About

Brandy is the owner & founder of Cedar & Steam. Her love for the heat & natural health benefits began while living in Australia on the infamous Bondi beach. Her daily run along the beach would finish off with a good sweat sitting in a sauna oceanside! She returned to Canada to study Interior Design at Mount Royal University. Graduating in 2010 with a Bachelors in Applied Interior Design. She worked in Calgary focusing on residential design until the beginning of 2019. Over the years she looked for ways to relax & refuel for the week ahead. Starting yoga in 2015 she found the heat of a flow class really pushed her strength & helped with mental relaxation but didn't allow for any socialization. She craved interaction and community which is often not known about saunas but is one of their benefits. She quickly realized there were a lack of mental & physical relaxation options in Calgary that allowed socializing; had an affordable option & were accessible. She started building the concept for the boutique spa in fall of 2016 while still working as a full time interior designer. She officially incorporated and founded the spa fall of 2018. Construction began spring of 2019 & the spa opened late summer of 2019. Brandy offers a new spa experience unlike anything in Calgary to help you mentally and physically relax. She's excited to share it with you!

When he’s not out saving lives you might find him helping guests out at the Spa. Garett is a full time paramedic. As a first responder he knows that mental and physical health is important. He loves a good steam & massage! We offer a HERO discount. ID or Badge must be shown at the Spa to receive the discount [Paramedic, Fire & Police]. Hero’s get 10% off massages, drop-in sauna & steam as well as product at the Remedy bar! [excludes memberships & passes] We hope this helps you relax and refuel, so you can perform at your best!

Tiffany is a mom of 3! She has enjoyed raising her kids and finding a good work life balance. When asked about taking on bookkeeping she dove straight in. Taking on a challenge and learning new things comes natural to her. Tiffany obtained an apprenticeship with a registered accountant learning first hand the in's and out's of bookkeeping. Tiffany is an integral part of the team and has taken on the role of in house bookkeeping and accounting for the team. Working closely with our accountant she continues to gain knowledge and grow in the industry. Tiffany worked for years in the customer service industry. This taught her patience and the value of teamwork. When she's not working Tiffany loves getting out to the mountains. The fresh air and being in nature has a way of grounding, resetting and refocusing her for life's testing moments. She is excited to learn and grow in this role!

Sarah-Lana joins us with years of experience in HR. Previously working at Drilling Services Canada, Boart Longyear Canada as an HR manager. She studied at Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario gaining her Bachelors of Business Administration with Honours, majoring in Human Resources. She went on to get her Masters of Industrial Relations (MIR) at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. She is a strategic human resources leader at an executive level, infused with passion for leadership & coaching. Her corporate work life has always been balanced with her passion and involvement with fitness and wellness; both in the workplace and personal life. She loves sharing her knowledge, skills and abilities with others; inspiring and encouraging others to be authentic and athletic. Sarah-Lana has worked as a wellness coach, spin and yoga instructor (Hot Shop) alongside her HR career. This has allowed her to share her energy, enthusiasm & motivation through guidance and teaching. When she's not working she is enjoying time with her family as a mom of 3! She can't wait to inspire and encourage the team at Cedar & Steam with her wisdom and knowledge. She will be recruiting and hiring for the spa. As a new business we are building our corporate culture and refining our vision and purpose. We are thrilled to have her as we continue to grow & evolve.

Elissa joins us with extensive spa and management experience. Graduating in 2017 with an Administrative Professional certificate from Bow Valley College. She has a passion for adminative work and the wellness industry. Her management style is uniquely catered towards each individual. Diving into each team members skills, knowledge and diverse backgrounds to understand where their strengths and passions lie. She does this in order to nurture, develop and grow these skills. Understanding the teams strengths and weaknesses is important in order to guide, mentor and develop the team as the company grows. Elissa loves music. She has a passion for live, local shows at small intimate venues. She grew up teaching dance from an early age. Dealing with many injuries from dance she understands the importance of self care. She's excited to learn and grow with the team as we develop new procedures to elevate the team & guest experience.

