yoga
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ayurveda
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meditation
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massage and bodywork
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With a history that spans thousands of years, yoga is a time-tested system for self development that puts you in touch with your true nature. It increases your sense of awareness and can inject a quality of aliveness into your daily life. Among the more popular yoga practices are movement, breathing and relaxation techniques. These techniques influence many levels: On the physical level they create strength, flexibility and stamina, stretching and toning muscles and joints, massaging and regulating the functions of internal organs and glands. Yoga practices are also beneficial on the mental level, helping you to become more aware and attuned, not only to the physical, but to the whole body-mind connection. With regular practice, you move beyond conditioned response and enhance the objectivity needed to find creative solutions to life's puzzles. On the spiritual level, the practice of yoga encourages an understanding of our connection to the whole of life and can restore us to a place of balance and harmony, both internal and in the context of our environment.
For a print-out of my weekly and bi-weekly on-going classes, please go to my schedule.
In addition to group classes, I also offer individual instruction. I've worked with many clients who have physical issues such as back pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and chronic pain patterns resulting from injuries and repetitive use, to name a few. I also work with people dealing with life-stage changes such as pregnancy, menopause, and separation issues. Private sessions have proven helpful for conditions of the psyche like depression and anxiety, and their accompanying physical ailments. If you would like to discuss the appropriateness of my offerings for your specific issues, or to arrange for a private session, please contact me.
For a print-out of my weekly and bi-weekly on-going classes, please go to my schedule.
In addition to group classes, I also offer individual instruction. I've worked with many clients who have physical issues such as back pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and chronic pain patterns resulting from injuries and repetitive use, to name a few. I also work with people dealing with life-stage changes such as pregnancy, menopause, and separation issues. Private sessions have proven helpful for conditions of the psyche like depression and anxiety, and their accompanying physical ailments. If you would like to discuss the appropriateness of my offerings for your specific issues, or to arrange for a private session, please contact me.
Ayurveda shares common philosophical roots with yoga and is often referred to as yoga’s sister science. Where yoga’s focus is on refining our awareness of that aspect of ourselves that endures beyond the physical constraints of time and space, ayurveda’s focus is on the vehicle that houses that awareness, with lots of practical techniques to get healthy and stay well.
Ayurveda translates as “the science of life,” and provides a nature-based approach to maintaining health and vibrancy. According to ayurveda, perfect health reflects a state of balance among the body’s three fundamental natural energies (vata, pitta and kapha). Ayurveda also considers the interrelationship of the body, breath, mind and spirit, and the individual’s relationship to the world outside of them. By working with diet, nutrition, lifestyle choices, sleep patterns, exercise, and rest and relaxation, ayurveda provides guidelines to create and maintain the natural balance needed for optimal health.
In addition to workshops and classes, I offer private ayurvedic lifestyle guidance.
Ayurveda translates as “the science of life,” and provides a nature-based approach to maintaining health and vibrancy. According to ayurveda, perfect health reflects a state of balance among the body’s three fundamental natural energies (vata, pitta and kapha). Ayurveda also considers the interrelationship of the body, breath, mind and spirit, and the individual’s relationship to the world outside of them. By working with diet, nutrition, lifestyle choices, sleep patterns, exercise, and rest and relaxation, ayurveda provides guidelines to create and maintain the natural balance needed for optimal health.
In addition to workshops and classes, I offer private ayurvedic lifestyle guidance.
Yoga meditation is a practice that engenders better self understanding. It helps to soothe and quiet the mind, calm the nervous system and improve concentration. In recent years, meditation has been the subject of scientific research that has borne out many of its touted benefits. Some of these benefits include lower blood pressure, quicker recovery from stress, muscle relaxation and reduction in the intensity of pain.
If you would like to be informed of upcoming meditation courses, please use my contact form to sign up for email notifications/announcements. Private instruction is also available.
