01 / our story
We’re not your typical spa – in fact, we’ve hesitated in calling ourselves a spa at all.
The Still Point isn’t just a temporary beauty and relaxation pit stop. As a women-owned small business that serves the greater Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metro areas by providing top-notch holistic wellness modalities, we’re a place to pursue and maintain wellness of mind, body and spirit.
Our founder, Tori Paide, left her high-powered international development career when she became aware of the benefits of holistic wellness. She pursued a degree in acupuncture. Then she became keenly aware that in her own city of Washington, D.C. there was a dearth of opportunities for therapeutic touch, acupuncture, and energy work. With the founding of The Still Point Takoma Park in 2007, she developed a new business model which allowed for greater support of practitioners than the traditional spa model has offered while fostering a natural approach to keeping people healthy.
In 2011, Tori joined forces with Marla Peoples. Marla’s background was in psychology; she then moved into the corporate world as an executive recruiter and corporate trainer. During this time, she was introduced to acupuncture as a complement to Western medicine. The treatments had such a profound effect on her life that she knew she was meant to do this work. Marla is passionate about educating people on proactive wellness and healing.
Together, Tori and Marla brought their vision to fruition. In 2011, The Still Point opened its second location in Clarksville, Maryland. In 2014, The Still Point opened Haven on the Lake in Columbia, Maryland, and the two Howard County locations merged. At both locations, our expertly-trained practitioners perform their services in beautiful and inviting environments. We seek to maintain an eco-friendly ethos in all aspects of the business, including Toma, a Still Point exclusive brand of personal care products free from animal cruelty, petrochemicals, pthalates, and parabens. We’ve been voted “Best in DC” by the Washington City Paper year after year. The Still Point nurtures and inspires wellness - changing people’s lives and building healthy communities. We look forward to seeing you at The Still Point!
AT THE STILL POINT OF THE TURNING WORLD.
Neither flesh nor fleshless;
Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is,
But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fixity,
Where past and future are gathered.
Neither movement from nor towards,
Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point,
There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.
TS Eliot
The Still Point enhances wellness in our communities by providing access to the best integrative mind & body services while enabling wellness practitioners to thrive in a healthy and supportive environment.
Our highly trained practitioners are among the best in the industry and have a genuine passion for their gift of healing. We continuously strive to offer the latest in holistic skincare, massage and complementary medicine. We’re committed to offering personalized services and upholding the highest standards of customer service.
02 / our mission
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
The Still Point holistic spa is a peaceful oasis in Takoma Park’s funky downtown. Set amid restaurants and boutiques, the spa provides not only a tranquil space, but has one of the best selections of quality, organic skin and haircare products around”
-Karen Watkins, Bethesda Magazine
“
Licensed Acupuncturist (Takoma Park + Haven on the Lake)
Tori is the founder of The Still Point in Takoma Park and the co-owner with Marla Peoples of The Still Point at Haven on the Lake. She’s a graduate of the Master of Acupuncture Program at Tai Sophia Institute (now Maryland University of Integrative Health). Her practice focuses on bringing patients into a state of well-being, and ensuring that the healing is sustainable. While Tori isn’t limited to fertility work, many of her patients are working towards getting pregnant, are expecting, or are postpartum and transitioning into motherhood. Tori believes that acupuncture is a powerful tool for staying well and living life to its fullest potential.
TORI PAIDE, M.AC.
Licensed Acupuncturist (Haven on the Lake)
Marla Peoples, M.Ac.
Marla is the co-owner with Tori Paide of The Still Point at Haven on the Lake. She began her journey with acupuncture as a patient, and was so profoundly affected by the experience that she ended her corporate career to become an acupuncuturist. After earning a Master of Acupuncture degree from Tai Sophia Institute (now Maryland University of Integrative Health), Marla built a full-time practice with a key focus on partnering with physicians committed to alternative healing. Marla believes that wellness is an active process. She’s passionate about helping her patients become aware of and make choices that guide them towards success.
