Maria P. Amendolia, owner and founder of TAKE SHAPE Massage and Movement Therapy, believes that self-care is a combination of the physical, mental and emotional. Described as “motivational” and “inspirational” by her clients, Maria believes that everyone can become fitter, healthier, and happier—and is thrilled that she can help her clients reach these goals through her newly expanded action coaching practice. She uses her 20+ years experience in group exercise, personal training, healthy movement, nutrition counseling, massage, and bodywork modalities such as NKT to help her clients make choices that bring them closer to their goals. Maria trained at the Swedish Institute and is licensed in both New York State and Connecticut.

Maria is certified as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She taught a variety of group fitness classes in the area and for 18 years at the Darien YMCA. Over time, Maria found herself drawn more to healthy movement and lifestyle choices, which led her to become a certified RockTape “Doc” and Level Three practitioner in NeuroKinetic Therapy. She is a certified nutrition coach with Precision Nutrition as well and has been excited to shift her services to a more holistic perspective of helping her clients achieve who they want to be.

Bea Rowe finished her massage therapy training in 2008. Her massage is Swedish based but incorporates myofascial release and deep-tissue work to best address the needs of her clients. She does wonderful all-over massage as well as amazingly effective targeted work when a client comes to her with specific issues that need addressing.

Bea is certified in MotherMassage, which supports both mother and child before, during, and after pregnancy. She has over two hundred volunteer hours at Stamford Hospital in their Tender Touch program. In addition, Bea has also trained in neuromuscular therapy.

Emilia Santo, MA is a licensed massage therapist in New York and CT. She has been practicing her craft for the last nine years. She taught massage classes at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, including traditional Shiatsu and Thai massage. Emilia is also a certified yoga instructor (200RYT) from Integral Yoga in New York City. This lends to her approach of looking at the human body from a wholistic perspective: mind and body being in a constant dynamic relationship, where emotional discomfort can cause physical pain and the demands on the physical body impact emotional health.

Emilia is a dynamic, caring and compassionate individual who’s passion as a massage therapist is to promote overall well being, reduce pain and ease discomfort.

Regis Saget is a highly skilled and strong, yet nuanced, massage therapist. He completed his study locally at the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy and has been building a successful career in massage for over 7 years.

In addition to his extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, he also has a background in nutrition. Regis considers himself intuitive and nurturing which allows him to understand his clients’ needs. He is able to adapt his techniques (which include Swedish, deep tissue, sports, myofascial and more) to each unique individual to help achieve their health and wellness goals.

Nic Arenas graduated from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2020. After being interested in holism and using fitness as a vehicle for not only physical change, but mental and emotional well-being, he realized that the body deserves generous amounts of rest and resetting for the ways it carries us through the day. Using a blend of deep tissue techniques and joint mobilizations, he seeks to ease pain and dysfunction in a firm but gentle way, as well as to remind the body to move as a whole, integrated unit.