***If we are doing myofascial release, you will need to have loose shorts (and a sports bra/tank top/bikini top for women) for your visit with me, so please bring them***
Q: Why do I need shorts/sports bra?
A: If we are doing myofascial release, and/or belly work, they will allow me to work on you comfortably and give you proper coverage. For myofascial work, we do not use oils/lotions and need to access your skin directly, as well as see what is going on with the rest of your body, e.g. areas of redness or pulling.
Q: What is Myofascial Release?
A: Myofascial Release is gentle application of sustained pressure into fascial (connective tissue) restrictions to help alleviate chronic issues.
Our session will find areas of chronic restriction and holding patterns, and coax them to release at the fascial (connective tissue) level, thereby relieving the tensile pressures of approximately 2000 pounds per square inch caused by these restrictions. This tensile pressure acts like a “straightjacket” on muscles, nerves, blood vessels and bones, producing the symptoms of pain, headaches, and restrictions of motion.
Since the fascia covers every part of our body, including muscles, bones, organs, and even cells, having a restriction in one part of your body can pull on the rest of the body. This is why an old ankle injury can be pulling your hips out of alignment and making your neck hurt. Myofascial Release has been shown to have long-term benefits for chronic issues.
Q: What is Abdominal Therapy?
A: Abdominal Therapy (based on the techniques of Dr. Rosita Arvigo) focuses on deep abdominal and fascial integration which assists general circulation and improves your all-round health and well-being. It’s so much more than a belly rub! This technique is performed externally by gently guiding and supporting organs back into their optimal position, allowing for improved functioning for optimal health and wellness.
This therapy is best known for addressing misalignment or congestion in the reproductive organs of both men and women, as well as many common digestive disorders. The techniques effectively alleviate tissue congestion and organ constriction to improve the vital flows of energy, blood, lymph and nerves in the abdomen. They address and can release emotional and energetic tension from the abdomen. This assists to prevent the progression of chronic disease symptomology while improving the body’s ability to self repair and balance.
Q: Will I receive a head-to-toe massage?
A: Unless we are doing a regular massage, we will not have time to say “hi” to all of you, and some of the techniques require staying in one place for 5+ minutes (fascia needs at least 5 minutes to release/rehydrate, and reiki/energywork is sustained for as long as the area needs it). My intention is to aid the areas of your body that have chronic tightness/holding patterns, so most sessions will focus on those areas and/or the cause(s) of the tightness.
Q: Can I talk during our session?
A: An important rule of bodywork is communication – if something doesn’t feel good or right, always speak up! I don’t want you suffering in silence, and it doesn’t have to be painful to be therapeutic. I tend to check in more if you are a new client but try to keep talking to a minimum unless it is appropriate for our session. Otherwise, I encourage you to go deeper by embracing silence and paying attention to what is happening inside of you during the session, especially for myofascial release, energywork, and abdominal work. Our society offers many forms of distraction, so I strive to have a space where quiet is welcome and introspection is encouraged for deeper healing. We don’t even have to listen to music while I work, so please let me know (or if you don’t like the music, we can change it).
Q: What happens if I can’t make my appointment, or I’m running late?
A: If you are running late, please call me so I know you are on your way. Depending on my schedule, I may not be able to extend the session to accommodate the full appointment time and will need to charge the full amount. There is a 24-hour cancellation policy, so please do your best to honor that as I honor my commitment to be fully present and give you the best session I can. If there is no notice given or less than 24 hours, I will need to charge the full session amount. Thank you for your understanding.