In an effort to streamline my website, I have removed the deep tissue offering from the menu since it was informational and I generally do not offer it. So for those who are interested or looking for it, the wording has been moved here:

Deep Pressure / Deep Tissue Massage (update 11/2020)
The Deep Tissue work is not really its own massage, but rather the incorporation of deeper pressure wherever is needed to obtain the desired result.   I have decided to remove Deep Tissue as an option from my offerings for the moment. Mostly because I don't believe in it, and it is not my strong suit.  Deep Tissue started as a marketing gimmick (the term was invented by a therapist to differentiate his practice  from the pack by way of ads and flyers) and remains so.  However, it remains a popular request; every client should receive the work they love.  It is often sought out and this is not to take away from any of the talented therapists who specialize in deep pressures.  My work is unique, and extremely well received but it is more mind body focused and relaxation/stress management oriented.  I love that every therapist is unique and every client should get what they love.  That said, deeper pressure can be incorporated into any treatment, particularly the custom massage option.

Would you like to learn how to incorporate full chest and breast into your wellness massage sequence?

Do you have clients that would benefit from this work? Is it legal in your area?  The answer here may surprise you - read on.

Why include chest & breast massage in a full body massage?

After all, we were taught "Stay away from the chest", "it is illegal"  "It is or could be considered sexual".

The fact is - breasts are a  healthy and normal part of our bodies.  Massage can reduce pain and swelling, support range of motion, and promote circulation and relaxation.

Further - It feels wonderful to receive and helps receivers experience innocence in our body that we may not have felt since early childhood. It is non-sexual and it is an excellent and wholesome component of any wellness massage for men and women..

Why not provide our chest and breasts with the same benefits that we give the rest of the body?

Massage of the full chest supports easy breathing, relieves tension, assists with back, neck and shoulder pain, relieves chest tightness and reduces tension in the rib cage, neck and throat. Easy breathing leads to physical, emotional, mental and spiritual stress relief. Massage of the chest is also useful in treating shoulder and neck injuries.

Massage of the breast tissue itself can aid in lymph flow, help relieve congestion and discomfort related to menstrual periods, fibrocystic conditions and lactation.

After open wounds have healed, massage also helps relieve restrictions and scar
tissues post-surgery, including open heart surgery, mastectomy, breast reconstruction, breast reduction and breast augmentations.

In May 2021, my friend, sometimes mentor and colleague Barbara Helynn Heard, LMT announced that she was going to step away from teaching and massage practice to devote more time to living end enjoying life.  Barbara is an amazing person and an inspiration. She was one of the first people I met professionally as I contemplated embarking on my Lomi journey and massage career.  Her kindness and spirit were and are an inspiration.  Barbara had made it a mission of her later career to normalize full chest and breast massage within the context of a therapeutic treatment.  She created the first class in Seattle on full chest and breast massage and when she offered me the opportunity to carry on with this teaching, I said yes.

As of May 2021, I have been offering a Full Chest & Breast Massage Class as a 16 hour Continuing Education Class.  As well., I offer a 4 hr "Intro" class that is suitable for all schools across the county. In the "intro class, we do not work the chest undraped, it is merely to introduce the concept, answer questions and to help guide students toward the 2 day course if that is what they choose.  

BOTH courses are NCBTMB approved as continuing education and the 2 day course is accepted by the State of Washington to satisfy their requirement to work in that State.

I generally offer this course in Boston a few times a year.  In addition, I am available to teach it anywhere in the country if you know of a facility that would like to host it, or if you can generate enough student interest.

Also, it is a mixed gender course, open to all Licensed Therapists with a sincere reason to want to learn, and provided it fits or could fit into their current offerings.  Every student is vetted, however and not every person is able to be admitted.  The proportion of male to female students is very low, similar to that of the therapist population, about 1 in 10.  That said, I do my best to keep a ratio along those lines.

Lastly, in recognition of the number of female therapists who may have women only practices, or may wish to learn this material in a single gender environment, I do offer the course in a singe gender version a couple of times a year also.

If you are interested and would like to learn more about the class, please go here
If you would like to more more about the practical benefits, read testimonials, see if it is legal in your area, you may go here

I’ve been devoted to learning, and now teaching this alongside my Hawaiian Lomi work
for the past many years. I would be delighted to introduce you to this wonderful world of healing touch to share with your family, your community, the world !

Again, I am also available to bring this teaching to you, worldwide.  If you would like to organize a facility and a small group of students in your area, or at a retreat site, simply email me and I would be happy to talk with you about bring the training to you.

What are your thoughts? Please leave them here !

Aloha