Massage Bodywork unique blend of Deep Tissue Acupressure Energy Breath Work

Massage & Bodywork - On-site Mobile Service & North Shore Studio

Massage and various schools of Bodywork are a natural, proven, ancient approach to stress management,
relaxation and rejuvenation, and a profound catalyst in the healing process of an injury.

Extremely personalized & confidential, Massage & Bodywork sessions draw from a unique blend of Deep Tissue Massage, Acupressure, Energy Bodywork and Breath Work.

Based in ESM (Energetic Self Manifestation) and highly intuitive, sessions are designed to guide you in connecting to your innate wholeness, your natural state of well-being. In accepting and embracing your current physical condition and feelings, you will ease emotional and physical pain, while awakening your heart to greater levels of peace and joy.

“One cannot heal another. One can lovingly provide a nurturing environment for healing to take place.” - Colleen Wynia

Colleen’s role as facilitator is to create an environment and set an intention in which healing can take place. The facilitator is a Medium, a bridge, for The Energy to stimulate the body’s innate intelligence system for healing itself. “Innate” refers to natural, inborn or instinctive. The body has everything it needs to re-generate. Its only requirement is encouragement and love.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue is a massage technique intended to release chronic patterns of tension in the body. Using slow strokes and deep finger pressure on contracted areas, movements may include following and/or moving across the fibers of the muscles, tendons, connective tissue, and fascia.

An ideal choice for individuals living a highly active, highly physical lifestyle, Deep Tissue can also be extremely beneficial for the sedentary person. When the body is stressed, oxygen and nutrients are blocked, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. Deep Tissue supports the body in eliminating toxins and stimulating proper blood flow and oxygen circulation. Deep tissue will help to break up and eliminate scar tissue. It may be used for specific areas or the entire body.

Drink plenty of water! It’s important to drink water prior to and following a session to assist elimination of toxins from the body. Although not uncommon to feel some discomfort the next day, expect good to excellent results within 1 to 3 days.

Acupressure

Acupressure is an ancient healing art derived from oriental philosophy, theory and practice. Developed in Asia more than 5,000 years ago, Acupressure emphasizes prevention for potential illness by addressing the root cause through treating the whole person.

Based on the principles of Acupuncture (using fine needles), an acupressurist stimulates healing sites, called acu-points, using finger pressure. An acu-point is a location along a meridian, an energy pathway that comes closest to the skin and may be sensitive when touched. Meridians are pathways that connect with energy systems and stimulate various organs and areas of the body.

Acupressure utilizes the power and sensitivity of human touch to eliminate stress, alleviate pain and expand bodymind awareness. Acupressure encourages the release of physical armoring, expression of emotions, and activates the body’s own life-force energy for restoration of balance and harmony.

Life force energy is that which flows through all things. Various cultures have different names for energy. Eastern traditions refer to energy as ki (Japanese), chi (Chinese), and prana (Indian). In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chi energy must flow freely for the body to be healthy.

Energy Bodywork

Coming soon

Breath Work - Conscious Connected Breathing

The breath is a vital element to our existence. We can go months without food, days without water, but only seconds without breath. The degree to which we experience the breath is in direct proportion to the quality of life we live.

According to the Ancient Yogis, the breath is considered the principal regulator of life force energy (ki, chi or prana) in the body. For centuries, breathing has been a central focus in meditation, yoga, strength training, and almost every form of physical activity. Similar to how professional athletes are coached in their techniques for optimal physical performance, we can invite The Breath to guide us in experiencing heightened results in our emotional, mental and spiritual growth.

Conscious breathing is encouraged during a session for the purpose of expanding bodymind awareness, balancing the body systems, and connecting to the heart. Clients may experience an entire session focused on the breath, called Rebirthing, or integrate the breath with Bodywork and Massage.

Using the inhale and exhale of the breath, you will activate and transform stored pain and stress held in the cellular memory of the body. Additionally, breathing assists in reaching very deep states of relaxation and meditation. Breathing automatically brings us into the present moment – The Here and Now. Two styles proven supportive for clients include Rebirthing and Alternate Nostril Breathing.

