Meet Our Staff
Empowering You to Heal Yourself
Meet Ohana's incredible massage therapists!
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Licensed and experienced, each massage therapist is ready to work with your body to get you the most benefit possible.
Paula VanBaalen
LMT, Myofascial Release, Myofascial Cupping
Paula loves being able to give hope and relief to those suffering from chronic pain. She specializes in treating the body as a whole, rather than only focusing on the area of pain.
Tawney Welch
LMT, Therapeutic, Pregnancy Massage
Helping people meet their wellness goals is Tawney’s passion. She loves being able to use massage and bodywork to help others become more in tune with their own healing process.
Dena Johnson
LMT, Therapeutic, Pregnancy Massage
Holding space for clients so that they can reconnect with their body is a passion of Dena's. She loves being able to work with the body (and nervous system) to relieve pain, reduce tension, and help others live life more whole heartedly.
Tawney Welch
Licensed Massage Therapist
Helping people meet their wellness goals is Tawney’s passion. She loves being able to use massage and bodywork to help others become more in tune with their own healing process. She’s had experience with massage and bodywork since her teenage years and is excited to be able to provide this amazing tool for healing as she grows her way through life.
Education
Tawney graduated from Lake Superior College’s massage therapy certificate program in May 2023. Her 700+ hour training included relaxation massage, deep tissue, and pregnancy massage.
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Tawney is most passionate about helping people with neck and shoulder discomfort and pregnant women. She loves being able to have a goal for the session, such as relaxation or addressing a problem area. As she continues her training in the health and wellness industry, she plans to study doula work.
Skills
Tawney is proficient at Therapeutic and Pregnancy Massage.
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She joined our Ohana Family since January 2024.
Dena Johnson
Licensed Massage Therapist
Dena has spent the last year completing her massage therapist training right here at Ohana! She is passionate about working with your body (and your nervous system) to relieve pain and tension.
Education
Dena graduates from Ohana School of Massage’s massage therapy certificate program on May 23, 2024. Her 675 hour training included relaxation massage, clinical massage, and pregnancy massage.
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We are thrilled to welcome such a passionate and promising new therapist to our Ohana family, who brings a passion for learning and a growth mindset to our space!
Skills
Dena is proficient at Therapeutic and Pregnancy Massage.
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She joined our Ohana Family as a student intern in 2023 and as a massage therapist in May 2024.
Paula VanBaalen
Owner, Expert Level JBMFR practitioner, LMT, CPMT, CAMT
Paula VanBaalen loves being able to give hope and relief to those suffering from chronic pain. She specializes in treating the body as a whole, rather than only focusing on the area causing pain or discomfort. This ability allows her to provide pain relief for those who have not been able to find relief with other therapies.
Paula’s journey into the world of massage and bodywork began at the young age of 11, as a result of a car accident. She was amazed at the body’s ability to heal itself through massage and bodywork. To date, she has sustained 11 head and neck traumas – ranging from car accidents to belly flopping on the Gulf of Mexico. This history of trauma has guided Paula to find effective ways of healing. By regularly receiving John Barnes’ Myofascial Release and massage, she now lives a virtually pain-free life!
Paula is accepting new clients by referral/request only. She recommends new clients complete a consultation process to ensure fit.
Education
Paula VanBaalen has been a massage therapist since 2009. She graduated from the Minnesota School of Business with her Associates Degree in Massage Therapy. This program included 1,230 hours of training in various modalities including Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Pregnancy Massage, as well as a thorough education in anatomy and physiology. Since then Paula has pursued over 500 hours of continuing education and extensive business training. She has expanded her technique base by specializing in the John F. Barnes’ Approach to Myofascial Release and Myofascial Cupping. She believes education and application is key to being able to serve her clients at the highest level.
She is a professional member of ABMP. Paula became a Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist, CPMT, in 2014. In 2016, she became a Certified Active Myofascial Therapist.
Skills
Paula VanBaalen is an Expert Myofascial Release Practitioner. She specializes in finding the cause of the pain and providing relief utilizing John Barnes’ Myofascial Release. She has taken over 440 hours of John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release seminars including: Myofascial Release 1, Myofascial Unwinding, Myofascial Release 2, Cervical-Thoracic Myofascial Release, Fascial-Pelvis Myofascial Release, Myofascial Rebounding, Myofascial Mobilization, Women’s Health: Myofascial Release Approach, Advanced Myofascial Unwinding, Pediatric Myofascial Release, Fascial Cranium, Skill Enhancement Seminar, Therapy for the Therapist, Subtle Energy, Advanced Therapist Retreat, and Myofascial Release 3: Beyond Technique. She plans to continue taking John Barnes’ Myofascial Release classes and repeating them as necessary, to develop her skills to be able to provide you the best relief possible!
Unsure if Paula's services are right for you?
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She gifts out 5 consultations a month to help you discover which healing method is best for you! Click here to apply!
Careers At Ohana
Become Part of the Ohana Family!
If you or someone you know are looking for more than a job, something that will truly make a difference in people’s lives, this is the company for you! Our mission is to empower people to be the healthiest, happiest versions of themselves. Through massage, bodywork and self care, we believe everyone can live the life of their dreams. By offering a peaceful and healing atmosphere, true healing can occur. Join Ohana in this mission through any of the positions listed below.
We aren't actively hiring at this time
Though we may consider the perfect massage therapist or myofascial release therapist. ​Contact us if you feel you are a good fit for our Ohana Family.