If you would like to be informed of upcoming meditation courses, please use my contact form to sign up for email notifications/announcements. Private instruction is also available.
The structured touch of massage and bodywork is useful in helping a person maintain wellness and can also be effective in moving one back to health. These therapeutic treatments are both cleansing and rejuvenating, and help counter the challenging effects of chronic stress. Below are descriptions of the types of massage and bodywork that I have been trained to deliver. If you have any questions about the type of work most suitable for you, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact me. Rates are available in my brochure.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is a very relaxing, therapeutic style of bodywork that uses lotion with a variety of strokes that glide across, roll and knead out tense tissue. Some of the benefits include increased circulation, relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels, and enhanced mental clarity.
Deep Tissue
Deep tissue massage is a form of bodywork that aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue. It is highly effective for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motion and lingering discomfort due to past injury.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy targets localized areas of tenderness that refer pain or sensation to other areas of the body. Focused pressure is applied in an effort to dissolve these knotted areas and release the triggered pain patterns.
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular therapy helps to relieve congested, tender spots in muscle tissue and to release compressed nerves that radiate pain to other areas of the body. Overall structural imbalances are considered in assessing where and how to work.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release works with the body's connective tissue to restore normal alignment and function and to reduce pain. It is an effective therapeutic approach for the relief of back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, chronic pain patterns, recurring sports injuries and headaches, among other conditions.
Lymphatic Drainage
Lymphatic drainage aims to gently and rhythmically move lymph through the body, especially swollen areas of the body, relieving pressure and enhancing functioning of the immune system. As both a preventive and remedial technique, lymph drainage can be used for a wide range of purposes including faster recovery from injury, reduction in swelling and discomfort from pregnancy, and strengthened resistance to illness. It has been successfully used to reduce the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Thai Yoga Massage
Thai massage combines passive yoga-like stretching with gentle pressure along your body's natural energy lines to increase flexibility, relieve muscle tension, and enhance your overall well-being. The session is performed on a special mat on the floor. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing that will allow for a full range of motion during the stretches. After a session, people report feeling simultaneously relaxed and energized.
Pre-natal Massage
Pre-natal massage is specifically designed for pregnant women, and as such recognizes the unique stresses due to the dramatic physical, mental and emotional changes that occur. Pre-natal massage helps alleviate pregnancy-related discomforts such as back and joint pain, uncomfortable digestive issues, swelling, and reduced capacity to breathe freely. It also provides emotional support and relaxation.
Reflexology
In reflexology, pressure is applied to specific nerve zones in the feet that correlate with all other parts of the body.These treatments have been highly effective for conditions such as allergies, headaches and depression.
Chair Massage
Chair massage takes the muscle loosening, tension reducing, circulation enhancing benefits of a table massage and makes them portable. Performed in a special chair that allows clients to wear their “street clothes” and recline in a semi-prone position, chair massage is idea for the business, health care, or educational setting. Corporations, universities, and hospitals, to name a few, have been able to offer their target populations the relaxing effects of a massage for all sorts of purposes: care-giver support, employee appreciation, even helping students relax before final exams.
Ayurvedic Massage Techniques
Vishesh
Vishesh is a vigorous, rhythmic massage that uses heated medicated oils. It is designed to break down adhesions and improve circulation at the deepest levels. Lymphatic flow is enhanced assisting the body to eliminate the loosened impurities. Awareness and blood flow move into areas that have been previously constricted. Invigorating and relaxing at the same time. (Vishesh can be followed by optional steam treatment.)
Shiro-Abhyanga-Nasya (Sinus Treatment)
This is a head, neck and facial treatment targeting sinus congestion. It stimulates lymph in the head and helps to drain the sinuses. It includes head, face and neck massage, a eucalyptus steam treatment, and optional herbal drops that the client can administer nasally.
