Hands- Free Thai Massage

I have recently attended another great training at Thai Bodywork in Evanston, IL. This time, Hands Free Level 1, proved to be even more exciting. I am now working on an hour and a half sequence which I feel is great for leg, hip and low back pain. From now until the new year, you can
try this new sequence on a donation basis.
A suggested donation being between $30 and $50.

Please if you would like more information or to schedule a session!

Kelly Harris
kelly@tapasyogashala.com

Thai Massage Booming!

I am happy to report Thai Massage has really picked up over the last several weeks. It seems, every time I'm on break from my "day job", I get tons of requests for massage. This summer has been no different. I'm doing 10-12 massage a week! Some at tapas and some at Indigo. Each week, there's a good mix of regular clients, and new. It's fabulous!

I have been taking care of lots of different types of people too. Recently, I have acquired a regular client who is 83, and have never even heard of Thai. I convinced her one day to give it a try and now, even though her regular therapist is back, she still plans to come twice a month. Major score! Several clients come in with low back pain or tightness. Amazingly, I can see an improvement in low back flexibility between the beginning and end of the massage. Regularity helps of course, but it's hard to deny the benefit.

Thai is also breaking in with the athletes who find warm ups, cool down and recovery time greatly improved. This too, seems especially helpful when I am able to see them every week. I had to take a week off due to some health concerns and one of my regular athletic types said he could really feel the difference the extra week made. Cyclist, runners, fighters or anyone does regular weight training can benefit from the passive stretching Thai massage offers.

So all and all, it's been a good decision to stick with the Thai. I'm looking through my options for more training this fall. Maybe even a trip to a great Thai Massage School in Portland!

Thai Massage Gone Public!!!

This post is especially for those who just noticed the ad in the latest issue of the Reader. If you are curious about Thai Massage or Reiki Therapy, please read the posts below for some more helpful information. If you 're thinking of scheduling a session, I'd like to offer new clients 1/2 off the first session. Just mention the ad in the Reader or this blog and you're in!

I've been weighing options over the last few months about how to best break into the local massage scene. At first, I thought I should probably go ahead and go to massage school so that I could have the Swedish Massage skills as well as Thai. The more I thought about it, I've decided that honing my craft is a better approach. I've been working with other therapists, watching videos and reading every book I can get my hands on so that I have a huge arsenal of movements to suit everyone.

I love Thai Massage. Don't get me wrong, Swedish Massage is great and defiantly has its place, but Thai is so unique and is suited for so many situations. Over the last several months, I've worked with lots of people who simply want to relax and feel more balanced. Others are struggling with work-related stress within the body. It was also my great pleasure to work with a very sick friend, for whom Thai massage was the best activity for keeping her body moving during a time she couldn't do it herself. Thai Massage can and should be tailored to fit the needs of anyone.

Please feel free to contact me anytime if you are interested in or have questions about Thai Massage. I can best be reached via email at kelly@tapasyogashala.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shanti,
Kelly

New Thai Sequence for the back

Hello All

I just wanted to share a video of a new back sequence I'm working on. Also, it's a nice example of a portion of the massage as I know it's still unfamiliar to many.

Reiki Therapy

Having finished my Reiki I training and completed the 21 day cleansing process, I am now available for Reiki therapy in addition to Thai Yoga Massage.

Reiki comes from two Japasnese words, rei and ki, loosely translated as "universal" and "energy". It is a healing system based on unconditional love. Practitioners learn how to tap into universal healing energy and then through touch or near touch with the client, transmit the energy.

A treatment begins with a brief conversation between practitioner and client. The client is then asked to lie as comfortable as possible, fully clothed on the provided table. The treatment is given as the practitioner places his/her hands on or just above the body in a sequence of hand positions and then held for several minutes. Reiki involves no massage or manipulation although you may feel sensations, such as heat from the practitioner's hands or in other parts of your body..

Benefits of Reiki include:

• promotes self-healing in the body
• combines well with healing methods and rarely conflicts with other medications or treatments
• releases accumulated stress

Reiki sessions generally last 1 hour but can also be added on to massage treatments for an additional fee. A one hour Reiki session fee is $50.

Please contact me at kelly@tapasyogashala.com if you have questions or are interested in scheduling a session!

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Thai Yoga Massage

Thai massage (also called Thai yoga massage) is a unique wellness practice. It is difficult to pinpoint an origin, as the form is in constant evolution, but it is said that the originator of Thai massage treated the Buddha, who lived more than 2500 years ago. Since that time, the practice has evolved in Asia and, more specifically, as the name implies, Thailand.

Thai massage is a unique massage experience based on assisted stretching, acu-pressure, and energy work. Thai massage sometimes includes the word “yoga” in its title. Very fitting, as it incorporates the ancient knowledge of yoga poses. It is, in a way, like having yoga done to you. The patient lies passive, fully clothed on a mat on the floor. The therapist gently moves the patient through various positions, many resembling yoga postures, using her own body weight as well as the patient’s to stretch and open the limbs, joints, and spine.

All massage stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Thai massage also opens the joints, taking each through its range of motion. Particularly wonderful for the hips and spine, which are so often tight from daily life. The pressure applied to the muscles in Thai massage comes from body weight rather than hand strength, allowing the therapist and patient great freedom in the strength and depth of the pressure.

Clients can choose a one-hour, or 75 minute session depending on each particular needs. The one hour session fee is $50, 75 minute session $60. Sessions are held at tapas yoga shala or can be performed in the clients home (transportation expense of $10 is applicable for all in-home sessions). If you are interested in scheduling an appointment or have questions please email at kelly@tapasyogashala.com.