I have been practicing professionally the healing art of massage therapy for ten years. I studied at Wellspring Institute, under Sandy and Jon Todt in a technique called Gentle Deep Tissue. In a nutshell, this technique strives to soften each layer of muscle tissue in order to gently pass through, deeper into the next layer, and eventually all the way to the bone. Ideally to massage the bones of the body. This naturally takes time, and is determined by what condition the client brings their body on to the table.
My teachers have taught that first the practice begins with "Caring Hands," an intention to encourage the person's body and mind to its own natural abilities to heal itself. relaxation is essential to the process. I begin the massage with the face (though it doesn't have to be this way) to strip off the mask of our daily life, causing the mind to centralize and quiet. Then I work methodically following the flow of energy that I feel through my hands and self. The life endergy is called Chi and Prana. It is this energy I stive to balance and encourage to be released. I refer to my own practice as "listening to the energy of the muscles." More often, I rely on the techniques of Acupressure and Polarity Therapy, although each person being different, the massage uses whatever tool seems most appropriate at the moment. Also, I take an interest in the practice of yoga and am a certified teacher.
It is my hope and goal that each person truly feels better, so they are able to fully appreciate their own life.
