About Us
Our Vision
Essential Wave Studios is a Wellness Studio for being human - designed to support every stage of the health journey through integrated individualized care. Rooted in Manual Physical Therapy and Personal Training with supported services such as Massage, Pilates, Mobility & Strength Group Classes, Private Group Yoga & Pilates, and recovery services such as Infrared Sauna & Compression Therapy, our studio provides a collaborative approach to healing, movement & long-term wellness. Through a culture that helps all clients to feel welcome, accepted, and at ease, clients can trust they are receiving high quality, PT-backed care designed to help them feel better, move better and live better.
Too often, clients finish physical therapy without a clear path forward. Our goal is to bridge the gap between rehab and sustainable wellness by helping clients recover from injury, restore function, build strength, and continue progressing beyond traditional rehab.
Renée Bowen
Owner
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT, COMT, Dip.MT, FAAOMPT, Cert.DN)
Essential Wave Studios was Co-Founded by Dr. Renée Bowen with the vision of creating a space where injury prevention, musculoskeletal treatment through manual therapy, and fitness work together - not separately.
Dr. Bowen is a highly experienced, knowledgeable & pioneering Doctor of Physical Therapy, specializing in Manual Therapy, Women’s Health, and Pilates. Dr. Bowen utilizes differential diagnosis and critical reasoning to create an individualized and holistic treatment approach for each client.
Led by Dr. Bowen’s clinical expertise and movement-based background, our team works collaboratively to help each client find the right approach for their body, their goals, and their season of life - whether recovering from injury, building strength, dealing with chronic pain or disease, or improving overall wellness.
Aron Bowen
Owner
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
Co-Founder and NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Aron Bowen, CPT, specializes in helping clients build strength, improve mobility, and move with greater confidence in everyday life. His approach blends corrective exercises, core activation, stability & balance work, mobility, and progressive strength training through individualized training programs designed to meet each person where they are.
Whether you’re preparing to summit Mt. Everest or simply looking to improve your golf game, Aron’s goal is to help you move better, feel stronger, and perform at your highest level. Working closely alongside Dr. Renée’s clinical expertise, Aron creates PT-backed personalized programs that support recovery, improve performance, and build lasting resilience - whether clients are returning from injury, building strength for the first time, building to sport-specific performance or working towards higher-level fitness goals.
Anna Zelenika
Yoga Instructor/Massage Therapist
A certified yoga instructor through Yoga Six, Anna has been teaching for 7+ years and in her practice enjoys incorporating elements of balance through mind, body, & spirit connection. Yoga played an important role in her life after struggling for a long time with her health, both mentally and physically. Anna holds the practice and teachings in reverence as a catalyst of her quest for deeper healing and meaning within herself.
A graduate of the New School for Massage, she is a licensed massage therapist specializing in Swedish & deep tissue massage. She also incorporates elements of yoga & Thai massage in her sessions.
In her free time, Anna loves to indulge in our natural beauties of Lake Michigan from hiking to kayaking and swimming. Another favorite pastime is learning & researching new concepts of interest right alongside her orange dream kitty, Chi-Chi!
Kristen D’Amico
Massage Therapist
Kristen comes to us with over 17 years of experience. She has a foundation in clinical therapeutic massage, Active Release Technique, along with a passion for energy work. Kristen utilizes a holistic approach, integrating mind and body to address any level of stress or pain. With a specialty in deep tissue and rehabilitative techniques she can help to relieve even the most stubborn pain and offer advice to keep it away. Kristen also has the ability to switch gears and offer complete relaxation while addressing the energetic body to help lift stress away. She has in-depth knowledge of the body and provides a functional approach to healing on all levels.
Elisa Walsh
Yoga & Pilates Instructor/Reiki & Sound Practitioner
Elisa Walsh is a 500-hour Certified Yoga Teacher, Pilates Instructor, Sound Therapist, Reiki Master Teacher, and Certified Meditation Teacher. With a holistic approach to wellness, Elisa focuses on nurturing the mind, body, and spirit, recognizing that true well-being is achieved when all aspects of the self are balanced. Elisa combines her diverse expertise to offer tailored classes and private sessions that support your unique wellness journey. Join Elisa for a weekly Pilates or Yoga class, deepen your practice in a private session, or explore one of her transformative special events!
Our Mission
Wellness Studio for Being Human
Our Location
Essential Wave Studios is nestled in the heart of New Buffalo, conveniently located off Red Arrow Highway between Redamak’s and Villanova.
We’re just a short walk from the New Buffalo Beach, Marina, and Galien River, making it the perfect destination for both locals and visitors. Our studio is easily accessible from nearby towns like Union Pier, Bridgman, Sawyer, and St. Joseph, as well as from Chicago, Portage, Chesterton, Beverly Shores, Valparaiso, Michigan City, and beyond.
Look for the yellow door!
