About Áine (ahn-ya): Professional Experience 6 years working with private clients & in chiropractic offices in Oakland, CA Acupressure Institute, Berkeley, CA (2005-08) 850 Hour Advanced Training Tui Na & Tui Na Sports Applications Traditional Chinese Medicine & 5-Element: Assessment, Theory & Practice; Shiatsu, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Trigger Point & Ah Shi Point Release, Nutrition, Healing Imagery, Prenatal, Labor, Postpartum, Passive & Active Stretching, Qigong, Tai Chi, Yi Yong Qigong McKinnon Institute Oakland, CA (2002-03) 518 Hours Training Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage & Reflexology, Jin Shin Acupressure, Shiatsu Working with Diverse Populations: disabled, elders, chronic illness, terminal illness, pregnancy and infant Reiki Level I(1998) / Reiki II (2002) Licensure New Hampshire State License #3255M NCTMB #559145-08 My Philosophy As an athlete and dancer, I know the value of keeping the body attuned to help prevent and heal injuries. Additionally, I understand the experience of emotions manifesting in physical symptoms. In my experience, the aches, injuries, and tension in our bodies do not unravel in a linear way. Instead, the body and mind require time and nurturing that I try to foster during sessions. I find that both deep, vigorous work and subtle touch are effective, depending upon the person and situation. I always seek to honor these preferences. Academic Education Keene State College Keene, NH B.S. Small Business Management Pacific School of Religion Berkeley, CA Master of Divinity InterPlay Leadership Graduate (See the video below for a taste of InterPlay.) Pricing Single Bodywork Session: $80 (sessions are approx. 90 minutes) Moxa or Cupping = add $5.-/session Monthly Package Special 4 Sessions/month: $280 (must be utilized in one month period) Somatic Wellness Consultation Plan $250-$600/month* Qi Exercises Classes Drop-in Classes: $5.-/per person Added onto Bodywork Session: $10.- Self Care Acupressure Classes $40/hour Up to 4 people per class; Includes Handouts *Somatic Wellness Clients will enjoy discounts on my Tui Na & Acupressure bodywork sessions! For those in need, sliding scale may be available. Phoenix in World Mythology The Phoenix is found throughout the world in ancient Greek, Egyptian, Chinese, Buddhist, Arabian, and Native American traditions. The Phoenix is a symbol of resurrection or rebirth. In Egypt, the phoenix is the first life to rise out of flood waters. In Greek tradition, the phoenix creates a pyre of fire, is consumed by its flames and then re-born into new life. Resurrection~Rebirth Power~Fertility~Potency Integrity~Honesty~Loyalty As a holistic practitioner working with Acupressure and Tui Na, my objective is to help you listen to the phoenix within your soul and to trust your healing wisdom and potential.

What on Earth is Tui Na?

Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage), pronounced tway-na, is one of the oldest forms of bodywork. With its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Qigong (or ch'i kung), Tui Na works with the meridian (pathways of energy) system and acupressure points (specific points on the meridians) to restore vital energy and balance to the body, mind, and spirit.

During a Tui Na session, I utilize a variety of hand techniques to massage muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Through the application of joint mobilization, I twist and turn the bones to open up the skeletal system and further soften tight soft tissue and adhesions. To the client, this feels much like passive stretching and unique soft tissue massage techniques.

You will also experience Jin Shin Acupressure during the session. This is the art of holding two or more points at a time, frequently following a flow of points on the body to release energy from the muscular-ligament system. While this may seem subtle, it works to relax tension. People find it equally beneficial for physical imbalances (such as severe back pain) and for emotional imbalances (such processing grief and loss)

Tui Na is a perfect modality for addressing everyday aches and pains, chronic illness, specific injuries related to athletic activity, vehicular accidents, as well as emotional traumas.

As is common with Tui Na, in my practice, clients are able to remain in their own comfortable and warm clothing throughout the session. Although I may apply liniments on specific tight sore muscles, you will not feel overwhelmed by excessive use of oils or lotions.

 

Moxibustion and Cupping

If you are interested, Moxibustion (Moxa) or Cupping may be incorporated into your session when indicated. Moxa, the application of heat to acupressure points, is stimulating and warming; it benefits the immune system during cold and flu season, alleviates diarrhea, useful to promote labor, and more. Cupping, the application of suction to acupressure points, is used to disperse energy and encourage increased circulation; this is excellent for chronic tension, headaches, and bruises. If you are curious about these techniques and how they may benefit you, feel free to ask.

