Massage Therapy

My massage therapy treatments are a fusion of techniques from more than a decade of intense study and practice.  Along with being a Licensed Massage Practitioner, I am also a Certified Medical Qi Gong Practitioner through the International Institute of medical Qi Gong.

Passages Retreat Center offers a serene woodland setting where you may choose to hear only the song of birds or falling of snow.  Your massage session is designed to allow you to sink quietly into your body, work deeply yet softly on tension & injury, and relish peaceful moments surrounded by nature.  In summer, massage is done in an outdoor cabana open to the sky.  In winter, be cocooned by a heated table and hot Ayuravedic massage oils.  

Please choose from the following.  All massage therapy sessions are custom crafted and include the comforting strokes of Esalen, Acutonics tuning forks & Ayuravedic oils designed to increase muscle comfort. 

Definitions and treatments

Esalen© Massage
Esalen incorporates the most divine of all massage modalities.  Long deep strokes help sink the body into a deeply contemplative state, followed by focused strokes to provide treatment to longstanding body issues.  Be prepared to have the therapist move every limb, stretch muscles that you never knew were shortened, and all without any effort on your part.   Certified through Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association.                                        60 minutes/$75; 90 minutes/$100

Facial Fitness; An Uplifting Massage
From the Golden Age in Hollywood comes a massage technique developed in the 1920’s by the Dr. Campbell, a dentist, and Madame Renna, an aesthetician.  They developed this unique therapy and practiced in Hollywood until 1972, on the leading ladies and gentlemen of the silver screen.   Their final private student, Linda Greene, has provided instruction in Facial Fitness Massage since 1984.  In 2006, Linda trained a class of Licensed Massage Practitioners here at Passages. 

This facial helps to restore sagging skin and muscles to their more youthful state through deep massage and highly increased circulation.  After this profoundly relaxing treatment, you may expect to hear comments about how radiant you look or how well rested.  Many will inquire after your new diet, since your face will be contoured, looking slimmer.  

The facial lasts ninety minutes and consists of steamy towels applied to begin improving circulation, followed by a specific series of deep tissue strokes. All products are completely organic in their natural state.   It is a completely natural facelift technique and unlike any ordinary facial you may have had. 

However, if you find yourself contemplating surgical methods to improve your appearance, please know that they are compatible with Facial Fitness.  The plastic surgeons at UCLA who originated the first facelifts worked closely with Dr. Campbell.  Linda Greene has checked safety issues with one of the three dermatologists who developed Botox.  If you have inquired after Laser surgery for collagen stimulation, rest assured that Facial Fitness actually enhances the results simultaneously with the production of new collagen.  Facial contouring is an adjunct and enhancement to these surgical treatments.  Best of all, though, are the satisfied clients who have cancelled surgery after receiving this treatment.                                   Full 90 minute/$110

Medical Qi Gong:  

Qi gong (chee gung) is the mother of traditional Chinese medicine.  In addition to  massage to relieve aches and pains, Medical qi gong uses the body’s internal and external energy fields to purge, tonify and balance the body.  It offers benefits similar to acupuncture, minus the needles!   Medical qi gong increases well being, tonifies internal organs, and treats many common conditions.   It may be done as a treatment on the table after a massage, as a stand alone service, and as self-care exercises to practice at home.  Medical qi gong may be done fully clothed.  Added to a massage session:  30 minute/$30; 15 minute/$15

Hot Stone
An ancient healing art that penetrates deep into tissues with heated stones.  Hot river rocks are used to perform gliding strokes, while others remain stationary on muscles to heat the body core.                                                    75 minutes/$90