Kelly is a graduate of The New School for Massage for Massage, Bodywork & Healing, and is fertility massage certified through the Integrative Care for Fertility Institute. As a massage therapist and Reiki master, Kelly brings a sense of magic and intention to every session. She creates a welcoming space for clients to focus on self care, and deep relaxation, drawing on her deep connection to energy work to provide a truly personalized healing experience.

Kelly’s passion for women’s health and fertility care comes from a place of intention. She believes in empowering women and providing support during what can be a deeply personal and challenging time. She wants to help women feel nurtured and cared for every step of the way, and considers it an honor to be a part of their journey toward well-being and wholeness.

When she’s not working, Kelly can be found outdoors, immersed in nature and enjoying time with her loved ones.

Modalities: fertility massage, therapeutic massage, reiki, prenatal massage, reflexology

Kelly is a graduate of The New School for Massage for Massage, Bodywork & Healing, and is fer... Read More

Christine is a Licensed Acupuncturist and the Acupuncture Director at Pulling Down the Moon, a fertility-focused integrative complementary medicine center in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Christine holds a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine. She has been a Board Certified practicing acupuncturist since 2004.

She has studied Chinese Tai Ji Quan at Wu Dang Mountain and Gong Fu at Shao Lin Temple in China. In addition, she studied Chinese herbology at the Beijing University of Traditional Medicine in 2003. She is a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor in the Iyengar method and has been practicing for over 20 years.

Christine focuses on helping people achieve maximum, lasting wellness by giving them the tools to heal themselves. She believes that health can be improved by using traditional methods of moderation and balance. Christine has helped support many couples on their journey to conceive.

She believes it is important to address both the body as well as the mind and the spirit, especially while trying to conceive. When Christine is not treating patients, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sweet daughters, listening to all kinds of music, strolling through the Chicago Botanic Garden and reading. Christine@pullingdownthemoon.com

Christine is a Licensed Acupuncturist and the Acupuncture Director at Pulling Down the Moon, a fe... Read More

Tessa became a licensed, clinical massage therapist through The Soma Institute in downtown Chicago, and has gone on to become fertility massage certified through the Integrative Care for Fertility Institute.

Tessa’s passion for supporting individuals on their fertility journey and beyond comes from her belief in the healing power of touch to bring balance, peace, and growth into daily life, especially during times of transition and preparation for new beginnings.

Her path to massage began with a deep desire to help others—with a background in art and a deep interest in art therapy, that same love for creativity, hands-on connection, and mind–body awareness now guides her work as a massage therapist.

Tessa’s practice is trauma-informed, LGBTQIA+ friendly, and welcoming to all identities. She strives to help clients feel safe, at peace, and deeply connected within their own bodies.

Outside of the clinic, Tessa enjoys walking dogs, crafting jewelry, journaling, and grabbing a coffee before thrift store adventures with her closest friends. Creativity and connection bring her joy, and she loves weaving that same energy into her work with clients.

Modalities: swedish massage, hot stone massage, cupping, sports massage, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, trauma-informed care, fertility massage

Tessa became a licensed, clinical massage therapist through The Soma Institute in downtown Chicag... Read More

Tanya Findlay (ERYT-200, RPYT) is driven by a passion to make yoga safe and accessible for everyone. Her style of teaching is dynamic and fun, making anatomy come to life through movement.

She began teaching in 2010 and has since undertaken extensive Hatha yoga teacher trainings, as well as many specialized trainings including the Amala School of Yoga’s Prenatal and Postnatal training. During this teacher training, Tanya met Beth Heller (of Pulling Down the Moon), who was facilitating a discussion and practice around Yoga for Fertility. It was as if her two worlds (yoga and infertility) had collided!

Tanya is a mother to 2 IVF miracles, a daughter and a son. She is especially grateful for the YFF series, which provided a first-time success rate for retrieval and transfer of her second born (compared to the 3 rounds it took to conceive her first, not having gone through YFF). She looks forward to supporting and empowering women to overcome their own fertility challenges at Pulling Down the Moon and on the Fully Fertile App!

Tanya@Pullingdownthemoon.com

Tanya Findlay (ERYT-200, RPYT) is driven by a passion to make yoga safe and accessible for everyo... Read More

Hi, I’m Jen. It’s nice to meet you!

My journey into healthcare began in my teens after watching a family member struggle to find help in the western medical world. I knew there had to be a different way to find relief and move towards real healing.

