SERVICES

THE 3-SERIES

Anatomy Trains' elegant three-session series is simple and profound.

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My understanding of this work is that I am working together with the client to clarify his or her own body image, so that their brain's projected reality is more accurately confirmed by the sensory data being provided by the five external senses, ​as well as one's interoceptive network*.

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I utilize primarily techniques from myofascial release, as well as plenty of proprioception-building, so-called "embodiment" exercises. True to its name, the 3-Series is performed in three steps:

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• First of the three ’steps’ gives a focus towards connecting the pelvis to the ground via the knees and feet.

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• Second, we work towards stabilising the upper body over the pelvis, freeing the breath and helping the shoulders to find a happier place on top of the rib basket.

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• Lastly, connecting the dots.  It all starts coming together when we give more specific attention to the spine and, most importantly, INTEGRATING the various changes that have been suggested by me as a facilitator, and you as the 'experiencer'.

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Each session lasts about 90 minutes, totaling about 4.5 hours of focused, yet playful, work.

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* If you have chronic pain or recurring musculoskeletal issues, establishing a clearer somatic awareness can help enormously in your understanding of your pain, as well as some of your habits that might be making their own contributions to that daunting experience.

THE BEAUTY OF WORKING IN A SERIES

Instead of chasing symptoms of pain and discomfort in an endless game of cat-and-mouse, we can instead work together to help you to reestablish your vertical connection (to the ground and to gravity) and your horizontal connection (locomotion and interaction).  Also called 'structural bodywork,' working in a series acknowledges the complexity of the human being as a staggering complexity of systems within systems. 

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A 'series' is a grouping of sessions tailored specifically to you …
  .  .  .  your body, your history, your goals, your wishes, your sensibilities . . .

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This work is primarily myofascial, meaning that the techniques employed address and interact with the nervous system via the muscles and connective tissues.  Thus the engagement with any given body part may be quite light, or more strong, but it should never hurt.  If the work is painful, your nervous system will not feel safe, and it (i.e.: you) will not learn.  (Who wants bruises after bodywork anyway?)

This work requires a lot of energy from both the ‘experiencer’ (you) and the facilitator (me).  You will be getting up a lot throughout each session, and I will be asking you repeatedly to feel within yourself for any changes in your body-mind.  In this way, we will both be on a journey in support of your own goals.

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I will do my utmost to make you and your nervous system feel as safe as possible, and each intervention should always have meaning in your body.

MYO-FASCIAL RELEASE

Myo-Fascial Release techniques can be thought of as a language, through which one can have a powerful and focused conversation with your neuromuscular system, in order to facilitate more adaptability in your myofascia; i.e.: the muscles & connective tissue of your various moveable parts.

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Not sure if this treatment is for you?

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In general, I like to tell my clients to choose Myofascial Release if they have long-term issues that they would like to improve, such as:

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• You’d like to have a better range of movement in your neck, shoulders, hips, ankles, etc.

• You’d like to improve your posture

• Something always hurts, in the same way, every time, suggesting a pattern that we can explore

• You’re looking for that long-term relaxation that comes from a deeper sense of embodiment and self-awareness

DEEP RELAXATION MASSAGE & DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

In these uncertain times, the need for compassionate human touch is more important and urgent than ever. 

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Massage is not only good for relieving stress, but also for anyone who is simply missing human touch. It's been scientifically proven that touch is vital to the maintenance of a healthy system (see resources section).

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And then there's still the need to relax.  Have you ever stopped and noticed that you were holding your breath?.. or that you were so concentrated that your shoulders were raised up like a surprised cat?

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Sometimes we just need a little help.  We might even forget that we're holding tension where we really don't need it.  Letting go is almost always as simple as just becoming aware of the tension itself, perhaps even identifying &/or acknowledging its origin, whatever it might be. 

 
Using pure intuition, yet staying grounded in the techniques and principles of classical Swedish massage, your body is the guide, and you tell me how much pressure you like.

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No participation necessary; your job is to keep breathing, feel yourself deeply, and bliss out ... or talk and blab away! I'm ready :) ... it's your massage, your time, your process.  What do you need?... right now, at this moment?

