THERAPISTBIOS

David Warder

David was brought up in a household with holistic values, where massage was used every day as first aid to all forms of ailments. By high school he had built the habit of self-treatment and internalized the simple principle of “push where it hurts”. His experience with the benefits of bodywork lead him to continually tout the power of massage to those around him, and quite naturally he decided to hone his own skills with formal training earning both California and National certifications.

Now a specialist in Triggerpoint Therapy and Zen Shiatsu, two modalities with polar opposite approaches, he is able to go far beyond the “push where it hurts” concept to search out the root causes of imbalance which may be hiding far from the symptoms. He is naturally drawn to a more therapeutic and problem-solving approach with his sessions, but feels strongly that the work must be kept in a comfortable range rather than the “no pain, no gain” attitude found elsewhere. For those looking for a more relaxing visit, David usually draws on the continuous and hypnotic techniques found in Hawaiian Lomi Lomi. Very similar to Swedish, Lomi is a circulatory massage that uses oils to soothe away the stresses of the day.

From Olympic and high school athletes to pregnant mothers and businessmen, David is able to find the right treatment for each client. He can help whether your goal is to avoid a surgery, balance a workout routine, reduce the impacts of a long flight, smooth emotions after a loss, or so much more. Feel free to directly call or email with any questions.

When not in session, David spends his time at his home in Normal Heights with his wife, Leah, and two wonderful daughters, Willow and Aspen. He also teaches Zen Shiatsu and Triggerpoint Therapy at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health.

Leah Warder

Leah is a skilled and intuitive Holistic Health Practitioner, whose passion for health and wellness has driven her to explore multiple careers in the field of massage therapy. Beyond providing an exemplary deep and relaxing therapeutic massage, Leah is skilled at organizing and hosting private events, and managing corporate wellness programs. Her professional, yet approachable, style is guaranteed to attract customers and impress guests. An experienced director of a highly reputable massage school, and a hiring manager for an elite mobile massage company, Leah has a talent for attracting and recognizing the most skilled therapist. A founding member of Warder Bodywork, she brings forth her experience, passion, and love for spreading industry awareness and improving health and wellbeing to all she encounters.

Sarah Dupaquier

Sarah graduated in 2020 from The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School & Clinic in Austin, TX. Having worked in both relaxation and clinical based spas, she is able to find the right combination of providing needed relief and keeping her clients relaxed. Each massage brings elements of Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Orthopedic. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, she decided to try her hand (literally) out west and made the move to San Diego in 2022. Her goal with each massage is to bring relaxation and a general sense of well-being to her clients.

Bernie Reyes

“I discovered my love for the massage profession through my personal experience of providing massage therapy to my partner while he underwent cancer treatment in 2020, before I had any kind of massage training. My background includes studying French language and literature, and I grew up in a bilingual family speaking Cebuano and English. My interest in understanding different languages and cultures has also inspired me to explore various schools of thought related to mind-body-spirit healing.

Since discovering my passion for healing, I have trained in various modalities including Swedish massage, Hawaiian lomi lomi massage, deep tissue sculpting, acupressure, reflexology, manual lymphatic drainage, and reiki energy healing. I combine these techniques to create a customized healing session for each client, with the goal of providing a flowing, soothing massage while also addressing areas of pain, stiffness, or injury.

In addition to my work at Zen as a massage therapist, I am also an admissions advisor at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health, where I help guide aspiring healers on their educational journey. When I’m not working, I enjoy singing, yoga, nature walks, and crocheting. I believe in the importance of physical touch and the healing power of massage, and I am committed to continuous learning and expanding my skills to better serve my clients.”

Dave Obaytek

Dave is a certified Massage Therapist who discovered his passion for bodywork while working and living in Yosemite National Park. He was surrounded by a multitude of lively yet fatigued characters from all over the world who were exploring the realms of rock climbing, hiking, trail running, cycling, snowboarding, skiing, yoga and expressive dance. It was with these peers as well as any hard working individuals who expressed their longing for spiritual healing, assisting with body aches and pains that he would begin experimenting massage techniques freely. Amidst his attention to detail and these generous massage offers, he noticed abilities he needed to dive more deeply into in order to be of greater service to helping people achieve a more pain free life while doing the things they need to do or the things they love.

After leaving Yosemite to come back home to San Diego, he soon found Healing Hands School of Holistic Health where he completed the Massage Therapist program in under a year. After further falling in love with massage during the core classes of circulatory massage and deep tissue manipulation, he also completed sports massage, advanced circulatory and Zen Shiatsu. Later finding out (David and Leah Warder) the owners of Zen Sanctuary, also studied and mentored at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health, it felt like a perfect fit for Dave to flourish on his path of healing. Book a session with Dave customized to you for a relaxing massage or a session intended to help work out some of those stubborn knots.

Talia McCarthy

Talia McCarthy is a California Certified Massage Therapist, Pilates instructor, and bodywork practitioner specializing in therapeutic massage, assisted stretching, and corrective movement. Growing up in a household with traveling roommates who studied massage techniques from different countries, she developed an early appreciation for holistic healing and bodywork.

With experience working alongside athletes and tactical officers, Talia combines science-based knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology, and movement with Pilates and recovery-focused bodywork to support pain relief, mobility, posture, and performance. She is known for creating personalized sessions that help clients achieve lasting results and feel more connected to their bodies.