Now Offering - Ashiatsu

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We are beyond excited to be offering Ashiatsu Massage at Therapeutic Bodywork with Winny Harlow and Kirsten van der Bil.

This session is deeper than ‘deep tissue’ and we think you’ll be blown away by how precise and deeply relaxing a massage with the feet can be.

What is Ashiatsu Massage? 

In the Japanese language “Ashi” translates to foot and “Atsu” into pressure. Ashiatsu Massage is a barefoot massage technique in which the therapist delivers deep, broad, consistent pressure while utilizing their feet and body weight. These long fluid strokes also help flush the body’s lymphatic system, releasing toxins in the body. 

Working with the client on the massage table and using bars installed on the ceiling for balance, the Ashiatsu Therapist is able to work with gravity, instead of against it, to deliver up to 3x deeper pressure than with traditional hands-on treatment. Utilizing the broad surface of your foot as your massage tool provides consistent pressure and contours to the body making it one of the deepest, most relaxing sessions. 

Is Ashiatsu Massage right for me?

Anyone can benefit from Ashiatsu Massage but it is especially beneficial for those who find they do not receive enough pressure from a traditional therapeutic massage. This modality is also great for athletes and people who are muscular or have dense tissue.

Is there anyone Ashiatsu isn’t right for?

If you are pregnant, have had major surgeries in the last 6 weeks, or are currently taking pain pills or steroids, Ashiatsu Massage wouldn’t be the right fit for you.

What should I wear?

Just like a traditional massage, you will remove your clothing and be covered with a sheet/blanket on the massage table. You are welcome to remove your underwear, or leave it on - whatever is more comfortable for you!

How long is the session?

Your Ashiatsu Massage will last for 90 minutes. You will also have time before the session begins to discuss any specific needs or areas of focus with your Massage Therapist.

It's all about Self-Love

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February is all about celebrating LOVE and at Therapeutic Bodywork we are all about promoting self-love all month (and year!) long!

The truth is, all love starts with self-love. Loving ourselves is the prerequisite to receiving and giving the abundant flow of love around us.

But how do we cultivate more self-love? The answer is simple.

You start with a commitment to yourself - every single day. We call it one daily promise.

You see, self-love is both an act and an attitude. It takes practice and patience and builds out of our thoughts and actions. So, the more we prioritize ourselves - we send a signal to our subconscious that we are important, we are worthy of LOVE. Your brain is always watching what you do in order to decide how to feel. If you behave like you love yourself, your brain will follow suit and generate feelings to match your actions.

One simple, daily promise to yourself. It doesn’t have to be fancy or sophisticated, but it has to be an action of being kind to yourself and it has to be intentional and consistent.

A few examples of a daily promise:

-cooking yourself a delicious and nutritious meal

-drinking a little more water/herbal tea every day

-going to bed 15 minutes earlier

-shutting your phone off after dinner

-taking yourself for a walk in nature

-giving yourself 10 minutes to drink your coffee, quietly, in your favorite spot in your home

-taking a bath or having a foot soak

-lotioning your body after a shower

Self-love isn’t about making a decision to love yourself. It’s simply acting like you love yourself - over and over again. Actions speak louder than words and soon you will find that self-love will flow though you.

And that is how you cultivate self-love. What will be your daily promise today?

Year of the Tiger

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Lunar New Year is annually linked to one of 12 zodiac animals – each possessing their own character traits. The animals are assigned based on a 12-year cycle, making 2022 the Year of the Tiger. The Tiger is known to be the king of all beasts, and is seated third in the Chinese zodiac order of animals. You're a Tiger sign if you were born in the following years: 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022.

2022 is the Year of the Water Tiger. Those born this year are said to have great interpersonal relationships, and be very family oriented. The last Water Tiger year was 1962. The elemental year is based on the  5-Element generating cycle in Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

The Tiger is fierce, stealthy, and quick to action. The water element brings out a more emotional, careful side to the usually intense reactive Tiger energy. 

While the energy of this year can help you feel stronger and more resilient than usual, this feeling can change quickly. Check in with yourself regularly and adjust. When feeling energized enjoy activity in moderation. When feeling overwhelmed, embrace the calmer, more restorative energy of water with rest and self care such as acupuncture and massage. A suitable mantra for this year is pause, breathe, proceed. 

Predictions for the Year:

  1. Life can change on a dime. Tiger energy is quick; expect things to move quickly or shift without much notice.

  2. Emotions will run wild. The water element is said to bring out our deeper emotions, which can be both liberating and challenging. Spend time this year learning to understand yourself better and find healthy ways to release pent-up emotions.

  3. Health - the Water element is intimately tied to the Kidney and Bladder meridians. While hydration is always important, during the ever moving year of the Water Tiger maintaining adequate hydration levels is imperative to the flow of Qi (vital energy) in the body