Green Tea Massage

Enjoy a cup of organic matcha ("liquid jade") from the rolling hills of the Uji region of Kyoto, Japan before your massage.  This high quality stone ground Japanese green tea is high in antioxidants (over 130 times more than other green teas), polyphenols, Vitamin A, and other nutrients.  Matcha also contains a high amount of the amino acids including L-theanine which reduces and moderates mental and physical stress allowing you to have calm and sustained energy throughout the day.  The massage lotion used for this session also contains green tea noted for strengthening collagen, keeping skin firm and elastic, and for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. Facial treatments using green tea are also available.  You must ask for Green Tea Massage when making your reservation to receive this luxurious treatment.

Deep Tissue

The use of massage therapy (i.e. Swedish techniques) that utilizes slow, direct, and deep strokes or friction on contracted areas to release chronic patterns of tension.  Often the movements are directed across the grain of the muscles (cross-fiber) using the fingers, thumbs, or elbows.  This is applied with greater pressure and at deeper layers of the muscle than Swedish massage.  It is also more specific than Swedish.  For example, in the case of someone with a sore shoulder, the practitioner may focus on the trapezius and the rhomboid underneath, trying to work in all the layers of muscle that might be involved.  Deep tissue massage lends itself to being more focused on a problem area.

Reflexology

An ancient healing art first practiced by the early Chinese, Egyptian, and Indian peoples.  In 1913 Dr. William Fitzgerald, an American ear, nose and throat surgeon, introduced this therapy to the West.  He noted that pressure on specific parts (zones) of the feet have an anesthetic or related effect on general areas of the body.  In the 1930's, Eunice D. Ingham, a therapist, further developed and refined the zone therapy into what is now known as foot reflexology.  She observed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrors congestion or tension in a corresponding part of the body.

Shiatsu

A Japanese healing modality similar to Chinese acupressure utilizing a Japanese healing philosophy of ki (life energy).  Shiatsu literally means "finger pressure".  This form of acupressure is a combination of many different techniques including pressing, hooking, sweeping, shaking, rotating, grasping, vibrating, patting, plucking, lifting, pinching, rolling, brushing, and sometimes walking barefoot on the patients back, legs, and feet.  It is applied with comfortable pressure to all parts of the body with thumbs, palms, and elbows where the body is gently stretched to loosen joints and muscles.  Shiatsu treatments promote good health by strengthening the body and stimulating its self-healing abilities.  Common conditions that treatments have been used to help are back, neck and shoulder aches and pains, headaches, insomnia, digestive problems, and emotional stress.  It is traditionally performed on the floor with the client comfortably lying on a futon with both client and patient dressed comfortably in a kimono (Japanese robe).

Somatic-Emotional Integration

A process of unifying or making whole the physical body and emotional feelings together in awareness and harmony.  When we are stressed, our emotions and physical body are not in sync; conflict and physical tension result.  Long term physical tension can create distorted body patterns.  Touch is not only a powerful tool to bring enhanced awareness of our physical bodies, but it can also create an enhanced emotional awareness.  A fertile ground for emotional exploration, expression, acceptance, and integration can be created here.  Through sessions, distorted body patterns and negative emotions associated with them are let go and the body returns to a healthy state.  This session helps to cleanse cellular memory of trauma.  This is not a form of psychotherapy, but works well with psychotherapy.

Sports

These types of techniques specifically deal with the needs of athletes and the effects of athletic performance on the body.  It is most similar to Swedish and deep tissue forms of massage.  It is most commonly performed before or after athletic events, as part of an athlete's training regimen, and to promote healing from injuries.  Some popular techniques of this modality include stretching, compression, and cross-fiber friction methods.

Swedish

The most popular example or classical modality of massage in Europe and the United States.  Developed in Sweden by Per Henrik Ling in the 1830's, it's system consists of long gliding strokes, kneading, and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles that move in the direction of blood flow toward the heart due to the circulation of the blood through the soft tissues of the body.  It serves as a good beginning framework before other modalities are taught.  The movements range from light to vigorous, and sometimes involve active and passive joint movements which enhance range of motion and relieve muscle tension.

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