Michael has been practicing in the healthcare field for many years and as a Certified Massage Therapist since 1995. He received his exceptional training in the massage and relaxation arts through the Crestone Healing Arts Center in Crestone, Colorado. While Michael's focus is the Swedish-Esalen technique, he's also been trained in several forms of massage including: Shiatsu and Acupressure Techniques, and Reflexology as related to relaxation.

Michael's abilities and techniques are highly specialized. His massages are inspired by the spiritual as well as the physical, as he intuitively blends his motions to the internal rhythms of your body. This intuitive approach to massage is similar to T'ai Chi and Michael's intentional, deepened and varied strokes will release your tensions and heighten your sense of well-being like you may never have experienced.

In addition to being a Certified Massage Therapist, Michael has also practiced as a Licensed Practical Nurse, and his experience includes 8 years in the mental health field.

Find more detailed information about the Esalen Technique from the Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association.

Massage Artistry: Where Soothing Touch is an Artform

From the moment that you enter Massage Artistry,
you'll be surrounded by the sense of relaxation
in a professional setting. Esalen style massage is meant
for deep soothing relaxation that features long flowing
strokes working deeply into your muscles.

Once you're in a therapy room, you'll be given a drape
that covers your body over the massage table. You're free
to choose whether or not to wear your shorts or panties,
however, it is preferrable that your bra is removed.

Removal of underwear can allow better access to the gluteal
muscles, but this is entirely up to you. It's important
to note that the buttocks, genitals and breasts will never be
exposed. Every part of your body remains under the drape
except when working in each specific area. Your level
of personal comfort is our highest concern and
receiving the most amazing massage you've ever
experienced is our goal.

Michael's fee is $50.00, and you can anticipate a full hour of soothing
massage treatment, and very often treatments are as long as
75 minutes. If you're familiar with different forms of massage,
feel free to ask for acupressure or shiatsu emphasis or greater
concentration in some of the areas where you're
feeling a need for more attention. We look forward to having you
experience a massage that attends to your whole body,
your complete sense of well being, your spirit and
your renewed health.

During a recent interview, Michael made this remark about his methods: "this is an exceptionally relaxing technique, proving to be very therapeutic for many specific ailments of the body, emotions, and spirit, as well.  Occasionally, clients have actually wept with joy after my massages."

Contact Massage Artistry by phone below. Hours available by appointment.

Feel free to make two concurrent appointments for both you and your partner when you're in the mood for a complete relaxation treatment. Massage Artistry is in partnership with Mary Root Massage Therapy in our Soldiers Grove location. Call today for your appointment.

Inspired Esalen Massage - How Does it Compare?

Swedish Massage was developed to relieve pain, increase oxygen flow, improve circulation and mobility through five styles of long flowing strokes and various touches, tappings, pressures and compressions. This form of massage has long been considered an excellent method of reducing and relieving stress in the body and specific muscle tissues. Swedish methods often incorporate Deep Tissue Massage, which targets deeper muscle fibers and connective tissues, then applying pressure and motion to cause the body's recirculation of built up lactic acid. Deep Tissue Methods vary slightly from Swedish methods by kneading the muscles across the grain of the tissue, rather than with the grain of muscle fibers. Esalen Massage integrates Swedish and Deep Tissue techniques and still goes much further in their application and philosophy as discussed below.

Shiatsu is also known as acupressure, a healing method founded in Chinese Meridians or the flow of Chi. Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese technique where various finger and hand pressures are applied to specific body locations to correct imbalances, prevent illness and stimulate healing. This form of massage reflects a philosophy that the body already holds its own natural healing power and thus, simply requires stimulation or awakening and balance of the Yin Yang. Reiki (life energy) is also part of acupressure as energy is channelled through to specific acupressure points to heal and enervate the body.

Hot Stone Massage is the application of warmed smoothed stones to various parts of the body to relax the muscles and create an energy balance. Your therapist can also add varying degrees of pressure to the warmed stones to further enhance the loosening of muscle tissues. This therapy is often combined with other methods and is also an excellent choice for people too sensitive or those that may be in too much discomfort to include deeper massage techniques.

Esalen Massage is characterized by its holistic philosophy of mind, body and spiritual harmony. Your therapist calms himself as he focuses his concentration on your physical and spiritual healing, intuitively finding a shared rhythm with your body and mind. During the therapy of smooth slow flowing strokes, deep kneading of tissues, stretching and other manipulations, your therapist is intentionally sharing his touch, his direct healing, in a complete circle of shared mind/body awareness and well-being. Each Esalen Massage practitioner develops his own artistry, and every therapy session conforms to each individual's specific needs. Techniques from several forms of massage will be translated to promote a whole or a philosophical 'gestalt approach' to your relaxation, health and sensory awareness. You'll be deeply calm and yet envigorated, find the deep relaxation you seek as well as a feeling of being awakened.

Many of those that have received an Esalen Massage have called the experience "amazing", "restorative" and "transcending".

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