I want to take a moment to share something truly special with you—my personal journey in creating Integrated Thai Massage. This holistic therapy is not a new technique or modality I’ve added to my practice. Rather, it is a culmination of everything I’ve learned and experienced in the field of bodywork. It represents many years of processing different frameworks, theories, and applications of bodywork, and how the parts that resonated deeply with me became an extension of me somehow. It is my expression of the beauty in healing work. It is difficult for me to explain because it is an experience that arises when I’m on my treatment mat with a client. It is so organic and soulful that honestly, I don’t like to talk about it much because I can hardly find a way of expressing it with words. What it does makes more sense though, so let me start with that. 

There is a deeper place where our unwellness resides within our body. Sure, it feels like tension in the muscles like shoulder or neck or lower back pain, but underneath that, there is a matrix of information the body is trying to process—like trauma and emotional experiences—and sometimes, or most of the time for many of us, me included, our body gets stuck in a loop. The result is that one-sided approaches only reach the surface of it, leaving us in chronic pain, and feeling stuck, unwell, or anxious.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of learning and practicing various modalities, each contributing uniquely to my understanding of the human body and its healing processes. I have come to know now that the body, mind, spirit, and emotional aspects of ourselves are one unit. They cannot be separated from each other nor treated as parts of ourselves. Each one is interdependent on the other, and to approach them as separate parts is to underestimate the body’s intelligence.

I learned a valuable piece of the puzzle I was solving in my mind each time I approached a session with a client. I tried many different things to help them resolve the problem that brought them to my mat or table. Two and a half decades of trying many angles—it feels unreal that this much time has passed. I have grown up a lot in my understanding of the holistic model of healing and I am grateful that each part of my personal journey led me to understanding the nature of balanced bodywork. Let me walk you through the key components of Integrated Thai Massage and what each brings to the table.

Thai Massage is where my journey began. This ancient practice focuses on deep, rhythmic compressions and assisted yoga-like stretches. It’s incredibly effective for increasing flexibility, improving circulation, and releasing tension. The movement and stretching aspects of Thai Massage provide the structural basis for my sessions, helping clients feel more relaxed and mobile.

Zen Shiatsu introduced me to the world of energy meridians and the subtle yet profound power of gentle pressure. This modality involves applying rhythmic pressure along the body’s energy pathways, promoting balance and healing from within. Zen Shiatsu adds an energetic dimension to my practice, allowing me to address not just the physical, but also the energetic imbalances in the body.

Reiki is all about increasing the available universal life force energy to a client. It’s a beautiful, gentle practice that complements the physical and energetic work of Thai Massage and Zen Shiatsu. Incorporating Reiki into my sessions helps create a deeper sense of relaxation and facilitates emotional release. It’s like adding an extra layer of healing energy that permeates every aspect of the treatment.

Somatic Healing has taught me to listen to the body’s messages and understand the connection between physical sensations and emotional states. This approach emphasizes being present with my client’s experience, encouraging them to connect with their own body’s wisdom. It’s about supporting a sense of embodiment and awareness, helping clients tune into their own healing process.

Integrated Thai Massage is the name I am giving to my bodywork sessions, and I say it’s for now because I know that I will continue to grow, and so will my practice. What I call it may also change. If you’ve had sessions with me before, this is not a new modality I am offering. It is what I have been offering all along. I am simply sharing with you my approach and beliefs about my work. I believe my sessions are a harmonious blend of everything that resonates with me in bodywork. Each session is unique, tailored to the individual needs of my clients, and aims to provide a holistic experience that addresses both physical and emotional well-being.

This integrative approach allows me to help people in a profound way. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, feeling stuck or unwell, or struggling with anxiety, Integrated Thai Massage may provide relief and healing, and I hope most of all understanding of your own healing capacity. It’s a practice that has evolved from my passion for helping others and my dedication to continuous learning. 

I hope this gives you a better understanding of my approach and my work. Hope to see you in a session. Be well, be happy, and be free.