The soul, body, and mind have always been, and will always be, as one — and all are nurtured here to awaken your true glow.
Woodside Holistic is a cozy, serene sanctuary where every detail is chosen with intention. Each element of our studio reflects mindfulness and purpose.
Our in-house skincare line, hand-crafted by Kristen Blow, embodies this philosophy. Most botanicals are grown in her own garden — a legacy passed down from her grandmother — and blended to support, nourish, and restore the skin naturally.
Every experience is crafted to honour the rhythm of your mind, body, and spirit, inviting a deep sense of calm, balance, and renewal.
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Kristen Blow
FOUNDER & HOLISTIC ESTHETICIAN
Kristen is the founder and guiding force behind Woodside Holistic. Her love of skincare began in childhood, inspired by her mother’s quiet rituals of self-care and grace.
Raised in the countryside, she developed a deep connection to plants and the natural world — a foundation that continues to guide her philosophy as a formulator and holistic esthetician. Influenced by her Ukrainian grandmother’s devotion to natural healing, Kristen learned early on that ritual and renewal often grow from the same roots. A forever student of the plant world, she continues to deepen her studies in herbalism and plant-based healing.
Her personal journey, including her transformative experience with sobriety, led her to study holistic and medical aesthetics, aromatherapy, lymphatic drainage, gua sha, reflexology, and Ayurvedic facial massage, training with practitioners across Canada and the U.S. At Woodside Holistic, she brings science, spirituality, and slow beauty together to create treatments and formulations that honor both the skin and the soul.
Beyond her work, Kristen finds joy in sewing, gardening, cooking, and creating meaningful connections with plants and people. Most importantly, she cherishes being a mother to her two young children, who inspire her every day.
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Melene Murphy
HOLISTIC ESTHETICIAN
Before joining Woodside, Melene spent nearly a decade as a nurse, most recently supporting vulnerable communities through the Guelph Community Health Centre. Her background helps her bridge science and intuition — the body and nervous system, the skin and the self.
In 2020, a serious car accident reshaped her relationship with her body and work. Living with post-concussive syndrome and severe dermatitis became a turning point, guiding her toward studying the lymphatic and nervous systems and their deep connection.
Holistic living has long been part of her world — inspired by her father and supported by yoga, meditation, and regular osteopathic and homeopathic care. Born with congenital hip dysplasia, she’s always understood the power of mindful, body-based healing.
At Woodside, Melene weaves this understanding into every treatment, blending clinical experience with a belief that beauty begins with inner balance. She helps clients feel seen, grounded, and supported — in their skin and their whole being.
Outside the spa, she loves baking, gardening, and turning secondhand finds into art. She lives with Millie, her twice-rescued hound mix, who’s taught her much about patience and presence.