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538 Redondo Avenue · Upper Level · Long Beach · 562-433-2177		  
 

Staff

  
 

FOUNDER
photo of Sophia Nguyen Sophia Nguyen has more than 15 years of professional experience working as an esthetician and certified massage therapist in Long Beach, California. As the founder of Escape Above, she knows what skills and expertise are necessary to run a successful spa. Through countless years of practicing and performing hundreds of waxing services she's had the time and training to perfect her technique with an art. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to learn from an expert who is a real industry professional the best way to wax that ensures client comfort, professionalism, optimal body mechanics, as well as cleanliness.

LICENSED ESTHETICIANS
photo of Maria Marino Maria Marino has been a licensed Esthetician since January 2000. Having experience in medical office as well as day spa settings. She was born and raised in Long Beach and loves her community. While enjoying the clinical side of esthetics she also has a love of the holistic and healing arts of the treatments she performs. She is happy to share her knowledge with her clients on how to personalize their skin care goals thru treatments such as soothing and calming oxygen facials, to corrective microdermabrasion and chemicals peels, and maintenance with home care products. She is a nurturing person with a sincere passion for helping others. Her stress relieving massage techniques are a favorite of her clients. Her goals for her waxing services are always for her clients' comfort and satisfaction. Maria has been a member of the Escape Above team since January 2008.
photo of Dana Panerali Dana Panerali is a licensed Esthetician who takes a very nurturing approach to her services, while maintaining a focus on getting the results she and her clients are looking for. She is passionate about Esthetics and is constantly expanding her knowledge through advanced Esthetics courses. She genuinely cares for her clients and enjoys customizing treatments for each individual based on her expertise, and by listening to her clients needs. She has many skills as an Esthetician, ranging from clinical treatments, to careful waxing techniques. She has a long history as a massage therapist and loves that she is able to incorporate this into her facial to provide a truly exceptional experience.

CERTIFIED MASSAGE THERAPISTS
photo of Jacob M. Burns Jacob M. Burns is a massage therapist who was born and raised in Long Beach, and enjoys surfing and traveling. He has always had an active interest in helping people, so naturally massage therapy was a field that he was drawn to. He studied massage therapy in Cerritos, California and graduated at the top of his class. He has been practicing now for 4 years now at local chiropractic offices and spas in Seal Beach, Long Beach, and Westminster. His techniques include custom Swedish massage with trigger point therapy, deep tissue, and lymphatic drainage. Jacob specializes in working with clients who work excessively at a desk job. A current student of kinesiology at California State Dominguez Hills, Jacob hopes to get into the field of physical therapy.
photo of Rebecca Corbett Rebecca Corbett began her massage therapy "career" at the age of seven- walking on her father's back and pounding on his shoulders! She also learned about massage techniques from very particular cats that made sure she knew when the moves weren't utterly perfect. Between then and now, Rebecca studied dance for 20+ years at NSCA, ASFA, the School of American Ballet, and Juilliard as well as UCSB. While at UC, she took human anatomy courses with impeccably dissected bodies that deepened her awareness and understanding of the human form. In 1996, she graduated from the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, California, as a Massage Therapist & Health Educator and has been involved in the field ever since.

