Healing Energy & Body Works, Signature Blend of Techniques

1. Solution-oriented, fully-customized session

Each and every session is personalized for the optimal effectiveness.

2. Effective Modalities & Tools

We believe in investing in tools, products and materials that help raise our service above the norm.

3. Signature Blend of Techniques

Our Signature Blend of Techniques, combining Cupping, Geo-thermal (hot & cold stone), Myofascial & Cranial sacral work techniques, Stretching and Structural Integration techniques, is developed by Sakura for deep relaxation with immediate, noticeable and lasting results (without pain!!).

Fully-customized in every massage/bodywork session. Our Signature Blend of Techniques takes advantage of body's mechanisms in delivering relaxation and reducing pain. Effective combination will be selected for each client. By the end of a session, you will notice that the pain that was prominent prior to the session has significantly reduced and that the range of motion has noticeably increased.

Cupping therapy
Cupping uses the negative pressure to loosen muscles, to encourage blood flow and lymph flow, to sedate the nervous systems, and to engage the endocrine system to release anti-stress hormones into the blood stream. The pulling sensation creates an amusing combination of stimulation and sedation. Our therapy may be conducted (if our client so desires) in such a way that much can be achieved without leaving dark purple marks on client's skin, for which cupping is traditionally known. Of course, we offer stationary cupping to those who wish to receive traditional cupping techniques. We use a variety of cupping cups including, facial cupping cups, magnetic cups, plastic cups, glass cups, silicone cups, and the VacuTherapy machine. More about cupping therapy, click links here: International Cupping Therapy Association and MassageCupping.com.

An article by one of my teachers, Anita Shannon of AceCupping (Massage Magazine June 29, 2017)

Geo-thermal therapy

Heat from basalt stones warms up therapist's hands and lotion, which brings client's body a deep relaxation. The pressure may be deep, medium or light, depending on client's needs
and preferences. Marble stones are pleasantly cool to touch and relaxes your nerves. Use of heat and cold stones helps increase circulation, decrease tension & tissue stiffness, relax muscles, improve range of motion, increase metabolism, and it balances the autonomic nervous system.
Click Link for LaStone Therapy®, which is the foundation of our Geo-thermal therapy.
Myofascial work
By applying gentle, sustained pressure, we work on tightness in muscles to regain elasticity and resilience of the target tissue. The rhythmical & gradual application of pressure is known to calm down the sympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the entire body. More about John F. Barnes' Myofascial Release approach.
Note: Facial tension may also be effectively addressed by a variety of other techniques, such as LaStone Therapy, Cupping Therapy, Rapid Release Therapy, Microcurrent Point Stimulation Therapy, Advanced Myofascial Techniques, Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, some of which we may incorporate into your session.

Cranial Sacral Therapy
Cranial Sacral Therapy is a gentle technique that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. Using a soft touch, Sakura releases restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system. CST is said to be effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.
About CranioSacral Therapy, see Upledger Institute.
Structural Integration-inspired Bodywork (Structural Bodywork)
Under this heading are techniques that were developed by practitioners trained under or influenced by Rolf Institute of Structural Integration®. These techniques often involve active participation of our clients and sometimes involve some level of discomfort. They provide recipients with significant and lasting pain relief.

- Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques™ is developed by Rolfer and osteopath,
Erik Dalton, Ph.D.

- Advanced Myofascial Techniques® is developed by Til Luchau,
Certified Advanced Rolfer and Director of Advanced-Trainings.com.

Photo from Erik Dalton's 2018 Oklahoma City Workshop with Erik (right) and Til Luchau (left)

- Adaptive Bodywork is developed by Ron Arbel, a Board Certified Structural Integrator, and John Southerland. It stems from Rolfing® and Rossiter System®.

Note: Sakura is not a "Rolfer," but she continues to study under several instructors who have studied and/or teach Rolfing®.

Orthopedic Massage
Sakura is a certified therapist of Orthopedic Massage (aka Integrated Manual Therapy) developed by James Waslaski, an elite sports massage therapist and a leading expert on sports injuries, chronic pain, and complicated orthopedic conditions.
Deep Tissue Massage & Bodywork
Combining techniques from Thai massage, Shiatsu (Japanese massage) and Yoga stretches. You will find the slow & rhythmic, deep & sustained pressure with fascial stretching, which is inspired by Art Rigg's Integrated Deep Tissue Massage, extremely helpful & comforting. Elite athletes and those who love deep pressure will find this approach rather satisfying.
Active Isolated Stretching & Strengthening (AIS)
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is developed by Aaron Mattes, who has taught these techniques to doctors, therapists, trainers, and athletes for over 45 years. AIS technique involves the method of holding each stretch for only two seconds, and it works with the body's natural physiological makeup to improve circulation and increase the elasticity of muscle joints and fascia. AIS Strength Training is exercises to strengthen the muscle tissues and help them to heal from injury and to prevent problems in the future. Most importantly, these stretches feel so good!