Earth and Serenity Massage, a new wellness studio on Spruce Street in Martinsville, is offering clients a space designed to heal and refresh both body and mind.
Owner Crystal Whitener, who previously practiced at Oasis Wellness Escape, said her goal is to create a calming environment where clients can fully relax and leave feeling renewed.
“I started out in Child Protective Services as my first career path and worked there for several years before I reached burnout,” Whitener said. She later took a job at Starbucks before discovering the massage therapy program at Patrick & Henry Community College.
“They only offer the program every two years because it takes about a year and a half to complete,” she said. “But once I started, I fell in love with the practice.”
Whitener said her natural empathy plays an important role in her work.
“I’m naturally a very empathetic person, being able to relate to someone physically and emotionally,” she said. “When massaging a person’s body, I can feel muscle knots and tension, and I’m very in tune if someone has something emotionally going on or is holding stress or trauma in their body.”
She said her approach is what sets her apart.
“I’m all about supporting local and supporting small businesses. But what’s different in my massage sessions is that I put the therapy in massage therapy,” Whitener said. “Every single massage is tailored to an individual client’s needs.”
Whitener is also pursuing additional certifications, including training in cupping, to expand her list of services.
Earth and Serenity currently offers Swedish massage, Thai massage, Heavenly Head massage, advanced hot stone massage, and fire-and-ice fusion massage.
The studio is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Appointments can be booked online through the business website.
