What did you do before becoming a massage therapist, and what inspired you to pursue this?
Over the years, through psychotherapy, I observed the connection between the mind and body, and studying this became somewhat of an obsession. I’ve always been fascinated by how one always affects the other, and over time, I learned to use this connection to help myself. However, most often, I was looking for a way to relieve the body first (so there would be more capacity to work with the real issue, which is often not physical at all). That’s when I first thought about whether working with the body could be “what I want to be when I grow up.” I wasn’t sure if the inspiration was related to my current state, so I decided to take a massage course—a short and financially achievable undertaking—to see if this was really what I wanted. Well, obviously, it was, but to be honest, massages are just a stop along the way.
What are the main benefits of a classic massage, and how can it help alleviate stress?
Classic massage improves blood circulation and lymph flow, stimulates metabolism, and has an overall positive effect on the organs of the human body. Stress is usually reflected in the body, so muscle relaxation would certainly contribute to alleviating it.
What’s the difference between classic and relaxing massages? When would you recommend one over the other?
Classic massage focuses more on the body. Relaxing massage aims for complete physical and mental relaxation, involving gentle music, dim lighting, scented candles, and it involves no pain or tension, with softer, smoother techniques. If we’re talking about someone gentler and not physically active who wants to relax and quiet their senses, I would recommend a relaxing massage. However, if stress is building up in the body and causing muscle tension or stiffness, classic massage would be more suitable.
What does a typical Reiki session include, and what are the main benefits of this technique?
Reiki can be used with a healing effect on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. Sessions could help you release stress, tension, and negative emotions, enhance clarity of mind and memory, improve overall health and tone, provide deep relaxation, reduce pain, and restore the mind-body-spirit connection. The usual procedure involves the whole body, but Reiki can also be focused on specific problem areas.
Are there specific techniques you use during a massage to improve circulation or alleviate muscle tension?
Of course, to alleviate muscle tension, for example, work is done deeply and concentrically, targeting specific problem areas and treating the corresponding muscles slowly and thoroughly.
How often would you recommend a massage for maintaining optimal health and well-being?
It’s impossible to give a general recommendation because the need depends on the client’s condition and specific issues.
How do you approach clients with chronic pain or specific health conditions? Can Reiki help in such cases?
If chronic pain is not due to a more serious disease but caused by stress or stiffness, we can work deeper, focus on the problematic areas, use Reiki, and provide appropriate therapy. However, if we’re talking about more serious health conditions, I always recommend referring clients to colleagues who are physiotherapists, as I’m not one yet, and I believe they would be significantly more helpful.
Do you use any special oils or scents during a massage, and how do they contribute to relaxation?
Currently, I don’t use them, but aromatherapy massages are part of my plans for the future because of their proven benefits for high stress levels, inflammation, and issues with the autonomic nervous system.
What are your tips for maintaining the effects of massage and Reiki therapy in everyday life?
Work on yourself and prioritize your mental and physical health above all else in life! All these alternative and conventional methods and therapies are by no means the answer to problems like stress, great tension, or overwork. They are simply supportive tools, instruments that we can integrate into a more comprehensive process of working through fears, complexes, ancestral programs, societal pressures, and countless other reasons for our tendency not to take care of ourselves. Massages can truly help you only if you participate too. This applies to all therapies.
Why did you choose BalanSense studio as the place to practice?
The studio stands by its values, maintains a high standard for its clients, and creates wonderful conditions for its employees. It’s important to me that where I work, there is a focus on the quality of the services provided, active feedback collection, and a constant pursuit of improvement. I found this in BalanSense studio not only in the massage room but in every other service offered! It’s a sanctuary for both the spirit and the body.
