On a recent trip to Panorama, British Columbia, I had the chance to have a massage at the ski resort's spa, Pure Massage. What a great day that was!!
We were vacationing at the ski resort during their shoulder season, at the end of October, and while the housing was quiet, and no one was on the hill, I was lucky to grab a spot for a massage at Pure Massage. The therapist did not live on site, as I had originally thought, instead, she drove from her home in Wilmer (about 25 minutes away) and was only around for a limited space each day.
When arriving on location at Pure Massage, I awaited for the therapist, Genevieve, who was still in with another client. The entrance area was as would be expected in a ski resort spa. The stone floors and the large use of pine (on the reception desk, walls and shelves) made the area quite cozy and rustic feeling.
After completing a quick health history form, I met Genevieve, my therapist, and was brought into the treatment room. I was surprised at the size of the space.. the table in the middle, and then a side room that had shelves for supplies and a bathroom. Beautifully decorated and warm and inviting. An eclectic mix of easy listening music was playing, which anyone who knows me, is my preference to simple instrumentals. Once we had discussed my needs from the session, I was left to get onto the table, and was also pleased to find that it was warmed with a table warmer.
The session was one of my favorites to date. It has been a long time since I have had a therapist who has created such a great session, with wonderful rhythm and technique, that I am not trying to follow ever move and detail of the massage. I am normally able to recount every technique used, but am at a loss this go round. What I can say, is that I was able to fully relax and found significant release in the tension held in my neck and shoulders (new babies will do that!!). An interesting and enjoyable aspect to the massage was the use of a hot towel after the end of my back and neck massages. It was very relaxing and seemed to complete the session. The hour seemed to last forever, and I wish that I lived closer, so that I could enjoy another session at this spa on a monthly basis.
This experience has redeemed my confidence in the "spa experience" and I would gladly try another session at a spa again.. Congratulations Pure Massage on providing such a great experience, and restoring faith in gifted hands!!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Devine Massage Therapy Student Clinic
Devine Massage Therapy Student Clinic was created as an option for the general public to come and get massages from massage therapy students while being supervised by a registered massage therapist. The main goal for the clinic is to help educate therapists and to gain genuine feedback from the public while having a steady hand of supervision to help them along their practicum. I started the clinic back in February, and with a new group of therapists who have started throughout the summer and into September, I am proud to have received these feedback comments from a couple of clients of the clinic.
Please remember that although the feedback is given by members of the general public, and not a professional therapist, these are genuine thoughts and feelings of our normal clientele, and that makes the feedback even more important.
"Hi Robin,
I just wanted to pass along a little feedback following my massage last Monday, the 17th. During the interview at the beginning, my therapist asked if there was anything in particular I would like worked on. I started by saying "I know you aren't 'treating' things but I have a really sore right side sciatic (sp?) that started the week before." The supervisor was sitting at the table across from me and she immediately spoke up and told the therapist to come and get her when she got to that part of the massage and she would show her some things she could do to help me.
About half way through, my therapists went and got the supervisor and she then demonstrated a couple of techniques on me. I suggested she try them while her supervisor was there and that I didn't mind being a 'learning tool'. She responded well to this impromptu instruction and to my direction of where to move her hands. She was only a couple of inches lower than she needed to be and when I told her to 'move up a little', she found the difference in the tissue tightness and proceeded to massage me the way she had just been shown. This brought quick relief to the discomfort I had been experiencing for the past week and, in fact, I am still pain free there today. When she moved to the other side, she made mention of how different the tissue felt.
I just wanted to let you know that, in my opinion, this student has a solid future in this professional career.
Sincerely,
RG"
"Hi Robin
LC"
Please remember that although the feedback is given by members of the general public, and not a professional therapist, these are genuine thoughts and feelings of our normal clientele, and that makes the feedback even more important.
