My Services
Lymphatic Massage
Lymphatic therapeutic massage
Kundalini Yoga
Raise awareness of our soul's energy & purpose
Ayurvedic Consult
Design lifestyle recommendations
Qi Gong
A mind-body-spirit practice
All Modalities...
Myofascial Release / Trigger Point Therapy
Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Visceral Manipulation
CranioSacral Therapy
Swedish Massage
Pregnancy Massage
Acupressure / Reflexology
Chair Massage
Lymphatic Massage
The lymphatic system is a sub-system of both the circulatory system and the immune system, and as such functions as the body’s sewage system responsible for maintaining the core health of all the tissues and organs in the body. It picks up the body’s trash and toxins, and helps to fight unwanted bacteria and viruses. But it only moves when you do.
When you’re walking, or exercising, all of that movement enables your lymphatic system to do its job. When you are less active, Manual Lymph Drainage can make up for it. It is a gentle hands-on technique that balances the fluids of the body, increasing the rate of their filtration, and the functioning of the immune system – all critical for tissue and fluid homeostasis.
General massage can assist the movement of lymphatic fluid. But some massage techniques run counter to how the lymph moves in the body, may work against proper movement of lymphatic fluid, and can even exacerbate chronic swelling.
The techniques used in Lymphatic Drainage massage are based on the anatomical function of this system and therefore are specifically designed to be much more effective. MLD is an important component in what is considered the Gold Standard in LE care. It is essential whenever chronic swelling is present in any part of the body, and also to prevent acute swelling from becoming chronic.
Some of the causes of swelling are lymphedema (damage to the lymphatic vessels and structures), lipoedema, biopsy or lymph node removal, injury to the soft-tissue of the body caused by accidents, falls, liposuction, surgery, as well as any swelling as a result of chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and/or lack of exercise, dysfunction in breathing and the structures associated with breathing.
The symptoms and conditions alleviated through MLD therapy include swelling, pain, pre-surgery prep, and post-surgery recovery, fatigue, stiffness, fibrosis, numbness, pins and needles sensations, allergies and sinus congestion, dry eyes, infection of eyes, nose, ears, and throat, breast swelling, insomnia, chronic pelvic congestion, poor digestion, bloating, and gas.
MLD additionally facilitates drainage of the brain lymphatics (glymphatics), improving brain health, cognitive function and mood related issues.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga exists in a few forms in the world of yoga. I am a teacher and practitioner of a kriya-based form of Kundalini yoga. "Kriya" means yoga set and these are comprised of combinations of core yogic elements including specific pranayama-breathing exercises, mudra-hand-positions, mantra, meditation, and yoga nidra-deep relaxation.
Countless numbers of kriyas exist within Kundalini Yoga and the sets are named according to the body system(s), and meridian channel(s), that they affect; e.g. “Stress set for Adrenals and Kidneys”, “Lungs and bloodstream”, “Kriya for the Lymphatic System”, “Self-adjustment of the Spine”.
Because each person is unique, the function, purpose, and effect of each set varies depending on factors such as one's current state of health, level of awareness and engagement, and the duration, and frequency of practice.
But, whether working with the same kriya everyday in daily practice, (sadhana), or choosing different kriyas at different times, they all contain unique, and effective exercises to help you get aligned, balanced, energized, and in sync with feeling your best.
Kundalini Yoga simply works! And, it is for anyone but it may not be everyone, all the time.
For some it may be a leap of faith to suspend resistence and give it a try.
But, you won't ever truly know just by reading about it. It must be experienced!
Respecting our body's strengths and limitations means we approach yoga not with a quick fix, or "no pain, no gain" frame of mind.
The practice meets you wherever you're at and capacity evolves over time. With that said, positive results may be experienced by most everyone with even just a few minutes of practice regardless of capacity.
The purpose of all yoga as it was traditionally intended, is to raise the Kundalini - awareness of our soul's energy and purpose. Kundalini Yoga offers a purely powerful direct route beyond the dualistic nature of the mind to quiet the mind's polarities and culitvate neutral mind. This allows us to direct our lives from the wisdom of our heart and soul rather than from fear, worry, anger, grief, and pain.
Ayervedic Consult
My objective in translating this knowledge, and my experience with Ayurveda is to demystify what might seem difficult to grasp or integrate.
There are little interventions that you can make in your life that will improve the quality of your life exponentially. For example, they improve your digestion, your nervous system to function effectively, to improve your mood in small increments that accumulate.
I embrace the 1% improvement model where if you can bring in say 10 small, 1% things that improve your life, before you know it your life is 10% better. You experience the benefit and result of that and it gives you further incentive to keep learning and improving self-care by making small contributions to your health.
The way Ayurveda defines health is the word “Svastha“ being established in yourself via your daily routines (dinacharya).
I offer consultations to evaluate constitutional type and design lifestyle recommendations including optimal yoga and exercise regimens based on your body type.
Qi Gong
“Qi” refers to the “subtle breath” or “vital energy”, and “Gong” is described as a “skill cultivated through steady practice”. Qi Gong is a mind-body-spirit practice that improves one's mental and physical health by integrating posture, movement, breathing technique, self-massage, sound, and focused intent.
There are numerous qigong styles, schools, traditions, forms, and lineages. Some are focused on health, on spiritual development, martial arts, and so on and each has practical applications and different theories.
But, as with all Eastern forms of focused, meditative, movement, the first posture is hands in prayer pose, bowing the head below the heart in a getsure to surrender the ego and signify the heart over head in all matters.
Slow, fluid movements look easy but in reality, take much regular practice before most begin to sense the flow of energy in the body's energy pathways - called meridians in acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
Physically, qigong movements warm tendons, ligaments, and muscles; tonify vital organs and connective tissue; and promote circulation of body fluids (blood, synovial, lymph).
Research has shown Qigong as very effective in helping to heal life challenges ranging from high blood pressure and chronic illness to emotional frustration, mental stress, and spiritual crisis.
Movement Intelligence™
Movement Intelligence™, a.k.a. Bones for Life™, as researched and developed by the late senior Feldenkrais Trainer Ruthy Alon, is an innovative bodily education program inspired by the work of somatic pioneer, Moshe Feldenkrais.
It is appropriate for those who like the gentle attitude, but also for those who desire a faster, more dynamic approach to body/mind learning. Decades of research has given credence to the importance of optimally aligned weight-bearing and proportional flexibility that may be achieved through-out the skeletal system with regular practice of these lessons.
The precise ‘exercises’ you will learn through a specific series of rhythmic and springy pulsations, encourage your bones to produce new bone tissue through their stimulation and nourishment. Whether male or female, if you have concerns about the aging process and becoming increasingly sedentary, this program is a way for you to explore growing better not just older.