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About Us

Heather Welch

My name is Heather Welch. I am a Licensed Massage Therapist, a Neuromuscular Therapist, and a Yoga Instructor in Sarasota, Florida. I graduated from the Sarasota School of Massage Therapy in 1996, and became certified in NMT at that time.

I also specialize in these modalities: Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Prenatal Massage, Energetic Bodywork, Traditional Massage of Thailand, and Active Fascial Release. In addition to massage, I received my YT200 Yoga Teacher Training from Pineapple Yoga Studio in 2018.

My lovely, little studio is located in historic Burns Court, in downtown Sarasota, and has two treatment rooms and a cozy yoga space. I have partnered with my daughter, Trinity, who is currently studying Alternative Medicine, to create Unwind Massage and Wellness Studio. We have some local, handcrafted retail, and we collaborate with other local wellness practitioners, such as herbalists and personal trainers.

We offer customized, therapeutic massage treatments, designed specifically for you. Our skilled therapists use their particular skill sets and a variety of modalities. The idea here at Unwind is to help you feel great, both during your massage and in your daily life!

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Our Philosophy

We offer customized, therapeutic massage treatments, designed specifically for you. Our skilled therapists use their particular skill sets and a variety of modalities. The idea here at Unwind is to help you feel great, both during your massage and in your daily life!

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MEET THE TEAM

At Unwind SRQ, we have an amazing team dedicated to to meeting your needs, as well as making you feel safe, comfortable, and having a wonderful relaxing experience.

Kimberley Harrison

Lead Therapist

Our lead therapist, who joined our flock as a baby bird, continues to spread her wings and soar to new heights at Unwind. She’s been sharing her magic with us since the start of her career in 2020. 

Kim is a mysterious mixture of splendidly quiet and super powerful. With a love for deep, specific work, this massage therapist is dedicated to helping people alleviate pain. She is certified in Neuromuscular Massage Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, and also gives a wonderful massage if you need to be transported to Blissville. Her style is meaningful and intricate, with no fluff (now it makes sense that she drinks her coffee black).

You’ll often see her at the studio, but if not, you may find those signature glasses behind a book while snuggling with her kitties. 

What she loves about Unwind: “It’s the most welcoming place I’ve ever been a part of.” (we couldn’t do it without you, Kim!)

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Steve Apostoli

Massage Therapist

Stephen Apostoli may just be the coolest cat of the bunch. This massage virtuoso is a musician by heart and a healer by touch. Launching his massage therapy career in 2011, he is a vital part of the Unwind team and has been with us since our start.

Working with a rhythmic blend of Swedish, Myofascial Release and Neuromuscular Therapy, Steve’s cadence transports you from reality to a calming kaleidoscopic world. Some say his treatments are similar to a psychedelic experience, but what we know for sure is that this man is pure magic. With a wing span of over six feet, his ability to massage your foot and shoulder simultaneously is trippy in all the best ways. 

When he’s not gracing us with his tapotement skills, you might see this percussionist on the stages of Siesta Key playing the drums. 

What he loves about Unwind: “It’s serious and relaxed at the same time.” (and certainly a bit more chill when you’re around, Steve!)

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Gillian Whatmore

Massage Therapist
Yoga Instructor

A British yoga devotee since high school and a massage therapist for 30 years, this whimsical soul shares magic on the yoga mat and the massage table.

With extensive experience coupled with the Anusara Yoga approach, Gillian is a wealth of knowledge in the yoga studio – you’ll be sure to sparkle a little brighter when leaving her class. Her passion for healing and helping deeply resonates on the massage table. As a Neuromuscular Massage Therapist and a practitioner of John Barnes Myofascial Release, Gillian has a wonderful method of transporting you into an optimized version of yourself, both physically and energetically.

When she’s not at the studio, check the water for you may see her racing her Sunfish sailboat!

Favorite asana: “Half-moon pose because it counters our daily motions and lets us shine out.”

What she loves about Unwind: “It’s genuine nature” (we love your genuine nature too, Gillian!)

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Karen Given

Massage Therapist

Practicing massage since 2018, Karen recently returned from Thailand as she took a deeper educational exploration into Thai Massage, which is one magical element of her skillset that Unwind loves.

Her approach is methodical as she searches for areas of tension in both your physical and energetic bodies. Targeting the fascia, she pays close attention to your responses to aid in alleviating pain and optimizing mobility through Thai Massage, Sports Massage, and Isolated Active Stretching. If you’re seeking a massage therapist who excels in relieving pain and boosting athletic performance, Karen is the Unwinder for you. 

Perhaps due to her passion for traveling and yoga, Karen’s energy will transport you to a realm of revitalizing relief where you will leave feeling refreshed. 

What she loves about Unwind: “That there is room for Thai Massage.” (you were made to work magic in that room, Karen!)