Alex joins us with a background in visual merchandising and management in retail sales. He holds a certificate in Fashion Marketing from Blanche Macdonald Centre in Vancouver, BC. Spending time in retail he learned sales, customer service and how to manage a team. He implemented visual merchandising techniques to increase engagement and sales. He attended leadership and management courses to learn how to run a team. Alex values wellness and self care so it seemed only natural to jump into the spa industry. Alex started as a Jr. Relaxation Specialist and currently holds the position of Supervisor. He took the time to train up on the Mindbody (softwear), and continues to bring innovative ideas to the team. Alex is excited to contribute his skills and knowledge while evolving the relaxation experience as the company grows. Alex is a calm but assertive leader. Alex focuses on the individuality of each team member in order to maximize the team's skills and run the team efficiently. He can't wait to get to know you and guide you through our unique heat therapy experience!

Wendy Neufeld has worked in the spa industry for over 20+ years. Starting out as a trained esthetician gaining knowledge and experience in skincare and make-up artistry at Merle Norman. She grew into a management position while at Merle Norman. Training, teaching and inspiring new estheticians. This eventually developed into a buyer role where she took on buying and inventory management. Wendy then stepped away to follow her passion in teaching and inspiring others with a position as an instructor at Evelinecharles Academy in Calgary. She taught students both theory and practical application for a wide variety of esthetic services. In 2017 she stepped back into an educator role with Merle Norman Cosmetics & Day Spa hiring, training and onboarding staff as they opened new locations. Wendy has a passion for the spa and wellness industry. She brings years of knowledge and experience to the team. She's excited to get to know you and share all her tips & tricks on skincare or at home facials using our OM Organics skincare line. Don't be shy to ask her questions or introduce yourself. She is thrilled to be part of the Cedar & Steam community as we build and grow our team!

Devi joins us as a Jr. Relaxation Specialist wanting to learn and dive into the wellness industry. She is currently studying at Mount Royal University majoring in Health & Physical Education. Being in this field has made her recognize the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle with a focus on self-care and relaxation. This is vital to maintaining good health. She believes the body benefits from both physical activity and stillness (rest). You need both in order to live your best life! Devi was introduced to heat therapy through her education and knows the benefits it can have on the body, mind & soul. She is excited to work at the spa where guests are looking for ways to relax and rejuvenate amongst the hustle bustle of life. She wants to encourage others to reach out and partake in natural ways of healing the body and mind. She thought this would be the perfect fit as she embarks on a career in health! We are so excited for her to join the team and get to know all our guests as they build wellness into their lifestyle!

Emily is a thrill seeking sports enthusiast. She loves skiing and snowboarding. She moved up to Whistler Backcomb to live and ride. She loves being active and being outdoors. Previously working at Lola Lash Bar she brings Mindbody software experience to the team. Emily moved back to Calgary in 2019 and started working in retail. She has been looking for a job that aligns with her values in health and wellness. She is excited for the opportunity to grow with the business. While the spa is relatively new she is looking to grow with the team and be part of the culture as we build a community around relaxation. She brings experience in customer service and sales to the team. Emily enjoys reading and learning about self development and mindfulness. She has a positive outlook on life and stays grounded through meditation. She can't wait to guide you through Cedar & Steam's unique heat therapy experience!

Donna believes in a holistic approach to wellness. She studied Massage Therapy at MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy. She went on to expand her knowledge at the Upledger Institute in Cranial/ Sacral Therapy and at Barral Institute for Visceral Therapy. She enjoys using different modalities to calm and ease any tension in the body. She incorporates different tools to ease areas of tension and allow for a range of pressure. She enjoys incorporating hand, scalp & facial massage techniques for full body rejuvenation. Often accompanied with a pup she volunteers with Alberta & BC guide dogs as a trainer. Donna is often working on large scale paintings as a creative outlet. Her creativity, enthusiasm and excitement for helping others shows in her work. She can't wait to get to know you and help you along your wellness journey.

