<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> I grew up massaging the back and shoulders of my hardworking mother.  It was quite satisfying knowing she would fall asleep while I kneaded her tight muscles and that my touch helped her aches somewhat.  As I got older, I would work out kinks knots on friends and they would comment that I should be a massage therapist.  I laughed it off for many years, though the thought was always in my mind.  It wasn’t until a few years ago, when many events aligned themselves that I found myself registering at the Inner Rhythm Massage School in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Now as a licensed massage therapist, I still find massaging out aches on my clients is satisfying not only for them, but for myself as well.  Also, the knowledge I have gained through classes and experience has catapulted me to exploring more modalities and techniques to assist my clients.

Currently, my main modality is ashiatsu massage – I use my feet on my client’s body to provide a deep compression massage.  As the foot provides as bigger surface area than a hand, ashiatsu allows: elongation and broadening of the muscles simultaneously, increased circulation due to more surface compression, and allows more pressure being evenly administered and maintained for longer periods of time.  Unlike the “traditional” concept of a “deep tissue massage,” this method does NOT leave bruising!

I may also incorporate Thai Yoga massage into a session, depending on what the client needs. A good stretch after a deep tissue massage often provides that little extra relief, especially in the low back, hips and legs.  Other modalities/technique that I may use in a session include Swedish, Foot Reflexology, or Meridian Massage.

On days when I’m not working my full-time job as a Medicolegal assistant, or doing a massage, I’ll be out in the park either rigging a tree to practice aerial silks/lyra or practice tree climbing techniques.  Sometimes I’ll fly my racing drone.  I also love to bake and cook, listen to all sorts of music, do word puzzles, work out, and just explore life in general. I’ve always believed that one should not live in a box – get out and discover/experience new things!