The primary technique is firmly pressing on the body (rather than stroking or rubbing).
Shiatsu is an ancient Japanese form of massage. Zen Shiatsu is a modernized form of the more traditional Shiatsu, and is what I practice. Zen is a Japanese word meaning "meditation" while Shiatsu means "finger pressure"; although in actual practice, the Zen Shiatsu practitioner also uses the palms, thumbs, forearms, elbows, knees, and feet (NO, I’m NOT going to WALK on you, don’t worry!) in order to apply pressure to the body. The meditation aspect comes into play by the practitioner's focus on the receiver, attention to breathing, and a minimum of talking during the session. While some people think of meditation as still, Zen Shiatsu is meditation in action.
Gentle, pain-free pressure will be used to unblock and stimulate the energy that flows through the body. Pressure also stimulates the circulatory, lymphatic, hormonal, neuromuscular, musculo-skeletal, respiratory, digestive, and autonomic nervous system, allowing for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health. Gentle stretching and joint rotations are also employed to assist in flexibility and range of motion.
Zen Shiatsu is a non-invasive healing modality. This means it is not forceful, harsh, or painful. In fact, it is gentle, nurturing, rejuvenating and relaxing! Come on, give Shiatsu a try—you’ll love it!
Thai Massage
Just like Shiatsu, traditional Thai massage is also performed with the client FULLY CLOTHED, and on a FLOOR MAT rather than on a table. With Thai Massage, however, the primary techniques are slow, gentle rocking; meditative, rhythmic pressing and assisted yoga-like stretching. It is often called “The Lazy Man’s Yoga”, or it is said to be “like someone doing yoga to you”.
Anyone can receive Thai Massage, regardless of their physical condition or limitations—All you need to do is relax, breathe, and let go of your body. It uses an alternation of deeper and gentle massage, only working within the client's ability. It is perfect for children or elderly, stressed out moms or execs, students, stressed out people who work either physically or mentally hard, athletes or people who have difficulty exercising—This traditional massage is designed to free blocked energy and improve vitality, and is a great form of massage for everyone. Essentially, anyone will benefit from this powerful technique.
The massage is traditionally given without much talking, to allow the therapist to understand the client and to give the client a chance to focus and learn about himself without distraction. To give and to experience Thai Yoga Massage is a meditative practice. The rhythm itself has a relaxing effect and can lullaby a stressed mind into tranquility while encouraging the body to slowly loosen and open, releasing tension and freeing restricted movement. This allows energy to flow freely throughout your body. At the end of a treatment, both the receiver and the therapist will feel relaxed and energized. This is probably one of my favorite massages to give. Try Thai… it’s awesome and you’ll be glad you did!!
Fire Cupping and Gua Sha
Fire Cupping is an ancient method of applying acupressure by creating a vacuum next to the patient's skin using glass cups.
Cupping is a form of alternative pain therapy that recently left some curious marks on actress and new mom Gwyneth Paltrow.
These are NOT bruises… Fire Cupping treatment pulls the lactic acid and other toxins right out of your muscles up to the
surface (which is what you are seeing), where they can then be flushed out of your system properly.
It’s been part of Chinese medicine for over 2,500 years.
The traditional cupping method uses fire. Glass cups are depressurized by providing some fire in the cup to heat up the air
inside just prior to placement. This is called flash-fire cupping (see picture). As the air cools in the cup, a vacuum
forms that pulls up on the skin, stimulating the acupressure effect. It feels a bit strange maybe, but NO, it doesn't hurt.
One of my favorite cupping techniques is to add oil or therapeutic heating ointment to lubricate the skin. Then, once the
cups are suctioned to the skin, I slide them around the affected area(s). When the cups are moved along the skin, it is
somewhat similar to a Gua Sha treatment. Cupping is commonly used for chronic/acute back pain, neck pain and
tightness, etc.
Even though the spots look very painful, they are not. The color will go away in 2-4 days. After a fire cupping treatment,
the muscle pain and/or restricted range of motion is often gone immediately, and will get even better as time goes on.
Give it a try on those nagging knots today!
Gua Sha:
We also offer Gua Sha, in conjunction with a Fire Cupping treatment. Gua Sha uses a Chinese spoon and a lotion or oil to
help break up congestion for muscle spasms, tightness and pain. The edge of the spoon is “scraped” over the skin until a
redness appears. The red color can be of various intensities depending on the amount of congestion. Most people report less
tightness and pain and an increased range of motion after Gua Sha. It is a common adjunctive therapy to many acupuncture,
acupressure, and massage treatments.
I am a client-centered massage artist,
which means I organize my massage around
your individual wants and needs--NOT just
give you a cookie-cutter massage (although
those are good too!). So, if you want me to
spend a whole hour on your back, for instance,
that is just fine. It's YOUR massage, and
I aim to please!
Massage is one of the most natural,
and powerful forms of stress release available.
Whatever your stress, and wherever it has settled
in your body, I will use the art of massage to bring
pure peace and relaxation...
If you have ANY
questions at all..
Don't hesitate to call me at
(619) 565-7220,
or
Email Me.
