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Thai Yoga Bodywork

Thai Massage, Thai Yoga Massage, Thai Yoga Bodywork, and Nuad Boran, are all names for a traditional healing modality, which has been practiced in Thailand for centuries. Based on Ayurvedic medicine and yoga, this art form has been handed down through an unbroken chain of masters for 2200 years. Today, Thai Yoga Bodywork has become increasingly popular in the West and is one of the fastest growing massage/bodywork modalities in the US. 

Complete Thai Yoga Bodywork incorporates a traditional combination of acupressure, energy meridian work, and yoga-like stretching for an invigorating and balancing experience. Thai Yoga Bodywork improves circulation, flexibility, and muscle tone and is the perfect complement to any exercise routine. The routine can be varied to suit a wide range of physical needs and abilities and can be used as a form of physical therapy to increase of range of motion and muscular strength.

Thai Herbal Bodywork

Thai Herbal is another traditional type of Thai Yoga Bodywork and is a truly unique experience. Stretching, acupressure and hot herbal compresses provide the utmost in muscular and mental relaxation. Hot herb bundles are applied directly to the skin during a massage session. The blend of traditional Thai herbs has a relaxing and simultaneously invigorating effect on the body and mind, soothing sore and over-worked muscles, while giving the body an energy boost. (Herbs can also be custom-blended for individual needs, colds, flu, other illnesses, etc.).

Traditional Table Massage

Also known as Swedish, deep tissue, and table massage, traditional massage is a wide variety of movements designed to promote muscle relaxation and lengthening. The use of long, gliding strokes and deep muscle kneading aid in detoxifying the muscles, relieving pain and dissolving scar tissue and adhesions. This complete body technique is a perfect introduction to massage and the relieving effect it has on the body and mind.

Cranio-Sacral Technique

During this hour long session, the practitioner gently guides the spine back into length. Small palpations and subtle manipulations around all sections of the spine reset the cerebro-spinal fluids flow. Cerebro-spinal fluid surrounds both the brain and spinal cord and the balance of its rhythm increases calm, aleviates back pain, and lengthens the neck. At the end of the session a twenty minute Reiki therapy is added, to increase energy flow and to allow for the body to truly absorb this new healing. This is the most subtle and the deepest work that I do. Its effect is incredible.

Neuromuscular Therapy

As its name suggests, this technique focuses on the lengthening of nerves and the muscle that surrounds them. A practitioner systematically releases tension in the layers of muscles over a joint from superficial to deep. In an hour and a half session only one joint is covered. This is completely rehabilitative technique. The joint is renewed and range of motion refreshed.

Reiki

A hour long energy work session designed to ease mental and physical imbalance. The technique is a calming series of hand positions placed with the intention to free areas of the body that have become stuck or injured. The energy field is soothed as the body subtly responds to its new fluidity. Some may feel the regenerating and pulsing effect, while others only become aware of a sense of lightness, and peacefulness.

Reflexology

In reflexology, the feet are said to contain reflex areas that mirror and connect to all parts of the body.  Gentle pressure is applied to reflex areas of the feet (and sometimes the hands) in order to decrease stress and bring the body into equilibrium.  Function in the connecting area is improved and, at the same time, the body experiences overall relaxation and benefits to all of the body’s systems.

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle has been practicing massage therapy since 1992.  A former social worker, Michelle earned an undergraduate degree in sociology from Adrian College in Michigan and her graduate degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.  In the early nineties, wanting to learn more about the mind-body connection she attended the Richmond Academy of Massage and became a certified massage therapist.

Michelle believes in, and research supports, the myriad benefits of massage – benefits ranging from treating injuries and chronic physical conditions to alleviating the stress we all seem to have in our lives. Massage can provide an integration of body and mind (much like our Bikram Yoga practice) by producing an almost meditative state or a heightened awareness of living in the present moment. Massage can provide emotional balance – bringing with it true relaxation and peace.

Years of experience along with numerous continuing education courses have helped Michelle’s ability to design a massage therapy session specific to each client’s needs. She is well versed in the traditional Swedish techniques, as well as therapeutic and deep tissue, sports massage, light techniques for those clients not able to accommodate a deep touch, and reflexology. As a Bikram Yoga student herself, Michelle understands the unique needs of its’ practitioners and can address these concerns during the massage session.

Scott Putman photography by Doug Rourke

Scott Putman is an Assistant Professor in dance and choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is the Artistic Director of the contemporary dance company Amaranth, resident choreographer of Pasadena Dance Theater and faculty member of California State Summer School for the Arts. His work has been seen in national and international dance festivals and has been commissioned by both ballet and modern companies. Scott was awarded the 2005 National Choreography Plan Award for exceptional choreography from RDA, Pacific. He has danced for Mordine and Company Dance Theatre, Dimitrius Klein Dance Company, Minnesota Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Chicago, Donald McKayle, David Alan and Douglas Becker, and Geri Houlihan. Scott received his B.A. from Columbia College, Chicago, and an M.F.A. from the University of California at Irvine, where he was a Chancellors Fellow and William Gillespie Scholar.

Scott's mission is to create three-dimensional visceral experiences, while revealing kinetic imagery in order to shape space. Through dynamic athleticism and dexterous craft, his work looks inward to question our existence and our humanity --- allowing visual, experiential moments to linger in our consciousness, while satisfying the soul's desire to move and to be moved.

His philosophy that, "Choreography is the art of shaping energy in space." explores new ways to present energy as imagery, the work investigates how to create unique vibrations of energy and visual experiences that are distinct and unique to each dance. This parallel of energy being cultivated in space for the sculpting and design along with healing the body by moving energy through the body, work in tandem to deepen his practice of dance and his practice as a certified Thai Yoga Body Work practitioner.

Scott is also the creator of the Elemental Body Alignment System (EBAS) and is greatly influenced by dance science and eastern/alternative health modalities. Scott has had the opportunity to present papers internationally, publish articles for Jivaka, a journal of Thai Medicine, and teach workshops on EBAS all over the country. This past summer Scott received a grant to volunteer and advance his studies while adding to his many certifications in Thai Yoga Bodywork.

Damion Bond

Damion witnesses the body as a study in balance, a structure whose efficiency relies on the seamless inter workings of its  parts.  Her work's goal is to weave the body into this seamless cohesion. 

A graduate of VCU's Dance Department and current professional modern dancer, she has been highly trained in the craft of proper body movement and alignment techniques. Desiring a deeper understanding and connection to these studies, Damion explored the art of healing energy movement,  Reiki. Her recent years of devotion have lead her to the highest level of Reiki practice, qualifying her to teach this healing modality.

To further the practice of combining movement mechanics and energy,  she attended Tao Mountain School of Traditional Thai Massage and Herbal Medicine, and received Basic, Advanced and Herbal Thai massage  certification. She has completed an advanced class internship and is studying to become a teacher of the Shivago lineage. In 2006, she visited Thailand and  studied under the tutelage of Baan "Mama" Nit, a renown Thai massage master. Uniting the teachings of both schools and remaining close to the Thai lineage is her highest concern. Clients can expect a Thai form true to tradition, complete with guided healing intention and full consultation. 

Upon return to the United States, Damion felt it was highly necessary to expand her massage foundation, a shift which lead her to attend the  American Institute of Massage. Here she learned traditional table massage techniques, including neuromuscular therapy, trigger point and deep tissue work. In addition to these table styles, she practices the energy-based techniques of Cranio-Sacral, Pregnancy and Hot Stone therapies. By completing of AIM and the National Certification Exam,  she is now a Certified Massage Therapist.