My first love is Nutrition and I earned a Masters in Holistic Nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health. I am still a foodie and love to cook. I believe in the power of plants and food as medicine.

I am a graduate of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago. A rigorous program of over 3000 hours, with over 500 clinic hours. My background includes training not only in acupuncture, but in a wide array of Chinese medicine modalities. I am licensed by the state and recognized by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and a certified NCCAOM Herbalist.

I have enjoyed specializing in women’s health and fertility care in my private practice and I am thrilled to continue to support this community in this integrated group practice. I consider it an honor to walk alongside my patients’ on their journey towards better health.

Hi, I’m Jen. It’s nice to meet you! My journey into healthcare began in my teens after watching ... Read More

Cassie is a certified Yoga Instructor who trained at Urban Breath Yoga in Saint Louis. She is also a certified Prenatal Yoga Instructor, with an additional 95 hours of instruction through Amala School of Prenatal Yoga and her Yoga for Fertility training through Pulling Down the Moon. As a way to offer personalized instruction and build relationships, Cassie prefers to keep her classes small. She employs Kriya yoga, including Hatha Yoga — involving body, breath and mind.

Cassie’s most recent focus is in Yoga for Fertility, and her classes can help you prepare your body and cope with the stress and emotions of the fertility journey. Her own journey led her to acupuncture, nutrition and chiropractic care — a holistic approach that helped her conceive her two sons. Cassie credits teaching Yoga for Fertility classes with truly helping her to heal, and she hopes to provide a supportive environment where students know they are not alone in their fertility journey.

Yoga has been a constant in Cassie’s life since college, providing a healthy, supportive outlet. She believes that it’s possible for anyone and everyone to reap the benefits of yoga. Thanks in part to her calm, friendly demeanor, Cassie’s students frequently say that they’ve forgotten the stresses of the day for a while and go home feeling relaxed. That equals success in yoga terms.

When Cassie isn’t in the yoga studio, she’s balancing life with a family of four and her career as a sales engineer. She loves spending time outside, whether she is cycling, hiking or skiing. Cassie has a passion for cooking — from gourmet meals at home to fancy meals on family camping trips. She lives with her husband and sons in the northwest suburbs of Chicago but stays true to her St. Louis roots as a die-hard Cardinals fan. Cassie@Pullingdownthemoon.com

Cassie is a certified Yoga Instructor who trained at Urban Breath Yoga in Saint Louis. She is als... Read More

Michelle Johann is the friendly and compassionate face that greets you at the door or on the phone, but also our “behind the scenes gal” that gets things done! She considers herself a planner, and “type A” who believes that hard work and determination always gets you through. Until it didn’t.

In Michelle’s words, “Community got me through my journey of infertility and loss. Community that I found at Pulling Down the Moon. That is why I am here–to outreach and connect others; to help you on your journey in whatever way I can.

My experience as a former fertility patient, counselor, director at our center for a decade, and working in healthcare for many years helps me navigate systems and provide support. I am a Patient Advocate here to help you on your get started.

When I am not at The Moon, this Pisces loves to be outdoors, to get my feet in the water, enjoy good food–especially brunch, and spend time with my husband Brian and Moon baby Gavin. I am grateful for this center and for the opportunity to make a difference as we can move mountains when women support other women.”

Michelle@pullingdownthemoon.com

Michelle Johann is the friendly and compassionate face that greets you at the door or on the phon... Read More

Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified FEM Practitioner, Prenatal Massage Certification

Victoria studied Applied Sciences in Massage Therapy at Rasmussen College, where she earned her Associates in 2011. She’s gone on to become fertility massage certified through the Integrative Care for Fertility Institute, is certified in prenatal massage, and was voted Massage Envy’s Massage Therapist of the Year in 2018 (West Loop location). For over 10 years Victoria has brought deep tissue sensibilities to a clinical relaxation massage, and loves exploring new ways to profoundly impact the body. She is passionate about holistic medicine and the physiological benefits of massage, achieving the client’s goals (whether increasing pelvic blood flow, improving egg quality, or relieving pain), and making her clients feel amazing in the process. In her spare time, Victoria loves spending time with her Cavalier Spaniel, immersing herself in self-development, entrepreneurship, dance and dance ministry, and volunteering with her church. Modalities: deep tissue, sports massage, body mobilization/stretch, hot stones, prenatal massage, fertility massage. Victoria@Pullingdownthemoon.com

Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified FEM Practitioner, Prenatal Massage Certification Victoria ... Read More

Kelsi Karch (she/her) decided to become an acupuncturist after feeling a desire to help people in a more profound way. Kelsi has always been interested in the differences and similarities of humanity. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and she dreamed of a life in the spotlight. But years in the restaurant industry taught her that she genuinely loves helping people and she received her Master of Science Traditional Oriental Medicine in 2017 from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.

