One of the most commonly taught and well-known massage techniques, Swedish massage is a vigorous system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. Five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. The disrobed client is covered by a sheet, with only the area being worked on exposed. Therapists use a combination of kneading, rolling, vibrational, percussive, and tapping movements, with the application of oil, to reduce friction on the skin. The many benefits of Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, dissolution of scar tissue adhesions, and improved circulation, which may speed healing and reduce swelling from injury.
Swedish Massage
Aaron Drake
Aaron is a graduate of Cypress Health Institute in Santa Cruz. Aaron specializes in Deep tissue, and is trained in a multiple of modalities, including Swedish, Cranial Sacral, Polarity, Reflexology and Structural Integration. Aaron enjoys the symbiotic relationship with his clients. He loves to help people feel more comfortable in their bodies, because it makes him feel better too. In his free time, Aaron enjoys playing percussion, juggling, and performing puppet shows for children.
Alisa Gonzalez
Alisa is a Certified Massage Therapist and a graduate of Cypress Health Institute. She has been practicing the art of healing touch and massage since childhood and has made it her life-long passion. Her approach to bodywork is of a healing and creative nature and carries a strong connection to energy work. She has been trained in Swedish, Effleurage, Acupressure, Reflexology, Polarity, Hot Stone and Prenatal Massage. Her quest to learn more healing and massage techniques will facilitate her expansion of knowledge and her desire to help others. Alisa’s intuitive touch creates a safe space and allows clients to feel comfortable, relaxed and supported during the session.
Outside of massage, Alisa has a love for making mandala art and a passion for photography as well as making other forms of art. Her meditation and spiritual work has helped her become mindful, grounded and further in touch with body awareness and sensitivity. Her love of yoga and sound healing also helps her to stay connected to healing energies and vibrations.
Amanda Scecsei
I have been a massage therapist since 2005. In my massage, I use a mixture of various modalities including Swedish, Myofascial Release, Lomi Lomi and Foot Reflexology.
Massage is a wonderful way to balance out the stress in our lives, which allows our nervous system to relax, our minds to let go, and our bodies to settle into the breath. Each person’s body has the innate intelligence to heal itself. A massage is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself.
Amy Katz
Amy values listening to the wisdom of the body to return to a natural state of ease. She practices Swedish Massage, Reflexology, Biodynamic Craniosacral, and Barefoot Deep Tissue/Sports Massage. Amy received her training at the Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute, in 2008.
Annamaria Russo
Trained locally at Cypress Institute and at Esalen in Big Sur, I have been practicing massage since 2007. Specializing in Deep tissue, Swedish and Esalen style deep body work. It is my goal to create a safe space for relaxation, stress reduction, and healing on a deeper level.
Bri Weise
Bri was trained in Swedish, Polarity, Craniosacral, and Esalen Massage.
Cecily Heath
To Cecily, massage is an artful expression that blends her passion for holistic living and her curiosity of the human body. She has been a Certified Massage Therapist since 2010, after graduating from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy. Her love for massage developed much earlier, however. Growing up with massage professionals in her family, she understood the benefits of massage early on and was drawn to the profession.
Cecily has over 1000 hours of training and still counting. She has been trained in Zen Shiatsu, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Prenatal, and Trigger Point Therapy. Cecily’s technique creatively blends these modalities into one fluid and effective treatment. With a focus on promoting anatomical balance and engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, to encourage a sense of wholeness and well-being in her clients.
Cecily encourages open communication to ensure that her client’s expectations are met, and often exceeded. At your appointment you can expect her to see you as a unique individual and to personalize the session to meet your specific needs and preferences. You can also expect her to actively listen to your insights about your body. With each session, her intention is to bring awareness to tension patterns and stagnant areas so that change can occur. It is her firm belief that when we are aware of what is happening within our bodies, we bring a greater sense of awareness into the world around us.
Cecily looks forward to working with you to create greater balance and well-being in your body and your life