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Hello, Bend, Oregon!

Deschutes River

The boxes are unpacked, the house is arranged and soon, I will be offering massage therapy services in Bend, Oregon.   After living in Portland for almost two years, I'm excited to be back to my first Oregon love--the amazing, active, high desert town of Bend.  I'll be offering Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, deep tissue, Swedish, and sports massage by appointment at my beautiful studio at 325 NW Vermont Place #104. I look forward to seeing you soon!  And if you've never tried Ashiatsu, check out this video from my former employer, friend, and mentor, Nancy DeLong at Mudra Massage.

~Karyn

Big Changes in 2013!

I'm very excited to announce that I'll be joining the stellar team of massage therapists at Mudra Massage in January of 2013.  Mudra Massage has a beautiful and relaxing space at 2627 NE Broadway in Portland, Oregon and is the place in Portland to receive Ashiatsu Massage.  Come and visit me there!  Online booking is available.  Click here to watch a short video demonstration of Ashiatsu at Mudra Massage.  Doesn't it look wonderful?

This does mean that I'll be taking a break from running Holistic Massage and Movement Arts.  If you are a current client of mine or were considering coming in for a massage, I hope that you will still make an appointment to visit me at Mudra Massage.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and joyful 2013!

~Karyn

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy

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Two weeks ago I was fortunate enough to be able to take my first Ashiatsu training and it was amazing!  If you've never heard of Ashiatsu, it is a barefoot massage technique using deep compression effleurage strokes that glide over the body.  Correct application will provide deep relaxation and stimulate the lymphatic system of the body.  Bars are used above the head for support and balance and oil is applied to the body.  As the founder says, "It is the deepest most luxurious massage on the planet."  And she's right!  I can't wait to complete my certification and get my bars up!  Click the photo to the right to see more photos from the class.

Massage Myth #1: No Pain, No Gain

Painful massageFrom time to time clients will come in and say something like "go ahead and beat me up" or "you can go really deep on me.  I don't mind if it hurts."  Personal pain tolerances aside, the frequency of this request brings up a really good question: "Does massage have to hurt to be effective?" Therapeutic massage can be uncomfortable and yes, sometimes painful when working on recent or chronic injuries, but the pain should not be a result of a massage therapist digging an elbow into you and ironing you out like a sheet.  Therapeutic discomfort is something to be worked with cautiously and within limits.  For example, working within a client's pain tolerance using a pain scale of 1-10, a well-trained therapist will work within a range of 5-8 and only for a limited amount of time.

The body and mind work as one, with the body being a reflection of the mind and mental state.  When the mind can relax, the body will follow.  That is why I blend both therapeutic and relaxation work into all of my massage sessions, along with hydrotherapy and aromatherapy as appropriate to assist in this process.

If you are seeking massage for muscular tension or chronic injuries, look for a therapist who is able to work with you using a variety of techniques and whose goal is more than just giving a deep massage.  Do they check in regularly with you regarding your pain level when doing therapeutic work?  Are they able to develop and discuss a treatment plan with you if you plan on coming in for a specific injury or problem?  And most importantly, what does your body tell you?  Do you feel better for a few days after your massage or does your condition seem worse?

When it comes to massage therapy, tuning in to your own body and feeling its response to particular techniques or a particular therapist is a much better indicator of effectiveness than the how much pain a therapist can inflict during a session.

Relax! We've got a Saturday Special just for you.

For a limited time I'm offering a discount on Saturday appointments at my office at 1536 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, Oregon.  Book a 60 minute massage and you'll receive 70 minutes of customized massage therapy, plus an additional aromatherapy treatment to help bring your body and mind into a state of deep relaxation. *This offer has expired.*  Like me on Facebook to receive updates on massage specials.

Massage available in Beaverton!

Foot massage.Starting August 7th, I will have appointments available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Reunite Massage in Beaverton, Oregon.  As my friend Elise transitions into her maternity leave, I am delighted to fill in for her and provide her signature aromatherapy treats, along with hot and cold stone treatments, and other goodies to keep you feeling your best! During this time I will be accepting new clients, as well as booking appointments with Elise's current clients, so if you need a massage, feel free to contact me to set up a time or book online: http://www.genbook.com/holisticmassagearts.

I look forward to meeting you!

 

Want to relax? Your breath is the key.

Enjoy the Summer edition of Body Sense online magazine from the Association of Bodyworkers and Massage Professionals.  It has tips for getting the most out of your massage experience and a great breathing and relaxation exercise on page 13.  Cheers to your health and wellness this summer!

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