Muscle Release Technique, Lymph Drainage, and more. Her philosophy is to understand the needs of clients and to ensure those needs are met to the best of her ability. She hires those who subscribe to this same belief and each of her therapists and technicians are dedicated to their craft. Birgit spends every opportunity with her husband, her three children and granddaughter.

Angie Bousanet, Bodywork Specialist

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Angie was born at Camp Lester Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan.  She is of Japanese and Columbian descent.  Her Father was a Marine and she lived in many places throughout the US and Japan until she settled in Virginia when she was 21.  In 2005, Angie decided she would pursue a different career and set upon the benefits of helping people through massage therapy.  She began her schooling that same year with the Heritage Institute of Massage and graduated in 2007.  Soon after her graduation, she came to work at Dansk and has been there ever since.  Her specialties are deep tissue and therapeutic massages.  She is also trained in Swedish, Scandinavian Facial Massage, Scandinavian Scalp Massage, ear candling, and body wraps.  Angie still practices speaking her native Japanese, loves spending time with her three beautiful children, and enjoys outdoor activities.

Naphawan O'Shea, Bodywork Specialist, Thai Massage Specialist

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Originally from Thailand with over 20 years experience in both Eastern and Western healing methods, Naphawan received licensing as a Licensed Registered Nurse, Midwife, Thai Traditional Medicine Practitioner, Massage Therapist, Thai Pharmacist, and Certified Entrepreneur in Therapeutic Massage and Spa management. In the U.S. she is a Licensed Registered Nurse. She graduated her first Royal Thai Massage program at Wat Pho, the ancient Traditional Thai Medicine University and the most famous massage school in Thailand. She then spent 3 years studying in depth Thai Traditional medicine, Thai herbs and Therapeutic Thai Massage, and Thai Medical Spa and Spa for Health at the Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine (ITTM), the Ministry Public Health of Thailand.  She worked as a Holistic Health Care Provider; integrated Western and Eastern medicine in hospitals and health care facilities including teaching and training. She also had her own practice; Thai herb store; and organic herb farm. Naphawan came to the U.S. bringing with her Asian Bodywork techniques, such as Thai Massage (Folk & Royal), Acupressure, Thai Herbal compress, Reflexology, and Trigger point. She is also certified in different types of western massages and modalities such as Swedish, deep tissue, pre-natal, hot stone, East-West, and aroma massage. Naphawan combines her expertise, different fields of knowledge and years of experience to offer a deeply therapeutic session for her clients.

Carissa Ruf, Massage Therapist

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Carissa was born in upstate New York and comes from British and German heritage. She received her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Visual and Performing Arts Theatre - with a minor in Health Education from Longwood University. She has an extensive dance history; engaging in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and modern. As a dancer and a Thespian, it was important for her to stay in top physical condition, and through this she discovered a passion for promoting fitness and health. This led to her calling in yoga and massage therapy. Carissa received her 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher certification through YogaFit and graduated from the National Massage Institute in Falls Church as a massage therapist with 630 hours; receiving her National Certification in 2011. Her specialties include Swedish, Therapeutic, Deep Tissue, and stretching techniques. Her enthusiasm for learning and education is something she loves sharing. She also enjoys horseback riding, traveling, and continues to dance.

 

Lisa was born in the New England area and raised in Northern Virginia. She attended Northern Virginia Community College with a major in Horticulture and minor in Biology, as she has worked in the floral industry for a number of years and has a great fondness for natural living. She decided to take her love of natural health a step further by attending the National Massage Therapy Institute, receiving her National Certification in early 2011 with specialization in Swedish, therapeutic, chair massage, ROM and stretching. She is First Aid and CPR Certified by The American Heart Association and also trained in Scandinavian Facial Massage, Scandinavian Scalp Massage and hopes to one day practice Traditional Thai Massage as she is currently studying with the Thai Institute of Healing Arts in Arlington, VA. Her favorite past times include reading, yoga, camping, floral & garden designs, cooking, and being with the love of her life.

 

Lisa Van Lith, Massage Therapist

Michael Sharp is both a certified Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist with three and a half years of experience.  He specializes in deep tissue, assisted stretching, and functional rehabilitation.

