our people

Angela

Licensed Esthetician

Angela is a Licensed Esthetician with a strong passion and natural ability to understand the concepts of the integumentary system. She is ardent about helping individuals feel their best inside and out. To Angela, esthetics is beyond the health of the skin. It’s the overall health of the skin, body, mind, and soul.

Through esthetics, she has learned to love herself deeper and find her own perception of self. It has given her a space for relief and to find her inner voice. Therefore, she feels that esthetics chose her, and not that she chose esthetics.

Angela is incredibly proud to work with KOSA as she stands with KOSA’s values “to create and maintain balance and health, whether for a sustainable planet, harmony among our communities, or within our bodies.” Not to mention, she is enthusiastic to work alongside an adept team. Her heart is full knowing that she has the opportunity to share her devotion to skin and wellbeing with KOSA’s guests.

Angela graduated from the Aesthetics program at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture. She has also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She plans to further her education as she believes that there is always something new to learn. That being said, you can find Angela doing something at all times!

During her leisure time, she travels, blogs or spends it with loved ones.

Christie

Lead Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist, Licensed Ayurvedic Esthetician and Certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor

Christie is a licensed Massage Therapist, Esthetician and Ayurvedic Health Counselor. For nearly thirty years she also worked as a Surgical Technician at Madison area hospitals. During the pandemic she crafted a plan to bring not only massage therapy back into her life, but to also pursue a new addition to her repertoire with Ayurvedic healing.

For many years she searched for alternative paths to a better and more complete way to heal her body, mind and soul. Ayurveda was put in front of her and so was Kosa Spa. The road led to combining all of her skills into one beautiful line of work. The atmosphere at Kosa brought balance back from her depleted self. She is eager to bring balance and healing to others.

As a Massage Therapist with a background in Integrative Medicine she is passionate about combining different modalities for each person in her care. As an Esthetician, Ayurvedic skincare and the beautiful glow it gives is what makes her light up.

Other things that make her light up are her husband, four children, their partners, and her dog Beau. If she is not cooking or traveling you will find her mixing Ayuredic herbs for her entire family (Beau included), and tending to the abundant flowers and herbs she grows.

Dawn

Licensed Massage Therapist

Dawn graduated from TIBIA massage school in 2011, where she learned a variety of modalities. Her massages typically combine a combination of Swedish and therapeutic massage, as well as MFR (myofascial release), reflexology, and hot stone massage. Dawn is excited to learn more about the ancient healing modalities of Ayurveda.

In her free time, Dawn enjoys writing, going for walks, swimming, being in nature, and spending time with family and friends.

Imani

Guest Host Manager, Events Coordinator

As a Guest Host Manager, Imani's intention is to facilitate your relaxing experience. Seeing you cater to your selfcare needs is what promotes her excitement to work with people. With a passion for cultivating sacred spaces and prioritizing overall wellbeing, she will assist you in making sure you have a relaxing and rejuvenating experience at Kosa.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, songwriting and cooking. She is originally from Brooklyn, New York, and still enjoys traveling and relaxing in new spaces. The now Wisconsinite takes advantage of the scenic views and artistic community in Madison Wisconsin.

Julia

Licensed Massage Therapist

Julia is a licensed massage therapist. Over the years, she has found massage to be a beautiful gateway to healing, a return to one's self and body. With inspiration from different varieties of massage, she has found her own intuitive flow that allows the body to reset, and for the mind to unload. These varieties include Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian style massage), Precision Neuro Muscular Therapy (deep tissue technique), and Swedish massage (for full body relaxation).

Since she was a child, she has sought out peace and quiet in her life. She was introduced to yoga when she was a young child. She has maintained her yoga practice to this day. This lifelong practice has continued to serve her life in so many ways, including learning to be present in each moment. Her yoga practice is what led her to the path of massage, with the intention of making the world a more peaceful place.

The world of massage introduced Julia to Ayurveda and the lifestyle principles that go with it. By listening to your body and understanding the tools that nature has to offer us, we are able to heal ourselves and our loved ones. Ayurvedic practices have shifted Julia's life and body into a more balanced and nurtured reality. She is honored to continue her Ayurvedic journey with Kosa and the wonderful team here.

