"It is vitally important that we pause at key moments in our daily life for rest, refocusing, refreshment, and reinvigoration of our body and our mind. Massage therapy is but one path toward achieving better health and wellness. It can help ease the effects of life's stresses, whether in our physical, mental, or spiritual lives. The whole person benefits from massage."

I learned massage therapy at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California almost 30 years ago. I was fortunate to be there at a time when the field of bodywork was still in its infancy.

It is natural that my approach to massage therapy is a combination of classical Swedish massage and the Esalen foundations that I learned during my residency there. My first teachers shaped my philosophy and guided my understanding of massage therapy: Charlotte Selver, Bernie Günther, and George King. I have continued to refine and expand my techniques and modalities to include Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage, Trager Work, and Myofascial Release. Yet, fundamentally, my work is still grounded in the Esalen approach.

Whereas sessions of bodywork are geared toward understanding and treating physical pain and discomfort, sessions of massage therapy are focused toward relaxation and the relief of stress and tension and nourishment of the body. I do not start a session of massage therapy with a pre-designed judgment about how I can fix this person, or how I can make their posture better, or how I can help them with their energy. My intent is to allow the massage to unfold, as it may.

Massage therapy is a conversation, and listening to what a body tells me is a very important part of my work. I am interested in providing an experience that brings an added dimension into my client's lives, be it simple relaxation (not so simple for many of us), relief from chronic tension, or an expanded sense of who they are. I have been honored to touch a countless number of people's lives in this way.

Far beyond simply "feeling good", massage therapy has an impressive range of therapeutic effects and benefits, many of which have been documented in research studies conducted throughout the world. With a variety of hands-on methods, massage therapy not only stretches and loosens muscle and connective tissue, but also greatly improves blood flow to the heart and the movement of the lymph fluid throughout the body.

The kneading of muscle tissue and application of specific strokes helps speed the removal of metabolic waste products resulting from exercise or inactivity, tension, or stress. This allows more oxygen and nutrients to reach the cells and tissues. Sensory receptors in skin and muscles "wake up", bringing new awareness to areas that have felt cut off by chronic tension.

Releasing of muscular tension also gives us an "inner experience" of our body -- a sense of what is going on in our body. In addition, massage can stimulate the release of endorphins - the body's natural painkillers - into the brain and nervous system.

• Deep relaxation and stress reduction
• Relief of muscle tension and stiffness
• Reduced muscle spasm and tension
• Greater joint flexibility and range of motion
• Increased ease and efficiency of movement
• Deeper and easier breathing
• Better circulation of both blood and lymph
• Reduced blood pressure
• Relief of tension-related headaches, eye-strain
• Healthier, better nourished skin
• Improved posture
• Faster healing time from pulled muscles and sprained ligaments: reduced spasm, pain and swelling; reduced formation of scar tissue
• Strengthened immune system
• Health maintenance

• Relaxed state of alertness
• Reduced mental stress; a calmer mind
• Greater ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
• Increased capacity for clearer thinking

• Satisfies the need for nurturing touch
• Feeling of well-being
• Greater ease of emotional expression
• Enhanced self-image
• Reduced anxiety
• Increased awareness of the mind-body connection
• A sense of being unified and in harmony