Licensed Acupuncturist and Naturopathic Physician (Takoma Park)
Doctor of Acupuncture (Takoma Park)
kachina smith, D.Ac
HANNA SCHMITTAT, ND, LAC, DIPL. AC. (NCCAOM)
A DC metro area native, Kachina received her Doctorate and Master's degree in Acupuncture from the Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH). She also is a certified Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist (ADS) by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). Kachina practices acupuncture because it enables her to care for each person as a whole - body, mind, and spirit. Her education and professional experience in traditional Western medicine as well as five-element acupuncture helps craft unique and customized treatments. Through her life path as an acupuncturist, she believes her patients, like eagles, must soar and live their best lives.
Dr. Hanna Schmittat is a Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Maryland. She attended the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine (UBCNM) and Acupuncture Institute (UBAI), where she was awarded the Golden Needle Award for mastery in the use of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in clinical service to patients.
During the journey towards becoming a Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist, Dr Schmittat was able to combine her passion for travel with her desire to deepen her knowledge. Dr Schmittat traveled to Jamaica to study native Jamaican herbs with Dr Eugene Zamperion. Later, Dr Schmittat worked with a group of students under the supervision of Dr Carlos Cunningham on a medical mission trip in Guatemala. Recently, Dr Schmittat pursued a 6 month course in Advanced Homeopathy at the Other Song Academy, in Mumbai, India. There she studied sensation style homeopathy under Dr Sankaran, a world renowned homeopath. During the 6th month course Dr Schmittat worked closely under Dr Dhanipkar to study acute and chronic homeopathic prescribing.
In addition to general family practice, Dr Schmittat specializes in chronic and acute pain management. Dr Schmittat understands the importance of working together with the patient, their family, and their team of health care providers, to provide the best care for the patient, and achieve optimum results.
Licensed Acupuncturist (Takoma Park)
Dan brings The Still Point more than 25 years of experience as an acupuncturist. A graduate of the Traditional Acupuncture Institute (later Tai Sophia Institute, now Maryland University of Integrative Health), Dan was a full faculty member for ten years. He has studied with Professor Worsley at the College of Traditional Acupuncture in Leamington Spa, England, completed a course in Chinese Herbs with Ted Kapchuck, and has studied Japanese Acupuncture withe Kiiko Matsumoto and David Euler. Dan has worked with pioneers in energetic/informational medicine on such protocols as BioSet Allergy Elimination, the IQS screening system, Nutri-Energetic Evaluation System (NEW) and NeuroModulation Technique (NMT). Dan provides a unique set of treatment options offered by few practitioners in this country, including a comprehensive energy evaluation, which blends ancient theories with cutting-edge technology. Dan works closely with patients to relieve everything from minor health issues to seemingly untreatable chronic conditions.
Daniel Ebaugh, M.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist (Haven on the Lake & Takoma Park)
Khanh Nguyen, M.OM
Khanh received her Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine from the Maryland University of Integrative Health. She plans to complete her doctorate degree by December 2016. Khanh is experienced in Five Element Acupuncture, Classical and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Chinese Herbal Medicine. She has supported patients with low back pain, sciatica, diabetes, irregular periods, infertility, allergies, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders, and much more. Because she is attentive, generous, and has an incredible work ethic, she is able to skillfully apply what she knows to help each patient heal.
Brigitte has been with The Still Point for over 11 years! A graduate from the Potomac Massage Training Institute in Washington, D.C., Brigitte is trained not only in Swedish and deep tissue massage, but also reflexology, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, hot stone therapy, fertility massage, pre-natal massage, Raindrop Technique, and Ayurvedic work. She customizes each session based on the client’s needs. Through her work, Brigitte’s objective is to help improve body awareness and a better well-being for her clients through positive touch. Brigitte values each session as a sacred experience, where she is honored to participate in a client’s journey toward wholeness.
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
Brigitte Rawlings
Katheryn graduated from Potomac Massage Training Institute in 1991. She has training in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Craniosacral, Thai, Reiki, as well as Pre-Natal massage, and has experience as a Doula. Katheryn offers sessions in any of these individual massage modalities or a fusion incorporating an energetic approach. She enjoys working with clients in an effort to bring about both relaxation and more functional ease in body and mind. Katheryn is also a long time T'ai Chi practitioner and instructor.
