I have practiced massage for over 20 years and continue to learn and evolve my treatment methodology. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Psychology and Studio Arts(1998), and left feeling that balanced health consisted of more than talk therapy. I continued my studies at the Aveda Institute(2001) in massage therapy, went on to intern with an Ayurvedic physician(2001), and followed that by intensive training at the Yoga Center(2007) for 2 levels of Thai massage. Most recently I went to Thailand to learn reflexology(2008) at the Old Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai, and this past fall completed a certificate program at the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine(2012) in TuiNa, or Chinese Medical Massage.
I practice a blend of the modalities that I know, and am able to treat patients, seated, laying down, clothed, or unclothed. I utilize massage as a relaxation method and to treat specific conditions such as depression, migraines, menstrual irregularities, fatigue, and chronic joint pain, as well as digestive issues, in addition to smoothing and declunking troublesome muscle groups. Massage allows the body to engage in healing itself through unblocking energetic pathways and stimulating organ systems to increase or decrease their activity.
Traditionally, Thai massage is done in loose clothing on a mat on the floor, it stretches the body and works through the energy meridians of the body in order to create balance throughout. TuiNa targets aches and pains and specific medical conditions though a deep systematic terrain, and is based in Traditional Chinese Medical Theory, best known for acupuncture here in the west. Swedish and Esalan massage modalities are deeply relaxing, and productive in allowing a freer flow of energy throughout the body with the use of oil and long flowing strokes and moving pressure.
In addition to my wonder and practice with the body/mind/spirit, I am also a painter and muralist. I love to read about theology, mysticism, and philosophy and to form a greater understanding of our place in this world through people.