Savanah is passionate about helping others and making time for self care. As a mom she knows it's so important to make time for relaxation and to de-stress. With her passion for helping others and her understanding of how important self care is she felt Massage Therapy was the perfect fit. She studied Massage Therapy at MaKami College and joined the spa industry in 2018. She enjoys incorporating myofascial release techniques into her massages. If you haven’t tried this before ask her about it! Savanah enjoys utilizing different techniques to help your body relax. She finds a good scalp or head massage can calm the rest of your body and it's the perfect way to relieve stress and headaches. Savanah has a clinical background and works with injuries and accidents. If you have an injury and are looking for massage therapy Savanah can advise in a treatment plan with a path to recovery! Having access to hydrotherapy is a great asset to treating clients with injuries at the spa. When she's not performing massages she is often out at the farm. She enjoys taking her little ones out to see the ponies!

Michelle joins us with years of experience in the massage industry working at various spas and clinics throughout her career. Michelle studied Massage Therapy at Sutherland-Chan in Toronto and holds a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from York University. She has practiced in the industry since 1994. She continued adding new skills and modalities along the way while perfecting her craft. She taught ethics and clinical assessment in Massage Therapy at ABM College. She truly believes the body benefits from relaxation and making time for self care. She enjoys performing hot stone & cupping massages to help the muscles release tension. If you haven't tried dynamic cupping it is a form of a deeper tissue massage which she is thrilled to be able to offer at our spa! When she's not working Michelle enjoys getting outdoors. The fresh air can do wonders for the mind, body & soul!

Anjali joins us from Oasis Wellness Centre and Spa. She studied massage therapy at Makami College. She continues to expand her education through courses in aromatherapy and cranial sacral therapy. She believes the more knowledge she holds the more she can benefit her clients. She can help ease the mind and body through massage therapy. She has unique techniques for glutes and hips if you hold a lot of stress and tension in these areas. She enjoys performing deep tissue and lymphatic massage. Completely different techniques but both extremely rewarding to clients. Don't forget to ask for facia work if you like a deep tissue. She's happy to introduce it to you if you've never tried it! Previous to massage therapy she studied baking & pastry art at Sait Polytechnic. When she's not performing massages she enjoys baking, meditation and making time for self care!

Ted joins us from the Nordic Spa in Kananaskis and Stillwater Spa in Calgary. Specializing in therapeutic and relaxation. He enjoys helping guests relax, release areas of tension and be present in the moment. Ted sits on the board for the Canadian Massage and Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association as a treasurer. He's been on the board since 2017. Being so involved with creating the standards, organizing the financials and setting the bar for RMT's has been a highlight of his career. He has a passion for helping others and truly believes self care should be something we build into our lifestyle. He believes in a natural and holistic approach to wellness. Understanding the benefits heat therapy can have on the body and mind. By having the muscles warmed up prior to heading in for a massage (using the sauna & steam room) he finds he can get into the muscles, tissue and areas of tightness more effectively and offer more benefit to each guest. Ted stays mentally and physically fit for his job by getting outdoors with his family. Taking advantage of Alberta's mountain playground! He's excited to help you relax & feel your best!

Kara joins us with years of experience in the spa industry. She currently works at the Nordic Spa in Kananaskis as well as Leela Eco Spa in Calgary. She enjoys keeping busy and expanding her skills through further education. In 2019 she took an advanced cupping and hot stone course to further develop these modalities. Most recently she studied Thai Yoga Table Massage. She believes the more she can offer her clients to ease pain, reduce stress and live a more balanced life through regular self care practice the better. She encourages building a lifestyle in which massage plays a large role. The effects it can have on the mind and body can be mood shifting and life changing. If you take time for yourself you'll be more present and better equipped to handle the challenges life throws at you. Kara enjoys performing sports massage, trigger point and deep tissue. These techniques can be extremely rewarding for clients. When she's not working Kara enjoys taking the pup for a walk and getting outdoors. Often spotted at the dog park!

