Our Therapists

Dr. Samantha Ristimaki, BSc, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine

Samantha Ristimaki received her undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph majoring in Nutrition and Neutraceutical. Her passion for health led her to pursue a four year graduate degree at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto where she graduated with Honours as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

Dr. Ristimaki’s focus is on assisting her patients in their achievement of optimal health by assessing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspect of health and addressing the underlying cause of health concerns. She develops individualized treatment plans and educates patients about their health while encouraging them to take an active role in their own health care.

As a licensed and registered Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Ristimaki utilizes her strong background in Nutrition, Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lifestyle counseling, Botanical Medicine, Homeopathy and Physical Medicine to assist her patients in attaining their treatment goals. She has a wealth of experience in dealing with immune disorders and sports injuries. She specializes in digestive health issues, heart disease, diabetes, pain management, women’s health and pediatrics. She has also designed specific programs dealing with weight management, detoxification, healthy aging and stress reduction.

Samantha also brings her experience as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor to the clinic. She instructs fitness at several clubs in the GTA and was awarded the Bally Total Fitness Instructor of the Year in 2003.

Dr. Ristimaki is a member of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Alumni Association, the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors, the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, and is registered and licensed with the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy.

Therapies: Naturopathic Medicine | Physical Medicine| Nutrition
Acupuncture | Cosmetic Acupuncture | Homeopathy

Dr. Shima Shahidy, (Hon) B.Sc., DC
Chiropractor, Acupuncture & Graston Technique Provider

Dr. Shahidy attended the University of Waterloo for Kinesiology, specializing in Ergonomics. She later graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College with clinic honours. Shima is certified in Acupuncture and Graston Technique. As well, she is the recipient of several scholarships and awards for academics, leadership and community involvement including the Millennium Excellence Scholarship, the Lieutenant Governor's Community Volunteer Award and the Ontario Chiropractic Association Award.

Dr. Shahidy has a strong background working with health and safety teams to reduce on the job injuries. She therefore has a keen interest in the effects that jobs, hobbies and athletic involvement have on her patients’ bodies. She has treated a variety of conditions both acute and chronic and is pleased to offer a new service at Wellness for the Body called Graston Technique, which uses specially crafted instruments to isolate and treat injured tissue.

A black belt in karate and a former martial arts competitor, Dr. Shahidy was inspired to become a chiropractor through her own experiences as a chiropractic patient. She believes in a holistic approach to health, individualized treatment methods and appropriate referral to other health care professionals.

Therapies: Chiropractic Care | Myofascial Release Techniques
Acupuncture | Graston Technique | Custom Orthotics

Kata Begovits, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist

Kata Begovits is a graduate from Canadian Therapeutic College. She received her diploma in Massage and Hydro Therapy in 2005. Kata’s journey into the health field began when she was 17 as a co-op student working at the Canadian Diabetes Association. Her job was to teach newly diagnosed diabetics how to use glucose meters and provide education for healthy eating and preventative measures. It was during this time she realized she had found her calling. Kata knew she wanted to provide some form of healthcare to promote healing and to better educate people on living a healthy lifestyle.

With her father’s background in Naturopathic medicine she became interested in the idea of helping people using natural therapies and thus came across Massage Therapy. With her fathers support and encouragement she pursued and completed the 2 year program at Canadian Therapeutic College. Since then she has never looked back and has taken such an interest in natural therapies that she continually keeps herself current using resources such as her fathers’ knowledge of natural remedies and therapies as well as his personal experiences with his patients. Kata also keeps up with the latest studies conducted in Europe, current books on a variety of health topics and more.

Kata has successfully treated many people with such conditions as slipped disk, herniated disk, frozen shoulder, torticollis, pulled muscles, stiffness and many, many more. A firm believer in the positive effects of Yoga and Pilates, Kata regularly incorporates stretching techniques into her treatments allowing the muscles to regain their flexibility in turn relieving physical and mental stress-induced stiffness.

Her future education plans include a wide variety of health topics including Naturopathic medicine, Thai Yoga Massage and Shiatsu.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy | Hot Stone Massage Therapy

Calais Irwin, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist

Calais is a graduate of The Canadian Therapeutic College. In her massage therapy training, she participated in a student outreach at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington. During that time Calais treated patients with ailments such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Strokes. Calais’ interest in the alternative health care field began when she was 15. When her own injuries and headaches began to take their toll on her, Calais decided to look for an alternative to prescription drugs. After seeing a massage therapist, she knew her career path would involve alternative medicine and she has been working toward that goal since then.

