 I have been practising massage now for over 9 years. I achieved a Diploma from VTCT in Body Massage in 2001. Since then I have aquired professional development accreditations in Emotional Processing in Massage, Reiki Level 1, Hands Free Techniques, Rhythm Mobility©, Deep Tissue Massage and Fostering Flexibility©. In 2010 I also became accredited by APNT in Pregnancy Massage.
Holistic Massage has widely appreciated benefits. Many cultures and medical systems incorporate massage into their general practice to maintain health and wellbeing. While many of us see massage as a treat or perhaps as emergency care when the stresses and strains just become too much, many people are returning to an understanding that massage can be included in life to help you to feel your best and to optimise your health.
This is a question I am frequently asked by my clients. Working holistically is about honouring the body as a complex interplay between the physiology, the phychology and spirituality that makes us who we are. Holistic massage is a dialogue between your body and the therapist. A massge routine isn't imposed on you, your body isn't pummled into submission, instead your body is gently invited to relax, to stretch, to release and open; helping you to feel relaxed, rejuvenated and restored.
Massage, especially a holistic massage, can bring with it many health benefits. The deep relaxation that is often reached through massage provides the perfect space
for the body to heal on many levels.
Physiologically, deep relaxation supports the function of many systems of the body including the nervous system. The nervous system is responsible for our stress responses. How often do we hear that our health problems both minor and more serious are due to stress? It's a cultural epidemic and is responsible for a vast majority of our physical and emotional health problems.
Stress affects
digestion
fertility
menstrual cycles
immunity
sleep
energy levels
muscular tension
our relationships
our sense of humour - and ability to engage creatively with life.
Massage soothes the nervous system and restores the body's balance helping us to reclaim our ability to deal with what life throws at us.
Massage provides you with a moment of reconnecting and finding yourself which can be invaluable for your sense of wellbeing and is essential if your life puts high demands on your time.
Massage has far reaching and broad benefits, each person responds very differently to it. One thing I have discovered is that you can actually improve your ability to recieve massage. Now that is an art worth mastering!
All of my treatments begin with a consultation to establish what sort of work you need at that moment.
Within each massage I may draw on a range of techniques; my original training was in Swedish massage so I have a
strong grounding in working in deep tissue massage. Throughout the nine or so years of my practice I have developed my approach to include more subtle ways of approaching the body such as energy work or using gentle holds and stretches.
I have also spent a good deal of time training in more dynamic massage techniques. You can expect me to use forearms and elbows for deeper work, rocking, stretching and percussive techniques. My clients often say they feel 'ironed out', I often use a lot of long fluid strokes to really extend the muscles of the back and stretch your legs to focus on realigning the whole body. I also believe that moments of stillness and connecting with your breath help to integrate deep tissue work and help you rebalance.
It really is difficult to put into words or even pictures; the best way to understand it is to try it.
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