Meet Penelope, Massage Therapist at Le Rêve Organic Spa in Santa Barbara
Meet Penelope, Massage Therapist at Le Rêve Organic Spa in Santa Barbara
Penelope was sixteen the first time she watched someone reshape a body with their hands. It was 1984. A traditional healer from Burkina Faso was giving a demonstration of structural bodywork, and she was hooked. She has been studying touch ever since, which comes to more than forty years.
Four decades of training in structural bodywork and massage
After that first demonstration, Penelope went looking for the best teachers she could find. Over the years she trained with Christian Smith, Jack Painter, Mary Bond, Anders and Lena Jelveus, Karina Konupek, Eve McCloughsky and many others.
Structural bodywork looks at how your body is organized: how posture settles in and how tissue holds on to old patterns long after the original strain is gone. That foundation shapes the way Penelope works on the table. She isn’t just rubbing out a knot. She’s asking why it formed.
Training that goes well beyond the table
Penelope’s education didn’t stop at massage. She has studied medicinal herbs, movement therapy, nutrition, dream work, meditation and addiction studies, along with traditional indigenous healing practices. She also has a background in fitness training and years of distance running and endurance cycling, so she knows what long miles do to hips and hamstrings.
All of that gives her a wide lens. A sore shoulder might come from how you sit at your desk. It might come from your training load, or from stress you’ve been carrying since spring. Penelope pays attention to the whole picture and works on the person in front of her, not a generic routine.
Why Penelope chose Le Rêve
Le Rêve Organic Spa & Boutique has been a locally owned part of downtown Santa Barbara for 27 years, and it’s the only Green Certified spa in town. Every oil and lotion we use is organic. Owner Bridgette O’Neill is a chemist and entrepreneur, and she holds each product to her own standards before it goes on a shelf or on a client. Penelope calls Le Rêve a peaceful sanctuary where she can do her best work, and we’re glad to have her.
Book a session with Penelope
You can book Penelope through the Book Now button on our website or you may call us at (805) 564-2977 to book with a Le Rêve spa coordinator. We’re at 21 W. Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101, right off State Street downtown. Guests come to us from Montecito, Goleta, Carpinteria and Summerland, and we’re an easy drive from all of them.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Penelope at Le Rêve?
Penelope is a massage therapist at Le Rêve Organic Spa & Boutique in Santa Barbara. She has trained in structural bodywork and massage since 1984.
What is structural bodywork?
Structural bodywork is hands-on work that focuses on posture and alignment, and on how connective tissue holds tension patterns over time. The aim is to help the body sit and move with less strain, not only to relieve a sore spot for a day.
How much experience does Penelope have?
More than forty years. She started training at sixteen after watching a structural bodywork demonstration by a traditional healer from Burkina Faso. Since then she has studied with teachers including Jack Painter, Mary Bond and Christian Smith.
Is Penelope a good fit for runners and cyclists?
Yes. She has a background in distance running, endurance cycling and fitness training, so she understands the tightness and imbalances that come with endurance sports.
How do I book a massage with Penelope?
Book online through the Book Now button on le-reve.com or call (805) 564-2977 to book with a Le Rêve spa coordinator.
Does Le Rêve see guests from Montecito, Goleta, Carpinteria and Summerland?
Yes. We’re in downtown Santa Barbara at 21 W. Gutierrez St., a short drive from Montecito, Goleta, Carpinteria and Summerland, and many of our massage guests come from those towns.