"Hi Robin,
I just wanted to pass along a little feedback following my massage last Monday, the 17th. During the interview at the beginning, my therapist asked if there was anything in particular I would like worked on. I started by saying "I know you aren't 'treating' things but I have a really sore right side sciatic (sp?) that started the week before." The supervisor was sitting at the table across from me and she immediately spoke up and told the therapist to come and get her when she got to that part of the massage and she would show her some things she could do to help me.
About half way through, my therapists went and got the supervisor and she then demonstrated a couple of techniques on me. I suggested she try them while her supervisor was there and that I didn't mind being a 'learning tool'. She responded well to this impromptu instruction and to my direction of where to move her hands. She was only a couple of inches lower than she needed to be and when I told her to 'move up a little', she found the difference in the tissue tightness and proceeded to massage me the way she had just been shown. This brought quick relief to the discomfort I had been experiencing for the past week and, in fact, I am still pain free there today. When she moved to the other side, she made mention of how different the tissue felt.
I just wanted to let you know that, in my opinion, this student has a solid future in this professional career.
Sincerely,
RG"
"Hi Robin
Just a quick note before I head off to work….my massage today was amazing. My therapist greeted me promptly, cordially and with genuine welcome….you know how much stock I put in that first meeting.
She made
sure I had water and access to the ladies room before we started. She
started exactly on time, gave me ample time to change and get on the
table. Oh yes, before that, she asked me if I had any specific concerns
today or just generally. Told her exactly what I always tell you…shoulders, neck, head….with the addition of a sore left hip. She made sure my health form was complete and signed.
I had a headache when I started today, but it is completely gone now. She did some excellent work on my hip and I
am actually pain free right now. She checked in with me regularly
throughout the massage to make sure I was comfortable and the pressure
was not too deep. It was just perfect…..she has very wise hands. She also made sure to preserve my modesty and made sure all my body
parts were covered except the one she was working on. So professional.
She gave me a heads up when our time was running down as well. That was good timing…….I was just about asleep.
All in all….one of the top three massage therapists I’ve ever been too. I was at the Delta Kananaskis a couple of weekends ago for a girl’s weekend and we opted for a package that gave us some spa credits. I can only say my massage that day was mediocre at best and my experience today far out distanced that experience.
My only teensy, weensy thing is that the room was a little cool and I missed your nice warm massage table.
I’m
on my way out the door, but will look at my schedule for October so that I
can book some more time with this really excellent massage therapist.
“Very friendly and welcoming environment. If you are
looking to relax with a massage or wanting to go a little deeper to work on
those tighter muscles, I would highly recommend booking an appointment with the
Devine Massage Therapy Student Clinic. I found the students I had to be very
professional and knowledgeable. Very good value and an overall great experience
for me; I will definitely be continuing to book my massage with this student
clinic.”
KW
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Adjust Your Health - Variety of Options
I know... it has been quite some time since I last posted a blog.. Well, a blood clot and trying to get massages will do that to you. It definitely puts a cramp on your ability to get massages, let alone, allowing someone who may or may not be as competent as they need to be, to massage your body.
After finding out that I was pregnant with twins around Christmas, I developed a phenomenal blood clot, which made massage a bit of a contraindication.. in the short term. After a couple of months though, it was deemed to be chronic, and I was told by my specialists that a good massage would help my stress levels (from having to close my clinic, just being able to start to walk again, and the impending arrival of my twins.. or as everyone else on the planet says.. the instant family additions!).
For once, I actually agreed with my doctors, and decided to be a bit more picky than in the past, and really chose some therapists that I was truly confident in their abilities.. This led me to Adjust Your Health.
I have known the owners/chiropractors Dr.James MacIntyre and Dr.Neetash Patel since my time at massage school, and have always been very happy with my chiropractic/ART care as a client there. I also did a short stint as a therapist there for about 6 months to help cover a friend's maternity leave.
it is a multi-disciplinary clinic located just south of Chinook Center in Fisher Park, with quite the array of therapists and therapies provided on site. It has been a great starting point for many therapists (especially Massage Therapists) and has been the long term home to a few very talented and, now, busy therapists.
