About Us
Sonoran Serenity Spa & Holistic Wellness Center, a privately owned local business, was founded in 2014 in one room in Downtown Tempe. As the vision of owner and founder Kiera Stroup took shape, she decided that her long-term goal was to establish a day spa and wellness center that was unique in its offerings and inclusive to all. One of the many things that make Sonoran Serenity Spa & Holistic Wellness Center different is the care of the client. Each client is treated respectfully and lovingly by the personal attention given to them during their entire experience. After they are warmly greeted by the receptionist, first time clients are asked to complete an intake form. When they go back for their treatment, time is taken reviewing the information and asking questions to get to know the client and expectations are set for the treatment. Kiera’s concern for the client, as well as her employees, provides a buffer time between each client, so this time is not taken away from the time on the table. For every treatment and service, the client is given their full time. A 1 hour treatment or service = 60 minutes, not 50. At the completion of the treatment or service there is no rush to get off the table. Clients are invited to take their time.
Please continue reading to learn more about Kiera and the team.
Our Team
Kiera L Stroup, LE, LEI, LMT, RMT, CHt, MBPG, Owner & Founder
Kiera is a Licensed Esthetician, Licensed Aesthetics Instructor, Licensed Massage Therapist, Clinical Aromatherapist, Reiki Master Teacher, Reflexologist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Nutrition Specialist, Mindfulness-Based Psychedelic Guide and owner and founder of Sonoran Serenity Spa & Holistic Wellness Center. Although she worked in the corporate world for almost 30 years, Kiera knew at the tender age of 25, that this was not who she was, however, wasn’t sure how to go about making a change. After much introspection over the years, Kiera realized that what she truly desired was to help people become their most beautiful, radiant selves.
Education has always been an important part of Kiera’s life. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration majoring in Computer Information Systems from Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY. After graduating, she lived in Connecticut, California, and finally settled in Memphis, Tennessee, where she worked in Information Technology at the same company for 16 years. During her tenure, Kiera received her MBA from the University of Memphis while working full-time and raising her daughter as single mother. A native New Yorker, it has always been her desire to live in Arizona. She loves the desert and hiking, and always finds a sense of peace in the beautiful landscape. After deciding to pursue her dream as a wellness professional, in 2013, Kiera left a 27 year corporate IT career, relocated to Tempe, Arizona and enrolled at SWINA, Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics where she completed her esthetician training. Kiera continued on to SWIHA, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and completed the Master Massage Practitioner program, specializing in relaxation massage therapy. In 2017, she re-enrolled at SWIHA and completed her Certificate in Aromatherapy.
moreDavina Griego, LE, LMT, Co-Owner & Spa Team Manager
Davina is originally from Northern California, but has called Phoenix home since 1994. She is a graduate of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA) and specializes in Swedish and Myotherapy massage. She is certified in Medical Massage and Myofascial Release as well. Knowing that no two people are alike, Davina customizes her sessions based on the individual's needs and concerns. She is dedicated to her work and strives to make every experience at Sonoran Serenity Spa both therapeutic and relaxing. Davina is also a graduate of Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics and is an Arizona Licensed Esthetician.
moreTony Naef, Front Desk Manager
Tony comes to us from a little of everywhere. After being born in Colombia and spending the first 3rd of his life in Switzerland, where he spoke French as his native language, he moved to Arizona with his parents in 1995. He has spent 15 years as a caregiver to a family member and has since been doing work in the pursuit of greater heights in the realms of kindness, healing and self discovery. In addition to this, Tony hopes to soon attend SWIHA to study Tarot, Reiki, and Hypnotherapy.
When he’s not welcoming clients to the spa with a smile, he’s likely out with his tribe of friends singing, playing games, cuddling his fur baby, Hudson the Great, and building his best life.
moreKat Thomas, LE, LMT, CLT, RYT
Originally from a tiny village in Bavaria, Germany, Kat moved to the U.S. with her family in 2007. She long had the dream of helping others feel better, be healthier, and first felt drawn to massage therapy as a way to do that. Kat graduated from the nationally accredited massage therapy program with a masters (over 1000 hours of training) in massage therapy at The Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, with specialization in myotherapy, and breast health. During her program she also studied Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Hypnotherapy and Life Coaching to add even more resources to help clients achieve their wellness goal. Kat also attended SWIHA’s sister school, The Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics, graduating as an esthetician and laser technician. Kat has a particular love for skincare, especially waxing. She believes that skincare is more than just skin deep, and has a mission to offer individually customized, whole-person self-care to everyone she sees.
When she’s not changing the world by changing lives, one face/body/mind at a time, she loves being a mama to her kiddo, and her cats, baking, dancing, and singing - both in English and in her native German.
Kat's motto in life:
moreSarah Randolph, LE, LMT
Native to Arizona, Sarah is a Dual Licensed Esthetician and Massage therapist. She graduated from the Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics in 2015 and Southwest Institute of healing Arts in 2017. She specializes in a variety of massage modalities: Swedish, Myotherapy, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, Neck release, prenatal, and hot stone massage. She’s happy to work with clients to create customized Skin Therapies based on their individual needs. Her resort service background gives her a knack for creating a luxurious and pampering experience that leaves you looking and feeling refreshed as can be
moreHolly Femrite, LMT
With 20 years of experience in massage, Holly has a well-rounded range of skills to offer you the ultimate therapeutic session. She has a massage license in both Colorado and Arizona. She comes to us from Colorado with a resilient passion and excitement for the craft of healing arts, and a background of Ayruvedic healing treatments.
Practicing with presence to hold a space for your needs, she is ready to give you a transformative relaxation session, or zero in on those target spots where tension is tamed by her intuitive touch.
Among her favorite techniques are the mind-melting scalp oil treatment, cranial sacral, and hypnotic Himalayan salt Stone massage. For those especially tight necks and shoulders, trust her expertise with trigger-point techniques and you will find yourself at a higher level of healing you may not have known for some time.
Holly believes that self-care is a daily requirement for healing and wellness. To nurture and nourish the mind, body and spirit as a fundamental and instrumental tool to aid one's healing process. She practices this in her own life by getting a balance of exercise, regular sleep pattern, and good nutrition. A consistent pattern of healing therapies plus daily epsom salt soaks are also part of her nourishment regimen. She believes that attending to herself in these ways will prepare her to be aligned and available for you and your healing.
moreAlex Erickson, LMT
Alex is a massage therapist with a passion for caring for her clients and teaching them what it means to relax and let go of their day-to-day stress. Before discovering her calling at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, she studied psychology and spent many years working in customer service. She has first-hand experience with the illnesses and ailments that can cause mental pain to become physical, and dreams of assisting her clients in overcoming these issues. She specializes in Swedish massage, aromatherapy, assisted stretching, hot stone & towel massage, and lomilomi. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Alex has a love for hiking and camping in the mountains - when the weather permits it! She is passionate about her love for animals, and has five pets - two cats, two snakes, and a moss ball named Mos Eisley. She is excited to be joining the Sonoran Serenity Spa team, and eager to make the world a less stressful place, one body at a time.
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