Theresa Branham
Proprietor, Retreat Leader, Spa Consultant, CranioSacral and Ayurveda
Theresa believes that serenity within a centered mind and body is foundation for tranquility and veritable sustainability throughout our planet. As a LMT, yogi, spa business consultant, corporate spa retreat leader and experienced spa owner, she feels a strong calling to assemble a team of like minded wellness experts to better assist the communities desire for healthy, disease-free lifestyles.
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​Effused with a passionate free spirit and a ravenous curiosity, throughout her life she has traveled to ancient and exotic regions across the globe to study indigenous healing modalities for the past 25 years, to bring them back to her practice in the North Carolina mountains. From a month long intensive in Thailand studying with the school who trains therapists to work with their countries royalty, to working along side 5th generation Ayurvedic Doctors to obtain ancient Ayurveda secrets in Southern India, she is dedicated to integrating these lessons from all journeys into her therapeutic bodywork sessions, wellness articles, and healing escapades all designed to evoke personal transformation for the client.
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Karley Giacalone
Certified Somatic Therapist & Integrative Bodywork Specialist
A Northern California native, Karley relocated to the serenity of the Blue Ridge Mountains in 2019, bringing a vibrant, multifaceted approach to the Mantra team. Karley’s journey into structural wellness began in Western medicine, where she studied Geriatrics in nursing school and practiced as a CNA. Driven by a desire to treat the root causes of physical tension, she pivoted to holistic therapy, blending her deep medical foundation with her passions for Yoga, dance, athletics, and traditional herbalism. Karley believes the body inherently knows how to heal when anchored by a deep mind-body connection. Specializing in advanced Thai Massage, active resistive stretching, and restorative movement, her sessions are a masterclass in physical liberation. Outside the sanctuary of the spa, Karley can be found cultivating her garden, exploring the trails of the historic Biltmore Estate with her family, or recharging in nature with her dogs.
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Leila Von Stein
CranioSacral, Ayurveda, Massage Therapy
Leila grew up roaming the mountains of Western North Carolina. She studied International Affairs in Washington D.C. with the intention of diving into the political realm, but ended up diving into the ocean instead. An avid scuba diver, she spent seven summers sailing and teaching diving worldwide. For the next ten years, the wanderlust took her all over the world, from Russia to Tasmania, with many places in between, and eventually set her on a path of holistic medicine. She studied Ayurveda in both India and New Mexico under Dr. Lad. Currently Leila is living in Highlands NC and working at Mantra. She owns Blue Desert Hale, a wellness center in the east mountains of New Mexico. One of the best Craniosacral sessions you will ever encounter!
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Rebekah Hord
Massage Therapist
Bio Coming
Tim O'Brien
Customized Massage Experience
TIMS IS CURRENTLY ONLY ASSISTING MANTRA IN RETREATS AND NOT AT THE SPA LOCATION.
Tim is an avid outdoor enthusiast who appreciates living a healthy lifestyle. With over 10 years of massage experience his unique style of massage is a combination of Swedish, deep tissue, Thai, reflexology, hot stone and aromatherapy. Tim served over 20 yrs in Law Enforcement, 8 yrs as a Military officer and received a BA from Western Carolina University. His love for massage and helping others is evident in his rejuvenating energy and overall positive outlook on life. When not using these talents to make people feel amazing, he is mountain biking, kayaking or hiking in the forest.
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