While feeling like I wanted back on the table, but without the nerve to go for a full massage, I had a session with Carla Michaeleski, who is not only a great massage therapist, but is also a gifted CranioSacral therapist. entering her room on a bright February morning, I had the great pleasure of being able to relax fully, while in her confident and extremely competent hands. Up to this point in my blog, I have yet to really talk about CranioSacral Therapy, and that is mostly because I was trying to keep focus on massage. However, after having been treated and having studied this body work technique, I find that it is really essential in maintaining a balanced body and lifestyle. I thoroughly enjoyed my session with Carla, and i highly recommend her... if you can find an available appointment.
After all of this time, my belly had started getting bigger (faster than anticipated - which as everyone you tell this to, will go ahead and repeat the phrase "Well, you do have two in there"... oh right, like I forgot!!), I started wanting to have some myofascial work done, to help with my expanding abdomen. This is when I booked in with Brian Purdy, at Adjust Your Health, who is not only a great massage therapist, but also is one of a handful of fully ART certified therapists, who are also RMTs. Having some great upper and lower back tension as a complaint, Brian started our 1 hour session with a 30 minute ART focus on my abdomen and lower back/pelvic fascia (always a good way to try, and the key word is "try", to prevent stretch marks... plus it feels great and relieves a lot of lower back tension). After this great release, I was able to enjoy a more therapeutic style massage addressing my upper back and shoulders, which, tend to feel the changes to the abdomen almost as quickly as the abdomen. I have always found Brian to be a very confident and well-balanced therapist, which, as we all know, confidence goes a long way, especially when you are in discomfort. I am sure that this is one of the main reasons why it is difficult to get in with Brian as well.. but well worth the wait.
Finally, after a couple of months again, I was able to book in with Kim Hutton, another one of the talented Massage Therapists, who has been with Adjust Your Health for some time. This time... I actually booked a full one hour session for just massage. Apart of an interesting table set up (no fitted sheet), the massage was very good. The ambiance of the room was quiet, calming and the music quite relaxing. I did find the room to a bit cool on the temperature side, however, with the good draping techniques, it was minimized. I felt quite relaxed and like my concerns were addressed throughout the session. Overall, quite impressed and I enjoyed every minute (especially since I was a bit late due to horrific Calgary traffic, and the session was shortened).
As is with all good health-related institutions, things change. Adjust Your Health will be moving, and separating into 2 locations. One, maintaining a close proximity to Chinook Center, and the other, moving further north, to a location around Rocky Ridge. I am eagerly awaiting details on both fronts, as to the line-up of phenomenal therapists to be found at each location, and I know they will both be successful ventures. Prosperity always follows good hands..especially in Massage Therapy!!!
The new south location will be opening as of November 1, 2012, while remaining the main location until the new north location opens, hosting the talents of the practitioners currently on staff. The new north location will be renovated, and open for business for January 1, 2013, with a division of the bodywork practitioners joining at that time.
AYH south location is:
The AYH north location is:
25 Royal Vista Place NW
Calgary AB**
(Suite # yet to be determined)**
www.adjustyourhealth.com
(403) 538-0538
Until new locations open, the current address is:
Suite 195-7330 Fisher St SE Calgary, AB T2H 2H8
After finding out that I was pregnant with twins around Christmas, I developed a phenomenal blood clot, which made massage a bit of a contraindication.. in the short term. After a couple of months though, it was deemed to be chronic, and I was told by my specialists that a good massage would help my stress levels (from having to close my clinic, just being able to start to walk again, and the impending arrival of my twins.. or as everyone else on the planet says.. the instant family additions!).
For once, I actually agreed with my doctors, and decided to be a bit more picky than in the past, and really chose some therapists that I was truly confident in their abilities.. This led me to Adjust Your Health.
