About Me
Philosophy:
I describe my typical massage technique and teaching style as “eclectic”- often drawing on several techniques to suit the therapeutic needs of each client that particular session. Modalities you may experience during your massage include Swedish, Swe-Thai, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Functioning (PNF), Reflexology, Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy and/or Deep Tissue massage. All of this Massage terminology simply means that I want to incorporate all of my education and experiences into a unique and enjoyable experience for you, time and time again during your sessions.
Bio/Education:
With a desire to help support and heal growing families, I initiated my "custom" education by completing my Bachelors Degree in Psychology at Colorado State University in 1998. I have always had this deep belief that babies know much more than we give them credit for, even very early on in their life. With this in mind, and knowing I wanted to work with pregnancy, birth and early development, I thought that Massage Therapy could be an interesting modality to work from. After much searching (and talking to anyone who would listen) I found and completed a unique and specialized training to teach parents modified Massage Therapy techniques for their premature infants in the Intensive Care Nursery (Kansas City, MO 1998). Because most of those who were trained to work with premature infants were either hospital staff or Infant Massage Instructors, during the summer of 2002 I became an Internationally Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI through IAIM).
It was while I had the opportunity to spend the year volunteering my skills in the special care nursery of a refugee-camp hospital in Amman, Jordan, that I knew this work was indeed both my passion and my life’s work (Musteshfa Al-Bashir 2003-2004). In working directly with these vibrant, yet tiny 1.5-3 lb beings I realized that for them, this was not at all a "luxury" it was actually critical in their development. Several studies show that Preterm infants show fewer heart and breathing problems as well as increased weight gain and fewer days in the hospital through the use of modified massage therapy (Field, T. 1992, 2001, 2002- see links for further research). This is how I developed my motto ~touch is not just a luxury, but a luxurious necessity~
In order to continue my own professional development, I returned from the middle-east to complete over 750 hours of training in various Massage Therapy modalities from both western and eastern philosophies of healing (Parkland College, Champaign, IL 2004). I am now nationally certified in Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as well as an Internationally Certified Infant Massage instructor (CIMI through IAIM).
In February of 2009, I trained with the Upledger Institute learning CranioSacral Therapy techniques to continue to enhance and grow the skills I have to offer my clientele- particularly those who are preparing for or recovering from birth (mother and/or child).
Most recently, September 2010, I was fortunate to host Carol Gray (internationally known midwife and CranioSacral therapist) for a training specific to Infants and CranioSacral therapy. The intensive course taught me the latest skills in helping newborn and infant babies and their parents with struggles such as colic, spitting up, nursing difficulties, tongue tie, etc. Most importantly, these treatments help prime babies bodies for optimal health and growth.
While this path may seem somewhat unconventional (starting out specialized and moving to more broad practices and more specific again), it has only strengthened my conviction that Massage Therapy/Bodywork is a beneficial practice for anyone- from the most fragile and tiny beings, to the most athletic, to those who simply wish to use massage therapy as part of their preventative health care plan. Because I believe so whole-heartedly in massage as a tool for prolonged health, and because it may be difficult for many of us to get professional massages regularly these days, I have decided to start offering Partner Massage instruction as well. After all, infant massage is received best by a close loved one, why would it be any different for the rest of us?
You may view my services, rates and hours here at Body, Mind and Molly. I also offer the Loving Touch Program offered through BABS.
I am grateful to have found my way to the wonderful community of Bloomington, IN in 2008 and look forward to meeting and working with the people who make it what it is!