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Isabelle "Bella" Mauro
From Creative Writing to Hands-On Healing
Nominated and written by: Liv B. Well, Membership Engagement Committee
Isabelle Mauro, who goes by Bella, has found her calling in helping others reconnect with their bodies. A member of the American Massage Therapy Association since beginning massage school in 2022, Bella represents a new generation of therapists who blend intuition, education, and heart-centered care.
Before entering the world of massage therapy, Bella was studying creative writing in college while working in the restaurant industry. Her inspiration to become a massage therapist came during the COVID19 pandemic, a time when many people felt disconnected from themselves and others. She felt deeply called to help people anchor back into their bodies. By early 2022, she had enrolled in massage school and begun building a new path for herself.
As her journey continued, life unfolded in unexpected ways. Shortly after starting school, Bella became pregnant, leading her to pause massage school in 2023. “Building a new path meant creating stability for my daughter as a single mom. The challenges involved unstable income, long hours away from my daughter while I worked or was in school, and managing some health issues that made all of it even more difficult at times,” Bella recounts. During her break from massage school, she expanded her skill set, becoming both a Doula and a Reiki practitioner between the winter of 2023 and early 2024. Later in 2024, she returned to massage school with renewed clarity and purpose.
Being a new mom, Bella was determined to finish massage school. The journey was not easy. She relied on savings, social services, part-time work as a barista, and occasional clients for Doula and Reiki services while continuing her education. Through it all, her focus remained the same: creating a purposeful life rooted in care for others, while providing stability for her family. Today, her daughter continues to inspire her to build a life of fulfillment, which Bella finds through her work as an LMT.
Bella trained at the Institute for Holistic Health in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she developed the foundation for her evolving practice. Today, Bella is the owner of Mystic Bee Bodywork, a practice grounded in a thoughtful, intuitive approach that prioritizes meaningful connection and deeply personalized care.
While she doesn’t define herself by one single specialty, she enjoys incorporating myofascial release techniques and energy healing into her sessions, creating a unique experience tailored to each client. For Bella, the most rewarding part of massage therapy is simple yet powerful: helping people feel better in their bodies and more at peace within themselves. Through her experiences, she has learned that healing is not one-size-fits-all. Bella encourages other therapists to stay open, continue learning, and trust their intuition as they grow in the field. That philosophy is reflected in how she incorporates Reiki into her work. While always guided by the client’s comfort and preference, she often blends energy healing into her sessions to create a more holistic and intuitive experience. She also offers a fully clothed Reiki-based service that includes joint mobilization techniques to support energetic flow and release.
Outside of her practice, Bella enjoys a full and creative life. Much of her time is spent with her daughter exploring the outdoors, visiting playgrounds, painting, reading, and savoring small, meaningful moments together. On her own, she gravitates toward activities that nourish both body and mind, including writing poetry, creating collage art, strength training, hiking, and cooking. All of this creativity flows directly back into her work.
Bella often describes each client’s body as “a poem to understand,” recognizing that every person carries a unique story expressed through patterns within the body. This perspective guides her intuitive approach, as she works to bring awareness to those patterns during each session. She also enjoys experimenting with background music in her sessions, using rhythm and sound to deepen her flow state and subtly influence the pace and quality of her touch.
Looking ahead, Bella is focused on expanding her private practice. She is currently pursuing her personal training certification through ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association), with plans to integrate corrective exercise into her services, further supporting her clients’ long-term wellness. Isabelle Mauro is building more than a practice; she’s creating a space where healing feels natural, accessible, and deeply personal.
Bella’s story is one of discovery, self-trust, independence, resilience, and determination. AMTA-NY is proud to have Bella as a member.
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