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
katheryn Yasuoka
A 2002 graduate of the Baltimore School of Holistic Massage, Claudia left a 20 year career in Radiologic Technology in order to pursue a career in Complimentary Medicine. She has trained extensively in Swedish and Myofascial massage. In 2012 she completed her training in Chakra Balancing at The Braided Way Healing Arts in Ellicott City, MD. Claudia believes that this unique healing modality has been a great addition to her massage practice, as it facilitates the space needed for the clients to heal beyond the physical.
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
Claudia Lagos
A graduate of Baltimore Yoga Village’s 200 Hour Jivan Yoga Teacher Training, Courtney enjoys working with students looking to yoga for relief from pain, injury and stress as well as to explore how yoga can greatly improve their everyday lives. Courtney is also a 2002 graduate of the Baltimore School of Massage. She specializes in chronic pain relief by integrating deep tissue and myofascial release into her sessions. Courtney assists clients in releasing old holding patterns and thus breaking the cycle of pain and reduced range of motion.
Licensed Massage Therapist + Registered Yoga Teacher (Takoma Park)
Courtney Lewis
David combines the solid training he received from the Potomac Massage Training Institute with intuitions based in his long experience of bodywork into a customized approach that helps restore both physical and mental balance. He specializes in deep tissue, sports massage, myofacial release, and assisted stretching and enjoys seeing clients from all walks of life improve their overall function through massage.
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
David Windsor
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
Robin graduated from the Swedish Institute in 1990 and since then has been practicing massage therapy in integrative health settings, corporate settings, spas and gyms in New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, DC. Her education started with a deep, medical approach to massage and over the years has embraced subtle modalities, often incorporating both into a session as seems fit for her client. Robin has a body/mind/spirit approach and encourages clients to take charge of care by using massage therapy in addition to other avenues to well-being--acupuncture, exercise, meditation, nutrition, physical therapy, Pilates, stretching, Tai Chi, yoga--with the hope that every client will find an enjoyable way to achieve optimum health.
robin brownstein
Magdalena Rowlett is a 2015 graduate of the Potomac Massage Training Institute, and is an avid believer that the power of touch is an excellent addition to anyone’s healing process. Maggie’s specialty is deep tissue massage, but also uses combinations of hot stone, Swedish, and stretching to achieve even greater relaxation; customizing every massage to every client. She believes healing is a team effort, and hopes to help you on your journey to a healthy life.
Registered Massage Practitioner (Takoma Park)
Magdalena Rowlett
Paul is helps people to relieve stress and pain and improve movement through the calming and healing powers of listening and touch with respectful pressure. After decades of pharmaceutical research and development, he graduated from Potomac Massage Therapy Institute in 2015 and has since many people with chronic or acute pain and mobility. Paul customizes therapies based on health history, physical condition, lifestyle and stress levels, using intuition and methods built upon science and guided by clinical evidence. Sessions may blend myofascial, trigger point (hypersensitive muscle “knots”), deep tissue, hot stone, Swedish, stretching and other techniques to address blood flow, nerve entrapment and postural or movement dysfunction.
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
paul kimbell
Kelley is a graduate of the New England Academy of Therapeutic Sciences. The first seven years of her massage career, Kelley worked with a holistic chiropractor and developed a passion for the medical side of massage and addressing specific issues. Kelley has 18 years of massage experience, incorporating Swedish massage, deep tissue, pre-natal, foot reflexology and sports massage. She believes in customizing the massage to the specific needs of her client and incorporating everything she’s learned. She feels massage therapists and their clients are both like snowflakes—no two are alike!
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
Kelley McCaleb
Jamila Graham is a graduate of the Potomac Massage Training institute. Jamila is certified in Massage for the Childbearing Years, which includes pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. She loves to help her clients relieve stress and achieve relaxation through massage.She provides a safe, calm, and soothing environment. Jamila is an attentive and caring therapist that really listens to her clients. She tailors her sessions to meet the clients’ needs. She uses a combination of Swedish and deep tissue to provide muscle tension relief. Being a Reiki practitioner she also provides her clients with positive healing energy. Jamila believes in everyone needing to take time for themselves to recharge and relax.
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
Jamila Graham
Deb graduated from Central Maryland School of Massage in 2013. She specializes in getting people to relax and reduce their daily stress. Deb blends several different modalities in each session along with stretching and range of motion to create a individualized massage for her clients. She has experience in Swedish, deep tissue, lymphatic drainage, and hot stone.
