Bodywork

"As a fellow practitioner I find Kristen to be the perfect balance of confidence, intuition, and passion. I feel safe and taken care of under her touch and would encourage anyone to seek Kristen out as their massage therapist." Danielle L., Gig Harbor, WA

Swedish massage is perfect for maintaining and improving overall health and wellness. Swedish strokes smooth away tension, improve circulation, soothe aching muscles, and relieve physical and emotional stress. I use a variety of strokes for an individualized massage that will revitalize, restore and rebalance your body-mind-spirit connection.

Deep tissue is used primarily to encourage optimum function of the body’s connective tissue and/or muscles that may have become adhered or hypertonic. My approach is non-invasive, yet deeply focused. I use sensitivity and compassion to invite the body to release into the deeper layers of the body’s tissues and muscles. Because I work with the muscle fibers rather than against them, deep tissue massage can have a profound effect on the body’s own healing process.

"I am so grateful for the services offered by Kristen Rubis.  In particular, her pregnancy massage has helped me tremendously during my pregnancy.  Her amazingly intuitive touch and extensive knowledge and experience in working with women during pregnancy and childbirth lend to a nurturing, therapeutic and refreshing massage.  Specifically, her massage helped alleviate my lower back discomfort and relieved tension in my hips, thighs and calves.  I would recommend prenatal massage with Kristen to any woman during this special time--she offers something truly special to your childbearing experience. Allison I.

While honoring the mother-to-be, this specialized massage helps develop sensory awareness and relaxation necessary for the birth experience and this sacred time. Pregnancy massage can alleviate stress on weight bearing joints and increase blood and lymph flow, reducing edema. My intent is to create sacred space and bring balance, comfort and total relaxation to the body, mind and spirit for all stages of pregnancy. I individualize each session to address the needs of the expectant mother in the present moment, emphasizing the connection between mother and baby. Specialized bolsters and pillows are used for maximum comfort and release. When a womyn’s maternity experience is enhanced with compassion and nurturance their babies’ births are enhanced as well. I can also provide information on exercises and activities for stress-reduction and pain relief for labor and the postpartum period.

Massage during labor helps reduce anxiety, relieves muscle tension and other soft-tissue discomforts. This massage provides relaxation which can lead to a shorter, less painful birth experience. My supportive touch during labor helps diminish pain and may eliminate the need for medical intervention and medication. I also offer labor massage instruction to prepare and empower partners and other loved ones to offer nurturing touch to the mother in labor.

Postpartum massage focuses on the restoration and structural alignment of organs, muscles and tissues. This is an opportunity to gently return the body to its pre-pregnancy state, to alleviate pain, and to bring about a renewed sense of body and self. Specifically, my approach restores functional muscles used in the lumbar spine area and strengthens and tones the abdominal muscles stretched during pregnancy. After childbirth, many womyn have an intrinsic need to recount the details of their birthing experience. My massage may help release any emotional or psychosomatic experiences that she may have encountered during her pregnancy, labor or birth, easing the journey into motherhood. Postpartum massage can promote recovery from cesarean birth, including healing of an incision.

I offer specialized massage to bring unconditional love and healing energy to the body, mind and spirit of a womyn who may be living with or recovering from cancer treatment. The benefits of massage during chemotherapy can aide in relieving nausea, vomiting or fatigue, while addressing emotional discomforts such as anxiety, depression, loneliness or grief. Specific techniques may be used for the healing process of an incision or any psychosomatic experiences from her journey through cancer. Whether healing from a previous surgery, working through chemotherapy, needing guidance to reconnect with the body in an affectionate way, or preparing to let go and release that which no longer serves the body, my intent is to create sacred space and to invite balance, harmony and limitless love to the whole body system. Massage, acutonics, Reiki and aromatherapy may be used during the healing session.

Reflexology restores the flow of energy (chi) in the meridian system of the body, restoring the bodies own healing powers to their natural state. I follow the principle that there are reflex areas and meridians in the feet that correspond to all of our glands, organs and all parts of the body. Using specific pressure points, mainly on the feet, I apply firm pressure to release blockages and stagnation in the body, inviting the body towards homeostasis. This improves circulation, eases pain, increases relaxation and restores energy flow through the entire system. Pressure is applied with fingers as well as tuning forks.

Shiatsu is a living tradition of Japanese folk medicine based on the ancient Oriental principles of chi energy and Yin/Yang balance. Literally translated, Shiatsu means “finger pressure.” It is the most widely known form of acupressure that also combines rhythmic stretching along energy channels to stimulate chi or vital energy. I apply pressure to specific points in a particular sequence with fingers or tuning forks to allow the whole body to release and let go.

"Kristen inquires what you need with careful questions and sensitivity. I always left her table with a feeling of well-being in my mind, body and spirit." Jennifer C.

Reiki is an ancient healing art of light hand placements that channels healing energies to the client. Reiki is gentle and soothing for the entire body, mind and spirit fostering a sense of groundedness and universal peace. Reiki can be used to enhance greater wellness throughout the entire system when incorporated with massage or acutonics sessions. Reiki can be done while the client is fully clothed, with the laying of hands over the chakra points and major organs. Reiki acts as a channel for universal life energy to flow into the body.