footprints

People occasionally ask me, how did you get into bodywork and massage? The answer isn’t that unique really.

To answer this question, I have to go back to 2008, where I was living and working in San Francisco as a plumber installing new systems (water, sewer, gas, fire sprinklers) in very, very expensive houses. In October of 2008, I had a pretty close call with death, where I was on a crew of 3 men, installing a new water main service to a house, and in very close proximity there was a live high pressure (approx 60 PSI) gas line. I asked by boss, “will it explode?” his response was no, and he was right, it didn’t, It turned into a flame thrower. The heat in the trench built up to a melting point of the plastic pipe and it ruptured, catching the flame from the torches, and cooked me. Which, if it wasn’t for my guardian angel/ foreman of the job, who pulled me out, I would not be where I am right now. Two months later, in early December, I was demoing out some old plumbing, and not being very smart about it. I was standing on top of a four foot ladder, with one foot on the ladder, and the other in a window opening. Well, as you can see where this is going, I fell off the ladder, into a stud bay, channeled down, right onto a 4” piece of cast iron pipe, that I placed there, carefully, so that if I fell off the ladder, I wouldn’t land on it. That didn’t work out too well.

This was my turning point. I was out of work for a month, going to physical therapy and healing from my fall.  In that time period, I had a lot of time to think. I was noticing these injuries were getting progressively worse, and was starting to fear what would happen next. I started researching new careers, and in that I contacted a long time friend/ soul sister of mine who had been practicing massage therapy. She knew with my tendency to “get bored easily” in my career choices, suggested it might be a good fit for me. Before plumbing, I was a semi pro photographer, which, all of the images you see on my website, they’re mine. Massage therapy/bodywork has infinite roads I can take with various modalities, and always stay fresh with ideas, I liked this idea.

In late summer of 2010 I returned to Michigan, to study at the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy. Upon graduation in September of 2011, I did something I had no plans to do, start my own practice. October 1st, 2011, I rented a small office on the top floor of the massage school, and shared it with a friend/ colleague. In the three years that followed. I took lots of continuing education, Polarity Therapy, Reiki, Quantum Touch, advanced training in Neuomuscular Therapy, and lastly, Crainosacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute.

Which brings us to today. I am 4 ½ years into my practice, and loving what I do everyday. I am currently practicing out of Tranquil Being, Healing Arts Studio in Ann Arbor MI. I incorporate a wide variety of modalities in my practice, primarily focusing on the myofascial system. Although, in any given session, I can start with energy work or Craniosacral therapy, and by the end, releasing trigger points and stretching muscles and myofascia.

Why did I say that my story isn’t really unique? My observation is that a lot of people get into this field after being injured or having a trauma.  I also love to help people one on one, which is another reason I love this work.

What makes me unique? That I let my clients talk during the sessions, that I make long term clients/ friends out of the people I help out. That I educate/ empower my clients about their bodies, and give them an understanding of what’s going on, and how they can help themselves. I am a big believer in the “teach a man to fish” not “give a man a fish”. That I hold space for emotions to come up, and allow a safe space for them to be released.

Health is mind body and soul,  all of which can be addressed my office. I love my clients, and my clients love me. It doesn’t get any better than that.