BARB BARAN
Owner of the Blue Violet Body Works

Barb become the owner of Blue Violet Body Works, Inc., in December of 2003. Originally an employee. upon graduation, she came, she massaged, she quickly built a clientele. Barb is a natural leader, a tireless worker, with great compassion and imagination. Not only does this make her a fabulous massage therapist, she also attracts great people to work for and with her. We are all about growth here at Blue Violet. Our therapists are constantly taking classes, learning new skills and looking for fresh and better ways to serve our clients. We believe in massage as a means to health and well being. and our regular customers will tell you this is true.

Before Barb became a massage therapist, she was a client of the previous owner Warreen Phillips. Through this connection came a friendship. As Barb became more acquainted with the business, it’s various products and services, she decided massage was for her. With Warreen as one of her biggest cheerleaders, Barb attended Northern Prairie School of Massage and received training in Swedish, Lymphatic, Cranial Sacral, Reflexology, Shiatsu and Myofacia massage. Since graduating she has added Reiki Master, Facial Toning Massage, and Pregnancy/Postpartum massage to her list of modalities. Reiki classes are also taught by Barb at the Lighthouse several times a year. Watch our web site for dates!

Barb’s massages are awesome! She has an intuitive sense of what your body needs for optimum benefit. No two massages are ever the same but they are all therapeutic. You really can eliminate the stress of today and the headaches of tomorrow with the proper tools. Barb believes in doing “whatever it takes” to encourage healing. She uses not only her hands, heart, and energy. But also herbs, tinctures and other healing aids so you can feel better.

Barb has two sons and through them became interested in Isshin Ryu Karate and began as a student in 1995. She is now a Sensei (Nidan) Second Degree Black Belt and continues to study this art and skill as well as teach it with her partner Steve Schriener twice a week. She also meditates and studies eastern philosophy.

Blue Violet Body Works, Inc. has a great leader, teacher and multifaceted woman at it’s head. She listens and learns from her clients so that their massage dollars are spent for the maximum in quality. She hires people that do the same. Not only is Blue Violet the oldest Massage Therapy Business in this area, we believe it is the absolute best!

Stacy Zimmerman

Stace grew up in Illinois and loves Chicago. I don’t know her ethnic origins, but somewhere in her there is some gypsy! She has always been attracted to the mountains and oceans and she loves to travel. She has been all over the United States, to Europe, Central America and Mexico. She has lived in Connecticut, West Virginia and Arizona. Not only has it broadened her horizons, the adventurer in her loves to learn, meet new people and try new things.

Stace graduated from Northern Prairie School of massage here in Illinois in 2001. She then moved to Connecticut and the West Virginia where she practiced massage therapy until returning to Illinois in 2004. She did Spa massage until we stole (whoops!) I mean hired her. We knew right away she was a perfect fit for Blue Violet Body Works, Inc.. Her personality is as great as her massages. Stace really loves helping people, that’s what drew her to massage in the first place.

Her massage is centered on basic Swedish, very fluid, very relaxing. She has her “Stace only” moves that are great at relaxing neck and shoulders as well as any problem areas. She favors working the areas as individually to give what they need at that time. Not afraid to get her elbows in there, she also incorporates gentle stretches and positional movement to help release pent up pressure. Come see her, she’ll get your shoulders back down where they belong instead of up next to your ears. You’ll love her work, we guarantee it!

Vicky Timas

Our Independant Contractors:

KRYSTYNA SKRZESINSKI, LMT, ABMP Member

Krystyna moved to the United States with her family in July 2002. She joined our staff at Blue Violet in February 2003. She is a wonderful employee, with a great work ethic and is always willing to help cheerfully and skillfully wherever she is needed.

While living in Poland, Krystyna received her associate degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant from the Medical College in Opole. Then she went further with her education. In 2002 she graduated with honors from the School of Non-Conventional Methods of Treatments, where she completed the professional program for Massage Therapy as well as Body Care and Fitness Instruction. Her modalities include: Medical, Swedish and Sport Massage, Hot Stone Therapy, Soft Tissue Mobilization and Cold Stone Therapy for Migraines and Headaches. But she likes to combine different techniques for the maximum effectiveness. Krystyna is a Certified Pregnancy and Post Partum Massage Therapist and she is now working on her certification in Lymphatic Massage.

Krystyna has built a regular, long - standing clientele of faithful and satisfied clients. Anyone who has had the pleasure of a massage from her knows that touch heals.