About Us
Abby Skidmore
Director, Serenity Spa
Founder, North Star Healing Institute & North Star Scholarship Fund Corp.
Certified Massage Therapist
Yoga Instructor
Marconics Certified Recalibration Practitioner
A Bennington, Vermont native, Abby received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2011, where she also studied Business and Spanish.
After taking some time to travel, Abby came home to start massage school at the Pyramid Holistic Wellness Center in Rutland, Vermont in 2012. There she was attuned to Reiki and her whole world opened up. She became a Certified Massage Therapist by the end of 2014. She completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Heart of the Village Yoga in Manchester, Vermont and was certified to teach in 2017. Abby went on to study Shamanism in Pownal, Vermont and in an apprenticeship at The Roost.
Abby has worked at daycares with children, in nursing homes with the elderly, and in respite care for people with special needs and trauma. She uses this experience and knowledge to create a safe, comfortable space for her clients. She may be called a “healer” but believes she simply helps open the window of opportunity for her clients to do their own personal healing.
In early 2019, Abby became a Reiki Master Teacher, and completed extensive coursework in Florida in 2020, in preparation for launching her reimagined healing practice and school, North Star Healing Institute. Abby continues to offer massage, body wraps, and energy work at Serenity Spa's two locations as well as teaching and hosting other healing arts providers and teachers.
Since November 2021, Abby started training with a new energy modality called Marconics. She is excited to offer this ascension energy for those feeling called.
Book a session with Abby at both Serenity Spa locations in Manchester and Wilmington Vermont.
Josephine Faneuf
Massage Therapist
Licensed massage therapist & Certified Peri Steam Hydrotherapist
Josephine is from New England, born and raised, and resides just over the line in Massachusetts. She graduated from Mildred Elley of Pittsfield, MA massage program in 2023. In addition to being a licensed massage therapist, she is also certified in pelvic steaming (commonly known as Yoni steaming) and has been practicing and offering services in this modality since 2019. Her holistic approach to health kickstarted when she developed an auto-immune disorder in high school and started to flourish in her mid-twenties, leading her to where she is today.
Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor
Shannon graduated from The Pacific Center for Awareness and Bodywork in 2018, a specialized school of massage in Kauai, HI. This unique program integrated education in somatic psychology and trauma informed practices with Lomi Lomi, structural integration and traditional massage therapy. A lifelong student of health and healing, Shannon began her journey as a student of midwifery and holistic healing modalities; this education was widened as she journeyed through her own cancer diagnosis and path to wellness. She then earned a bachelors in psychology and neuroscience and became a yoga teacher. These paths all shared a common thread of compassion and helping people to connect with themselves and deeper well being. Her massages are unique and tailored to the individual. She seeks to hold a nurturing, healing space for her clients that leads to deep relaxation and relief from pain. Shannon also has a 500 RYT endorsement in Yoga.
Shannon Tortolano
Lissa Stark
Massage Therapist
Lissa Stark is a Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT250) with a focus on Vinyasa Yoga, as well as a Reiki Master Teacher and Thai Bodywork practitioner. Offering strength training, personalized instruction, stretching and movement, sports massage, heat therapy, and manual therapy. She creates natural body care products, pet products, and handcrafted workout essentials. Lissa has been practicing Yoga for 25 years. She brings a real-world perspective to classes in order to appeal to anyone and everyone. Lissa developed the Yoga program for the Basic Training Recruits at the Vermont Police Academy. Lissa’s classes are suitable for all levels; from the beginning student to the more advanced.