I have known the owners/chiropractors Dr.James MacIntyre and Dr.Neetash Patel since my time at massage school, and have always been very happy with my chiropractic/ART care as a client there. I also did a short stint as a therapist there for about 6 months to help cover a friend's maternity leave.
it is a multi-disciplinary clinic located just south of Chinook Center in Fisher Park, with quite the array of therapists and therapies provided on site. It has been a great starting point for many therapists (especially Massage Therapists) and has been the long term home to a few very talented and, now, busy therapists.
While feeling like I wanted back on the table, but without the nerve to go for a full massage, I had a session with Carla Michaeleski, who is not only a great massage therapist, but is also a gifted CranioSacral therapist. entering her room on a bright February morning, I had the great pleasure of being able to relax fully, while in her confident and extremely competent hands. Up to this point in my blog, I have yet to really talk about CranioSacral Therapy, and that is mostly because I was trying to keep focus on massage. However, after having been treated and having studied this body work technique, I find that it is really essential in maintaining a balanced body and lifestyle. I thoroughly enjoyed my session with Carla, and i highly recommend her... if you can find an available appointment.
After all of this time, my belly had started getting bigger (faster than anticipated - which as everyone you tell this to, will go ahead and repeat the phrase "Well, you do have two in there"... oh right, like I forgot!!), I started wanting to have some myofascial work done, to help with my expanding abdomen. This is when I booked in with Brian Purdy, at Adjust Your Health, who is not only a great massage therapist, but also is one of a handful of fully ART certified therapists, who are also RMTs. Having some great upper and lower back tension as a complaint, Brian started our 1 hour session with a 30 minute ART focus on my abdomen and lower back/pelvic fascia (always a good way to try, and the key word is "try", to prevent stretch marks... plus it feels great and relieves a lot of lower back tension). After this great release, I was able to enjoy a more therapeutic style massage addressing my upper back and shoulders, which, tend to feel the changes to the abdomen almost as quickly as the abdomen. I have always found Brian to be a very confident and well-balanced therapist, which, as we all know, confidence goes a long way, especially when you are in discomfort. I am sure that this is one of the main reasons why it is difficult to get in with Brian as well.. but well worth the wait.
Finally, after a couple of months again, I was able to book in with Kim Hutton, another one of the talented Massage Therapists, who has been with Adjust Your Health for some time. This time... I actually booked a full one hour session for just massage. Apart of an interesting table set up (no fitted sheet), the massage was very good. The ambiance of the room was quiet, calming and the music quite relaxing. I did find the room to a bit cool on the temperature side, however, with the good draping techniques, it was minimized. I felt quite relaxed and like my concerns were addressed throughout the session. Overall, quite impressed and I enjoyed every minute (especially since I was a bit late due to horrific Calgary traffic, and the session was shortened).
As is with all good health-related institutions, things change. Adjust Your Health will be moving, and separating into 2 locations. One, maintaining a close proximity to Chinook Center, and the other, moving further north, to a location around Rocky Ridge. I am eagerly awaiting details on both fronts, as to the line-up of phenomenal therapists to be found at each location, and I know they will both be successful ventures. Prosperity always follows good hands..especially in Massage Therapy!!!
The new south location will be opening as of November 1, 2012, while remaining the main location until the new north location opens, hosting the talents of the practitioners currently on staff. The new north location will be renovated, and open for business for January 1, 2013, with a division of the bodywork practitioners joining at that time.
AYH south location is:
#214, 5809 Macleod Trail SE
Calgary AB T2H 0J9
The AYH north location is:
25 Royal Vista Place NW
Calgary AB**
(Suite # yet to be determined)**
www.adjustyourhealth.com
(403) 538-0538
Until new locations open, the current address is:
Suite 195-7330 Fisher St SE Calgary, AB T2H 2H8
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)