Calais' specialties include pregnancy and child massage, stress reduction, rehabilitation and sports injuries.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy

Shanna Heard, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist

Shanna Heard is a graduate of the Canadian Therapeutic College with a diploma in Massage Therapy and Hydrotherapy since 2005 and is a member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). Shanna’s interest in alternative medicine began when she was in high school as a result of her father’s old hockey injuries reappearing and causing him further problems. After witnessing the improvement he experienced from seeking out chiropractic and massage therapy regularly it pushed her in the right direction.

Shanna views massage therapy as a rehabilitative tool and a preventative measure to injury and overall health and wellness. Her experience has included the treatment of a wide range of conditions within a chiropractic clinical setting. Her specialties include stress reduction, pregnancy and child massage, chronic pain management, rehabilitation, motor vehicle accident patients and sports injuries. Shanna is also trained in hot stone massage therapy.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy | Hot Stone Massage Therapy

Andrea Antaya, RMT, Dipl. S.T.
Registered Massage Therapist, Shiatsu Therapist & Reiki Practitioner

Andrea is a Registered Massage Therapist, Shiatsu Therapist, and Reiki Practitioner. In her mid 20’s, when she was first introduced to Chinese Medicine, she decided to approach life from a different perspective. This combined with the strong will to join the alternative healthcare field led her to the Shiatsu School of Canada in Toronto where she studied Shiatsu for two years. Her training uniquely blended Eastern and Western medicine and included extensive hands on teaching.

In 2005 the decision was made to expand her knowledge of Swedish Massage as she attended and graduated from the Canadian Therapeutic College. She also received her Reiki Level II training during this time.

Andrea's specialties include shiatsu, reiki, pregnancy and child massage, stress reduction, rehabilitation and sports injuries.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy | Shiatsu | Reiki

Andrea Nederveen, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist

Andrea is a graduate of the Canadian Therapeutic College. She received her diploma and certificate in 2004. She has since had the opportunity to do a lot of travelling. Her inspiration to build her own career as a massage therapist came during a visit to Prince Edward Island. Andrea has worked in both Spa and Chiropractic settings treating many conditions such as muscle pain, stress, fibromyalgia and degenerative diseases i.e. Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Wellness for the Body welcomes Andrea as the newest addition to our team of Therapists and she welcomes new patients!

Andrea's specialties include pregnancy and child massage, stress reduction, rehabilitation and sports injuries.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy

Gabriella Tozser, RMT
Registered Massage Therapist

Gabriella is a graduate of ICT Kikkawa College, Toronto. She received her diploma and certificate of Massage Therapy in 2009.

Growing up in Hungary, Gabriella's quest to be a professional member of a health services team in Canada remained virtually hidden for several years. Gabriella's grandmother who had been working in the vineyard for several days was complaining of a very sore shoulder and asked Gabriella to massage it. She was only seven years old. The result was so satisfying that the massage became a weekly request from her grandmother and it wasn’t long before other family members began taking advantage of Gabriella’s special gift.

During her training at Kikkawa she volunteered her expertise at Baycrest Hospital, The Terry Fox Run and the Department of Justice of Ontario to name a few. Gabriella has successfully treated many types of sports related injuries, victims of automobile and slip and fall accidents and conditions related to the nervous system. Her therapeutic touch has successfully relieved symptoms of headaches and migraines, neck and back pain, strains and sprains, and sciatica.

Gabriella’s plans for the future are to expand her qualifications into the fields of Reflexology, Thai Massage and Suikodo.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy

Jody Curry, B.Sc., RMT
Registered Massage Therapist & Craniosacral Practitioner

Jody began her education at Trent University where she obtained her degree in Biology. Following her desire to be in the health care field, she studied massage therapy at The Canadian Therapeutic College and then began her career as a massage therapist. In her first year, Jody trained with a senior therapist and learned the specialization of Deep Tissue Massage. Additional training has included Craniosacral and advanced assessment techniques.

Her experience has included various types of environments such as Physiotherapy clinics, a Wellness spa, Massage Therapy clinics, and Chiropractic clinics. This has allowed her to treat a wide range of conditions including sports injuries; post-surgical; chronic conditions; pregnancy and infant massage and general wellness.

Her interests include rollerblading, and running, and she is currently training for the Around the Bay Road Race in March. She looks forward to being able to help you on the road to wellness.

Therapies: Registered Massage Therapy | Craniosacral