Rebirthing - The Breath of Life

Rebirthing, known as The Breath of Life, is a simple, gentle, yet powerfully effective method for purifying the body, mind and spirit. Combining breathing, some conversation and occasional touch, you will connect to the truest part of your Self.

Though an ancient technique, Leonard Orr is the modern-day founder of Rebirthing. Leonard Orr developed Rebirthing over a thirteen-year period from 1962 – 1975. During Orr’s practice of connected breathing while submerged in a bathtub of water, he experienced memories of his difficult birth as if he was being re-birthed.

More than breathing air, healing takes place as a direct result of breathing prana, also referred to as life-force energy, and of psychophysically reliving the moment of your first breath. Connecting the inhale to the exhale in a relaxed, natural rhythm brings about an awareness of a direct connection to spirit, and a physical sensation of life-force energy.

Each session is unique to the individual and the healing is between you and Spirit. You may experience feelings of deep relaxation, greater levels of peace and joy, increased overall energy, and enhanced clarity to manage challenges in your life.

Preparation for a Rebirthing session:
First, you will have an opportunity to share any challenges or problems you are facing. These issues could range from physical pain, accident trauma, grief from the loss or separation of a loved one, to career challenges and relationship issues.

To begin, an intention will be set for how you desire to “feel” following the session and asking for increased clarity and hopefully resolution to an issue. In setting an intention, we offer ourselves something to work with. You may receive clarity during the session, or in the days and weeks to follow.

When a long-standing issue has been “concluded”, you will KNOW that something has been released, and released for good. It will remain only as a memory, without emotional charge or power to direct the choices in your life.

The Technique:
In a relaxed position while on your back, you are supported through a continual inhaling and exhaling of your breath for up to 45 minutes. With your eyes closed and jaw relaxed, you will begin to breathe in (inhale) a full breath through your mouth, drawing the breath from your stomach upwards to the top of your chest. Immediately following a complete breath, you will fully release the breath (exhale) through your mouth without any effort.

At times, a sigh on the exhale will assist you in completely relaxing. Initially, some focus is required to maintain the inhale/exhale breathing cycle, but soon this will shift into a natural “conscious connected breathing” rhythm.

During this process, a variety of emotions and memories held in the cellular body may surface. Rebirthing can bring to the surface an underlying issue that was invisible or which previously appeared insignificant. The practitioner is present every step of the way to support you.

Alternate Nostril Breathing

Alternate Nostril Breathing, traditionally termed Nadi Shodhana, is an effective exercise for balance of the left and right brain to improve and optimize creative and mental functioning. The right side of the brain controls creative activity, while the left side is responsible for logical verbal and mental activity. Shodhana means to ‘purify’ and nadi refers to the network of pranic (life force energy) pathways in the body.

Originally a Yogic technique, Alternate Nostril Breathing is derived from the understanding that the “natural breathing cycle" alternates between the right and left nostrils every two hours. Scientists have discovered that the nasal cycle relates with brain function. The electrical activity of the brain was found to be greater on the side opposite the less congested nostril.

Scientists have also learned that we do not breathe equally with both nostrils. At various times, one nostril may be favoured. The Yogi’s believed that prolonged breathing from one nostril is potential for dis-ease. For example, they have witnessed that many years of left nostril breathing may result in asthma.
In bringing balance to our nasal cycle, our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health can be optimized!

Recommended by practitioners and professionals, Alternate Nostril Breathing is beneficial in supporting a balanced state of BodyMind. It rejuvenates the body, calms the mind, and alleviates stress.

A simple yogic breathing technique, this can be done virtually anywhere, alone or within a group.

The Technique:
1. Close the right nostril with your right thumb and inhale through the left nostril. Breathe in to the count of four seconds.

2. Immediately close the left nostril with your right ring finger and at the same time remove your thumb from the right nostril, and exhale through this nostril. Do this to the count of eight seconds. This completes a half round.

3. Inhale through the right nostril to the count of four seconds. Close the right nostril with your right thumb and exhale through the left nostril to the count of eight seconds. This completes one full round.

Start by doing three rounds, adding one per week until you are doing seven rounds.
Alternate nostril breathing should not be practiced if you have a cold or if your nasal passages are blocked in any way. Forced breathing through the nose may lead to complications.