We live in an epidemic of busyness. Go, do, read, watch, text, email, work, eat while working, while driving, sleep 5 or 6 hours, keep up with social media. It is very easy to get caught up in these things and can be hard to say no. But I dare you to start saying no, to do yourself the favor and tune it all out. Whether it's a massage, a walk, a trip to a new place or a favorite one, breaking bread with a friend and being fully present, playing an instrument, reading a book, looking up at the sky from a picnic blanket or hammock, snuggling with your dog or kitty, I could go on...the list is as a varied as we are. Doing one or more of these regularly will change your life.
I believe and have experienced firsthand myself, and with my clients, that our bodies will tell us what we need to know about how we live our lives. In the space of massage, you have the opportunity to listen to what your body wants you to know. We actually already know what it wants to tell us, but the busyness above can really muck up the transmission and our understanding of this message. Often other things are so loud we can't hear it (or we avoid it). I don't know specifically what your body will tell you. You are the person best equipped to figure that out. It might be something as simple as "you scrunch up your shoulders every time sit down in your chair at work because you are used to being cold" to "I need a new pair of running shoes" to "I probably did too much too soon in the garden yesterday" to "my whole body is tense and it centers in my low back whenever I spend time with x person" or "I need to quit this relationship/job/habit/place/mindset."
Other things like chronic pain from old injuries or new pain and loss of range of motion from new injuries or an accident can also be addressed here. Bodywork can have a significant, positive effect on the recovery process from an injury or accident. Together, we can help re-educate the nervous system and break old patterns of movement or sitting or standing that just aren't working anymore. Shake things up and shake things out. A chronically tight, painful neck and headaches are not something you have to live with. Maybe you have more than one of all the above going on--most people do, and that's okay. We're going to work on those things. Whatever the case may be, bodywork at Maire can give you the uninterrupted, targeted time and space to get back to functioning in your balanced place.
Taking the time to care for and respect yourself is one of the best things you can do for yourself, and everyone around you. It's a ripple effect. I believe if the world had more of this going on--truly caring for yourself first (not selfish: you know the adage "in order to give you must first receive" and it is very true)...all of us caring for each other, we'd be better off. I do see this happening, getting back to the village. The tide is changing and I think we are coming closer to full circle.
There are many ways we can care for ourselves and each other, and I happen to be involved in what I believe are two of the most powerful: the power of touch and of holding space. I say with absolute sincerity that I am deeply honored to be able to do this work and hope to continue to be able to do so for a long time. Though I am not a religious person and do not see religion and spirituality as necessarily interchangeable terms, I often find my own experience while giving bodywork is a spiritual one. I am grateful and humbled to have been given the opportunity to help people this way and it is my privilege to accompany you on your journey.
Maire: Massage for Life was created as a sanctuary for the living, for those of us on a journey of self-improvement. No matter how far along you are on that path, Maire is a place to find shelter. Massage is about feeling good in our own skin, it's about reconnecting to ourselves and being present in the moment, it's about challenging the nervous system with touch and movement and mindful breathing to re-educate the body and brain to feel good, and to unravel chronic pain patterns. It is a natural human need to want to feel recognized, acknowledged and understood: we all just want to feel that we matter. I created Maire as a space to know and remember that, and in our crazy, busy, technologized lives, that's big.
From Ashiatsu (deeper, body connecting, barefoot massage using varying amounts of the therapist's body weight) to deep lomi (a very relaxing and luxurious style of deep tissue), to myofascial techniques, reflexology, and Thai "yoga" massage, I call upon a variety of techniques. No two massages are the same and collaboration with you is central. Bodywork for me is an art and often a dance. I also use side-lying and seated techniques when those will provide the best approach. These latter techniques are wonderful during pregnancy, allowing mother to relax comfortably and receive nurturing care during a time of great changes and demand on her body.
The topical preparations I use in bodywork are carefully sourced, usually organic and often something I have created. I also love (and have a slight addiction to) continually increasing my knowledge and technique base through continuing education courses and self-study& through books, videos, networking and professional membership in ABMP, the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. In 2015 alone I completed 100 continuing education hours, well above the minimum required 24 over two years.
08/30/2018 New, exciting project! You can be a part of it! (Sorry guys, this one's just for the ladies, but, by extension, you.)
My newest project in the works is a women's retreat to Ireland in March 2019. Women's Escape to Éire is an 8 day adventure and journey with a home base in the rural West coast of Ireland. We'll be eating really good, real, local food; marking the spring/New Year; celebrating at Irish pubs with traditional music; hiking through the hills for the pure joy of it and to visit ancient monuments; making art (everyone is creative); journaling; getting great bodywork; listening to stories and myths; and more. There will be no "mandatory" activities. It's not that kind of retreat. You can participate in all of them or keep to yourself and do a total re-charge that way. You are a grown-a## woman and know what you need and like. If that is an idea that has become buried, well, you can remember and own that here. Stay tuned to the "events" section of www.mairemassage.com and the Maire: Massage for Life Facebook page (I do still have my Maire business page on Facebook though I don't maintain a personal one) for details as they become settled in the next month or two.
MassageBook
Yelp