integrative bodywork
“My favorite part of the Partner Massage Playshop was learning
to use my feet to give massage…I’m excited to try my new skills
with my family and I want to practice asking permission for touch with
[my] children.”
~Louise Kessel, Director, Clapping Hands
Farm
MAY YOU BE IN LOVE with and at ease in your unique and resilient body.
What to Expect (Continued)
Combining my intuition and deep listening skills with my training in Swedish Massage, Polarity Therapy and Hatha Yoga, I provide one-of-a-kind sessions.
When setting up the appointment by phone, I will sometimes get a sense of what a client’s intentions and needs are. Then I send a confidential health history form which clients print out and fill out to bring with them to our first session. Upon arrival, clients are greeted with the relaxing environment of the treatment space.
I offer nourishing herbal tea and we take time to sit down and review their forms together, have a chance to ask any questions, possibly assess standing posture, and get a sense of the overall flow of the session: what is the intention, what type of touch is desired, what areas want focus or are not open to touch, how to communicate feedback during the session…maybe we practice a few breathing exercises, or movement exercises or yoga postures to facilitate coming into awareness of the body and as tools to take home.
If it is a session on the massage table, I will step out of the room while the client disrobes to their comfort level, and lays on the soft massage table covered by a sheet (and blanket if desired--during colder months the table is heated and cozy). I knock on the door to be sure it is appropriate for me to re-enter the treatment room. We make any adjustments to the face cradle, adding cushions under ankles or knees or neck if necessary so the client can be as relaxed as possible as we begin.
Before making contact I am sure to ground and center myself and then I lead clients through a brief (can be longer if their mind is really busy) guided meditation to bring them into awareness of their body and the sensations they are feeling in the moment. I invite them to really rest and receive, nothing to do but breath.
I will check in during the session to inquire about pressure, pace, and the client’s overall well-being. For clients who are processing big life transitions there can be more dialogue and interaction as we listen in to the body’s inherent wisdom for guidance (sounding/toning can play a role depending on client’s comfort).
For clients who wish, especially those healing from post traumatic stress disorder, I am able to work with cloths on, as well as ask permission before making contact to each area of the body we have determined are open to receiving touch (this might be just the feet, or maybe lower body…). My training in Polarity Therapy and experience working with clients healing from PTSD has given me the skills to create a safe container and appropriate pace for the client’s nervous system.
After the hands on component of our session is complete I will ring a gentle gong 3 times as I invite the client to rest a few moments and listen in to their current bodily sensations, then I step out of the room for them to dress. Once the client is ready they open the door, I return with water, and we check in for integration (what are they noticing in body now, what felt good, what self-care can they implement to support deepening/longevity of benefits).
919.636.2545 •
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