PRENATAL (PREGNANCY) MASSAGE

Your changing body has different needs, both physically and emotionally, and prenatal massage is all about respecting those needs and accommodating each person exactly where they're at.

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Your comfort and safety are of the utmost importance.  Lots of pillows and bolsters are used to make you as comfortable as possible while lying on your side.  We will avoid having you lying on your front for obvious reasons, and lying on the back, while possible for early pregnancies, is probably not so comfy after a certain stage, that you will most certainly know yourself.

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All-in-all, prenatal (or pregnancy) massage isn't so different from a regular massage.  The biggest differences are: 

• the adapted positions for lying on the massage table,

• and being knowledgeable about what kinds of techniques should be avoided (regarding both health risks and pure comfort).

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It has been my great honor to work with my pregnant clients.  These have been some of my favorite experiences as a practitioner - to bear witness and support during such a beautiful, and sometimes challenging, time.

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Profoundly soothing, these treatments stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system by gently mobilizing the vast network of cutaneous nerves in the skin.

Because the cranial and cutaneous nerves are so intimately related to, and interconnected with, the superficial lymphatics of your body, it's no wonder that these protocols are so effective for the treatment of symptoms ranging from headaches, stress, digestive issues, neck and back pain, groin pain, lingering colds, edema, and general immunity and inflammation.

• Head, Neck & Face - 60 minutes

• Upper Quandrant: Upper torso (above the navel), including your arms - 90 minutes

• Lower Quadrant: Lower torso (below the navel), plus your legs - 90 minutes

ON-SITE CHAIR MASSAGE

Invite me to come to your place of work - e.g.: schools, office buildings, grocery stores, gyms, etc. - for quick, 10- to 15-minute sessions.

It's a great way to attract new customers into your store, or thank your fellow staff for their hard work.

COACHING AND/OR CONSULTATION (ONLINE OR IN-PERSON)

Although we may not be able to meet in person, for reasons related to the current pandemic, or simply that we live in different places, there's still so much that can be done through via voice and/or video. 

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If you are in acute pain (and your doctor has ruled out any immediate, life-threatening problems), direct physical intervention is the usually the last thing you need.  Profoundly effective is an empathetic listener, good information and guidance.  Take it from one who knows; I have had my own experiences with chronic pain, and I've learned the hard way with a variety of good and bad information - all coming from well-intentioned people. 

If you've been suggested surgery, please consider something the famous spinal mechanics expert Dr. Stuart McGill suggests to his patients considering that irreversible step, the 'virtual surgery' game; that is, pretend you've just had surgery and act accordingly, following the typical post-surgery guidelines. "The positive response in symptoms, on average, is impressive." (Low Back Disorders, 3rd Ed., Stuart McGill, PhD.)

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And if you do choose surgery (or you've had the operation, or several), and you have had your symptoms return, then there is a lot that you can do.  Remember that surgery removes or corrects a single piece of you, but your daily behavior and body mechanics will determine just how much of your potential you can access.  (Usually there are ridiculously simple adjustments that can effect significant change.) 

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I would be honored to assist you in your own journey towards an easier and pain-free life.

MOVEMENT RITUAL & REMEMBERING THE BODY

Develop your kinaesthetic awareness creatively, to establish and strengthen a deeper connection to your body, and the wisdom you have stored within. 

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As with all teachers, I've created my own blend of the methods and techniques I've learned over the years from my mentors in the fields of martial arts, somatics, improvisational & technical dance, performance art, and the expressive arts. 

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Greats like Anna & Daria Halprin, Sherwood Chen, Sara Shelton Mann, Antero Alli, Min Tanaka, Guillermo Gómez-Peña and Tadashi Endo (to name a few), have given me precious gems that continue to guide me day-after-day.  

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Movement Ritual is a gentle but expansive method developed by Anna Halprin, legend of the American avant garde.  Remembering the Body was the title of Anna's weekly classes that she offered for decades at the historic Mountain Home Studio in Kentfield, California.  She has graciously allowed me to use this title for my own classes.

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All ages, abilities, and level-of-experience are welcome!  It is my sincere pleasure to share the space with you.