NILES — A Niles resident recently embarked on a mission to help people find a little more relaxation in their life.

Catherine Pena-Awad, a licensed massage therapist, opened her business Massage Life! Aug. 24 and has been serving clients from her business at 1990 S. 11th St. unit 24 ever since.

“I see a lot of children and adults stressed from panic attacks, anxiety and just stressed, overworked, overwhelmed with everything in their life and busy schedules,” Pena-Awad said. “I noticed Niles needs a place for people to look after their health. Massage has come a long way in providing those needs for those clients.”

Pena-Awad offers half-hour and hour-long massages, including deep tissue, Swedish, trigger points, prenatal and hot and cold stones. Customers can also find some spa-like treatments with paraffin wax dips for the hands and feet, as well as a foot soak. Customers can also ask for a massage with CBD oil – a cannabis oil without THC. According to Pena, using CBD oil in a massage can offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

When customers step inside the small, but cozy space, the first thing they are apt to notice is the calming atmosphere. In addition to the soft music, shades of tranquil blue seek to help people feel relaxed as soon as they step into the business, Pena-Awad said.

“I did it this way to give it a more relaxing feel with the colors,” Pena-Awad said. “[I used] colors of the ocean, just to think that winter is coming and [people] may want to feel like they are at the beach.”

Pena-Awad graduated from the Holistic Wellness Center in Niles in 2014 and earned her massage license in 2015. Looking back on how she got her start, Pena-Awad said she had long felt a calling for the profession, but it took a few signs before she decided to follow her dream.

A 1991 Niles High School graduate, Pena-Awad continued her education after high school at Lake Michigan College, where she earned a certificate as an office automation specialist. She also studied at South Texas College, earning an associate of art degree in early childhood development- fourth grade. Eventually, she returned to the Niles area to be closer to family and she went to work as a paraprofessional in the Berrien Springs school district.

It was her grandson, Aries Jai Zamora, 5, who helped to show her just how big a difference massage therapy can make in someone’s life. Zamora was born with a disability that affects muscle tone. Pena-Awad found that a simple foot massage could soothe Zamora when he was a baby, helping him to sleep and soothing his muscles.

When she is not running her own business, Pena-Awad also works as a massage therapist at Alternative Wellness on S. 11th Street in Niles.

Within the next year, Pena-Awad is hoping to add more spa amenities to her business, including sugar and salt scrubs and wraps. In the long term, she said she also hopes to add massage for animals to the business, too.

Having seen many benefits from massages through her work, Pena-Awad said she thinks everyone could use a little massage in their life — which was her inspiration for the business’ name: Massage Life!

“You can call it pampering, but it’s a good pampering for your health,” she said.

Massage Life! Is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Those interested in getting a massage must set up an appointment by contacting Pena-Awad via phone at (269) 479-8363. Because she works another job, Pena-Awad said texting is the best method. Costs: half hour, $35; one hour, $65 and an hour and a half, $95. Customers can also set up an appointment via the business’ Facebook page at facebook.com/pg/MassageLife08/posts/?ref=page_internal.