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Light Touch Massage

I developed Light-touch massage by combining elements from Western Massage with the principles used in Oriental and energy based systems, so you get the best of both traditions.

It focuses on releasing tension from the musculature of the body through gentle repetitive strokes.

It also helps to unblock the flow of energy by reducing tension and easing constriction throughout your system. Light-touch brings about deep relaxation and a sense of buoyancy to mind and body.

For Light-touch I use a massage chair, that supports you so well that you feel like you are floating - and that is before I begin the massage. Also using the chair means that you are fully clothed.

It is particularly useful for people with tension and pain in their neck and shoulders, and can be very effective in reducing headaches and in promoting improved sleep patterns.

Featherbright Aromatherapy Massage

I created Featherbright to give people a chance to combine the wonderful properties of natural oils with a very much lighter massage than is often given by aromatherapists. This will be particularly helpful for people under extreme stress, those recovering from mental trauma and loss, or from physical injury or surgery. It is also gentle and comforting enough for all stages of pregnancy.

Use

Two major precepts behind the use of Light-touch are that touch itself can be therapeutic, and that by using the wealth of knowledge from the ancient practices of Shiatsu and Tui Na in conjunction with western techniques that the therapist can offer the best and most balanced type of massage available.

Another consideration is that many deep bodywork techniques, though they are efficacious and give excellent results in the long run, often leave the client feeling very tired and in some discomfort after the session.

My light touch methods provide instant relief from pain, and a sense of both relaxation and energy.

Reaction

Immediate reactions to massage are likely to be a lessening of pain and tension throughout the body, a release of stored toxins from your system that should give you a sense of lightness and energy.

Because massage has been shown to increase the body’s production of the mood altering hormone serotonin and the stress hormone cortisol, it is normal to feel a general sense of well being, which can easily be maintained through regular treatments.

Roots

Massage of the body has a long and varied history. It can be dated back to 2700 B.C. in China. Ancient records also exist in Japan, and in the West from both Greeks and Romans. Many other cultures also have a long tradition of it’s use, including the Egyptians, Arabs and Native Amerind Peoples.

WORKSHOPS > Massage

Massage Techniques

This course is offered to people on retreat, to individuals or in small groups. I give a basic introduction to touch therapy and then introduce the two techniques that I have developed for use at Ashwhin - Light-touch and Featherbright. We also cover baby massage, and massage for couples. These elements can be offered separately, couples massage can be a perfect addition to a retreat for two.

Light-touch

Unlike younger practitioners who have been to a specific school, and learned a single technique, my massage is based on many years of theoretical and practical evolution. I wanted to find a name that clearly describes what I do, and thus settled on Light-touch. Whilst I do often use firm and deep strokes once I have loosened the tension in musculature, I have never and will never use the powerful (and often painful) technique of Swedish massage.

Featherbright

Featherbright is the name I have given to the technique of massage that I use with aromatherapy. Many therapists (though not all) that I have been to for aromatherapy are heavy handed in their practice of massage. I have developed a lighter alternative that is gentle enough for children, frail elderly, people who are convalescing, during pregnancy. And for all manner of nervous disorders.

Massage for kids

It will be no surprise to you when I tell you that one of the ways I have chosen to expand is to cater for a younger clientele. Massage was such an incredibly important part of my own recovery from surgery and also a huge comfort through the traumas of childhood. So naturally I wish to ensure that as many babies and children as possible enjoy this simple and delightful therapy.

Massage for couples

I also love to teach couples about massage. In our often frantic world even the best of partnerships can be hard tried, and strained by just plain living - quite apart from the stress of major upheavals like moving, children, work, change and death. It is perhaps inevitable that partners neglect themselves and each other, grow slowly apart and feel alone. Massage is a marvellous way to re-invigorate any relationship. Simply taking time to enjoy each others bodies and to give enjoyment is heavenly. Being able to help when your partner is stressed, tired or in pain helps you to feel better and more useful, as well as relaxing them and easing their pain and strain.

There can be little in this world more rewarding that being able to bring relaxation, comfort and relief from pain to someone you love. This simple course offers you the perfect opportunity to learn to do just this in lovely surroundings - with the content of the course aimed at your particular needs and wishes.

Normally offered as 2 day workshop in small group 3-7

Baby Massage (included in Massage Techniques)
Baby Massage is aimed at every Mum and every Dad too! Its aimed at every parent or carer who wants to do something for their child that will help him or her grow into their potential. Before you even have expectations or dreams of what they might grow up to do in their lives, you will want to ensure that child grows strong and well. You will want to have a wonderful relationship with her. And avoid some of the less attractive problems of learning to live together like sleepless nights and the whimpering of a frustrated child.
Baby massage stimulates and strengthens the smooth functioning of her whole body - Aiding digestion; Encouraging good circulation and supporting the whole cardiovascular system; Strengthening his immune system; Improving her coordination and posture; Maintaining flexibility and helping to establish a good basis for movement and development as he grows.
Massage also nourishes the bond between you both and establishes a base of trust upon which your relationship can grow over the years. This love and trust, along with the comfort of touch itself, allows you to provide the support and security your baby needs. This is particularly important when your child is fractious or unwell, or if your child has special needs.
The magic is a simple formula of comfort and play that will enable your child to grow into a confident independent self, but one who knows that you are there to rely on. This enables her to explore her world, to experiment and to grow without fear. And allows him to learn both self reliance and trust through nurture.
At the workshop we will talk about the way your baby will develop physically from birth onwards, and how to develop your massage routine or touch play to suit her changing needs. We will also look at ways that you can adapt this nurturing play to suit the needs of older children, including those who have not been given massage from a tender age.
Normally 2 day workshop in small group 3-7 (with or without the kids ;-)

Couples Massage (Included in Massage Techniques)
Touch is healing - this is such a simple truth that we can forget it.
Many of us suffer from cultural or family taboos about touch - that touch is not wonderful, and that it is given in tiny quantities only at very specific moments. But we do not have to be content and totally accepting of our social inheritance, especially when it deprives us of the nurturing support we all need. This workshop is for those people. It is also for people who would like to find a loving and gentle way to develop their relationship. The sense of feeling completely at ease and relaxed with your partner provides you with the core of security and contentment that is central to a truly balanced life.
In the workshop, we will learn about the structure of musculature, energy paths and nerves in the human body - particularly the neck, head and spine, so that all the participants feel confident to help their partner release tension and pain due to stress or injury. So often clients and friends have mentioned to me that they would love to help their partner or friend to feel better by helping to rid them of their back pain or headache, but that they felt unsure how to offer touch that would be therapeutic and not make the pain worse.
Massage works on many levels. On the physical level it stimulates your circulation, your whole cardiovascular system and releases tension in all muscles. This allows toxins that have built up due to tension to be released, which in turn helps to boost and maintain your energy levels. Massaging the neck and head also releases endorphins - that wonderful (happy) chemical that our bodies naturally produce when we are not under too much stress or suffering from pain .
Light-touch can also be just the beginning. Couples may wish to explore the wonderful intimacy and joy of tantric massage. Whilst it might not be very British to talk about sex, great sex can hold two people together through all sorts of challenges and adversities. And really great sex is felt emotionally and spiritually, at the level of awareness where you know that your essence and body are one - each reflecting the other.
Because the learning and healing that massage from a loved one can encourage, I now only offer the massage workshop to one couple at a time.