 

Peri-Natal: Pregnancy & Postpartum Massage Care

My peri-natal care is very different from the traditional Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage) that I provide. I draw on techniques from Shiatsu, Tui Na, Acupressure, and Oil-Massage. As with Tui Na, sessions can frequently be done over the clothing. However, certain issues may indicate that oil massage is more appropriate, such as edema in the legs and feet.

The focus of a peri-natal bodywork session is both relaxation and therapeutic. Aches and pains from the rapid changes your body undergoes deserve to be addressed with skill. Applying safe pressure, mobilization, and certain stretching techniques, I am able to provide such care.

My training in Jin Shin Acupressure (the art of holding two or more points at a time to release energy from the muscular-ligament system) is particularly useful for peri-natal clients. There are points throughout the body that are useful for addressing specific issues or complaints you may be experiencing. In some instances, you may want to bring your partner in for a private class so that you will have additional support at home.

The training I have received in peri-natal bodywork and massage comes from highly knowledgeable and skilled practitioners, including Childbirth Educators and Doulas. These people taught important contraindications and special needs for pre-natal massage care, information that other massage practitioners without the specific training may not know.

An Integrated Approach

While the basis of my work is in Tui Na and Jin Shin Acupressure, during sessions I also utilize a variety of techniques from other areas of training. This may include Shiatsu, deep tissue & sports massage, trigger point release, passive & active stretching, depending upon your needs.

Finally, I am able to provide you with resources regarding natural healing through nutrition from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective.

 

The Benefits of Tui Na and Acupressure

Improved:
Mental Clarity
Physical Ease
Emotional Balance
Spiritual Attunement
Increased Relaxation:
Lower levels of Cortisol
Better Rejuvenation
Increased Circulation, great for:
Chemotherapy Patients
Diabetic Individuals
Sedentary Lifestyles
Benefits Digestive Disorders, through
Relaxation & Immune Health
Decreased Physical Pain, excellent for:
Arthritis
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Headaches
Post-event Muscle Recovery, great for:
Athletes
People who do Manual Labor
Healthier Immune Systems & Sleep Patterns, helps
People with Fibromyalgia, CFS
During cold & flu season
For greater ease and health during
Pregnancy, Labor, and Postpartum
Systemic Support during:
Eating Disorder or Addiction Recovery
Cancer Patients benefit greatly from healing touch of
Acupressure and gentle bodywork

 

Classes

Qi Exercises

Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory

Self-Care Acupressure Classes
Possible Topics:
Arthritis Relief
Headache Relief
Prenatal Care for Partners
Emotional Balancing
Athlete’s Toolbox
Acu-care for children
Seasonal Health & Wellness
Labor & Delivery
And More…

 

Individualized Somatic Wellness

Helping individuals achieve healthy bodies, centered minds, and well-attuned spirits in pursuit of optimal somatic wellness!

Your process will start with an Initial Intake & Evaluation to discuss your current situation, as well as your goals. We will develop a plan, based upon your input, to encompass physical activity, mental & spiritual invigoration and more.

Your Somatic Wellness Plan may include any combination of the following:

• Individual or Group Physical Activity: according to your preferences, such as hiking, walking, gardening, or dance/movement.
  
  
• Creative Dietary Exploration: we will explore foods that may be more beneficial to your unique presentation, supported by ideas from food qualities in TCM and your preferences.
  
  
• Weekly Motivators: stories or thoughts I will share to help you maintain your own sense of motivation as you strive to meet your goals.
  
  
• Wellness-in-Focus Sessions: Using tools from InterPlay (www.interplay.org) for a creative approach, this is your time to explore goals, re-visit your plan, or re-invigorate your inspiration. See video below for an example of applied InterPlay!
  
  
• Questions and Response: along the way, should questions or concerns arise, I will respond in a timely fashion.

Pricing will vary, dependent upon the level of support you desire.

 

Joyful family contact improvisational dance. Created for Virtual Friday Morning InterPlay - www.interplay.org.

GO BACK TO TOP OF PAGE