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Shea Love

Massage Therapist

more magic coming soon!

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Brian Haettich

Massage Therapist

more magic coming soon!

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Joy Heneger

Massage Therapist

more magic coming soon!

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Erika Cain

Yoga Instructor
Creative Consultant
Scheduling Concierge

The gal behind our posts, blurbs, graphic design, and helps Unwind’s greatest ideas flourish, but did you know she’s also one of our yoga alchemists? With a background in circus arts and stage illusion, this spirited soul’s mission of sharing yoga to heal is intertwined with helping others rediscover inner peace – even in the midst of life’s surprises. Said to be a lifetime practitioner of the mind and spirit aspects of yoga, she was introduced to asana in 2013, became a teacher in 2018, and has evolved into a strong yogi and favored instructor. 

Her teaching style is deeply rooted in connecting with each participant through a lens of compassion and understanding with a sprinkle of encouragement along the way. Erika facilitates classes that radiate further than the physical practice as she threads in concepts of resetting your nervous system, opening your heart, releasing fear, and learning to honor the power of your internal dialogue. 

What she loves about Unwind: “The grounding energy – it’s magic.” (the harmonious feeling is mutual, Erika!)

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Alex Rocha

Yoga Instructor

After studying under the Sivananda tradition and becoming a yoga teacher in 2000, this benevolent yogi is devoted to aiding others in discovering the amazing world of health, harmony, and peace through a transformative yoga practice.

Alex is an anchor to tradition, which allows him to provide unique-to-Sarasota yoga offerings that are uninfluenced by the west. Organically drawn to Hatha Yoga, his classes help build a firm foundation of authentic yoga that assists in developing mental clarity, mindfulness, and will leave you feeling awakened and strong. He encompasses a classical approach to yoga by incorporating pranayama (breathwork), chanting (mantras), and asana (yoga poses) into each and every class.

Perhaps it’s the sparkle in his eye or his Brazilian roots, this sweet-hearted yogi has an astonishing way of holding space and leads a profound practice. For Alex, home is wherever he is able to work on reaching his goals and Unwind is thrilled he has landed here.

What he loves about Unwind: “Freedom to express my teachings.” (we are incredibly grateful to learn from you, Alex!)

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Lauren Pidone

Yoga Instructor

One of Unwind’s original alchemists, meet the adventurous Lauren Pidone. Petite in stature, with a larger than life mystical trunk of yoga secrets, this teacher’s radiant heart is dedicated to her life long study of yoga. After it found her in highschool, she became an instructor in 2015 and is passionate about sharing the immense benefits of yoga with others. 

Having the uncanny ability to offer the full spectrum of yoga from pranayama to Ashtanga, Lauren believes that the magic of it all lies just beyond the physical practice: the mental practice. Dedicated to giving others’ the opportunity to join body and mind as one, her personal favorite is Yoga Nidra. This fascinating tradition is said to rewire the brain and act as a method of support in daily life. 

With the archetype of “The Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove,” her heat-building teaching style often begins cozy, effortlessly building into a steady flow that may surprise you of your strength. She incorporates creative sequencing with dynamic postures, breathwork, and traditional teachings. This intuitive yoga teacher simply “knows” what your body is capable of and will guide you into the exploration of your personal serene power.

What she loves about Unwind: “Everything! The people, the environment, the magic.” (you are a key ingredient of this magical delicacy, Lauren!)

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Rhonda Wendzel

Massage Therapist

Passionate about empowering people to reach their optimal performance and health level, she feels honored to provide massage and help alleviate pain and energetic imbalances since 2010. 

Similar to a precise equation, she utilizes integrative energetic bodywork, therapeutic neuromuscular, and myofascial release massage techniques to facilitate the body’s innate restorative and relaxation process. Rhonda is known to restore, rebuild, and reconnect the body and mind. Intuitive in nature, she is able to work on the full pressure spectrum from targeted and deep to delicate and gentle. 

As a Registered Nurse, Qigong practitioner, rock climber, animal lover, and former Ironman Triathlete, she’s a delightful balance of yin and yang. Unwind is grateful for this new addition to our team.

What she loves most about Unwind: “The team!” (we’re happy to welcome you, Rhonda!)

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Lauren Fitzgerald

Massage Therapist
Esthetician

more magic coming soon!

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Gabriel Welch

Sustainability Advisor
Yoga Instructor

more magic coming soon!

Trinity Welch

Co-owner

My name is Trinity Welch. I’m Heather’s daughter & business partner. 

I’m currently completing a BS in Alternative Medicine at Everglades University, and I plan to get an MBA and Master’s Degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. 

I’m from Sarasota, a practicing yogi, a “meathead hippie,” and a mom who practices natural parenting. It’s my goal to leave a legacy.

Ready To Unwind?

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