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
deb balenson
BIO COMING SOON
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
ryan ogle
Abby is a graduate of PMTI and has been practicing since 2011. Coming from a very medical family, she felt a call to massage as early as age 8. She has always believed in the “body mind” and the body mind connection. She specializes in prenatal, deep tissue, Swedish, and hot stone massage. She also incorporates some of the Trager method into her work, as well as basic manual lymph drainage.
Licensed Massage Therapist (Takoma Park)
abby Davis
Rod Burke has a drive to inspire others through mind & body fitness. His areas of specialty include Thai yoga massage, classic yoga, food & emotional health. Rod creates an environment that facilitates opportunities for healing and self-discovery of ones own inner beauty & light. Rod is a certified RYT200 Pranashama Yoga instructor and certified at the therapeutic level by Shivagakomarpaj Massage School in Chiang Mai Thailand in various Thai massage modalities including Traditional Thai Yoga Massage. As a champion of complimentary whole food lifestyle for healing and optimal health. Rod is life-long student, always growing and empowering others to become their best.
Certified Traditional Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner and Yoga Instructor
rod burke
Lead Esthetician (Takoma Park)
Angela has more than 26 years of experience in the beauty industry as a professional makeup artist. She trained as an esthetician and makeup artist at the Suzanne Saville Beauty College in England. Having worked in spas and beauty salons in England, Bermuda, and the Washington D.C. area, she specializes in giving individual makeup lessons and bridal work. She also brings many years of experience doing makeup for actors’ head shots, models’ portfolios and portraits. One client recently commented,” Angela is skilled at making you look exactly like you…just not as tired!”
Angela Spicer
Licensed Esthetician (Takoma Park)
Courtney Werth Buras
Courtney takes pride in providing each of her clients with a unique skin care experience tailored specifically to his or her own needs. As a long-term sufferer of teen and adult acne, she is passionate about helping others with similar skin care problems. She believes in providing a non-invasive, holistic approach to skin care and that “good skin comes from within” using all-natural products, as an effective long term solution for healthy, beautiful skin. She began her skincare career at the Esthetic Institute in Vienna, VA and then pursued her Master Esthetics License at the Dermal Science International Aesthetics Academy in Reston, VA. Her focus is on Acne and problematic skin and has attained an Acne Specialist Certification. Most recently, she has courses in Beauty Nutrition so she can coach her clients about the importance of nutrition in skin care.
Licensed Esthetician (Takoma Park)
MAYA ALI
Maya's passion for skincare goes way back to her childhood, where at age 16 she started creating home made all natural bath and body products and learning about oil infusions for the face and body. Today she treats a wide range of skin issues, with particular knowledge and focus on on acne and hyperpigmentation. Maya's facial massage techniques include Lymphatic Manual Drainage, European facial massage, Thai, and Reflexology. She's always been passionate about a holistic focus on skin care and nutritional health and brings that into the treatment room.
Licensed Esthetician (Takoma Park)
Licensed Esthetician (Takoma Park)
TamMi Cox
charmika hall
Tammi graduated from the Paul Mitchell Esthetics Program in 2014 and shortly after joined The Still Point, where she has learned all about the importance of living a holistic lifestyle. Tammi believes that healthy skin begins from the inside/out. She is currently studying Plant-Based Nutrition and takes pride in helping her clients understand the connection between food and skin. While striving to provide her clients with whole-body skincare knowledge, Tammi's main goal is for the client's service to be healing and therapeutic.
Charmika is an artist and alchemist with a love for plants and the gifts of nature. In 2013 she decided to take more control of her own health and well-being and started creating her own herbal remedies at home. With a growing passion to learn more, she went on to complete two years of herbal studies focusing on holistic health and Ayurvedic wellness. Her passion for helping others maintain good skin health led her to Chesapeake School of Esthetics. Although she treats many skin conditions, her primary focus is eczema and acne. Charmika is always happy to educate her clients on the benefits of using nature for nutrition and healthy skin. Her goal is to always give an experience that allows the mind, body and spirit to immerse in total relaxation while treating the skin with love and care.