Sarah joins us from Mission Chiropractic. Working closely with chiropractors and acupuncturists to design specific treatment plans around the clients needs. Sarah excels in sports massage, myofascial cupping and deep tissue. She enjoys working with injuries and helping with rehabilitation. Sarah enjoys working on jaw pain or TMJ issues through intraoral massage. This type of massage is not always requested but often we hold tension in our jaw (through clenching) or have a decreased range of motion or clicking which she can assist with. Most RMT's are trained in this type of massage but Sarah enjoys performing it. Interested? ask her about it! She previously worked at LIV Yoga and Wellness as a massage therapist providing hot stone, aromatherapy and deep tissue massage. She studied at Makami College and continues to advance her skills through spa and clinic settings. Sarah practices wellness everyday through strength training, yoga and long distance running. When she's not working she enjoys spending time as a mom with her family and hitting up the food scene in YYC. She can't wait to help you along your wellness journey and assist with rehabilitation and relaxation!

Mary joins us from Rejuve Health & Wellness. Mary originally studied massage therapy in China at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in TCM Massage in 2011. She continued her studies in Traditional Thai Therapy and then went on to study aromatherapy at the West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy in Vancouver, Canada. She is passionate about essential oils and the benefits they can have on the body. She enjoys performing reflexology and working with injuries or pain. She finds it rewarding to be able to assist with treatment and recovery. Mary is no stranger to saunas. She sauna bathes all the time as an Infrared sauna owner herself! She knows the benefits of hot & cold therapy with massage. She is passionate about self care and building wellness into your daily routine to prevent burnout and injuries. She believes in natural ways of healing the body. She is so passionate that she literally puts her entire body into the depth of the massage so give you the best treatment possible. Don't be surprised if she is up on the table beside you! Her training in Chinese and Thai massage gives her a unique skill set! Her style combines percussion massage techniques. You might be sore the next day. We recommend another sauna session or a hot bath with our Magnesium flakes!!!

As an elite athlete Veronika knows first hand what the body is capable of when pushed to its limits. She also understands how important rest and recovery is when you're training professionally. The body needs time to adapt, heal and nourish itself. Massage therapy can play such a huge role in your health and wellness. Veronika competed in her 3rd Olympic Games in Vancouver 2010. She is proud to have won 18 World Cup medals, 4 of which were gold. She has competed in 5 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships taking home the gold in 2001 in Whistler and the silver in 2003 in Deer Valley. Veronika retired in 2014 as a professional athlete but continued on as a personal trainer with Canfitpro. Veronika transitioned from personal training into massage therapy following her passion for helping others along their wellness journey. She joins us from Oasis Wellness center and Spa. She has an amazing understanding of muscle movement and combines different massage techniques to get the body to perform and feel the way it should naturally. When guests have multiple areas of concern that they want treated, she prefers to perform longer duration massages such as 90min or 120min to properly address all areas of concern. She combines traction massage to mobilize a joint. Pin and stretch to restore proper muscle length. This improves nerve conduction as well as blood and lymph flow throughout the body to speed up the rate of healing and improve performance. She is trained and likes doing abdominal work, addressing issues around menstrual cramps, digestion, diaphragm/breathing. She can't wait to meet you and help you feel and perform at your best!