Kelsi has spent the past several years as a general practitioner and has experience treating numerous conditions. Throughout her career she has volunteered at a rehab facility, worked in community style acupuncture, and works with Pacific College supervising acupuncture students at the Chicago Women’s Health Center and Tapestry 360.

Additionally, women’s health and fertility has been an area of great interest to her and she marvels at how effective this medicine can be to treat and regulate a menstrual cycle. Kelsi utilizes acupuncture, moxibustion, diet and lifestyle suggestions to bring the body into balance.

After becoming a mother in 2015, she became more personally involved with how beneficial acupuncture and herbal medicine can be to experience a healthy pregnancy.

Kelsi hopes to someday perform on stage again and loves to sing Karaoke with friends. She also enjoys spending time with her daughter and volunteering at her school.

Kelsi Karch (she/her) decided to become an acupuncturist after feeling a desire to help people in... Read More

Stephen Kelly, L.M.T., Massage Instructor

Stephen is a Vietnam veteran and became a Massage Therapist (after a long career in engineering) to help other veterans who suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The fertility journey can be its own type of battle: stress, anxiety, fear, depression, and loss can all be very traumatic experiences. Just like he saw with Vietnam vets, he knew trauma could live in a fertility patient’s physical, mental and/or spiritual body creating uneasiness or “dis-ease.” Stephen believes a massage therapist can be a conduit to the healing energy in the universe that allows the body to work better and be at greater “ease.”

Along his journey as both a very experienced massage therapist and a teacher of massage at the Soma Institute (where he passes on the love and knowledge of massage therapy to his students), he felt called to help women by becoming certified in Mercier Therapy and prenatal massage.

Stephen has varied clinical skills to help those dealing with physical conditions, pain, injury, and mental health challenges.

Modalities include: Massage for PTSD/Anxiety/Depression, Prenatal Certified, Mercier Therapy Certified, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue, Orthopedic Massage with specialization in shoulder issues, Trigger Point Therapy, Swedish Massage, Myofascial Release.

In his free time, Stephen describes himself as in constant development of spirit, mind, and body and is an avid researcher. He enjoys community service, live theater, skiing, scuba diving, cooking, and participating in the National Veterans Golden Age Games.

Stephen Kelly, L.M.T., Massage Instructor Stephen is a Vietnam veteran and became a Massage Ther... Read More

Meredith Nathan, L.M.T., Massage Director, graduated with honors from Northwestern University and Chicago School of Massage Therapy. Meredith has continued her education through the Upledger Institute as well as Mercier Training Institute, and is certified in Gynovisceral Manipulation, Lymphatic Drainage Technique, CranioSacral Therapy, and Prenatal Massage. Meredith created the Fertility Enhancing Massage (FEM) Protocol™ in 2008 after working with thousands of women seeking to improve their fertility since 2004.

In 2017, in partnership with Pulling Down the Moon, Meredith became an approved provider of Continuing Education in the field of Fertility Massage with the NCBTMB. Meredith was the esteemed recipient of the AMTA’s 2018 Pioneer Award, has been highlighted in Massage Magazine and Conceive Magazine, and was a contributing author to ‘Fully Fertile: A 12-Week Holistic Plan for Optimal Fertility’. Meredith@Pullingdownthemoon.com

Meredith Nathan, L.M.T., Massage Director, graduated with honors from Northwestern University and... Read More

Patrick Riley (he/they), L.Ac., Dipl. OM, MSTOM, is a licensed Acupuncturist and NCCAOM board-certified Herbalist in Illinois and Wisconsin. He specializes in supporting both male and female fertility and has worked in conjunction with KindBody fertility clinic providing acupuncture treatments for people undergoing embryo transfers. In addition to helping people with their reproductive health, Patrick has particular interest in treating psycho-emotional well-being, chronic pain, digestion imbalances, auto-immune disorders, and men’s health.

Guided by an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, Patrick’s time at Chicago Women’s Health Center (during his 1000 clinical hour master’s program in acupuncture and herbal medicine), ignited a passion for aiding women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals on their reproductive health journeys.

