The following are general descriptions of massage and relaxation techniques that I use in my work. Each session is tailored for the needs of each individual. In addition to massage techniques, healing visualizations and deep breathing (breathwork) may also be used to individualize each session and maximize the benefits received.
Swedish massage is now known as “traditional” massage. Developed in the 1820's, Swedish massage includes long gliding strokes (effleurage), kneading (petrissage), friction, tapping (tapotement), and shaking motions. It is effective for most ailments, because massaging the skin, the body's largest organ, sets up a chain reaction that produces a positive effect on all layers and systems of the body. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, and promotes health and wellbeing.
This special form of massage is typically used before, during, and after athletic events to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries. Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used including classic Swedish strokes, cross-fiber friction, pressure-point work, and joint mobilization.
Deep Tissue Massage is designed to reach the deep portions of thick muscles, specifically the individual muscle fibers. Using deep muscle compression and friction along the grain of the muscle, its purpose is to unstick the fibers of the muscles and release both toxins and deeply held patterns of tension.
Chair Massage (On-site massage)
You are massaged fully clothed (no oils are used) in a special massage chair designed to relax you. The sessions are typically 15 minutes in length but can be longer. Because the chair is completely portable, chair massage is often called "On-site massage". Massages are available for groups at your office or business to massage the staff, or even for birthday parties and other special occasions.
Conscious Breathwork is a simple and easily learned body-centered healing tool using the flow of the breath in and the exhale of the breath out to help us to relax and unwind at a deep level. With each breath, we bring in more oxygen into our bodies and with each exhale we let go and relax more deeply. By using a simple breathing process called "conscious connected breathing" or "circular breath", we can become more aware of tension, stress, and even old feelings and thoughts we may be storing in our bodies and minds. Then, we integrate focused massage and touch with conscious breathing to release what has been stored up inside. It is a powerful fusion. The result is greater vitality, aliveness, deep relaxation, and inner peace.
As human beings, we are composed of 4 aspects — the physical, the mental, the emotional and the spiritual. Each have a distinct role to play in our growth, our health and in the balance of who we are. When one or more of these aspects is out of balance, it affects the whole. Energy work or energy healing promotes healing by focusing on the human energy field (or aura) which permeates and surrounds the physical body (and which science has verified through such methods as kirlian photography.) Energy healing is done by connecting with the energetic body directly above the physical body through touch and also by using touch applied to the physical body coordinated with the client's breathing. For skeptics, I compare the awareness of energy to that of the wind. We can't see the wind but we can feel it and see its effects and so we know it is there. Similarly, even if you can't see energy, it can be felt and we can feel its effects during healing sessions. Energy healing is part of the larger field of "Energy Medicine" that is recognized by the U.S. NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine). I have been working with energy healing for over 25 years and am trained and attuned to Mariel healing energy as well as receiving training from a number of gifted healers in the direct channeling of healing energies through touch.
Popularized in the United States by physiotherapist Eunice Ingham in the 1930s, this is an acupressure type technique performed on the hands and feet and is based on the ancient Oriental theory that meridian lines or pathways carry energy throughout the body. Because each zone or part of the body has a corresponding reflex point on the feet, stimulating that reflex point causes stimulation in the natural energy of the related organ. Crystalline-type deposits and/or tenderness indicate a dysfunction, and pressure to the feet or hands is applied to clear out congestion and restore normal functioning and health. Very relaxing and grounding.
Thanks to About Massage for assistance with these descriptions.
