About Me

I started my obsession with human physical and energetic anatomy when I was 23 and started taking a yoga class.  What a life changer!  I became a yoga instructor by 27 and moved from my home state of Virginia to Austin, Texas.  Here, I decided to take my service to people and there bodies to the next level by completing the 550 hour training at Lauter-Stein Conway Massage School.  In 2003, I got my massage license and began practicing full time.  I started out working for chiropractors as well as supporting a General Family MD practice.  I even spent a couple years doing relaxing spa massage and body treatments which I found fascinating. All these early experiences connected me to amazing people both other LMTs, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists and clients. The honor to witness so many deeply healing moments is humbling. 

After several years and many different work environments and modalities explored, I found that I loved and naturally gravitated toward myofascial release.  This approach to supporting the human body incorporates longer, slower manual techniques and less lotion/oil.  It is very effective at finding and helping the core issue of an injury or postural challenge while simultaneously encouraging deep relaxation (though there can be intense moments).  My love of myofascial work led me to study Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening (AIS) with Aaron Mattes in Florida.  This is another approach to myofascial release that uses ones own movements to release restrictions.  It differs greatly from the slow movements of manual myofascial release as AIS has the person moving in precise vectors quickly and repeatedly to both open restrictions and balance strength simultaneously in a joint. It is a much more active session for both the stretcher and the guide. I was hooked!  I love both approaches to myofascial work and find that combining them works very well indeed.  

From 2014 to 2020 I had both a private practice and worked at a massage clinic offering both massage and assisted stretching sessions.  Like so many others, the 2020 pandemic completely rocked my world.  I left Austin to move in with my father in the Shenandoah Valley Virginia since touching people seemed less safe.  Once I adjusted to a post-Corona19 world, I realized how much I missed working with people to help them find more physical comfort and perhaps open their view of wellness to something bigger and more personalized to their unique needs and experiences.  This is how I've come to join Kara Good McDonald at Woodstock Massage.   Book a wellness session for a massage and/or an assisted stretching session to support your flexibility :)