In 2016 he earned the 500hr yoga teacher distinction (RYT) and taught classes throughout Chicago, with a focus on restorative and therapeutic yoga, hands on healing, and pranayama breath work. During this time, he also began working for various chiropractors in the city furthering his education in anatomy and kinesiology, postural alignment, structural integrity, and physical therapy regimes.

He is currently in a two-year post-grad mentorship studying classical herbal medicine with renowned doctor, Sharon Weizenbaum.

Prior to working in this field, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theatre from University of California, Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in acting from University of California, San Diego.

His diverse background of study and experience allows him to truly see and treat the whole person, in body, mind, and spirit.

In his free time he enjoys stewarding and tending to various native plant restoration projects he began in both Chicago and southern California, as well as practicing yoga, running, writing, playing music, and nurturing quality time with his community, wife, and daughter.

patrick@pullingdownthemoon.com

Patrick Riley (he/they), L.Ac., Dipl. OM, MSTOM, is a licensed Acupuncturist and NCCAOM board-cer... Read More

Sydney Stefanik, LMT (she/her/hers)

Sydney became a Licensed Massage Therapist through William Rainey Harper College, and went on to become fertility massage certified through the Integrative Care for Fertility Institute. Sydney has also studied under Dr. Jennifer Mercier and become certified in Mercier Therapy. Sydney’s warm and approachable personality helps create a safe and nurturing environment for all, so clients can process life at their own pace, free of judgment and full of comfort.

Her primary focus is on providing individualized care tailored to each client’s unique needs while encouraging their goals. “I believe in fostering open communication, encouraging everyone to be their own advocates through introspection, and truly listening to their bodies. Each body holds its own truth, and I am honored to support my clients on their journeys in fertility, reproductive wellness, and beyond!”

Having personal experience living with PCOS, Sydney understands how female reproductive health can impact daily life. Through her own journey and the challenges life presents, she has learned the importance of maintaining balance among emotional, physical, mental, social and spiritual health.

When she’s not at work, Sydney cherishes time spent with loved ones and her furry companion: Persephone, a 7-year-old long-haired sassy cat. Sydney also enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons with fellow TTRPG enthusiasts and indulging in her addiction to The Sims by exploring the latest expansion packs.

Modalities: Fertility Enhancing Massage, Prenatal Massage, Postpartum Massage, Mercier Therapy, Therapeutic Massage, Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Friction Techniques, Joint Mobilizations, Trigger Point Therapy

Sydney Stefanik, LMT (she/her/hers) Sydney became a Licensed Massage Therapist through William R... Read More

Saundra D. Underwood became a licensed massage therapist through Cortiva Institute nearly ten years ago, and has gone on to become fertility massage certified through the Integrative Care for Fertility Institute. Prior to her career in massage, Saundra obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School.

Saundra D. Underwood’s passion for health and wellness is evident by her desire to give one hundred percent to her clients, co workers and the massage industry. Saundra has trained staff and lectured on the benefits of receiving regular massage, specialized in massage for maternal health, and created her own line of natural skincare products as an extension of her passion for holistic health.

Prior to her extensive career in massage, health, and wellness, Saundra worked in many industries to satisfy her ubiquitous curiosity for learning – worldwide travel as a flight attendant, trainer, substitute high school teacher, legal researcher, writer and fashion/hair model.

Saundra’s hobbies include walking, biking, hiking, reading, writing poetry and short stories as well as caring for exotic house plants.

Modalities: hot stone, prenatal massage, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, trigger point therapy, rapid tension relief, low back and headache relief, oncology massage, fertility massage

Saundra D. Underwood became a licensed massage therapist through Cortiva Institute nearly ten yea... Read More

Sadie is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified personal trainer with 20 years of experience specializing in women’s health, weight loss, gut health, and fertility including PCOS.

No matter how you are trying to conceive or how long you have been trying, Sadie will work with you to develop a customized road map and improve egg quality, sperm quality and reproductive environment to greatly optimize your fertility and increase your chances of taking home a healthy baby. Sadie’s mission is to show you how targeted nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes can really make a difference in your fertility journey. Sadie can also support patients through prenatal care and postnatal recovery.

Sadie holds a BS in Nutrition & Dietetics from Western Illinois University, is a NASM-certified Personal Trainer, has completed a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management, and worked as a dietitian in 3 clinical trials for weight loss devices. Sadie@Pullingdownthemoon.com

Sadie is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified personal trainer with 20 years of expe... Read More