About Joe
‘Tension is who you think you should be.
Relaxation is who you are.’
So much of my work and values comes down to this Chinese proverb. When we are able to relax, we can fully be ourselves.
Return to who you are by creating space to relax
There is more to life
I don’t have a ‘typical’ client; everyone is welcome just as they are. What tends to unite them all, though, is a nagging sense that there is more to life than this. Whether they are frazzled by working all hours, or by relentless demands of parenting/caring, or struggling to cope with pain or fatigue, or just feeling generally overwhelmed … they know they need something and someone to support their well-being, so they can begin to feel more like themselves.
And that’s where I come in.
When I work with you it’s also not just about the massage, the yoga, or the sound bath. It’s about you booking the time for yourself which for many clients can be a big deal as they are stepping forward and putting themselves first. You can’t give from an empty cup! And clients begin to understand that you can only care for others if you care for yourself.
Gently, over time with repetition, the body and mind heal, and you recharge, nourish, and find balance. Relaxation is a powerful tool for transformation as it helps to create a sense of space, a loosening for new possibilities. And you take that with you. And, so, things begin to change. There is scope for more.
My Story
Coming home to me
In 2005 I’d been in Retail Management for over thirteen years. For much of that time I suffered from what I now know as the negative effects of stress. I had muscular pain and discomfort, found it difficult to fall asleep, and then wake up in the early hours with work thoughts in my head, I couldn’t turn off my racing mind. My eating and digestion were erratic, I was susceptible to catching colds and on my days off I was often too exhausted to do anything and usually collapsed on the sofa.
I couldn’t carry on like this, but I didn’t know how to change. I wanted a quick fix. I saw an advert for a massage, and booked one, thinking at the very least it would be a relaxing hour. Pretty soon this became my lifeline. It provided me with a safe place where I could go to and hand myself over to be calmed, soothed or invigorated – whatever it was that my body, mind or spirit needed on that day.
Over time, with regular Massage treatments I became more ‘in tune’ with myself and gradually I began to make small changes to improve my sense of well-being and my lifestyle. My regular fix of therapeutic touch helped me realise that I had options: living like I had been didn’t simply have to be ‘how life is’. I felt renewed and more like me.
And, from there, the changes snowballed. I left the world of retail and trained in the therapeutic practices that had helped me so much. And now, I provide massage, yoga, somatics, and sound therapies to help you to relax into yourself, to come back home at a deep foundational level.
Because when we relax, we see who we are.
My Training
Everything is connected
After starting out as a holistic massage therapist, I have gone on and trained extensively in a variety of massage styles, including holistic, therapeutic Thai, pregnancy, cancer care, adapting massage for fibromyalgia, Indian head massage and no hands massage. (Don’t worry, I can help you decide what style of massage is right for you when you book!).
So much of what massage offers is complemented by the ease and relaxation Scaravelli-inspired yoga and somatics brings. I love how yoga combines breath work, mindfulness, meditation and physical postures to strengthen and support our whole being. I am also a Certified Prajna SATYA Teacher. SATYA (Sensory Awareness for Yoga Attunement), created by Tias Little, is Prajna Yoga’s “Yin” style movement practice which guides students away from “doing” movement and toward sensing, feeling, and “being” movement.
And sound work is a third complementary strand. Using the voice and a deep guided relaxation technique called Yoga Nidra aka yogic sleep, saying mantras or phrases to calm the mind down, or playing a variety of instruments to create a sound bath which is like a sonic massage: the deep, soothing vibrations slow your brain wave state down and relax your whole nervous system leaving you soothed at a deep level. A sound bath can often be the easiest way to reach an altered state of consciousness akin to meditation!
Touch. Movement. Sound. Three gateways to the same thing. A sense of ease, space and relaxation that brings you back to yourself.
Get into active rest
The transformative concept of ‘active rest’ runs through everything I offer. Both in your sessions with me and back in the hubbub of your home and work, I can support you to get in touch with a feeling of ease and relaxation. How we do that is up to you:
Movement
Yoga and somatic movement to unite your body and mind.
Sound
Sonic massage to calm your brain body. Meditation made easy!
Touch
Bespoke, therapeutic massage to soothe, heal or invigorate.
Retreats
Time away from home and work to explore, nourish and transform.
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Loyalty Membership Scheme
Priority, discounted access to all therapeutic services
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