Meet the staff of Sustainable health & wellness...
Dr Dana Lapointe, ND, AArm, LMT
Dr Lapointe is a licensed naturopath and 20 year veteran massage therapist. She specializes in highly-effective weight loss programs, diabetes, food sensitivities, detoxification and effective natural treatments for IBS, Crohn's, thyroid, chronic headache, migraine, anxiety/depression, OCD/ADD/ADHD/trichotillomania (for ages ‘tweens and up) as well as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, optimal aging, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's and natural fertility enhancement. She practices Seasonal Therapeutics, Biotherapeutic Drainage, and is certified in Restorative Medicine, aiming to restore function whenever possible. An accomplished massage therapist, Dr Dana also offers advance-practice bodywork including postural screenings, postural correction, spinal curve restoration, trigger point therapy, myoskeletal alignment, and reflexology. Dr Dana runs an onsite apothecary of organic non-GMO supplements and natural remedies, where, between patients, she can often be found custom-blending herbal teas and tinctures for her patients and other practitioners.
Dr Lapointe is a licensed naturopath and 20 year veteran massage therapist. She specializes in highly-effective weight loss programs, diabetes, food sensitivities, detoxification and effective natural treatments for IBS, Crohn's, thyroid, chronic headache, migraine, anxiety/depression, OCD/ADD/ADHD/trichotillomania (for ages ‘tweens and up) as well as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, optimal aging, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's and natural fertility enhancement. She practices Seasonal Therapeutics, Biotherapeutic Drainage, and is certified in Restorative Medicine, aiming to restore function whenever possible. An accomplished massage therapist, Dr Dana also offers advance-practice bodywork including postural screenings, postural correction, spinal curve restoration, trigger point therapy, myoskeletal alignment, and reflexology. Dr Dana runs an onsite apothecary of organic non-GMO supplements and natural remedies, where, between patients, she can often be found custom-blending herbal teas and tinctures for her patients and other practitioners.
Maria LaPorte, Front Desk / Assistant to Dr Lapointe
For over three decades, Maria has practiced meditation and breath work. Often she brings the philosophies and teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh into her classes. Many years of yoga and her own personal injuries contribute to her great compassion for others and keen eye for body dynamics. Maria's classes flow with a nurturing combination of music, asana, pranayama, assists, yogic history, and philosophy.
Dana Lombardo, Front Desk / Assistant to Dr Lapointe
Ginger Harris, LAc
Ginger Harris, M.Ac., L.Ac. received her acupuncture degree from Tai Sophia in MD, the first school in the U.S. to have an accredited Master’s program in Acupuncture. A CT native, Ginger has lifelong interests in both the healing arts and the natural world. Meditation and martial arts are two long-term disciplines that inform and hone her presence as a practitioner. Ginger draws from formal training in Five Element Acupuncture, other acupuncture styles, Reiki, and her background in art. At Sustainable Health & Wellness, she offers private and community-based acupuncture, as well as Facial Rejuvenation.
Lynn Simonds, Esthetician
Claire Thompson, LMT, Yoga, Meditation
Claire has been drawn to healing work her whole life. She received her first Reiki attunement and started her first "backrub business" in college 13 years ago, while studying literature and music. She decided to pursue bodywork as a career and has since received 1000 hours of training in 2 years of school, first at the Chicago School of Massage Therapy and later at the Swedish Institute in New York City where she studied Shiatsu. She is trained in Deep Tissue, Swedish, Shiatsu, and Sports Massage. Depending on the needs of her clients, she uses trigger point therapy and myofascial techniques to enhance the depth of her work, and Reiki healing to increase the relaxation. Claire has been teaching yoga for 4 years: her background as a yoga teacher enables her to make suggestions for which stretches, exercises and ergonomic adjustments can help your overall health and well-being. She is available at Sustainable Health & Wellness intermittently, between her travel schedule, offering Shiatsu and table massage sessions as well as her Meditation Basics Workshop Series, and Yoga Basics Class Series.
Nancy Murray, Yoga
Nancy Murray, E-RYT, has been practicing yoga for almost 15 years. After experiencing the transformative power of yoga, both physically and emotionally, she decided that she wanted to share the gift of yoga with others and has been teaching for 7 years. Her initial certification was through the Kripalu center for yoga and health. http://www.kripalu.org/article/375 Nancy obtained her professional level certification from the Pranakriya school, led by Yoganand Michael Carroll, a master level Kripalu teacher. She is working on obtaining her certification as a yoga therapist and is attuned to Reiki levels one and two.Nancy's unique style of yoga teaching incorporates themes into each of her classes. Students of all ages and abilities feel comfortable in her class. Nancy's classes include asana and pranayama (postures and breathing exercises) and are designed to provide a place for personal reflection, growth and healing. Outside of yoga, Nancy enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Claire Malloy, Pilates
Claire has practiced Pilates for almost seven years and decided to learn to teach after noticing the difference it made not only aesthetically, but also in the way it changed her body's performance and awareness in other exercise forms. She found that the discipline and room for progression in Classical Mat Pilates make it ideal and effective for everybody. The awareness of how the body works naturally leads to more awareness in all areas of life.
Maggie Kortchmar, Yoga
Maggie is a certified yoga alliance teacher who received her training with Cyndie Lee at OM Yoga NYC. OM yoga is a practice of flowing asanas informed by precise attention to alignment and supported by the relaxed wakefulness of Buddhist mindfulness meditation. Maggie teaches an intelligent, compassionate and fun vinyasa-style class. Steeped in Buddhist tradition and thought, Maggie guides and allows her students to be where they are while encouraging growth and rhythm. Honoring the pure traditions of Hatha Yoga while considering the needs of a contemporary society, she offers up a dynamic class with a focus on alignment and modifications, allowing her students to explore the relationship of body and mind. Currently teaching at OM, Maggie also brings OM’s vinyasa-style classes to select studios in Connecticut.
Ali Hashmi, Sufi Meditation
A native of Simsbury, Ali is a lifelong student of wonder, beauty, nature, and spirituality. He has been blessed to sit with notable Sufi masters, and he has benefitted greatly from participating with them. He invites all those who might be curious and seeking their own inner wisdom to come join in unique meditation circles and movement sessions. There is something for everyone to experience, and the remembrance and healing are universal.
