Massage Services

• naturopathic medicine
• acupuncture
• gyrotonic ®
• body medicine
• reproductive healthcare
• Massage

Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Yoga Instructor

License #12673

Trained in both eastern and western modalities, Mandy Kruger creates an intuitive integrative massage/bodywork session that employs deep tissue, Swedish, trigger point, reflexology along with more subtle body energy work. Seeing each client as unique in their design of body and mind allows the application of various techniques where the client may access their own deeper source of healing and preventative maintenance.

Holistic health practices of natural mind/body medicine including yoga and massage does not necessarily remove life's challenges or ailments but the impact of the stresses of daily life have on the central nervous system are greatly decreased. "I found I could more easily embrace my pain, which paradoxically allowed it to subside." This is a much different approach than modernity's habit of seeking to numb, or suppress the pain that it expressing in the body or mental/emotional state.

Mandy has been licensed in the state of Oregon since 2005, yet her studies and practice of the healing arts go back over a decade. Mandy's exploration of bodywork and massage began with her own journey within wellness. While traveling to S.E Asia and India intermittently for a couple of years to study with senior teachers of yoga, Mandy was exposed to the eastern healing traditions of Ayurveda, and eastern styles of massage. She employs the principles of Ayurveda in her sessions, and includes traditional Ayurvedic massage practices such as Abyangha and Garshana as optional treatments. She also is available for Ayurvedic consultations to inquire deeper into the clients constitution also known as "dosha", or mind/body type known as vata, pitta, kapha. Mandy is a devoted yoga practitioner and teaches locally in Portland, Oregon. She is available for private yoga instruction, which is excellent for those that desire personalized attention for specific issues, or to deepen their practice.

• Deep Tissue Massage: Deep tissue massage is ideal for the person who wants a more focused massage yet still wants to feel deeply relaxed. This technique releases chronic patterns of tension in your body using deep finger, forearm and/or elbow pressure on contracted areas. This type of deep tissue stimulation is aimed at releasing and alleviating muscle spasms, injury, tendonitis and overall pain.

• Swedish Massage: Swedish massage creates a satisfying relaxation state, relieving daily stress by employing smooth and long gliding strokes that range from light to deep pressure. This technique uses strokes working towards your heart to stimulate blood and lymph circulation and encourage the removal of toxins from your body.

• Myo-fascial Release: Myofascial Release is a highly interactive stretching technique that requires feedback from the patient's body to determine the direction, force and duration of the stretch and to facilitate maximum relaxation of the tight or restricted tissues. Allowing muscles to move free from adhesions creates a balanced state within the body, decreasing the symptoms and effects of injury or pain.

• Hot Stone Massage: Warm stones are placed on your body to deliver a gradual and deeply penetrating heat to your muscles. Stones are then used with oil in a soothing full body massage. Hot stones can also be used with deeper massage techniques to relax muscle tissue in order to more easily access deeper layers.

• Acu-Pressure: Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago, using the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points and meridians, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle but firm pressure and integrates bodywork therapies, therapeutic touch, somatic work, healing imagery, energy psychology, and massage therapy techniques.

• Foot Reflexology: The therapist applies deep pressure and point work on the feet that mirror organ and structural systems of the body. Chronic patterns of stress in the body can be reduced and eliminated through foot reflexology. Generally each massage session includes some foot reflexology, however focused 30 minute sessions are available a la carte or included with a full body treatment.

Fees

• 60 minute massage: $70

• 90 minute massage: $90

• (Aromatherapy used with no extra charge for each massage session)

• Foot Reflexology $30 a la carte

The word "Ayurveda" is a compound of the word 'ayus' meaning "life" or "life principle", and the word Veda, which refers to a system of "knowledge". Thus "Ayurveda" roughly translates as the "knowledge of life". Life itself is defined as the combination of the body, sense organs, mind and soul. Optimal wellness exists when balance threads throughout these systems, and is responsible for preventing disease, which sustains the body over time. According to this perspective, Aiyurveda is concerned with measures to protect "ayus", which includes healthy living along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Ayurveda uses the elemental theory of 'doshas' or body/mind type based on ones dominating constitution.

Vata (air/ether) governs the principles of movement, nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination. It's dry, cold, and light in nature. Small thin body frame.

Pitta (fire) regulates metabolism, converts food into nutrients and assimilation. Medium build with strong muscular tone.

Kapha (earth/water) Adds growth and tissues, builds structure, wet, cold and heavy in nature. Prone to obesity and easy weight gain.

*Most people are a combination of two or even three (tri-doshic) of these types

• Abyangha Using warm herbed oil applied gracefully and rhythmically towards the heart over entire body. This type of massage is excellent for those a bit more sensitive to deeper work; it brings luster to the skin, moves lymph, and is deeply calming to the nervous system. The plant oils used are designed specifically for the constitution of the client.

• Garshana Generally a thirty-minute garshana treatment is a perfect combination with any type of massage. Natural fiber exfoliating gloves are used to act as a dry skin brush. This dry skin scrub enhances circulation, moves lymph, eliminates toxins through the skin, and over time can break down fatty tissue deposits.

• Ayurvedic Warm oil Head Massage Using herbal oil designed for your constitution (body/mind) type. This relaxing scalp massage is rejuvenating, stimulates hair follicles for healthier hair and scalp, reduces headaches and brings peace of mind. 30-minute sessions are available a la carte or with any treatment.

Fees

• Abyanga Ayurvedic massage: $75

• Garshana exfoliating scrub: $25

• Warm oil head massage: $35