Garshana-Abhyanga (Dry Lymphatic Massage and Individualized Oil Treatment)
This treatment features a rhythmic lymphatic massage done with raw silk gloves followed by a full-body oil massage that deeply relaxes and nourishes the body. The silk gloves increase circulation and ready the pores to accept the oil portion of the treatment. (Garshana-abhyanga can be followed by optional steam treatment).
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is a very relaxing, therapeutic style of bodywork that uses lotion with a variety of strokes that glide across, roll and knead out tense tissue. Some of the benefits include increased circulation, relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels, and enhanced mental clarity.
Deep Tissue
Deep tissue massage is a form of bodywork that aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue. It is highly effective for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motion and lingering discomfort due to past injury.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy targets localized areas of tenderness that refer pain or sensation to other areas of the body. Focused pressure is applied in an effort to dissolve these knotted areas and release the triggered pain patterns.
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular therapy helps to relieve congested, tender spots in muscle tissue and to release compressed nerves that radiate pain to other areas of the body. Overall structural imbalances are considered in assessing where and how to work.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release works with the body's connective tissue to restore normal alignment and function and to reduce pain. It is an effective therapeutic approach for the relief of back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, chronic pain patterns, recurring sports injuries and headaches, among other conditions.
Lymphatic Drainage
Lymphatic drainage aims to gently and rhythmically move lymph through the body, especially swollen areas of the body, relieving pressure and enhancing functioning of the immune system. As both a preventive and remedial technique, lymph drainage can be used for a wide range of purposes including faster recovery from injury, reduction in swelling and discomfort from pregnancy, and strengthened resistance to illness. It has been successfully used to reduce the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Thai Yoga Massage
Thai massage combines passive yoga-like stretching with gentle pressure along your body's natural energy lines to increase flexibility, relieve muscle tension, and enhance your overall well-being. The session is performed on a special mat on the floor. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing that will allow for a full range of motion during the stretches. After a session, people report feeling simultaneously relaxed and energized.
Pre-natal Massage
Pre-natal massage is specifically designed for pregnant women, and as such recognizes the unique stresses due to the dramatic physical, mental and emotional changes that occur. Pre-natal massage helps alleviate pregnancy-related discomforts such as back and joint pain, uncomfortable digestive issues, swelling, and reduced capacity to breathe freely. It also provides emotional support and relaxation.
Reflexology
In reflexology, pressure is applied to specific nerve zones in the feet that correlate with all other parts of the body.These treatments have been highly effective for conditions such as allergies, headaches and depression.
Chair Massage
Chair massage takes the muscle loosening, tension reducing, circulation enhancing benefits of a table massage and makes them portable. Performed in a special chair that allows clients to wear their “street clothes” and recline in a semi-prone position, chair massage is idea for the business, health care, or educational setting. Corporations, universities, and hospitals, to name a few, have been able to offer their target populations the relaxing effects of a massage for all sorts of purposes: care-giver support, employee appreciation, even helping students relax before final exams.
Ayurvedic Massage Techniques
Vishesh
Vishesh is a vigorous, rhythmic massage that uses heated medicated oils. It is designed to break down adhesions and improve circulation at the deepest levels. Lymphatic flow is enhanced assisting the body to eliminate the loosened impurities. Awareness and blood flow move into areas that have been previously constricted. Invigorating and relaxing at the same time. (Vishesh can be followed by optional steam treatment.)
Shiro-Abhyanga-Nasya (Sinus Treatment)
This is a head, neck and facial treatment targeting sinus congestion. It stimulates lymph in the head and helps to drain the sinuses. It includes head, face and neck massage, a eucalyptus steam treatment, and optional herbal drops that the client can administer nasally.
Garshana-Abhyanga (Dry Lymphatic Massage and Individualized Oil Treatment)
This treatment features a rhythmic lymphatic massage done with raw silk gloves followed by a full-body oil massage that deeply relaxes and nourishes the body. The silk gloves increase circulation and ready the pores to accept the oil portion of the treatment. (Garshana-abhyanga can be followed by optional steam treatment).