Kneaded Wellness is under new ownership. Sara Firme purchased the Fleming business last month from Alicea Einspahr and while the transition in ownership takes place, Firme is finishing up her required training and testing to become a licensed massage therapist.

Einspahr began offering massage therapy out of her home part-time in the spring of 2019 and later opened Kneaded Wellness at 105 Ash Avenue in Fleming. At that time, Einspahr went full-time offering massage therapy, spray tans and other skin care treatments. Recently, Einspahr has been faced with health issues that make it difficult for her to provide massages to others, which sparked conversations with her then client, Sara Firme.

"The requirements to become an LMT have been a topic of conversation in my numerous appointments with her," Firme said. "When the time was right for her and I, we decided to move forward with schooling with the intention of me purchasing Kneaded Wellness from her. As of March 1, I am the owner of Kneaded Wellness."

Firme said receiving massage services from Einspahr helped her heal from past traumas.

"More importantly, she has given me the gift and the knowledge to help others as well," Firme added.

To become a licensed massage therapist there is a requirement of 550 hours. Those hours are broken down into curriculum hours, hands on hours and clinical hours.

"I was fortunate to be able to compete those requirements in Fleming with Alicea," said Firme. "She taught the hands-on portion under the direction of The Bear Heart School of Massage in Fort Collins where Alicea completed her school in years past."

After completing the required 550 hours, Firme said the next step is to take and pass the mBlex test to become licensed. "I have completed the required hours and plan to test soon," she said. "I am taking some time to study to make sure that I am prepared for the test. Until I am fully licensed, I am providing massage as a student."

Firme currently offers 60, 75 and 90 minute massages with the option of adding on hot stones or cupping therapy. She said she is also working to be more proficient at deep tissue massage. In the future, Firme plans to also offer spray tans. Firme has appointments available on Tuesday and occasionally on Mondays with a few other random days to accommodate client needs and also her personal life. Once she is licensed, Firme plans to offer massage two to three days a week with a more consistent schedule.

"There are numerous specialties within massage that I hope to add to my services further down the road," she added. Appointments can be made online at https://kneadedwellness.as.me/sara, by messaging the Kneaded Wellness Facebook page or by reaching out to Firme personally. "I am not accepting children under the age of 16 or males that I do not personally know or who haven't been referred to me."

Firme and her husband, Jared, live on a farm north of Haxtun where he grew up. Sara was born and raised in Lakewood but now calls Haxtun home. "We moved back to Haxtun in 2009 after living in Wisconsin for several years. Haxtun has my heart and I am very thankful to live here and raise our children Paige, age 14, and Michael, age 11, in a small community."

When they aren't busy working, Sara and Jared enjoying chasing their kids around, golfing, camping and spending time with friends and family.

"I'm incredibly spoiled at my shop in Fleming. It's important to me that when a client comes in for a massage, the space is quiet and calming. Ideally, I would love to be back in Haxtun but the options are limited for a storefront that could offer the same amenities. I'm comfortable where I am at but always on the lookout for an opportunity that would bring me closer to home," said Firme.

Massage has been a consistent part of her selfcare for the past few years, Firme said, and it's an important aspect for both her physical and mental health. She hopes to be able to help others enjoy the benefits of massage therapy, especially moms.

"I truly enjoy taking care of moms that give their all to their families and their communities," she said. "I was drawn to the flexibility of massage therapy. I still plan to help my husband Jared during busy farming seasons but I also wanted a career that allowed me to be present with my kids and their extracurricular activities."

Firme said she encourages everyone to experience massage therapy, whether it be for tightness and problem areas or for relaxation.

"I have several clients that consistently fall asleep on my table during their massages. While it embarrasses them, it's a huge compliment for me," Firme said. "For someone to trust me enough to completely relax and let go for an hour, fills up my cup."