Energetic Bodywork
Energetic Bodywork
I am very eclectic in my healing offerings and I also love to offer the following hands-on healing services. In this time of social distancing, we could all use some therapeutic touch right about now!
I am trained in the following techniques and I also customize to your individual needs: Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, Mayan Abdominal Massage (see descriptions below).
How It Works
For all sessions you will like comfortably on a massage table. You will be fully clothed for a craniosacral therapy treatment. For myofascial release and Mayan healing – which involve contact with the skin – you will wear loose shorts and a tank top.
During the session, you will receive therapeutic touch ranging in pressure from gentle to firm while receiving guided visualization to move, clear and retrieve energy.
I may also incorporate sound and aromatherapy as guided during your healing session to facilitate: grounding, clearing and energy infusion.
After Your Session
How you feel after the session can vary from person to person. Some people feel clear, happy and motivated, others who are in a space of deeper clearing may feel tired and the need for rest. Others may have some emotions come up that evening or the next day. It really depends on your individuality and what your system is ready to release/transform.
I find that our energy bodies are wise as to the level of work we are ready to handle in a given moment. I may also give you ‘homework’ afterwards to facilitate healing on your own time.
Craniosacral Therapy
I began training in craniosacral therapy back in 1997 when I was attending Bastyr University. At the time, I was enrolled in a physical manipulation class where we were learning how to do spinal adjustments much in the way of a chiropractor. The class really stressed me out because at the time, these adjustments felt quite invasive to administer. I noticed I could get as good of a result with Craniosacral therapy in a much gentler way – by working with the fascial layer. It just took longer.
Craniosacral therapy evolved out of the life’s work of osteopathic physician, Dr. William Sutherland. It is a subtle, yet powerful healing system that works with: the cranial rhythm, the cerebrospinal fluid and the fascial system.
The cranial rhythm – aka ‘the breath of life’ is the 3rd rhythm of the body, created by the pulse of the spinal fluid as it moves from the brain down and around the spinal cord. The 3rd ventricle of the brain creates about 1/2 of a liter of spinal fluid each day, and it’s circulation creates a rhythmic ‘tide’ that I can feel at various places in the body.
Sensing with my hands, I find my way to areas that aren’t circulating well- where there is less flow in the cranial tide, or more simply – where the energy is stuck. With subtle pressure, I facilitate an opening or release of tension in the fascia layer of these areas. The fascia is the interface between the physical and energetic bodies. It is where all of the acupuncture meridians circulate, and it also holds our life’s memories – physical and emotional injuries included.
Craniosacral therapy works with the body’s innate healing wisdom – meaning that what comes up in a session is what the body is ready to confront and process at that time. I love this deep and safe healing work because it complements numerous other treatments – from emotional therapy to acupuncture, chiropractic, or massage therapy.
Craniosacral therapy is a deeply restorative and grounding treatment that anyone can benefit from. It is also the most important treatment to get after any acute physical injury or trauma because this therapy directly accesses the fascial system where trauma is stored.
I notice how my clients easily go into a very deep state of rest during this treatment – the parasympathetic or ‘rest and digest’ state gets turned on. We now spend so much of our time in the sympathetic or ‘fight or flight state’, that it is important to give our bodies the opportunity of deep rest. It is from this deep place of rest, that our body’s systems re-engage and reconnect with one another to catch up necessary repair work.
After a craniosacral therapy session I always feel like my life’s pressures are a mile away instead of lying on my shoulders.
Myofascial Release
The fascia system is composed of the extensive connective tissue fibers that lay just under the surface of our skin, and surround our bones, muscles, organs, nerves, and even penetrate deeply to the cellular level. The fascia is the interface between the physical and emotional body and it contains imprints of experiences with high energetic and emotional content – experiences that we hold beneath the conscious level as a method of protection.
In a Myofascial release (or MFR) session, I use steady touch and prolonged holding to facilitate gentle unwinding as I follow the body’s natural movements. When a significant position or state is attained, the nervous system will deepen and creating space for physiologic processes, memories and emotional content to arise and be processed and integrated consciously. This method of treatment ‘unloads’ the fascial system freeing up vital energy, circulation while releasing tension, compression and restriction that blocks life force energy.
I utilize myofascial release (MFR) for addressing chronic pain patterns. Because the fascial layer is continuous, pain in one area of the body may have it’s origin at a completely different location. I personally have benefitted from this therapy for chronic shoulder pain that responded to deep work on my left knee – the site of an old injury and surgery.
Traditional Mayan Healing (Mayan Abdominal Massage)
In traditional Mayan culture, the ‘womb’ or uterus is considered to be the center of a woman’s power. Ancient Mayan women took great care to maintain proper alignment of their wombs, and as a result, they rarely experienced cramps, fibroids, PMS, or even menopausal symptoms. When the uterus is centered and lifted, circulation is greatly improved, detox of the reproductive organs happens much more effectively, and women are more connected to their power.
Traditional Mayan healing is not only for women who have hormonal imbalance or fertility issues, any woman will benefit from an aligned uterus – women experience more access to their inner power and feel more grounded.
I had the pleasure of studying ancient Mayan healing techniques with Ann Drucker– who carries the lineage of Mayan healer Ms. Beatriz’ 400 yr old tradition. Studying and learning about healing plants in Ann’s back yard and practicing Maya healing techniques on one another was a once in a lifetime experience. Ann did such a powerful job of connecting me to this ancient and powerful healing tradition.
A big part of this work is being able to connect to the Mayan lineage through intention, ritual and the essence of plants. It is the energy of this lineage that supports healing blockages in the female system. I have been very impressed with the capacity of this work to support fertility. The womb must be clear of energies to make a warm and loving space for new life.
In a typical session, we will co-create an intention for your healing session using aromatherapy while inviting support from our guides and the Mayan lineage. I will then use acupressure and aromatherapy to key uterine reflex points on the feet to support grounding and settling of the nervous system. Once you are in a relaxed state, I will incorporate deep abdominal work and movements to lift and align the uterus. I will also give naturopathic ‘homework’ between sessions to support the alignment process.