I am trained in a number of treatment styles; these can be experienced individually, or, in some cases, combined. Expand headers below to read more:
Through a combination of techniques massage can release muscular tension, improve circulation (blood and lymph) and nerve function, and help improve joint mobility. Working at this physical level, alongside a listening and nurturing touch, to meet you at an emotional level and help bring balance to your body and mind.
These sessions aim to attend to the cause of a particular issue rather than simply focusing in on a particular symptom.
How I work
In these sessions I draw on techniques from many traditions, combining them with natural sensitivity to meet the needs of you as an individual. I prefer to work with time enough to include the whole body, often focusing in on a key area and re-integrating it back into the body.
These are explorative sessions, sometimes experimental, using a combination of smooth strokes, firm pressure, rhythm, stretching and mobility, achieving a thorough workout of a specific area or the whole body to release knots of muscular tension, soothe tired muscles and mind and to nourish your skin.
These sessions adapt to your needs at the time, so they may be using a deep tissue massage approach, or perhaps a more gentle therapeutic touch, and are more often a combination of these and the many levels between.
This is predominantly an oil-based massage on a raised couch.
Deep tissue techniques work with the connective tissue and fascia that surround and attach all structures within the body (muscles, bones, organs, nerves, vessels). When healthy, this system can stretch and adapt as the body moves. When trauma, injury, repetitive motion or more severe pathology occurs, the connective tissue can become compromised which may result in thickening, fibrosity, adhesions and other structural change. In addition, the functon of adjoining tissues, organ, nerve, or vessel can be altered. Deep tissue techniques are used to help alleviate such symptoms
In a session where I incorporate deep tissue techniques, I will be using my hands, fingertips, knuckles, elbows and even feet, stimulating muscles and body tissues beyond the exterior level. Deep tissue techniques are applied slowly whilst I listen and wait for the softening and release of your tissues. Following deep work take it easy for a day or two, you may feel aches in the area worked or other areas of your body as it adapts to the release.
I will often use deep tissue techniques within sessions, specifically where you are presenting with a particular issue or pain. I use them as part of a holistic session, incorporating a variety of other, gentler techniques, to give you a chance to absorb and integrate the work.
Ayur Yogic massage, also called Ayurvedic Yoga massage, combines the insight of Ayurveda and Yoga and is a speciality from Pune, India.
A variety of techniques are used to warm up the muscular system and improve the blood and lymph circulation. A combination of yoga stretches help aid the mobility of the joints and release tension held in the muscles. The massage concentrates on improving circulation, aligning the musculoskeletal system and increasing vital energy.
The massage is done on a futon on the floor. Hands and feet are used. There are many deep massage techniques to warm the body and relieve tension. After warming the body, yoga stretches are carried out according to the condition and needs of the receiver.
In Ayur yogic massage, oil and a herbal powder is used, which help in balancing the body elements, improving circulation and releasing toxins.
Sesame oil is generally used which has a lovely warming effect as well as nourishing the skin and detoxifying. The herbal powder is Calamus (botanical name Acoris Calamus, Araceae) and is a very good detoxifying herb. It is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and exfoliating. It helps to bring out the deep-seated toxins from lymph and muscles. Through the increased friction created by the powder the massage reaches deeper layers of the tissue and directly revitalises Prana, vital energy in the body.
Highlights of the massage
- Helps to remove toxins held in the muscles
- Improves alignment, flexibility and energy flow
- Brings deep relaxation
- Deep breathing may help in the release of emotional holding
If you are new to massage or unused to deep bodywork, please give me a call first to have a chat before booking an Ayur Yogic session.
This treatment is not recommended for pregnant women.
Please note: that I am not trained in Ayurvedic medicine.
Thai massage is wonderful for opening up the body and clearing out the energy channels. A combination of passive stretching and mobilisation, deep and sustained pressure, and energy line work, are used. These techniques come from Indian Ayurvedic, Chinese medicine, acupressure and yoga systems to encourage the body to release pain, ease muscular tension, improve flexibility, mobility and posture, bring balance to the body’s natural energy system and soothe the mind.
Thai massage is oil free and carried out on a mattress on the floor and you remain in loose comfortable clothing.
Thai massage works by:
- Improving flexibility
- Relieving tension in knotted muscles
- Opening and strengthening joints
- Bringing balance to muscle groups to improve and maintain posture
- Bringing balance to the body’s natural energy systems
Craniosacral therapy is a non-invasive clothed treatment involving light touch to promote healing and support your own inner awareness. The treatment recognises that health is inherent in the body and through this gentle touch and a listening approach it can be a subtle and profound healing form. The work assists the body in doing what it needs to do in its ongoing search for balance, working from the inside, without imposing from the outside.