Michael Sharp, Contracted Massage Therapist

Monique was born in New York and raised mostly in Virginia. She graduated from the Potomac Massage Institute in 2008 and has been focused on her craft ever since. Her specialties include CranioSacral therapy where she studied at the Upledger Insititute, Reiki I with Angels, Reiki I & II in Usui, Swedish massage, deep tissue, hot stone massage, myofascial release, chair massage, ROM, and body stretching. Monique is a very dedicated massage therapist and is devoted to her calling as a healer. Her awareness of continued progressive movement, knowledge, and education in the therapeutic field motivate her to strive for success and provide excellent client care. Some of her interests include astrology, traveling, reading and photograpy. 

Monique Pires, Contracted Massage Therapist

Oriana was born in Australia, but raised in the United States.  Her Father is Air Force retired and travelled to many destination with family in tow.  She is the 3rd oldest of 6 children and became interesed in massage at an early age when she would give her Mom foot and back rubs after a long day. She is currently enrolled as a student massage therapist in the Massage Program at the Northern Virginia Community College; expecting to complete the program Summer 2011. Oriana used to work the front desk at Dansk Day Spa, but has now joined "the other side" as a massage intern under the tutelage of Birgit.  She enjoys playing sports and is a New York Yankees fan! GO YANKEES! Her goal for massage is to make the client as comfortable and relaxed as possible while helping them de-stress from the crazy world! :)

Oriana Galasso, Bodywork Specialist (Intern) & Front Desk

Lori was drawn to the holistic health modalities in her early twenties. She received her Massage certification in 1997 from Applied Kinesiology Studies in Herndon, VA. Since 1997, she has been a member of the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and a certified massage therapist in Virginia. She has taken hundreds of hours in continuing education courses through the years and specializes in Swedish, therapeutic, and deep tissue modalities. She found her true calling in esthetics, and in 2001 obtained her esthetician's license in Washington, DC after graduating from The Skin Care Center in Alexandria. In 2009, Lori interned in medical esthetics providing her with advanced skin care education culminating in her receiving her Master Esthetician license in 2010. She has acquired over 300 hours of continuing education in skincare and product knowledge while also furthering her education in medical esthetics and laser training. She specializes in customizing facials to meet specific client needs. Her hobbies include traveling, photography, and reading books.

Lori Pedemonti, Master Esthetician, Massage Therapist

Candi is a native of Virginia; she started her career as a Nail Technician receiving her license from Amour Nails in 2001 graduating at the top of her class.  She enjoyed what she was doing so much, and wanted to excel within the beauty industry, that she went back to school in 2007 attending the Yvonna de Vilar Scientific Skin Care School and completed her training as an esthetician in 2008.  She joined Dansk Day Spa that same year and has since received certification from the Esthetic Institute for permanent makeup where her specialty along with lips, eyebrows, eyeliner, etc, is also makeup for breast reconstruction.  In 2009, Candi expanded her knowledge further and received training in Reflexology.  Her focus at the spa is esthetics, permanent makeup, and reflexology.  Candi is devoted to her craft and continues to learn all she can about the beauty industry.  She loves to bake and spend time with her husband and four children.

Candi McGowan, Esthetician, Nail Technician

Sara has spent most of her life here in the Northern Virginia area, but she and her family are originally from New Jersey. She has always had a great interest in becoming a make-up artist. She dabbled in make-up application at weddings and special events when she realized that she could make a profession out of it.  In 2007, Sara studied at Yvonne De Vilar Scientific Skin Care School receiving her Esthetics degree. During this time she had the wonderful opportunity of receiving her make-up artist certification under the instruction and tutelage of Shima Kelly; an award winning make-up artist for MAC Cosmetics. She began working as an independent make-up artist and esthetician in 2008. In August 2010, Sara joined the Dansk Day Spa team. At Dansk, Sara fully enjoys providing all the treatments she has learned to our clientele with excellent skill. She cares deeply about providing tips, instructions, and advice on how to maintain healthy and beautiful skin. Her superior education in make-up application makes her a perfect choice for events and special occasions.   

Sara Mazzei, Esthetician, Makeup Artist

Originally from El Paso, Texas, Donna received her license as a Nail Technician in 2004 from the Executive Beauty Academy, Inc., in Virginia.  She has been with Dansk Day Spa since it opened its doors in 2004 with 2 employees, the owner, and four rooms.  Donna received training in body treatments through Sybaritic International in New York City in 2005.  In 2006 she received further training at the Yonka Paris Institute in New Jersey.   Donna also specializes in body scrubs and both hands-on and spray tanning.  She knows the latest trends and keeps our clientele up-to-date with her expertise in nails.  She loves working at the spa and working with her clients.

Donna Petersen, Nail Technician, Body Treatment Certified