How long does each session last?

Each session is generally 15-30 minutes longer than the listed time. The listed time is the length of the actual massage. I also spend time talking to clients before and after the appointment, and it takes some time for folks to get on and off the table. Initial sessions tend to be slightly longer than subsequent sessions, since we're just starting to get to know each other. 

How long of a session should I book?

60 min sessions can be perfect for a full body massage focused on relaxation and stress relief, this can also include a few extra minutes of time spent on an area of focus. 60 min sessions can also be perfect to focus exclusively on certain parts of the body.

 90 min sessions are great for a full body session with a significant amount of time focused on specific areas. 90 min sessions are ideal for someone who is interested in getting a significant amount of Myofascial Release work, or for someone who has a focus area that needs more time, or multiple focus areas.

 120 min sessions can be really incredible. They allow for full body Myofascial Release work, along with more integrated techniques. They can also create space for deep focus in certain areas within a full body session.

I would recommend 90 min sessions for most folks, and there are no wrong answers- we can do powerful work in any length of session.

What should I expect from my first appointment?

You will schedule an appointment online, and then fill out my online intake form to let me know a little more about you. You will receive an email reminder of our appointment. On the day of, you can text me when you arrive. We will talk a little before we get started. This will be an opportunity for me to ask you any questions I have after looking over your intake form, and check in about how you're feeling that day. It will also be a chance for you to ask any further questions you have.

 Then I will leave the room to wash up and allow you to undress to your level of comfort and get on the table under the sheet and blanket. After I come back, we will begin the session. I will check in with you about what levels of pressure feel comfortable, and any adjustments you’d like me to make. We will begin and end the session with some deep breathing. Then I will leave to allow you to get off the table and put back on any clothes you removed. Then we’ll have a little check-in before you go. 

What does it mean to undress to my level of comfort?

The answer to this will change person to person and day to day. The simple answer is whatever feels good for you! In terms of the massage, the more clothing that is removed the more direct skin I can work on, and the greater selection of techniques I can use. Many people remove everything except their bottom underwear, some folks leave all their clothes on, some folks leave on a bra or binder, there are no wrong choices!

What kind of work do you do?

My work is rooted in Fat Liberation, Disability Justice, Anti-Capitalist, and Anti-Racist principles, as well as trauma informed frameworks. In terms of actual techniques, I utilize Myofascial Release along with some elements from Swedish Massage and other Integrated techniques. I work intuitively with the information I receive from clients before and during the massage.

What is Myofascial Release?

Fascia is a connective tissue that exists in many different systems in the body. Myofascial Release is a technique that addresses the myofascia, or the fascia of the muscles. This fascia surrounds each muscle. If we zoom in we also see that it runs throughout the muscles, and around each muscle fiber and group of fibers. The myofascia runs throughout the body as one continuous sheet, so fascial tension or adhesions in one part of the body can affect other parts of the body in a chain reaction.

 Fascia has a really nifty trait called thixotropy, which allows it to shift between a solid and a gel state.  Lots of things including emotional trauma, stress, and injury can lead to the fascia becoming sticky or hardening into a solid state. When this happens, especially at a moment in which we are experiencing trauma, the hormones that were being transmitted through the fascia can become stuck or frozen in place. This is one of the very real ways that trauma lives in the body.

 The technique of Myofascial Release is done very slowly and with a light pressure that allows just enough of a gentle tug to shift the fascia into a gel state and allow it to release tension, adhesions, and any holding patterns it may have formed. This technique can have a profound effect on chronic pain and tension by giving the muscles space to move and relax into. Myofascial release can also be deeply impactful on trauma healing, as it can allow the hormones trapped at the moment of trauma to be released.

What does the sliding scale mean?

The sliding scale is an anti-capitalist invitation to participate in mutual aid. I ask that folks consider a few different factors when deciding how much to pay on the scale. The primary factor is where you fall on a scale of privilege in multiple intersecting identities. All of my clients are queer and/or trans. White folks should pay more on the scale, people of color, especially black and indigenous people of color, should pay less. Able bodied people should pay more, disabled people should pay less. Higher income folks should pay more, lower income folks should pay less. Race and the economic standing of you and your support systems are the primary factors. I utilize a sliding scale so that I can make a liveable wage.

How should I act during a massage?

First things first, you should be yourself! Many of us feel drawn to be “the perfect client,” not ask for too much, or not have any questions. Which is super fair, sometimes those feelings are just bound to come up. But actually pursuing that goal is directly in conflict with what folks need to relax, feel supported, and connect with their massage therapist. So, let me know if you need something to be different! Let me know if you really like something! And please ask any questions you have about massage, anatomy, pain management, or what we’re finding together! I love talking about this stuff!

In terms of social expectations, you will truly guide what the session looks like. I never initiate small talk or longer conversations during a massage. I will check in with you here and there, and will answer any questions you ask during the session. You’re also welcome to share anything you’d like about what you're experiencing or what your body is communicating to you. Otherwise sessions tend to be quiet unless a client prefers to talk and initiates conversation. If you have more specific questions about social expectations, you can absolutely ask any time, via email or in person during a session!