About Us

RASA was founded in 2007 by Ashleigh Rivers (SCLMBT 4615, NCBTMB 502989-05, CLt, E-RYT 200, RYT 500).
RASA became RASA Whole Self Health, LLC in 2011.

About RASA Whole Self Health

Rasa is a Sanskrit word that, most simply, means “Delight in Existence.” RASA’s philosophy is just this. We believe in the pursuit of a life that brings health, happiness, and an overall sense of wellbeing.

We at RASA have a profound appreciation for the benefits of simple relaxation and believe it to be a fundamental part of your health and recovery from whatever ails you. We also know sometimes you need more attention for those deeper aches and pains.

We currently offer massage and bodywork as well infrared sauna services. RASA is here to help you achieve your goals in balancing your body’s specific needs through massage techniques and other modalities and guidance.

RASA is committed to being an eco-friendly business as much as we are able. We use eco-friendly, natural, and organic products as often as we can. We also recycle and limit the use of disposable goods and fossil fuels. We are always looking for ways to continue to reduce our impact on the environment and will be improving our efforts to be Green whenever possible.

About Ashleigh

Ashleigh is a Columbia, SC native and has lived most of her life in Columbia. Always a mountain lover, Ashleigh ventured off to Brevard College to study liberal arts (many of them). She returned to Columbia to attend USC for a few semesters and to help create the opportunity to study abroad in Paris. Ashleigh then returned to Brevard to finish off her last semester of college and graduate with a BA. Ashleigh had known for a while that she was very interested in going to massage school, so right after graduation, she enrolled in The Center for Massage and Natural Health in the Asheville mountains. She studied many massage modalities, basic nutrition, and learned more about many other health and healing modalities. After graduation from CMNH and receiving her certification, Ashleigh immediately began working as massage therapist in the Asheville area for a local spa and in private practice.

In 2009, Ashleigh returned to Columbia where she began working on her long-term business plans and created RASA.

In 2013 Ashleigh became a Registered Yoga Teacher after completing a 200 hour certification. In 2021 her teacher offered her first 300 hour training and Ashleigh began that journey next. Now, Ashleigh is an E-RYT 200 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher for 200 hours) and RYT 500 (Registered Yoga Teacher for 500 hours). She completed more than 30 additional hours of Anatomy Internship under the tutelage of a physical therapist. Ashleigh is faculty for Sakhi Yoga School as an Anatomy and Biomechanics teacher.

Ashleigh has a long list of “what’s next” for her.  In 2018, she started taking classes to continue her education in science and health. Ashleigh wants to bring together as many components of wellbeing, so stay tuned for what’s to come next.

“Quite possibly the best massage I’ve ever received. Ashleigh is top notch!!”
— E.C.