Trish joins us with over 16 years experience in massage therapy. She believes in a holistic approach to wellness and an individualized treatment. Each treatment is specific to each guest at the spa. Trish treats the body based on what it needs and combines different techniques to address areas of concern. One specific modality doesn't conquer all; it's about the collaboration to treat the person as a whole. Trish is on the board of directors for NHPC. She worked and trained with the previous Stampeders massage therapist learning how massage therapy can benefit athletes. She completed 17 community outreaches (volunteer work) in a year which included working at marathons and the Highland Games. She's passionate about giving back and teaching others to see with their hands in order to figure out what's happening with the body. She owned her own business for years but as a mom wants to devote her time to her family and guests at the spa not running a business. Time is so precious and can get away from you if you don't use it doing the things you love most! She's excited to work with heat therapy in combination with massage. It's so beneficial and a natural way of healing the body. Trish uses tools or accessories to assist with massage techniques. She loves performing sports massage and working with chronic pain. Trish incorporates percussion techniques which stimulate blood flow to the area. This can be extremely beneficial for soft tissue pain or soreness and enhance athletic performance. When she's not working she's enjoying family time and getting out to the mountains!

Jaya's academic background in mass communications adds another level to her ability and skills as an RMT. Skills in communication taught her to listen and be aware of what she was seeing prior to re-acting. She is able to utilize this in massage therapy by being able to listen to the body, seek out the deeper underlying issues and then treat areas of concern. Her combined skills in communication and massage therapy make her a very intuitive therapist. She studied massage therapy at ABM College & Robertson College in Calgary. She has taken additional courses in aromatherapy and is currently studying hot stone. She continues to increase the types of modalities she offers in order to be able to help others. She believes self care and making time for relaxation is extremely important. She works out daily, even if it's just stretching and weights. She finds this puts her in a positive mindset. When you put yourself first you can set up your intentions and focus for the day. She enjoys performing therapeutic massage and utilizing swedish techniques. She likes to focus on the areas of the body that are a concern and help increase range of motion through stretching. Jaya moved to Canada in 2014. She absolutely loves the mountains and found the rockies similar to the Himalayan’s. When she's not working at the spa she's raising her family and spending time outdoors. She can't wait to guide you through the relaxation process and learn about your body's needs. Guide you on your wellness journey!

Jillian joins us from Breathe Hot Yoga. As a massage therapist and yogi she finds getting into a flow state really allows her to connect with the body. As she shifts and moves she intuitively listens to the body to guide her through areas that need attention and focus. The body will guide you if you listen. The transformation that happens during a massage from beginning to end is so rewarding. She studied Massage Therapy at CDI College graduating with honors. She continues to expand her education and knowledge in order to offer a variety of skills and modalities. Currently undertaking the study of Thai massage. Jillian likes to work on hips, glutes and lower back. We can hold a lot of tension in these areas. As an avid climber Jillian has strong hands and is known for her therapeutic and deep tissue massages. Climbing is a passion and hobby. She believes taking care of the body is so important. Through climbing and yoga she keeps mentally and physically fit. When she's not working she is enjoying time with her family and getting out to the mountains!

Melanie is no stranger to hot and cold therapy. Growing up she regularly used sweat lodges and knows the benefits first hand. Today she follows the Whim Hoff method. The Whim Hoff method is centered around breathing techniques and natural ways of increasing the body's immune system, improving concentration and improving mental well being through cold therapy. Melanie knows the body benefits from hot and cold. Melanie is passionate about natural ways of healing the body and finding new ways to nourish it. She studied massage therapy at Alberta College of Massage Therapy in 2015. She had previously taken the certification in 2010 but decided to continue to further enhance her skills and knowledge. Her messages are gentle, deep and intuitive. She likes to start with myofascial release to open up the body before getting into the massage. She enjoys performing therapeutic and longer duration massages so the body can get the full benefit of her treatment. She enjoys working on hips and specializes in women's health (pelvic health). Pelvic massage therapy can work on all the muscles that attach to the pelvis; hamstrings, hip, flexors, gluts and your core. She absolutely loves cupping and believes her cups are an extension of her. If you haven't tried cupping yet she thinks you're missing out! Being intuitive she connects with her guests on a deeper level. You might even find she's opening some chakras and giving you space to just breathe. When she's not massaging she's enjoying life on the farm with her family. She enjoys gardening and carpentry work. Melanie's always found working with her hands extremely grounding and therapeutic!