Our Philosophy
Most people come to Verdure because something hurts.
A sore neck that won’t let go. A back that’s been aching for months. Shoulders that always feel tight. A body that’s asking for relief.
And that’s where we begin.
Registered Massage Therapy is the heart of what we do. We believe deeply in the power of skilled therapeutic touch to relieve pain, restore movement, and support the body’s natural ability to heal. It’s a craft we continue to study, refine, and honour because we know how profoundly it can change the way someone feels.
But over the years, we’ve noticed something else.
Sometimes the tension returns.
Not because the treatment didn’t work, but because our bodies often carry more than physical strain. They hold stress, pressure, emotion, and the weight of everyday life.
The body is always communicating.
One of the greatest lessons we’ve learned is that the body is beautifully connected—up and down, all around, and from the inside out.
A restriction in one area can influence another. The way we breathe affects how we move. The stress we carry internally often shows up as physical tension in the body.
This is why healing is not only about treating where it hurts, but about understanding the whole person.
Massage therapy remains the foundation of our practice, but we also recognize that healing doesn’t stop at the physical body. Sometimes what we carry is more than tight muscles alone.
Whether through skilled therapeutic touch, conscious connected breathwork, movement, or quiet presence, each offering at Verdure shares the same intention:
To help you reconnect with yourself.
Because we believe that healing begins with connection.
Hidemi Okawa
Brazilian Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Breathwork, Massage Therapy, Pregnancy Massage Therapy
As a Registered Massage Therapist, my goal is not only to treat but also to educate and empower my clients — helping them live healthier, more balanced lives.
I graduated from the Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy and have been practicing as an RMT since 2014. Over the years, I spent seven years at the Four Seasons Toronto Spa, refining my skills in luxury wellness, and have also worked in multidisciplinary clinical settings alongside triathletes and active individuals.
I specialize in customizing every treatment to meet the unique needs of each client. Depending on your goals, I may incorporate techniques such as assisted stretching, muscle scraping, or massage gun therapy to support recovery and performance. At other times, the focus is on deep decompression — calming the nervous system and creating profound relaxation for the body, mind, and soul.
I am incredibly grateful for the clients I’ve met and for the fulfillment and joy this career has brought into my life. It is an honor to support others on their wellness journey.
If you’re looking for a positive, energetic, and caring Registered Massage Therapist, I would love to connect and help you restore, rebalance, and revitalize your body.
Laura Nelson
Reiki - Usui Method
Reiki Master -Usui Method (Since 1983)
Laura Nelson is a dedicated Usui Reiki Master Practitioner with over four decades of experience in holistic, hands-on energetic support. Since 1983, she has been offering Reiki sessions to individuals both locally and internationally, supporting clients through a wide range of physical, emotional, and life challenges.
Over the years, Laura has worked with individuals navigating stress, anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, trauma, and the lasting effects of abuse and assault. She has also provided gentle, supportive care in integrative and palliative settings, working alongside individuals living with serious or chronic illness, including those undergoing chemotherapy and those living with conditions such as ALS, as well as supporting their families through difficult transitions.
Laura’s approach is grounded in creating a calm, safe, and restorative environment where the nervous system can naturally settle. Clients often report a deep sense of grounding, emotional ease, and inner calm following sessions. Her work focuses on supporting the body’s ability to relax, release tension, and return to balance through deep nervous system regulation.
Known for her compassionate presence and steady energy, Laura has built a reputation for helping clients feel supported, centered, and more at ease in both body and mind.
Her intention is simple: to help individuals reconnect with a sense of stability, calm, and overall well-being through gentle, non-invasive Reiki support.
Reiki is a complementary practice and is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment.
Maria Gracia Florendo
Massage Therapy, Pregnancy Massage Therapy, Release & Re-Align
I’ve been a Registered Massage Therapist since 2013 and have extensive training in both therapeutic and relaxation massage, including myofascial release and FRR technique (Functional Range Release).
I focus on working together with clients to achieve their goals, which can include pain relief, increased movement and mobility, stress relief, and decreased tension. Believing that no one should ever live in pain, I educate my clients in body mechanics and postural assessments and provide exercises and techniques to help maintain a healthy and pain-free lifestyle.
My past practice experiences include working at the Four Seasons Toronto Spa for 8 years and Myodetox for 5 years before having my son and moving up north in 2018. I am occasionally back in Toronto and very excited about it! I look forward to meeting you all.
My name is Maria, but everyone calls me Gracia!
Where Our Journey Began
Our journey began with a passion for Registered Massage Therapy and a commitment to helping people feel better through skilled therapeutic touch. Over the years, caring for our clients taught us that healing is about more than relieving pain—it's about caring for the whole person.
Our Commitment to You
We are committed to caring for you with skilled hands, compassionate hearts, and an unwavering dedication to your wellbeing.
Every treatment is guided by clinical excellence, thoughtful care, and the belief that healing begins when you feel safe, supported, and truly seen.
