A native New Yorker, Maria P. Amendolia qualified as a massage therapist in 1994 and moved to lower Connecticut in 1995. She then spent four years commuting to her office in Manhattan, honing her skills and pursing further training in a variety of massage techniques. During that time, she also became increasingly interested in fitness and health—and what a profoundly complimentary role massage could play in a person’s overall wellness.

An intensive, satisfying workout can sometimes leave your body sore–even if it’s all in a good cause! Massage can hasten and support recovery and thus would not only lessen the inevitable aches and pains of getting fit – but could actually speed the process!

Maria realized that people could truly benefit from attention of a personal trainer who was also a massage therapist, someone who truly understood the physiology of a physically active body and who could help soothe and repair the unavoidable stresses and strains of an active, healthy, vigorous life.

So in 1999 Maria founded TAKE SHAPE Massage Therapy & Fitness Consulting to combine these two halves of a healthy whole: fitness and massage. At first, TAKE SHAPE was a one woman show but very quickly, Maria had more clients than time and Claudia Carson joined the company as a second massage therapist. More recently, Tava, Kristen, Kristi and Sandra have brought their talents and skills to the team. 

Yet, true to Maria’s vision and under her leadership, TAKE SHAPE has remained a small company able to take a strongly personal and individualized interest in all its clients.