- Frequently Asked Questions -

1. What is the Myofascia?

   The Myofascia is a connective tissue covering our whole body from head to toe. It’s a gelatinous and film-like layer which holds our body together like a web, and gives it its form. Not only does it cover our muscular system but it penetrates across muscles, all the way to enclose our organs and bones. It separates and binds the different structures comprising our body, including nerves. Thanks to the myofascia, every part of our body is connected to any other part, so it allows the body to function as a whole. The most immediate reason why it exists is so that the different tissues can avoid rubbing against each other during movement. The myofascia is also the one place where we physically store memories, emotions and trauma, regardless of how big or small, and it therefore is an energetic blueprint of who we are.

   At its healthiest, the myofascia is supple, flexible, continuous, and even in thickness. However it can deteriorate or stiffen locally with age, bad posture, physical or emotional trauma. This may cause pain and inflexibility of the body, therefore limiting range of motion. For this reason it is vital to keep the myofascia healthy by drinking a good amount of water every day, keeping active, stretching and massaging regularly.

2. What does a Myofascial Release treatment feel like?

A Myofascial Release treatment starts with gentle touch in order for the practitioner to get a sense of the state of the fascia, and establish the main areas of focus for the treatment. Pressure then gradually increases throughout the session, with the intention to lengthen, release and relax the fascia and ‘mould’ it back to its more natural state.

The client’s preference of pressure levels is communicated at the beginning of the treatment. At times, the practitioner may use their own judgment depending on the requirements of the area being treated. Active breathing is encouraged to complement manual manipulation and release tension. However, pressure should never be beyond tolerance, so it is important to give feedback to the practitioner during treatment.

3. What should I do before and after the treatment?

Keeping a good level of hydration is essential, especially for a healthy fascia, which is made of 70% water.

For optimal results, aim to be well hydrated on the day of the treatment. Avoid coffee, alcohol and other stimulants which dehydrate the body and destabilise the mind.

The treatments move a lot of fluids within the body and will prompt toxin elimination. So it is important to drink more than you usually would after the treatment. Also, try to avoid over-stimulating environments and foods, take time for yourself, journaling, taking a warm bath or simply cooking a nourishing meal. Your body will tell you what it needs: just listen to it.

4. What is Bodywork? And how is it different from Massage?

Massage is a form of bodywork, not vice versa. The main goal of massage is temporary relaxation of the body through tissue manipulation by the practitioner, with relatively little to no participation by the client.

On the other hand, bodywork’s aim is alignment of body, mind and spirit. And because the word ‘spirit’ may inevitably trigger some eye rolling, let’s clarify further:

A bodyworker looks at the body holistically, as a physical manifestation of where a person is in life, as well as their state of mind at present. Ever heard of someone getting unwell for being unhappy with their job or their relationships? Or someone’s psychosomatic back pains due to high stress levels? It is scientifically proven that one’s mental state influences the body, and in the same way, one’s physical state also influences the mind: it’s a constant feedback loop which works both ways.

The body is the outermost layer of a very complex system of processes that makes up who we are; it’s one element of three, the other two being our mind and our spirit.

Most people have a grasp on what the mind does, but with spirit… it is so far from being tangible that some doubt its existence, while those who don’t, sometimes struggle to define it.

The Oxford Dictionary describes it as “the non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul”. And if we go with that, it’s something we all experience in our everyday life.

A bodyworker uses tissue manipulation in conjunction with the client’s active and mindful breathing. Breath is an essential part of bodywork because it’s life’s ‘sine qua non’, and as such, if used correctly can be the most powerful form of medicine. The client’s breathing is usually mirrored by the practitioner, to sync into a common state and therefore increase the potency of the session. This is the reason why this kind of work is sometimes referred to as shamanic.

5. What is your cancellation policy?

When you book your appointment, you are holding a space on the calendar that is no longer available to other clients. Unexpected changes to our schedule can occur, so to allow others to book the slot you can no longer commit to, 24h notice is required to reschedule or cancel a booking.

Credit Card details are required to hold your booking. Should you fail to cancel with 24h notice, you will incur a 50% cancellation fee. With 8h notice, 100% of the appointment fee will be charged with no exceptions.