The following is a brief description of the methods Lisa practices.
ANMA
Anma is a traditional Japanese bodywork technique, one of the oldest forms of Asian massage. The goals of Anma are to stimulate the organs, maintain physical functioning, promote energy (qi), and analyze tensions in the body.
Most massage sessions at Revolution Bodywork begin with Anma. A two-handed pressure is applied and you begin to feel a slight rocking of your body. No oil or lotion is used. You may feel like a ball of dough as you begin to experience the gentle “push-pull” motion of the kneading (Ju Netsu Ho) and percussion techniques (Ko Da Ho and Kyoku Te Ho).
To see where deeper tightness occurs, a transition is made from light to deep tissue pressure, and basic stretching may be performed. At this time, you will be asked to give feedback about what you are experiencing with this massage method. Your Anma session is followed by a customized combination of the following techniques.
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
Deep Tissue Massage is a method of therapy that focuses work on all layers of muscles, connective and fibrous tissues, and joints. The primary goal of Deep Tissue Massage is to increase mobility, which can alleviate severe tension and chronic pain.
Lisa will employ joint movements to sink further into the muscle and tissues, and to sense which deeper muscles are restricting ranges of motion. She may ask you about what sensations you are having and if the pressure level is comfortable. Clients are encouraged to give continual feedback during Deep Tissue sessions.
Please note: Deep Tissue massage is different from a Deep Pressure Massage. Deep Tissue focuses on a select muscle group or area of the body. Deep Pressure is a full body massage with the expectation of a very strong pressure throughout the session and entire body. Lisa does not practice Deep Pressure massage.
Deep Tissue is combined with Swedish. See below.
SHIATSU
Shiatsu is Japanese for “finger pressure” and is recognized as one of the oldest forms of Asian massage therapy. The goals of Shiatsu are to open the invisible channels of energy and promote a greater sense of wellbeing by manual manipulation. Shiatsu also provides the practitioner with more information about deep physical restrictions.
There are numerous schools of Shiatsu. Lisa specializes in Namikoshi - a Japanese technique based on the teachings of Tokujiro Namikoshi and Traditional Chinese Shiatsu – practiced on a floor mat.
Clients may choose to have Shiatsu only or a combination of Shiatsu and other therapies. If you choose to have Shiatsu only, please wear loose clothing. If you prefer Shiatsu combined with other methods, you will be asked to undress to your comfort level, and covered with a sheet for the duration of your session.
Namikoshi focuses on points throughout the body, with an emphasis on those located in the hip and gluteal (buttocks) regions. Practitioners use their thumbs, fingertips and elbows. Opening the points greatly increases energy, blood flow, and ranges of motion. Lisa Gardner is one of a few Namikoshi Shiatsu practitioners in the Bay Area.
Traditional Chinese Shiatsu practitioners use their palms, elbows, forearms, and feet. This method takes place on a Shiatsu mat on the floor or table. Clients are asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing for these sessions. During your session, Lisa works toward creating a balance between the left and right, and upper and lower body. When pressure is placed on a client, energy is redistributed into the body stimulating the invisible Yin and Yang channels. At times, a client may receive 50-75 pounds of pressure just from the palm of Lisa’s hand.
Due to the depth of stimulation experienced with Shiatsu, it is recommended that clients drink water before and after their sessions.
SWEDISH
Swedish Massage is a Western therapy that includes five basic strokes that manually push the blood toward the heart and stimulates the lymph system. The strokes are:
- Effleurage – a long, smooth, and continuous gliding over larger areas of skin, like the back.
- Petrissage – a wringing and squeezing motion of soft tissues, usually the legs and arms.
- Tapotement – tapping or pounding of large muscle groups, like the hamstrings and quads.
- Vibration – small, quivering movement in a select area, for example the stomach.
- Friction – heating the skin by quick movement of the practitioner’s hands on your body.
Lisa often uses Swedish massage as a conclusion to a Shiatsu or Deep Tissue session, for these techniques can be experienced as intense, and Swedish massage can be soothing.
The client may choose either a full session of Swedish or a combination with deeper therapies which concludes with the Swedish Massage. A full Swedish session is ideal for someone whose goal is relaxation. A combination of Shiatsu and Deep Tissue, combined with Swedish Massage, will provide deep healing, followed by a soothing experience.
With either choice, there will be a brief intake. You will be asked to undress to your comfort level, and lie face down on the massage table between the sheets. Lisa begins allSwedish techniques by working on your feet first and proceeding upwards, using a variation of the 5 basic Swedish strokes customized for you.
A Full Swedish session ends with a brief face massage, and if you prefer, a stomach massage as well.