Massage

As a certified and licensed massage therapist, I manipulate body tissues, muscles and joints to promote relaxation, body structure improvement and pain relief, all the while paying close attention to my clients’ stated needs and goals. Therapeutic Massage is performed on bare skin with massage oil. When performing Barefoot Shiatsu or Cranial Osteopathy I usually work through loose comfortable clothing.

Movement

The combination of movement and hands-on bodywork can speed recovery from physical activity, lessen the possibility for injury and aid in recuperation from injury. I use playful movements to activate our natural fluidity. After all, human beings are approximately 70% water. Unfortunately, life and its stressors have tightened us up. But sensual movement reactivates everything – tissues, organs, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cells, and fluids. Working with my clients’ input, I organize these sessions to access our innate movement ability and strength. My goal is to liberate our intrinsic animal magnetism!

What is Therapeutic Massage?

Therapeutic Massage is the hands-on practice of moving muscle and joint tissue to achieve relaxation or a medically positive result. My licensed therapeutic massage practice integrates all the techniques I’ve studied in my 40+ years of practice. These include Swedish, Chi Nei Tsang, Barefoot Shiatsu, Cranial Osteopathy, Passive & Active Range of Motion and Assisted Stretching, and are matched to the individual’s needs.

What is Chi Nei Tsang?

A holistic approach to massage therapy of Taoist Chinese origin, it integrates the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects to address the origin of the health problem. Concentrating on the abdomen, soft, deep and gentle touch trains the internal organs to work more efficiently and process emotional charges.

What is Cranial Osteopathy?

Cranial Osteopathy evaluates and enhances the function of the cranial sacral system. This physiological system is comprised of the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. The practitioner contacts the movement of the membranes and cerebral spinal fluid with gentle touch to the cranium, spine, sacrum, limbs and torso. This contact stimulates the receiver’s innate healing capacity while releasing restrictions in the cranial sacral system. This healing response improves the function of the central nervous system. People report feeling deeply rested and a sense of well being.

What is Barefoot Shiatsu?

Barefoot Shiatsu is a combination of joint mobilization, shiatsu (acupressure) and rolling and compression movements with the practitioner’s feet on the receiver’s back, legs, arms, chest and abdomen. The foot pressure is applied with great care to the receiver’s acceptable level of comfort and therapeutic effect. Following the opening of the receiver’s tissue with the foot massage, specific acupressure points are stimulated with the practitioner’s thumbs, fingers or shiatsu point tools. Barefoot Shiatsu activates and supports the integration of a healthy mind, body, emotions and spirit.

Session example: Massage

I talk with my clients to find out how to create a safe environment for them. Together we design the session’s direction choosing one of these hands-on techniques, Therapeutic Massage, Barefoot Shiatsu, Chi Nei Tsang or Cranial Osteopathy, but leaving room for the pleasant surprises that occur with healing. I regularly check in with my clients on their comfort and any bodily sensations that arise as we work. Responding to their feedback I may adjust my technique or area of attention while I continue to work toward improvement in the condition they came to address.

What is Continuum?

Continuum invokes “the fluid system internally by creating a mix of interpenetrating cues and signals. These signals become wave motions that are carried through the watery substances of the body, softening our defenses and arousing the life force in the matrix of every tissue, bone and cell. By amplifying wave motion through movement, our entire body resonates as a fluid, vital whole. We can say that movement is what we are, rather than something we do.”  – Emilie Conrad, Founder

What is Qi Gong? (or Chi Kung)

Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese mystical tradition and physical body practice that focuses on strengthening our life force energy (Qi/Chi) for healing and maintaining good health. Qi Gong (pronounced chee kung) translates as Life Force cultivation, development and management and dates back at least 5000 years. It is primarily a movement & sound meditation with specific breathing techniques. The movement and sound meditations are combined or separate and use standing, sitting and resting positions. The 6 Healing Sounds, a combined meditation emerged from the primal sounds we make when we are sick or stressed such as “haa” and “shh.” Qi Gong can be done by anyone including seniors and those with disabilities or chronic pain.

Session example: Movement

I speak with my clients to establish a safe environment for my clients’ needs. Together we design the session’s direction and goals, leaving room for the pleasant surprises that occur with healing.

We may start with enjoyable easy breathing and polyrhythmic movement exercises that promote flexibility and disrupt negative patterns fixed in the body. I may do hands-on bodywork to draw attention to areas of rigidity and assist in their release. Throughout the session, as movement and breathing become graceful, clients notice their sensation increasing in depth, detail or size. With continued movement the exploration becomes broader, freer and more of a full body experience.

Who can Benefit?

What is Sound & Voice Play?

Sound and Voice Play is a sensuous and pleasurable method of using our voices to send sound waves into our body tissue. We use song, wild animals sounds or resonant tones rising from our own expressiveness. Sound waves penetrate body tissue more deeply than any other method of bodywork. As these sound vibrations spread in our body they release restrictions and loosen and relax tense areas. These sounds create currents that travel throughout our physiological systems, facilitating necessary communication for the healthy functioning of our bodies.

Session example: Breath and Sound

I use Breath, Sound & Voice Play and creative movement exercises. The client wears loose comfortable clothing. I may use touch or show my client how to touch their body to recognize the sensation in a restricted area. My client and I then direct a combination of sound, movement or touch into the restricted area (eg. low back or neck) to assist in its release.

Who can Benefit?