Structural Bodywork
Structural Bodywork can be done as single, ninety minute sessions that address the specific needs of the client. It can also be done as a series of ten, ninety minute sessions that work through the whole body in a systematic manner.
“Annie’s work has been integral to my rehabilitation and return to dancing. She has a deep knowledge and understanding of how the body works and applies her various approaches and techniques to bring about healing and transformation. I find her unique amongst many practitioners and physiotherapists I have used.” Oliver Scott, Dancer, Choreographer
“After seeing a series of medical specialists at the University of California Los Angeles (neurologists, internists and ear specialists) no source nor solution for my vertigo was discovered. But after a series of deep tissue massages from Christian, my vertigo was gone.” -Susan Von Manske, Los Angeles
“Annie worked her bodywork magic on me and sorted out problems I’d had with my neck and upper back for 25 years in 5 sessions. No intervention I’d had before had been anything like as effective. I went to her with these specific problems, but Annie treats the whole body, and explained how a problem in one area can be the result of imbalance and misalignment elsewhere in the body. She gave me bodywork but also an education in how to protect my body from further problems in very simple ways – like walking, carrying and sitting correctly.” -Emma F., London
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy (Upledger Institute) is like a whisper that enters slowly into the body. It is on this quality that the power of this bodywork is based. It was discovered that most tissues in the body can be stretched and aligned using 5 grams of pressure and a lot of patience. This makes Craniosacral Therapy (CST) effective in areas that are traumatized and would be further injured by other modalities. Using this technique, practitioners of CST can free cranial and spinal bones from restrictions and increase the flow of the brain’s circulation of cerebral spinal fluid. CST has been found to be an effective treatment for headaches, auditory and vision problems, muscular tension, arthritis and connective tissue injury. Owing to the subtlety of its pressure CST a bodywork style that can be applied to acute injury. Research has found CST to be an adjunct therapy in the treatment of learning disabilities and autism. Craniosacral Therapy, through its advanced form as SomatoEmotional Release, has also been used in the field of mental health.
Relaxation/Circulation Massage
As medical research advances, it is discovering a common cause for most illness – stress. The body is an information system. All metabolic processes including those of defence, growth and regeneration are controlled by chemical and electrical information in the body. Stress significantly alters the body’s information and consequently alters the body’s capacity to defend itself against illness, to grow correctly and to regenerate when necessary. When one is feeling stress, one’s body releases a chemical called cortisol. This chemical shuts off the immune system and strips the body of its defence against illness. Since modern life is full of stress this news seems bleak. There is, however, a remedy – relaxation. A relaxation massage reverses the effects of stress, prevents the release of cortisol, and jumpstarts the immune system. From the first touch of this massage the body switches on the nervous system that controls relaxation and reinstates the body’s shield against disease. I can think of no better defence against the ravages of stress than receiving a relaxation massage once a week for life.
The second important effect of this form of massage is to encourage flow of the fluids in the body including blood and lymph. As the therapist slides her hands through the muscles, she pushes standing blood and lymph back into the blood and lymph vessels. This cleanses the body and encourages the excretion of wastes and toxins. It also makes space for fresh healthy blood and lymph to flow into the tissue and nourish it. Good fluid flow is essential to good health.
Hot Stone Massage
“My wife and I booked a couples hot stone massage for our anniversary. Annie and Christian decorated the room beautifully – the ambience was very relaxing and the massage absolutely sublime.”– Mr and Mrs MacDonald, Leamington Spa UK
Thai Massage
Thai Massage is the practical application of Metta, the Buddhist practice of Loving Kindness or compassion. The practitioner of Thai Massage melds with the client using pressures and stretches. Each touch is a chance for the practitioner to join her energy with the client’s energy. As a meditative practice the goal is the transcendence of duality (client-therapist, sick-healthy, you-me). It is this rigorous practice that allows the Thai Massage practitioner to apply the stretches and strokes in such a way that profoundly relaxes and balances the client. This is massage raised to the level of sublime ritual.
“I had chronic frozen shoulders that had plagued me for four years. No matter what I tried, they would not unfreeze. After just one Thai massage from Annie I was able to move my shoulders again; not just my shoulders, my whole body felt looser and still is. The massage itself was very hands-on with client and therapist working closely together. Annie is very knowledgeable, understanding and professional, and knew exactly how far to take the various stretches.”-Martin Dymock, Birmingham UK
Lymph Drainage Therapy
“The Lymph work Annie did helped me regain muscular control in my face that I thought was permanently lost.” -Cherise S., Actor
Visceral Manipulation
Having been diagnosed with IBS by the doctor, I found Visceral Manipulation with Annie really helped eliminate the cramps and bloat. It was nice to feel normal again. I found the manipulation gentle and painless and was really impressed at the effectiveness of such mild-feeling treatment. -L. C., Leamington Spa UK
Bodymind Integration
“Christian’s work over the years with me has allowed me to overcome deep rooted trauma from my childhood and adolescence along with easing chronic pains in my body.” Hermes Clausz, Founder, Love Catering