Massage Therapy

Relax, Revitalize, Renew

“Massage is like exercise — the more regular you are with it, the more benefits you will see in your body and in your life.”

Somatic Bodywork is utilizing any modality, and approaching the session with mindfulness and awareness of the body’s responses to the touch. It is following the thoughts and emotions that are evoked from the bodywork and realizing they are all connected. Sensation in the body, may be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and even karmic; and somatic bodywork seeks to identify those sources and support the client in finding relief through awareness. It is approaching the body with psychological sensitivity to assist clients during times of change. By focusing on your breath, making sounds and verbalizing your experiences, your massage can become somatic bodywork.

Shari’s Special Blends
I blend various modalities to create a session that is designed specifically for the needs of the individual in the present moment. Any and all of these modalities and techniques are combined to best meet your needs, based on current presenting issues, preferences, and intuitive sense. Each session is customized, and this is why sessions are charged by the length and not by the modality.

Circulatory Blend

My most common blend uses Swedish style circulatory massage as a base and incorporates Passive Joint Movement, Deep Tissue Sculpting, and Acupressure strokes as needed.

Rock ’n Roll Blend
Commonly used on Athletes, this blend incorporates Tui Na hand rolling and Sensory Repatterning to gently rock and roll and stretch the body into relaxation. This session may be performed with the client fully clothed.

Rotisserie Blend - 90 min.
Often, when I do a longer session, I spend extra time on the areas of complaint. This blend starts face up on the Head and Neck, proceeds through the whole body, and returns again to the Head and Neck, giving it a double dose of treatment. Named for the fact that the client needs to turn over twice during the session, this blend incorporates Esalen style circulatory massage with Deep Tissue Sculpting, Passive Joint Movement, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Tui Na. This session is both therapeutic and profoundly relaxing.

Specializing in the following MODALITIES:

Circulatory Massage

Long flowing and kneading strokes promote relaxation and improve the circulation of blood and lymph throughout the whole body. Oil or lotion is applied to the skin. Aromatherapy infused oils are available to enhance your experience. Circulatory massage can be deep and invigorating (Swedish style) or lighter, slow and relaxing (Esalen style) to send you into “la, la land.”  

Sensory Repatterning/Passive Joint Movement
A motion-based technique, Sensory Repatterning explores the natural movement of the body through rhythmic rocking, cradling, and gently exploring range of motion. Sensory Repatterning is deeply relaxing, meditative, and freeing as it reminds the body of “what is light, free, and easy.”

Deep Tissue Sculpting
Excellent for chronic pain and muscle tension, Deep Tissue Sculpting uses deep compressions  or compressions while following the fibers of the muscle. Pressure is gradually increased as the muscles and connective tissues relax and melt. This technique does not use oil or lotion and works always with the client’s comfort level up to the edge of pleasure/pain.

Tui Na Massage
This Traditional Chinese Medical massage focuses on unblocking and restoring proper blood and energy (chi) flow to the meridians (energy channels in the body) and muscles, thereby strengthening the organs, tissues, and immune system. The use of various hand techniques including Shanghai style rolling and acupressure points makes this work very effective for relieving muscle pain, trauma, chronic fatigue, and other common ailments. 

Shiatsu Massage

From the Japanese tradition Shiatsu combines the use of finger pressure on the meridians and acupoints with vigorous massage strokes and stretching to enhance and balance the flow of blood and lymph. The emphasis and intention are on cleansing the lymphatic system.

CranioSacral Therapy
This hands-on, non-invasive technique works with the cerebral spinal fluid, cranial bones, central nervous system, and soft tissues to release imbalances or trauma. It is subtle, energetically based, intuitively guided work that allows the body’s own wisdom to correct and realign itself to a more balanced state. Excellent for babies and children. This modality may be performed in person or via distance healing session.

NeuroMuscular Therapy

This work helps to break the pain cycle by deactivating trigger points within muscle tissue.  Trigger points are knots of muscle tension that refer pain to other points of the body. Included with NMT is connective tissue massage, skin rolling, skin shaking, and bone cleaning techniques.

Pre and Post-Natal Massage
This combination of techniques is specifically designed to address the woman’s changing body through each of the trimesters of pregnancy, and to assist in the body’s recovery after delivery with the new challenges of motherhood. Depending on the current stage of pregnancy, special positioning considerations are made for the comfort and safety of mother and baby.

Sports Massage
Addressing the specific therapeutic needs of individual athletes, Sports Massage increases flexibility, reduces recovery time, and improves performance. Sports Massage may incorporate a variety of techniques such as Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, Circulatory Massage, and Passive Joint Movement. Sessions are customized for pre or post event, training periods, as well as injury rehab & recovery, thus helping to keep the athlete in a state of peak performance.

Hot Stone Massage
The practitioner applies slow circulatory and deep tissue massage strokes with warm stones. The heat encourages muscles to melt and soften, releasing stress and tension. This is an oily massage, so removal of clothing is necessary. Special stones are laid along the chakra centers, while others are placed on areas of tension to help ease pain and open energy pathways. This massage is profoundly relaxing and helps the recipient float off into “la la land.”

Chair Massage
Combining techniques from Tui Na and Shiatsu, this acupressure massage primarily focusses on the Back, Neck, Shoulders, Arms and Hands. The intention is to open energy pathways and reduce muscle tension, resulting in lower stress, more energy, and greater focus for activities. For this session the client is fully clothed and seated in a specially designed massage chair.