What is Bodywork?
Bodywork is a specialized branch of therapeutic massage that requires extensive training. Please be sure to read about the four bodywork modalities we offer at Ahimsa. Unlike a massage that can only promise a temporary release of tension, the effects of bodywork are much longer-lasting and can generate permanent changes in the way one feels, stands, and moves about in day to day life. Beyond providing you with profound relaxation and an overall sense of well-being, bodywork relieves chronic pain, by treating postural problems and identifying bad movement habits. Like physical therapy, bodywork will occasionally invite your participation to help relieve muscular tension through movement or breath work.
Hanna Somatics: Feldenkrais-based Mind-Body Education
Hanna Somatics is a type of mind-body education that changes our postural and movement habits through a conscious learning process. While stress, injuries, and bad movement habits distort the body by locking it into unconscious reflex patterns, through Somatics it is possible to unlock our movement potential and rediscover our innate capacity for feeling and moving freely and pain-free. This helps us to regain bodily sensation, recover range of movement, and redefine our movement possibilities. The gentle and conscious somatic movements form new brain connections that release long-held tension, create better balance and coordination, and improve gait and posture.
During hands-on Somatics sessions we assess your daily habits, which determine the types of chronic stresses and tension patterns your body may be carrying. Then we help you instill healthy movement habits that prevent aches, protect against future injuries and lead you to discover newfound ease, joy, and strength in everyday activities as well as athletic endeavors. The Somatic exercises and tools you learn for self-care will be at your disposal for life, for immediate stress and pain relief, anytime, anywhere.
During hands-on Somatics sessions we assess your daily habits, which determine the types of chronic stresses and tension patterns your body may be carrying. Then we help you instill healthy movement habits that prevent aches, protect against future injuries and lead you to discover newfound ease, joy, and strength in everyday activities as well as athletic endeavors. The Somatic exercises and tools you learn for self-care will be at your disposal for life, for immediate stress and pain relief, anytime, anywhere.
Zen Bodytherapy®: Whole Body Restructuring Program
Zen Bodytherapy® is a Rolfing-based 10-session program integrated with functional movement re-patterning. Bodytherapy organizes the network of tissues in the body in such a way as to release, realign, and balance the whole structure. The sessions proceed in a specific sequence, with each session focused on bringing one of the various segments of the body into better balance and into its proper relation to the whole. This work pays especially close attention to the body's supportive wrappings, called fascia; softening and lengthening these tissues to create proper posture and carriage. By the end of the program, the whole body is rejuvenated and realigned. Individuals often exhibit dramatic changes in posture and report reduced stress, increased energy, better breathing, and lasting relief from familiar pains and discomforts. Best of all, because the sessions are progressive, you'll look and feel better with each session.
Deep Tissue Bodywork: Individual Sessions for Immediate Relief
Deep Tissue Bodywork is Ahimsa's proprietary style of individual sessions. This modality is intended to relax, rejuvenate, and address specific complaints. The individually-tailored sessions include an appropriate combination of bodywork modalities such as triggerpoint, myofascial release, or somatics that provide you with the immediate relief you need without a long-term commitment. Deep Tissue Bodywork can target specific conditions such as frozen shoulder, lower back pain, arthritic pain, chronic headaches, lock-jaw and much more. The results include pain-relief, increased circulation, flexibility, as well as a sense of ease and well-being.
Classical Indian Oil Treatments: Stress Management and Emotional Wellbeing
In order to bring you direct relief from the effects of stress and emotional difficulties we offer two traditional Indian therapies that work directly with the mind-body connection to soothe, calm, and nurture both your body and spirit. Both of these treatments are part of the five thousand year old Indian healing tradition called Ayurveda. Abhyanga is a wonderfully calming traditional oil massage that utilizes long, integrative strokes. At Ahimsa, we use traditionally-prepared herbal oils specific to your constitution. Shirodhara is a warm and continuous flow of oil poured onto the center of the forehead, known as the "third eye." It feels like a velvety, comforting hand moving over your forehead and has the effect of calming and balancing the mind and emotions.