Health History and Check In
In your first visit, we will take some time to discuss your concerns and important aspects of your history (download forms here). This discussion can take from 15 minutes to an hour. I will also answer any questions that you have about how I work.
Do not drink alcohol before your session. Some people prefer not to have a heavy meal prior to receiving bodywork. It is also helpful if you are hydrated.
Observation and Assessment
After we talk, I will ask you to undress to your underwear. You are encouraged to wear something that you are comfortable standing in, as I will be looking at you standing and walking once you are undressed. Observation of your structural patterns gives me important information about where and how I will work with your body. I am looking at both patterns of structural alignment and the energetic tendencies of your system.
Movement Work
Following the assessment we may do some movement work, to adjust the patterns of moving that you may have that are unhealthy or not ideal. Movement education involves my assistance in adjusting the ways you move, stand and sit. I attempt to bring greater awareness of your patterns and educate you about how to move differently so that you can feel more comfortable and free in your body. If there are common or repetitive ways that you use your body (for example, you are a runner or you have a desk job), I may observe you in this activity and make suggestions about how to move differently. I might also give you an exercise, often yogic based, to bring greater health and ease to your body.
Bodywork
We often spend the majority of the session working at the table. I say "we" because table time often involves your active participation in breathing and moving with me as I attempt to bring greater alignment and freedom to your fascial system. I will often use long deep stretching strokes, a form of tissue work called myofascial release, to bring greater alignment, freedom and ease to your structure. Many people in pain often experience relief as a result of receiving myofascial work as imbalances, misalignments and rotations in the system are unwound. Sometimes, you might feel strong feelings or have a surprising memory. An important difference between this work and Swedish massage therapy is that I will likely not work with your entire body in each session, but rather focus on specific areas during each visit. Over a number of sessions, working this way will bring greater alignment and release to your whole system over time.
Craniosacral work is often an integral part of sessions as well. Craniosacral Therapy involves very light touch. Clients often report feeling "spacey", tired or fall into a dream like state when this work is being done. It is very relaxing and passive work. That is, I ask you to let go rather than be an active participant in the process. The ratio of time I spend working with Craniosacral Therapy and fascial work is determined by your needs and my assessment. Following the table work, I'll have a look at you again to assess change and may do some movement work as well. I often send you home with "homework' to do in between sessions.
Post Session Considerations
Drink plenty of water before and after your session. This will help to flush toxins that are released during your session. Your body will be re-balancing and aligning itself during your Hellerwork series. As a result, after sessions, you may occasionally feel spacey, emotional or your body may feel different than it does normally. Don't worry, this is change and progress. Simply, pay attention and do what you need to do to take care of yourself (walk, sleep, laugh, cry, etc...)
If after a session a feeling of imbalance persists, call me. Sometimes integration is needed which I provide free of charge.
As a result of the re-balancing that occurs during your Hellerwork series, your body may be slightly more vulnerable to injury than it is at other times (this will not persist over time however). It is therefore, important that you pay attention to how you feel (especially while exercising) and adjust your activities accordingly.
Ideally following sessions your body should be given some time to integrate changes. Returning to a stressful work environment, rigorously working out, or putting yourself in other stressful situations is not ideal. Plan time after sessions for rest and integration if possible.
Consider taking a bath with Epsom salts following your session. This too will help remove toxins that are released and will help alleviate residual soreness.
Structure of Future Sessions
In future sessions, we generally take 15- 30 minutes to check in and talk, 45-60 minutes on the table doing bodywork and 10-20 minutes doing movement work. Sessions are 75- 90 minutes in duration.
