What is My Holistic Approach to Your Well-being?

​You will see the term “holistic approach” all over my website, social media and blogs. It is the approach I take to all of the sessions I offer and how they may impact you on the day that you’re receiving them.

The Human Body Image by Wolfgang Eckert

During Massage Therapy training I learned all about the physical human body, how it works, how it is connected and what physical changes can be made through applying techniques. It was much the same for Reflexology and Ayurvedic hands on training. But what all of my instructors emphasized is that the clients I will “treat” are so much more than that. My main Massage Therapy instructor told us that Massage Therapy is about 90% psychology and 10% actual massage.  I trusted that as she shared the knowledge she had gained over 44 years of practice. She had treated pretty much everything she taught us about.

---

​Fresh out of Massage Therapy training a practitioner is gifted with a head full of anatomical terms, possible physiological states, techniques of all different kinds, when and when not to treat a condition… ​It often takes a few years of practice before the “holistic approach” and “feel” for the condition begins to move to the forefront.

Reiki shows us the connection of Mind, Body and Spirit

I was fortunate to have received all of my Reiki training prior to attending Massage Therapy school and therefore was already developing an understanding of energy and the mental/emotional impacts on physical conditions. In Reiki training we talked about spirit and the soul a great deal and how important a person’s connection was to all three aspects of Mind, Body and Spirit. 

---

Craniosacral Therapy assessment

When Craniosacral Training was introduced during Massage Therapy school it was difficult for a number of students to switch from the deep muscle work we had been taught to apply, to listening, with our hands, to the more subtle rhythms of the body. Assessing how small and light movements created shifts in the physical and emotional bodies. During the instructors' demonstrations on students, we watched as they would make ​small physical, almost imperceptible shifts in their alignment, or release emotions through tears or laughter, all while they were seemingly, deeply relaxed and at times unaware of these shifts.

---

I discovered, almost right away, that a number of Craniosacral Therapy clients drew Reiki during their sessions as well. I think that was when, despite having read about it, I actually understood the relationship between and connectedness of mind, body and spirit. In receiving what was a physical therapy, many drew upon the energetic therapy at the same time. In Reiki training I teach that the body, mind and spirit will draw through what they need, and I witness examples of this all the time

More than just the physical needs attention.

​When you come for a Massage Therapy session I can’t and don’t solely treat your muscles. You come to the session as a whole person who can’t be segmented off into parts. I can see in your posture and how you move what is physically off balance, but you’ve also come with the reasons (not always shared) why that’s going on. If I only address the physical then you will likely keep returning with the same types of physical issues…because so much more needs to be addressed. Here is how I do that

---

An atmosphere of calm, quiet, healing

1. You don’t need to tell me what is going on in your life in order for your body to give me some clues. How you are carrying yourself, how you physically move, even how you breathe… tell so much about where you’re at, that day. Assessing all of this quietly is key to providing you the best session.
2. I try to create an atmosphere, as much as possible, that gives you a break from the “world out there”. Somewhere quiet, peaceful, safe and warm, with dimmed lights and soft music. 
3. The Massage Table and the treatment room, regardless of the therapy you’re receiving, are a safe space where you can just “be”. You can talk or not, I leave that to you. Whatever you need in order to relax and discover a peaceful time out.
4. While you have likely booked for a specific modality, a number of clients trust me, to pull from my skillbox the blend of modalities that are best for your session and what is going on. I may stay with one modality or apply a blend of 2 or 3 throughout your sessions. I understand that, as you relax and let go of the stressors “out there”, what your body, mind and spirit needs, may shift. 
5. While I label it “homework” I often will provide you with some ideas of what to do at home, after or between your sessions, to get the most from the session you’ve just had with me. It may be as simple as continuing to relax with a hot bath, or taking some time to do breathwork and/or stretching. It’s always shared with your well-being in mind.

---

Your inner self knows there are other ways to reach well-being.

What I’m discovering, after almost 29 years of practice, is that more and more new clients come my way because they are searching for a more holistic approach to their well-being. They will search me out because of what they’ve heard from others or because, during an online search, they discover the holistic atmosphere of my website or social media. More often than not they’ve been told by other medical modalities that they are “just at that age” or that they have to “just live with the condition, pain, dizziness…” I’m thrilled that a lot more women are acknowledging that innate inner knowing that no, they don’t have to live with it and yes, there are possibly other methods and ways to help. Plus they are teaching their children and grand-children to question what they’re told as well as the importance of self-care. That makes me smile for the younger generations. How empowering!

---

Experiencing Craniosacral Therapy for digestive issues

What is also shifting in recent years is how clients are looking to shift and make changes on all levels (mind, body and spirit) and they are growing in awareness that it doesn’t have to hurt. As Craniosacral Therapy is fast becoming the modality that I share most often, clients are finding that their aches and pains are shifting through lighter, and less intrusive sessions. They also share that they find the benefits stay with them longer. Inside I do a happy dance when I hear this because it’s something I’ve been aware of for years and trying to teach about, but understand that, more often than not, clients do need to experience it for themselves.

---

Be well and empowered in all aspects of your being.

While taking a holistic approach to your well-being may not bring the immediate results of taking something for relief (though I certainly understand how well holistic modalities integrate with traditional treatments and how essential it is to integrate both), my hope is to help you reach that space where you are feeling well and empowered in all aspects of your being…mind, body and spirit.

---