Esalen® Massage

This style of massage grew out of the work of Charolette Selver who taught sensory awarenesss, and many of the awareness practices being explored at the Esalen Institute in the 1960′s through today.  Esalen Massage is known for the long flowing strokes, it’s slow pace, the way the practitioner moves and rocks the the body to create a feeling of full body relaxation.  Over the past 50 years many founders of  bodyworker modalities; Ida Rolf, Milton Trager, Moshe Feldenkrais, have taught or lived at the Esalen Institute and the best of their philosophies and techniques of working with the body are a culmination of  what we call Esalen Massage.  Esalen massage is an approach or way with in which we approach the body as a whole, and seeks to create an environment for each individual to relax into a deep healing, and nurturing space.  It is a beautiful dance; a relationship that leaves the giver feeling as good as the receiver.

When receiving an Esalen Massage you can expect to receive long flowing strokes that travel from the top of your body all the way down, and back up again.  The pressure will vary as your body relaxes and opens to the touch, but will always be full handed and very contactful.  The practitioner will move slowly, listening to your bodies response to the touch, always responding by adjusting pressure and speed.  Once your muscles begin to warm up and relax, the practitioner will begin to use deeper techniques to move into those deeper muscles of the bodies, and help to bring your awareness to holding patterns.  A variety of techniques may be used from rocking, passive joint movement, stretching, deep tissue, accupressure, cranialsacral therapy, or energy work.  The intention of the practitioner is to continue to invite and coax the body into a deeper state of relaxation, more breath, and more awareness.

You can learn more about the Esalen Institute and Esalen Massage on their website:  www.esalen.org.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST)

Craniosacral therapy uses gentle pressure on the spine and the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia to release the restrictions of nerve passages.  CST improves movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord and is helpful in treating many conditions, such as:  mental and emotional stress, neck and back pain, migraines, whiplash, TMJ syndrome, chronic pain conditions, PTSD, chronic fatigue, colic, scoliosis.

Craniosacral therapy is done with clothes on, and can also include a guided visualization, or dialouge with the body.

Gestalt Awareness Practices

Gestalt Therapy grew out of the work of Fritz Pearls, and has been practiced at the Esalen Institute since the 1960′s.  It is an existential/experiential form of psychotherapy that emphasizes personal responsibility, and that focuses upon the individual’s experience in the present moment, the therapist-client relationship, the environmental and social contexts of a person’s life, and the self-regulating adjustments people make as a result of their overall situation.

I integrate many of these awareness practices into my session to help my client’s heighten their ability to become aware of their body and holding patterns.

Somatoemotional Release (SER)

SER is a therapeutic process that uses and expands on the principles of CranioSacral Therapy to help rid the mind and body of the residual effects of trauma. SER offers the client the opportunity to explore the mind/body connection by experiencing how thought, feelings, and memory become stored in the tissues of our bodies, and with attention and safety, can be released.  In this process, I help my clients access their greater source of wisdom to be able to hold the depth of their thoughts and emotions.

Somatic Coaching

I offer sessions in life coaching that I call Somatic Coaching.  I draw upon years of experience at the Esalen Institute, combined with gestalt awareness, bodywork, and training in life coaching to help my clients access the answer to their own questions.  So often we know what we want, we know what we have to do to get it, however, we get lost in the details, or overwhelmed by the steps, and allow our self defeating mechanisms to take over.  I help guide my clients through these difficult waters, so that they can successfully reach their goals and dreams.

If you are interested in coaching session, I offer a free introductory session to give you an idea of how I work.  Contact me for more information.

Yoga and Meditation Practices

I am a registered yoga instructor and have been teaching yoga and meditation for 16 years.  My personal practice has transformed greatly based on my lifestyle and needs.  I can help you create a yoga practice that will be customized to meet your personal needs and goals, that will suit your lifestyle.  I offer group classes, and private yoga session.

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga is a practice developed by BKS Iyengar.  This is a beautiful relaxation practice that can be done every day by anyone as a way to train the mind, body and nervous system to become quiet and focused.  This is a deeply relaxing, supportive and nurturing way to practice yoga.

In this practice I will set you up into deeply relaxing and supported positions.  Typically I use many props such as blankets, block and straps to enable your muscles to completely let go.  Then I will lead you through a series of guided visualizations, or relaxation exercises to allow your mind to quiet and become focused in the present moment.  Many people report that after this practice they feel more rested and rejuvenated than after a full nights sleep.