Alexander Technique... F.M. Alexander (1869-1955) demonstrated that the difficulties many people experience in learning, in performance and in physical functioning are caused by patterns of learned habits. The Alexander Technique provides a means for helping people learn to learn to use their selves more efficiently, to improve their alignment, and to move more freely. Combines education and therapy to teach how to use minimal effort to achieve maximum efficiency of muscles and movement to relieve pain and improve posture and overall well-being.
Aromatherapy... Essential oils extracted from wild or cultivated plants for beauty treatments or therapies similar to those used in herbal medicine. Administered by massage, in baths or through inhalation.
Aston-Patterning... Aston Patterning is an educational process developed by Judith Aston in 1977 combining movement coaching, bodywork, ergonomics, and fitness training. It can be helpful to individuals seeking relief from acute or chronic pain; those that wish to improve their posture and increase the efficiency of their movement patterns either in activities of daily living or complex activities such as athletics or the performing arts; and as an integral part of a personal growth process.
Authentic Movement... A therapeutic modality where inner processes are explored in a dyad with a mover and a witness. The movement is not choreograped or otherwise prescribed but allowed to emerge as an expression of the mover's inner process.
Ayurveda... The ancient Indian art & science of healing & rejuvenation. It is a preventive and holistic system of medicine that aims at a balanced state of inner harmony, health, & natural well-being. It deals with the body and mind through an integrated science of lifestyle counseling combined with the use of natural herbs, roots and minerals.
Bodywork... A general term for healing work which focuses on the body. There are a variety of bodywork and massage styles including shiatsu, acupressure and deep tissue work. Bodywork combines the benefits of relaxation with the rejuvenating effects of cleansing the body tissues, draining the lymphatic system, and increasing circulation. (See Massage)
Bowen Therapy... This treatment involves a gentle, dynamic system of muscle and connective tissue moves which balance the body and stimulate energy flows. Bowen Therapy is used to treat a wide range of chronic musculo-skeletal problems. This unique physical/vibrational approach to healing sends a gentle signal to the body that allows the neuromuscular system to reset all tension levels thus promoting natural healing. The relaxation and relief one feels is profound and lasting, affecting the muscular, skeletal, digestive, respiratory and energetic systems. Bowen Therapy is a way of giving the body the gentle hint that it needs to find its own way back to health and balance.
Breathwork... A general term for modalities that focus on using breathing and awareness to increase relaxation and to improve the sense of wellbeing.
Craniosacral Therapy... This is a form of light touch, hands-on physical treatment. The Craniosacral system consists of the bones of the cranium, spine, and sacrum and the cerebral spinal fluid which surrounds the brain and spinal column. This system has a pulsation. The rate, amplitude, symmetry, and quality of this rhythm gives distinct information about the health and functioning of the entire body. Craniosacral Therapy works with this information to support the system in reattaining its natural flow and pulsation.
Deep Tissue Massage... Deep Tissue massage uses deep friction as well as other techniques to release high levels of tension, adhesions, and tightness in muscle tissue.
Feldenkrais Method... The Feldenkrais Method is a unique system of movement re-education that reawakens the body's ability to move with grace and ease. The Feldenkrais Method is taught in two ways: Functional Integration (individual sessions) and Awareness through Movement (classes). These movement sequences help you explore and expand your movement options. They are designed to release your habitual movement patterns, allowing new and more useful ways of moving, thinking and feeling to emerge. The result is improved posture, flexibility and coordination, reduction or elimination of chronic pain, and renewed inner vitality.
Hellerwork... An integrating process combining structural bodywork, movement education, and dialogue, in an exploration of how your body reflects your mind. This approach works to structurally realign the body (the mechanical aspect of Hellerwork is patterned after Rolfing, and is designed to properly align the body with the gravitational field of the earth.) as well as facilitate an awareness of the mind/body relationship. Hellerwork specifically addresses the interwoven complexity of the mechanical, psychological, and energetic functioning of the human body.
Jin Shin Do... A pattern of gentle, prolonged point-holding of key acupuncture points on selected meridians and channels. As blocked energy starts to release, one's body/mind can relax creating an opportunity to explore patterns of thoughts and beliefs. Through this exploration, the way you experience your universe can change, allowing you to manifest your purpose in life with less discomfort and a greater sense of Wellness.
Kinesiology... Testing of various muscle and nerve reflexes in the body to verify the strengths and weaknesses of various organ systems. Bodywork, exercise and education are used to help restore balance and harmony in the body and maintain well being throughout life.
Myotherapy... A technique for defusing trigger points in muscles that are tender or irritable. Pressure is applied on those points, and exercises are done to retrain the muscles.
Neuromuscular Therapy... The practitioner applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain.
Polarity Therapy... A manual therapy that combines the holding of pressure points and gentle stretching to balance the body's energy.
Reflexology... A specific bodywork technique of stroking or applying pressure to one part of the body in order to effect changes in another part of the body, relax muscles, and stimulate the body's own natural ability to heal itself.
Reiki... Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a Japanese word representing Universal Life Energy, the energy that is all around us. It is derived from rei meaning "transcendental spirit" or "universal" and ki meaning "vital life force energy". Reiki is a powerful natural system of healing that utilizes specific techniques for restoring and balancing the natural life force energy within the body. It is a holistic, natural, hands-on energy healing system that touches individuals on all levels.
Rolfing... (See Structural Integration)
Rosen Method Bodywork... A very gentle form of bodywork that deals with the subtle changes in muscle tension and shifts in one's breath. The Rosen Method bodyworker is trained to listen to these subtle clues, and helps the client become more aware of these old movement patterns and works towards unblocking them.
Shiatsu... A rhythmic series of finger pressures over the entire body along energetic meridians, or pathways, that also includes stretching and tapping. Shiatsu massage is a natural form of healing. Shiatsu affects the movement of energy that circulates within the energy meridians. (See also Traditional Chinese Medicine)
Sports Massage... A massage therapy modality that is specifically aimed at enhancing sports performance and at aiding in the recovery time from both heavy workouts and injuries. Any techniques used to assist an athlete to train or perform, but especially geared to joint movement, relaxation and mobilization techniques.
Somatic Therapy... Somatic therapies use bodywork to facilitate both psychological and physical healing. Somatic therapy is based in the understanding that the interrelationship between body, mind and spirit affects all aspects of health, human development and learning.
Structural Integration (Rolfing)... Structural Integration is the process of retraining the body through movement and touch to release patterns of stress and imbalance. The primary focus of Structural Integration is to facilitate one's relationship to gravity. A manual therapy which manipulates deep tissue to bring the major segments of the body-head, shoulder, thorax, pelvis and legs-into a better vertical alignment with gravity.
Swedish-Esalen Massage... A massage therapy modality where the focus is on long flowing stokes that increase circulation, lymphatic drainage, relaxation and the sense of connectedness in the body.
Trigger Point... A manuel therapy technique which releases knots of muscle tension which refer pain to other areas followed by gentle stretches or movement to retrain the muscles.