Our Houston Massage Therapists & Yoga Instructors

Lisa McKelvey, LMT

Lisa studied European Massage and Amma Therapy at The New Center College in New York. She has been a Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas since 1999. She opened Urban Kneads in 2000 to offer a holistic approach to bodywork and an alternative to the bustling day spa atmosphere in her neighborhood. Lisa continues to study new bodywork techniques with a focus on CranioSacral Therapy (CST). Her bodywork experience combined with energy work compliment the body’s own natural healing.

Anna Hoffman, LMT

Anna Dell Hoffman has been a full time Massage Therapist at Urban Kneads for over 2 years. She has seven years of experience, gaining her education in Oregon and California. Anna combines her intuitive touch to accentuate her therapeutic massage. Anna uses Swedish, Myofacial, Deep Tissue, Sports, BREEMA, and energy work to help heal and relax her clients. Anna is also our local Henna/Mehndi Artist, creating beautiful natural body tattoos with all natural ingredients. Schedule with Anna in house at Urban Kneads or hire her out to come to your home. Healing, restorative, balancing, energizing, and nurturing are some of the descriptions clients have experienced with her work.

Audrey Nkadi, LMT

Audrey is a licensed massage therapist and esthetician. She has worked in various spa environments for over eight years as a massage therapist and holds the title of Holistic Spa Practitioner. She is a graduate of the Winter School and the Lauterstein-Conway School of Massage where she studied Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, and Clinical Bodywork. In addition, she has training and certifications in Hot/Cold Stone Therapy, Chair Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Pregnancy, Acupressure, Reflexology, Shiatsu and Aromatherapy.

She believes that to function at peak efficiency, it's important to keep our bodies "toned and tuned" by giving ourselves the attention we deserve. Her formula for living a balanced, healthy life is through the integration of holistic healthcare practices and she strongly believes that the healing qualities of massage therapy play an intricate role in achieving this goal. With focused intention, she aspires to create unique therapeutic experiences that guide each client on a personal path towards wholeness, self-awareness, and optimal health.

Audrey's compassionate approach to bodywork is centered on quieting the mind and restoring the human spirit. Her caring nature, technical skill, and intuitive ability pinpoint and release areas of tension and chronic pain. She brings a perceptive presence to her therapeutic massage practice and draws form a myriad of massage techniques to combine rocking, compression, gentle stretching, breath awareness, therapeutic deep work, relaxing light touch and energy balancing which she customizes to meet the needs of her clients. Audrey continues to advance her education in various therapeutic massage modalities and holistic skincare treatments. She enjoys being part of the creative process and values the art of being mindful.

Kathleen Baskin Smith, LMT

Kathleen Baskin Smith has over 25 years of massage therapy training and experience. In 1974 she graduated with a Biology Degree from the University of Texas Austin. In 1983 Kathleen received certifications in massage therapy from the Phoenix School and Nutritional Counseling from The School of Nutrition. She has additional training in therapeutic assessment, Reike, Aromatherapy, Prenatal Massage and Baby Massage. With her experience in Hatha Yoga since 1972 and Pilates since 1993, she can recommend routines to compliment her massages for the improvement of a variety of chronic conditions and injuries.

Rie Congelio

Rie has been practicing yoga since 1997. She completed teacher training certifications with Robert Boustany in 1999 and Jonny Kest in 2004, and continues to earn Yoga Alliance Continuing Education for Teachers credits, studying with Jonny, Erich Schiffman, Rodney Yee and other nationally recognized instructors.

Rie's vinyasa classes are multi-level and non-competitive. Vinyasa yoga is an eclectic form of ashtanga yoga, where breath and movement are linked in a flowing sequence.

Meredith Bowerman

Meredith Bowerman Instructor

Meredith has been practicing yoga since 2002. Her first training was through the Houston Yoga Institute and has since then completed numerous workshops with nationally recognized teachers such as Manju Jois (Ashtanga), Rod Stryker (Parayoga), Baron Baptiste (Power/Flow Yoga) and John Friend (Anusara). She is registered with the Yoga Alliance (200hrs) and continues to earn continuing education units yearly. Her classes are strong, flexible and balanced and there is always great emphasis on breath work. A solid breathing practice is a wonderful tool to bring the focus inward, to calm and quiet the mind as well as to release stress. Combining breath work and yoga postures invites in openness, tranquility, relaxation and a sense of peace that is already part of who we really are. Meredith intuitively teaches to those that are present giving those students exactly what they need in their yoga practice – gentle adjustments, creative sequencing, calming meditations and or breath work. The level of all classes offered is modified for those that are attending class. You can find out more about Meredith at www.lovelaughterhealing.com

Anrew Royal Dugas

Andrew Royal Dugas Instructor

I first came to yoga through my music studies at Rice in 1997. I have been hooked ever since. Since 2002 I have devoted myself to the art and teaching of yoga. My style is heavily influenced by the physiological and energetic understanding of the body as taught by my teacher, Robert Boustany. I focus on taking the consciousness inside the body to release stress and tension, quieting the mental chatter that inhibits flexibility. Openness to learning and finding balance are the most important things for me. Avoiding rigidity and unconsciousness in all forms is key to both physical and psychological progress.

I was also a professional classical bassist who freelanced in many of the city’s orchestras. I was in the Austin Symphony and Beaumont Symphony.

With over 12 years of playing experience and very high levels of study from some of the world’s best musicians, I am very knowledgeable about the ‘war wounds’ created by playing musical instruments and from other repetitive disciplines. Musicians are especially encouraged to come and experience the challenge of opening the body and recover from the years of contortion and abuse playing music as well as other arts engenders.

A passionate rock climber, musician, photographer, artist, teacher, woodworker, natural builder, father and husband, I seek to live as fully as possible, savoring each instance of joy and sorrow without regret or hesitation. All of my classes are open to all levels and abilities, including pregnant goddesses. Each class is customized for those that are present each time. Come, nourish your inspiration and give yourself the present of presence.

Becky Lee

Becky is currently studying primarily under Robert Boustany. She has also studied under various styles of teachers who inspire a particular attentiveness to what is happening with the body in the present. Becky’s studies in Tai Chi, Chi Kung, martial arts, meditation, and energy work continue to help facilitate her passion for life. Her classes focus on developing awareness through proper physical alignment and attention to the breath. The level of intensity in each class is modified for all that are present. Come and enjoy the power of your own strength. You are worth it!