Thank you so much for visiting my page to see if what I offer here is a good match for you.   About Me I'm a licensed massage and bodywork therapist located on the edge of Durham and Chapel Hill and have been practicing bodywork for three and a half years. I received my massage and bodywork training from an accredited program at Durham Technical Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. My education and training in philosophy ties in pretty heavily to my approach as a practitioner, especially with consideration to links between eastern and western philosophical thought and how that reflects in the practice of healing. It also inspires my curiosity about how we relate with our bodies and experience consciousness.  Yogic and Daoist philosophy and science in particular have been an interest of mine for a while. I’m learning modalities right now that utilize these principles and ways of understanding the body in conjunction with standard anatomy & physiology knowledge to serve at a greater capacity. Some things I really enjoy about this trade are the experiences of the mechanics while working, the flow state the work inspires, & other subtleties of the practice itself as an art form while also seeing the immediate and lasting effects reflected in people’s well-being in body and mind. It's a privilege to get to work with the body so closely and I plan on practicing and perfecting this craft for a long time, with the aspiration to teach one day as well.  Healing and Bodywork Based on my own experience, study, and from working on others so far, we have a sense that we can always be whole and well, and achieving how we imagine this feels, even if only for moments, inspires peace when it's embodied, and any intervention aimed at improving ones being is because we're cognizant of what this ideal presents and what it could mean for the physical body. At the heart of things, it seems that we want to embody this ideal as much as possible. so the experience of realizing and actualizing your sense of wholeness, while also becoming aware of feelings and ideas of how we can get closer to it, seems to be what healing is. Through alleviating the body of its restrictive aches and pains; excessive tensions, and creating balance even within the subtler anatomy and physiology of our bodies, we invite the experience of healing. The investigation and addressing thereof is mostly simple, sometimes complex, but extremely effective. It's a blend of allowing and assisting the innate wisdom and intelligence the body already has in healing itself with techniques aimed at change through knowledge of its structures and processes. Through working with the body using our attentions and knowledge combined,  we evoke and allow the experience of healing. It involves both our attentions as recipient and practitioner.  Working Together  Lastly, I don't expect anyone to voice or agree with these ideas on healing and bodywork for us to be a good fit or for me to help you with your wellness needs. I just want to paint a clear picture of my approach so you're aware of where I'm coming from and how I work, especially because most of my work is non-verbal with respect to clarifying needs, empowering, or educating. Also, I hope that me sharing this shows what's available as far as depth of experience with receiving bodywork. There’s definitely levels to it, ones that I have yet to even perceive or understand myself, as a practitioner and recipient, so that being said, we can always each other where we are. Regardless of what level of address we jump in at, there’s no pressure to reconfigure or understand anything about the body in a way that doesn’t suit, serve or resonate with you. Your only job, if there is one, is to pay attention to it. I'll most likely give instruction on when to take deep breaths during sessions every now and then, too. I like to mostly keep quiet during sessions so that your attention can be with yourself, and it helps me too as far as where my focus is while working. Your attention being on what you feel yields valuable insight, and the practice of relaxation involves some bit of will, so that kind of focus would help, but if you want to talk, I'm okay with that, too. We just have to be mindful of volume since my workspace also has neighbors.  Anything I'd say would be to help guide, confirm, or enhance the relaxation or healing experience being had with the body. It's really important to me that I don't play too heavy a part in the verbal space while working. It's best that the power lies with you in that, but I'm happy to listen, assist or answer any questions you might have during or after sessions. If I can't give an answer or meet your need, I'll try my best to point you in the right direction.  I look forward to working with you and serving your wellness needs. Reach out if you have any questions!