Rebecca customizes each massage therapy session for the particular needs of each of her clients and fluidly combines highly skilled elements of Swedish, Acupressure, Deep Tissue, Pre/Post Event Sports, Shiatsu, Pre/Post Natal and Energetic Balancing. Rebecca enjoys being a part of people's wellness programs and over the years has worked with clients ranging in age from eight to eighty-seven, including a two time superbowl winning champion and numerous first timers. She is always thrilled to introduce people to the world of massage and is uplifted by being able to assist clients in their healing programs. Rebecca is grateful to be part of the wonderful team at Escape Above, with an atmosphere designed to cultivate relaxation, healing and rejuvenation.
photo of Edmond Guan Edmond Guan has a unique Eastern approach to health and wellness. Originally from Guangzhou, China, he left his homeland to further his education and practice massage therapy in California. As one Escape Above's Thai massage practitioners, Edmond combines an artful touch in reflexology and acupressure with ample stretching to detoxify and heal. His acute awareness of alignment combined with his skill for deep tissue allows his sessions to focus on correcting muscle tension and posture. He believes in thoroughly working out any knots to prevent future muscle spasms. Edmond has a passion for helping clients relieve their physical pain and in his free time loves to travel and explore all parts of Asia.
photo of Melinda Harlow Melinda Harlow has been trained in various modalities (including Reflexology, Deep Tissue and Swedish massage) at the California Healing Arts Academy in West Los Angeles. In addition, she studied Chinese massage at the Tui Na Bodywork Centre in Queensland, Australia. Melinda decided to become a massage and bodywork practitioner because she believes that a person's emotional and mental well-being are directly related to their physical well-being - i.e. treating one affects and helps heal the other. She is currently available for Reflexology treatments and has always been fascinated by the concept of Reflexology, where different areas of the feet, hands and ears relate directly to areas in and on the rest of the body. Therefore, her treatments focus not only on helping her clients relax and re-energize, but also on stimulating the body's natural healing mechanisms - helping people to attain and maintain overall health and well-being. Melinda loves life and lives by the maxim that "it takes more courage (and is more fun) to make your dreams come true than to settle for something less." She is excited to be part of the Escape Above team.
photo of Shoshanna Husak Shoshanna Husak earned her BS degree in Marine Biology and moved to Long Beach in 2000. In 2004, she realized that her desire to make a difference in people's lives could be radically attained through the art of Massage Therapy. She received her massage training at California College of Physical Arts and continues her education at IPSB in Culver City. Her fluid style is a reflection of her dance background (she is a member of local Fire & Belly dance troupe Sirena Serpentina) and stays connected and inspired through her long time practice of Kundalini Yoga. Combining her favorite modalities of Forearm Dance, Deep Tissue, traditional Swedish massage, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Hot Rocks, Thai Massage, Sports Massage, and Pre-Natal Massage she has cultivated a unique approach that centers around a solid LOVE for people and a belief that people do have the ability to unlock, unfold, and HEAL themselves.
photo of Sarah Nocktonick Sarah Nocktonick graduated from the National Holistic Institute in San Francisco in 2001 and has been practicing massage ever since. She has been trained in Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Swedish, and Pre-Natal massage. Her work incorporates a variety of modalities and she works with each client individually to come up with a unique treatment based on the client's needs. Facilitating deep healing within the body is the focus of her massage technique while also nourishing the spirit with a nurturing touch. Sarah believes that the body is more than just a vehicle to drive our busy minds around—it is the house of the spirit. The body is a temple, but only if we treat it that way. She spends her free time nourishing her mind, body, and spirit at the ocean, doing Yoga, meditating, and doing Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement).
photo of Oscar Ribadniera Oscar Ribadniera is a 2007 graduate of CSU, Fullerton's College of Health and Human Development—Health Science, and 2008 graduate of Fremont College—Massage Therapy. Oscar empathizes with clients and patients regarding common skeletomuscular discomfort due to ergonomic and recreational factors. He is cognizant of the seven equally important areas of wellness, and their critical interconnectedness to achieve homeostasis. Athletically inclined since childhood, Oscar suggests that physical wellness may be achieved by anyone, at any skill level, simply by incorporating an individually enjoyable activity to one's lifestyle. Therefore, he has dedicated his work to cooperate with those seeking assistance in relieving aches to recover and continue their regimen. With basic physical therapy experience and knowledge, Oscar approaches the matter with utmost consideration to an individual's welfare. He strives to combine familiarity of Western philosophy (anatomy and physiology) with gradual learning and exposure to Eastern philosophy alternative medicine. Since March of 2009, Escape Above has welcomed Oscar to practice Reflexology, chair, and full-body massage paving his way to enter the scope of experiencing and practicing alternative medicine. He has developed a smooth and flowing rhythm combining elements of deep-tissue, Shiatsu, and Swedish methods. Volunteer work with the 2008 Long Beach Poly Varsity Football team offered the opportunity to identify and apply pre, during, and post-event Sports-massage.