The practitioner listens in to a natural unconscious rhythm that manifests throughout the body, like the heart beat or breathing but much subtler. This comes from the centre of our system and is conveyed by the intrinsic ebb and flow of the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), which coat the brain and spinal cord. The bones, tissues and fluids of the body move to accommodate this movement. In the Craniosacral field this is called the Breath of Life and can be felt as a tide like motion throughout the body. These natural rhythms can indicate particular areas of held trauma and holding, and with this listening approach, can provide a focal point or lever from which the body’s own healing can spring.
At a deep level, craniosacral therapy can release personal history (emotional, physical, spiritual) that are held in our tissues. These areas of tension, holding, trauma, are held in place by the body’s potency, innate life force. As these areas unravel and release, this potency is then freed up to the rest of the system to increase our level of wellbeing.
What to expect in a treatment
Generally you will lie (or sometimes sit) fully-clothed on a treatment couch. It is helpful to come wearing loose, comfortable clothing. I will make contact by placing my hands lightly on different parts of your body and listening in.
During a session you may feel relaxation and temperature changes as well as other sensations within your body as it lets go of held patterning and trauma. Sometimes you will enter into a deep meditative state. These experiences generally last throughout the session and beyond. It is impossible to predict what may arise, your system dictates this, but it is helpful if you come with an intention of what you would like the focus to be.
Key to these treatments is the relationship between client and practitioner, this deepens with time, so to get the most out of these treatments it is ideal to commit yourself to a series of sessions.
Fundamental to the success of these treatments is allowing held areas to release slowly and safely, as your system is ready, contrary to the more cathartic approaches. In this way the results are more likely to last and you are less likely to re-traumatise your system.
It is ideal to have plenty of free time to relax and absorb following your sessions.
Focus of these sessions
People come for craniosacral treatments for all sorts of reasons, whether it be a specific physical or emotional issue, generally to assist their feeling of wellbeing, or even out of simple curiosity.
The benefits may not be immediately noticeable but often manifest over a period of time.
I offer a safe, held space, for us to explore what may arise for you through these treatments.
Series of Sessions
Craniosacral Therapy really benefits from a series of sessions, therefore I offer a treatment bundle of 6 sessions, including the 75 min consultation if the series includes your first session. The conditions of making use of this bundle is that you must pay in advance and the 6 sessions must be taken within 3 months. For price and booking: GIFT VOUCHERS & Treatment Bundle Offers
Do you like to massage your partner or friends but lack the confidence to be creative? Does your partner always want you to rub their shoulders, but it’s too much like hard work?
These sessions are for anyone who would like to learn some basic massage techniques to share with their partner or friends.
You tell me what you would like to focus on (e.g. back and shoulders) and how you would like to do it (i.e. seated or lying, with oil or through clothing) and I will teach you basic techniques and help you to best use your body weight and posture. We will practice first on one, then the other person, so you get to learn how it feels both to receive and to give. We can adapt techniques from the various therapies I offer to suit the situation.
- Designed for you, come and learn how to massage shoulders, head & neck, back, legs, arms, or feet and hands.
- Learn simple and effective techniques that your partner and friends will love you for and that don’t hurt you to do.
- Learn how to adapt to your environment; whether on a couch, with your partner seated on a chair or with them seated or lying on the floor.
- These sessions are for two people and are two hours long, and focus on one or two areas of your choice.
- Have a series of sessions to build up your confidence and skills.
- The cost of the session is the same as for a two hour massage.
- Come wearing comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit of oil on.
- These are non-certificated sessions.
To book, first call to discuss your needs then book in for a two hour slot.
I have danced Contact Improvisation since 2007 and used to offer regular classes in Bristol and beyond.
Contact Improvisation (CI) is based on the physical exploration of how the body moves through its own intelligence and how two or more bodies in contact with each other can move together, a dance that fine tunes your senses and wakes up your ability to listen and respond to what is happening in the moment. Sometimes wild and athletic, sometimes quiet and meditative, it is a form open to all bodies and enquiring minds.
Through these classes I aim to offer explorations of the fundamentals of CI, enabling you to develop core skills to support fluidity and safety, whilst opening up to new possibilities in your movement.
I am hoping to reconnect to CI in West Wales, so watch this space!