Sakalya Massage & Wellness

Learning to receive is the most underrated skill when it comes to getting the most out of your massage.

You might be shocked at the difference when you’re able to consciously let go and allow your body and nervous system to actually receive the care your massage therapist is giving you.

How do we do this? Here are a few tips:

- Breathe. Sounds basic, but holding your breath, bracing, clenching are all remedied by breathing. Slow deep breaths with a longer exhale activate the vagus nerve, which switches your body into the parasympathetic response or rest and digest. It also allows oxygen to the muscles which helps with stubborn “knots”. Breathing through the “good hurt” helps your body let go of the tension faster than just about anything else.

- Visualize your muscles letting go. Our mind is incredibly powerful. Practice thanking your muscles and connective tissue for protecting you tell them it’s safe to let go now. As you breathe visualize them melting or releasing. See what happens.

- Notice the sensations in your body. You might feel physical sensations related to or not related to your massage. As you notice the sensations you’re feeling in your body give them a name. This could be an emotion or sensation like resistance, sadness, frustration, tightness, sinking, joy, euphoria. Observe. Feel. Breathe through it. This is how you can allow for a somatic release where your body can let go of the stress it’s been holding onto.

- Be silent. If you’d like, and especially if you feel the need to please or entertain your massage therapist, allow yourself to not speak during the massage. This is not a time when you have to perform or be anything for anyone. You just get to exist for the next 90 minutes. Embrace it. Your nervous system will thank you.

Eyes feeling strained?
Tired?
Droopy?
Blurry?

Try these acupoints! Let me know how this feels in the comments!

Ever wondered how much or little you’re supposed to wear during a massage?

Lots of my clients have asked this.
I got you!

So it depends on the type of bodywork, but if you come to my office (or most LMTs who practice Swedish) here are some things you should know before getting on my table for that professional massage…

It’s not weird to wear underwear.

It’s not weird to wear nothing.

You can undress to your comfort level.

Honestly, you could wear a sweater if you want, but for Swedish massage it is better to have more skin available.

You’ll ALWAYS be covered by a drape. (Blanket & sheet)

Your safety and comfort are priority number one.

If you don’t feel at ease your nervous system can’t calm down and you won’t get good results.

So do what feels most comfortable to you.

Just don’t be a weirdo and you’ll be fine.

That is all. 🫶

We need nature.
We need touch.
We need nourishing food.
We need novelty.
We need recovery.
Go breathe in life.
Then book your next massage.

Prices at Sakalya Massage & Wellness will be changing starting October 1st. 

First of all I need to say thank you to each of you who have given of your time, funds, and trust. Without you I wouldn’t be have this beautiful space where I can help people in a way that is meaningful to me. Thank you!

With some improvements in offerings and skill as well as the expense of operation and supplies going up, an increase in the cost of services has been necessitated.  

But there are a few other important things to be aware of as this change takes place...

-A more significant cash discount will be available.

-If you’ve already made appointments for October, November, or December the current price will be honored for those appointments until December 31st.

-If you make an appointment taking place in October, November, or December before September 4th at midnightthe current price will be honored for those appointments as well.

*appointments rescheduled after sept 4th will be charged at the new rate regardless of when they were made.

Why do I feel so amazing when I get a massage?
(Part two!)

Massage simultaneously affects these systems:

Lymphatic
Circulatory
Musculoskeletal
Nervous

In symphony, your blood flow is increasing to the muscle tissue. Lymph is being moved. The nervous system is getting signals to move into rest and digest. You’re essentially getting a full body reset where all these systems can get back to homeostasis.

If it’s time for your next massage (if it’s been over a month your body could probably use it) I’d love to help you out!

Link in bio to book.

Why do I feel sooo good when I get a massage?

Well, your body is amazing and massage actually releases all these feel good chemicals.
-Oxytocin
-Dopamine
-Serotonin
-Endorphins
-Enkephalins.

These reactions have a pain and stress reducing effect. They regulate mood, decrease cravings. They increase calm, contented, feelings, while elevating a positive mood.
So it makes sense that you feel physically, emotionally, and mentally a little better post-massage.

What does cupping do??
There’s a lot going on when cups are applied.

-negative pressure from the suction is effecting the tissue up to 3 inches deep and
creating more space for bl00d and lymph to flow. 
-Your nervous system is being forced to let go. I think of it has holding the muscle while it tantrums and finally gives up.
-The marks you see: there are two schools of thought depending on western vs eastern medicine. I think both have truth to them. They are a combo of broken capillaries and old blood being brought to the surface to be processed out by the lymph system.
The darker the color the more dysfunction there was in the tissue.
Cupping is always doing something to effect the tissue whether there’s color or not but you needed it extra of it gets dark.

What questions do you have about cupping therapy?