“When the body is experienced from within, body and mind are not separated but are experienced as a whole.” Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen
Embodi Massage Therapy
When we rest deeply in capable hands, muscle and connective tissues become receptive, more easily able to release to optimal length, and healing begins. As a culture we are swamped with stimuli, over-scheduled, and longing for rest and connection. Experiencing structural integration or massage therapy can reset the body's tension level, bringing us into the relief of equilibrium. In this work, Susan feels that she is leading clients back home.
"We forget sometimes that our bodies have an innate ability to heal. Embodi technique seeks to bring this ability to the surface, through quiet attention when it is more available to tap into. Using that natural ability, in combination with advanced massage therapy and bodywork techniques to lengthen and release tight tissues, pain naturally diminishes and freedom of movement is restored." -Susan Carbin-Hardee, MA
The more we are aware of our physical responses to the demands and struggles in life, the more we are empowered to make shifts on the cellular level where permanent, balancing change takes place.
The Embodi approach is to first seek to establish a feeling of safety for clients which creates an excellent environment for relaxation and openness. We begin with a thorough intake conversation to clarify problem areas and outcome goals. Our work may take many forms including posture analysis, deep-tissue technique, positional release, passive and active stretching, trigger point pressure, visualization and Gestalt dialogue, fascia/connective tissue structural bodywork, or hot stone massage. The objective is to customize the session to the individual’s needs, resulting in an outcome of much greater freedom of movement with less pain and a deepened awareness.
“There really is no capturing Susan’s skill in words. She understands the body and mind connection, and that it all revolves around the soul. What she really does is teach you how to heal yourself: body, mind, and soul. Her work is done with integrity and laughter. Susan’s demonstration of genuine caring for me has engendered my deep trust, sustained over time.
I am grateful for her…”
Rates
Massage Therapy
With check or cash payment:
One Hour $95.00
Ninety minutes $145.00
Two Hours $190.00
Hybrid SI/massage sessions add $30.00
Add 3% for credit card transactions.
Policies
Cancellations
24 hour notice required for cancellations.
Full fee charged for late cancellations & missed appointments. Emergencies excepted.
Specialty Techniques
Positional Release
Positional release works as a perfect stand-alone treatment or as a supplement to massage. A highly effective and non-invasive technique, it helps reduce pain and restore function to muscles, bones, and joints. In positional release the client is placed in the most comfortable position, which resets the sensors in the musculature and joints known as the proprioceptors. Typically a proprioceptor spontaneous release happens within thirty seconds, and the musculoskeletal system returns to a healthier state, eliminating pain and allowing joints to move back to dynamic balance.
Muscle Energy Technique
Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a form of manual therapy which uses a muscle’s own energy in the form of gentle isometric contractions to relax and lengthen the muscle. As compared to static stretching, which is a passive technique where the therapist does all the work, MET is an active technique in which client becomes an active participant, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the outcome for long-lasting change.
Pain Management
After completing a Masters degree in psychology Susan worked on a chronic pain unit in a medical rehabilitation hospital for several years where she counseled and taught hundreds of patients how to manage pain through self-help skills and somatic awareness as an alternative to pain medications. Now she uses these same approaches in her Embodi massage therapy and in classes. Active engagement in activities such as breath work, meditation, movement and visualization are very effective in shifting perception, thus leading to a renewed feeling of wellness and control.