In her free time, Julia loves to explore nature, do yoga, work on art projects, and spend time with her cat. She finds absolute joy in simplicity and calm.

Lisa

Ayurveda and Jyotish Senior, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Ayurveda Educator, Certified Ayurvedic Bodywork Therapist

Lisa is an integrative artist specializing in Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology, Ayurvedic bodywork, beauty care & lifestyle design. Merging nature's integrity with modern living and balancing masculine and feminine energies, she supports her clients to trust their innate wisdom.

When Lisa learned about Ayurveda over 25 years ago, the living wisdom planted a seed that has grown into a lifetime of devotion. Lisa studied at California College of Ayurveda, finishing with a CAP Internship at Kanyakumari. She then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Vedic Astrology. She also holds a license in Cosmetology.

When not working or studying, Lisa loves spending time with family and friends. Infusing Vedic wisdom into everything she does has become a natural part of her life. Her interests include photography, gardening, cooking, reading, knitting, creating herbal formulations, and being in nature.

Lisa has followed her curiosity to develop an in-depth expertise in Ayurveda and related sciences, including a Bachelor of Arts in Jyotish, Certified Jyotish Educator, Aromatherapist, and Licensed Cosmetologist.

Marissa

Licensed Esthetician & Guest Host Manager

Marissa is a licensed esthetician and nail technician with more than twenty years of experience in day spas. As a Guest Host she understands the importance of making clients feel welcome and comfortable during their wellness journey. Her calm and peaceful presence sets the tone at KOSA and is appreciated by guests and colleagues alike.

Peg

Esthetics Lead, Licensed Esthetician

Peg is a licensed Esthetician with a personal connection to her work. Years ago, she experienced a pivotal moment and was diagnosed with cancer. Yoga provided balance and inner peace for healing. She felt called to teach and to share the multitude of physical and emotional benefits of yoga, the sister science of Ayurveda.

Peg's journey deepens with a passion for working with individuals and helping them release stress, feel relaxed and centered in a sanctuary setting. She is honored to be a part of a lovely team of professionals at KOSA, whose mission is the holistic well-being of an individual, the community, and our planet through the many modalities of services it offers. The ancient philosophies of yoga and ayurveda unite for a common purpose and provide a template to live a healthier, balanced, and more purposeful life.

Previously, Peg was an elementary education teacher for 17 years in Arizona and Wisconsin. She currently lives in Middleton with her husband and yellow lab and has three grown children.

Sarah

Operations Manager

Sarah feels so fortunate to work with the incredible KOSA staff in such a nurturing and lovely space. She is happiest behind the scenes, ensuring our skilled team has what they need to provide their luxurious, healing services. Her kind presence is a comfort to guests. After a ten-year career in public education, Sarah is now completing an M.A. in Library and Information Studies when she is not at KOSA. During her free time, Sarah cooks, cares for her plants, and spends time with her partner, two dogs, and cat.

Tanya

Ayurveda Lead, Licensed Ayurvedic Esthetician and Certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Kosa Kitchen Chef

Tanya is a Licensed Esthetician and Ayurvedic Health Counselor with a true passion for her craft. As an experienced Holistic Health Coach, helping to bring clients to a more integrated state of wellness, she found Ayurveda to be a natural extension of her practice. In particular, Ayurveda's premise of healing the whole person and getting to the root cause of an issue, rather than just treating the symptoms, aligned with her philosophy. She felt that this practice was accessible and natural because it relies on subtle changes to make a long lasting positive effect on overall well-being.

Tanya feels humbled to be a part of such an amazing team of skilled therapists at KOSA. Bringing her intuitive nature and inherent abilities, she is eager to help KOSA's guests achieve their desired state of wholeness - mind, body and spirit.

Tanya graduated from the Ayurveda Esthetics program at the Aveda Institute in Madison and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Psychology from UW-Madison. She is the mother of three children and a caretaker at heart.