Licensed Massage Therapist + Registered Yoga Teacher (Takoma Park)
Certified Traditional Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner and Yoga Instructor
A graduate of Baltimore Yoga Village’s 200 Hour Jivan Yoga Teacher Training, Courtney enjoys working with students looking to yoga for relief from pain, injury and stress as well as to explore how yoga can greatly improve their everyday lives. Courtney is also a 2002 graduate of the Baltimore School of Massage. She specializes in chronic pain relief by integrating deep tissue and myofascial release into her sessions. Courtney assists clients in releasing old holding patterns and thus breaking the cycle of pain and reduced range of motion. In addition, she offers Swedish massage, pre-natal massage, sports massage, and reflexology.
Rod Burke has a drive to inspire others through mind & body fitness. His areas of specialty include Thai yoga massage, classic yoga, food & emotional health. Rod creates an environment that facilitates opportunities for healing and self-discovery of ones own inner beauty & light. Rod is a certified RYT200 Pranashama Yoga instructor and certified at the therapeutic level by Shivagakomarpaj Massage School in Chiang Mai Thailand in various Thai massage modalities including Traditional Thai Yoga Massage. As a champion of complimentary whole food lifestyle for healing and optimal health. Rod is life-long student, always growing and empowering others to become their best.
Courtney Lewis
rod Burke
Natural Nail Specialist (Haven on the Lake)
change this
Emily Shipp
Reiki Master (Takoma Park)
Energetic Evaluation (Takoma Park)
Katheryn graduated from Potomac Massage Training Institute in 1991. She has training in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Craniosacral, Thai, Reiki, as well as Pre-Natal massage, and has experience as a Doula. Katheryn offers sessions in any of these individual massage modalities or a fusion incorporating an energetic approach. She enjoys working with clients in an effort to bring about both relaxation and more functional ease in body and mind. Katheryn is also a long time T'ai Chi practitioner and instructor.
Dan brings The Still Point more than 25 years of experience as an acupuncturist. A graduate of the Traditional Acupuncture Institute (later Tai Sophia Institute, now Maryland University of Integrative Health), he has worked with pioneers in energetic/informational medicine on such protocols as BioSet Allergy Elimination, the IQS screening system, Nutri-Energetic Evaluation System (NEW) and NeuroModulation Technique (NMT). Dan provides a unique set of treatment options offered by few practitioners in this country, including a comprehensive energy evaluation, which blends ancient theories with cutting-edge technology. Dan works closely with patients to relieve everything from minor health issues to seemingly untreatable chronic conditions.
A 2002 graduate of the Baltimore School of Holistic Massage, Claudia left a 20 year career in Radiologic Technology in order to pursue a career in Complimentary Medicine. She has trained extensively in Swedish and Myofascial massage. In 2012 she completed her training in Chakra Balancing at The Braided Way Healing Arts in Ellicott City, MD. Claudia believes that this unique healing modality has been a great addition to her massage practice, as it facilitates the space needed for the clients to heal beyond the physical.
KATHERYN YASUOKA
DAN EBAUGH, LAC
Claudia Lagos
Chakra Balancing (Takoma Park)
Acupuncturist and Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Hanna Schmittat is a Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Maryland. She attended the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine (UBCNM) and Acupuncture Institute (UBAI), where she was awarded the Golden Needle Award for mastery in the use of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in clinical service to patients.
During the journey towards becoming a Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist, Dr Schmittat was able to combine her passion for travel with her desire to deepen her knowledge. Dr Schmittat traveled to Jamaica to study native Jamaican herbs with Dr Eugene Zamperion. Later, Dr Schmittat worked with a group of students under the supervision of Dr Carlos Cunningham on a medical mission trip in Guatemala. Recently, Dr Schmittat pursued a 6 month course in Advanced Homeopathy at the Other Song Academy, in Mumbai, India. There she studied sensation style homeopathy under Dr Sankaran, a world renowned homeopath. During the 6th month course Dr Schmittat worked closely under Dr Dhanipkar to study acute and chronic homeopathic prescribing.
In addition to general family practice, Dr Schmittat specializes in chronic and acute pain management. Dr Schmittat understands the importance of working together with the patient, their family, and their team of health care providers, to provide the best care for the patient, and achieve optimum results.
Hanna Schmittat, ND, LAc, Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM)
Join the List
WELLNESS + BALANCE IN YOUR INBOX
Bi-Weekly newsletters and specials