The Power of Aromatherapy in Bodywork Enhancing relaxation, deepening presence, and supporting healing

Aromatherapy isn’t just about pleasant scents—it’s a powerful tool that can deepen your bodywork experience. When used with intention, essential oils can support the nervous system, calm the mind, and help the body settle more fully into rest and restoration.

In every session at Breathing Space Bodywork, I offer complimentary aromatherapy as part of the treatment. The right blend can gently guide your system into parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) mode—where real healing begins.

How it works
Essential oils affect the body in two key ways: through inhalation and through the skin. When you breathe them in, aromatic molecules travel through the nose directly to the limbic system—the part of the brain that processes emotion, memory, and behavior. This is why certain scents can create such immediate emotional responses.

When applied to the skin (always properly diluted), essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream through the capillaries. Because they’re fat-soluble and made up of very small molecules, they can pass through the skin barrier and circulate through the body, offering localized or systemic effects depending on the oil.

This dual pathway—affecting both the emotional brain and the physical body—is what makes aromatherapy such a uniquely effective support during bodywork.

Why it matters
When paired with intuitive, trauma-informed touch, aromatherapy can help the nervous system shift into a state of calm. Clients often describe feeling more emotionally grounded, more present in their bodies, and more open to the deeper layers of healing that can emerge in a session.

Benefits often include:

• A deeper sense of relaxation and presence

• Emotional release or uplift

• Slower, steadier breathing

• Reduced physical and mental stress

• A sense of calm that lingers beyond the session

Safe and thoughtful use
I carefully select and dilute therapeutic-grade essential oils for use in each session. Every body is different, and what supports one person may overwhelm another. That’s why I always check in about sensitivities and preferences before introducing aromatherapy into the treatment. You’re welcome to request specific oils, or choose to opt out entirely.

Guided by experience and intention
Over years of working with essential oils in a therapeutic setting, I’ve developed an intuitive sense for when and how to bring them into a session. Aromatherapy, like bodywork, is most effective when it’s intentional, supportive, and responsive to the moment.

It’s not just an add-on—it’s a companion in the healing process. The quiet encouragement of clary sage when you're holding something heavy. The warmth of sandalwood to help you feel grounded. The soft clarity of frankincense to reconnect with your breath. The skin-soothing comfort of helichrysum when your body is asking for gentleness. These small sensory cues create space for deeper letting go.

Relax. Breathe. Let go.
That’s the intention behind every session. Aromatherapy simply helps open the door

The Comfort of Warmth: Why Heat and Support Matter During Bodywork

One of the most overlooked—but deeply important—elements of a bodywork session is simple: comfort. Not just in the skilled hands of the practitioner or the awareness of breath, but in the warmth of the table, the weight of a blanket, and the thoughtful support placed under the ankles, knees, or head. These details may seem small, but they can be the difference between a good session and a truly transformative one.

Why Heat Matters

During bodywork, the body often shifts into a state of deep relaxation—sometimes even sleep. As the nervous system downregulates and blood flow changes, it’s common for people to feel chilled. Muscles that were previously engaged in subtle tension begin to let go, and core body temperature can drop slightly. Being cold on the table is not just uncomfortable—it can interfere with your ability to fully relax.

In my practice, I often say: It's easier to cool someone down than it is to warm someone up. That’s why I err on the side of offering a warm table, blankets, and hot towels and a heating pad. When your body feels safe, supported, and warm, your system can truly settle. And when you’re able to relax more deeply, the benefits of the bodywork reach further.

The Role of Support

Alongside warmth, physical support is essential. Bolsters, pillows, and cushions help your body feel held. A lumbar cushion under the knees, for example, can take pressure off the lower back. A bolster under the ankles or pillow under the shoulders can relieve strain that you didn’t even realize was there. These subtle adjustments allow your muscles to rest fully, without needing to brace or hold.

This kind of comfort isn’t indulgent—it’s foundational. When your body feels physically supported and warm, it stops scanning for threat. The nervous system gets the message: You’re safe here. This is the doorway to true restoration.

Comfort and the Stress Response

Stress lives in the body. Even when we think we’re managing well, our muscles may still be gripping, our breath held just below the collarbones. One of the goals of bodywork is to help interrupt that cycle—to show the body how it feels to relax, breathe, and to let go. But this can only happen if the environment is right.

Being warm and supported isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. A chilled body or awkward positioning can keep you just on the edge of release, never quite letting the nervous system drop into parasympathetic mode, where healing and repair happen.

A Thoughtful Invitation to Rest

At Breathing Space Bodywork, every session is designed with your comfort in mind. I take the time to ensure you’re warm enough, that you feel supported, and that small adjustments are made when needed. Whether it’s a changing the face-rest cushion, repositioning a pillow or bolster, placing a heating pad on your stomach or, wrapping your feet a warm towel, these are invitations to let your body trust the space it’s in.

Relaxation isn’t just about pressure or technique—it’s about creating a sensory environment that signals you can rest now. And when you do, the real work begins.

Emotional Release During Bodywork: Why It Happens and How We Hold Space

Bodywork is often sought for physical relief — to ease tense shoulders, soothe an aching back, or offer relief to a nervous system on overdrive. But for many people, a session can go deeper than muscle or fascia. It can open a door to emotions stored in the body — ones we may or may not realize we carry.

These emotional releases are not uncommon, and they’re nothing to fear. In fact, they can be profoundly healing.

Why Emotions May Surface During Bodywork

Our bodies remember. Even long after our minds have moved on, physical tissues can hold the memory of stress, grief, fear, or trauma. When a skilled practitioner works with the body — especially with intention, care, and presence — these stored patterns can begin to shift. As the body unwinds, emotions may rise to the surface, asking to be felt, witnessed, and released.

You might find yourself unexpectedly tearful, overcome with a wave of sadness or joy, or feeling sensations like shaking, heat, or a sudden urge to speak, sigh, or breathe deeply. Sometimes the release is clear and cathartic; other times it’s subtle — a shift you only recognize later, when something feels a bit lighter.

What You Might Experience

Each emotional release is unique, but common responses can include:

• Crying or laughing without a clear “reason”

• Memories or images coming to mind

• Shifts in breath or body temperature

• A sense of spaciousness or relief

• Numbness giving way to sensation

• Feeling vulnerable, exposed, or disoriented

• Needing to pause, talk, or move differently

These are all valid. There’s no “right” way to experience release — and no expectation that it must happen at all. But when it does, it helps to be in the hands of a practitioner who understands what’s unfolding.

Trauma-Informed Support Makes a Difference

A trauma-informed bodywork practitioner won’t push you into a release. Instead, they listen — not just with their hands, but with their presence. They attune to your breath, your body language, and your comfort level. They ask consent before adjusting techniques or working near sensitive areas. And above all, they create an atmosphere of safety and choice.

If emotion arises during your session, you’ll never be judged or rushed. You’ll be offered grounding support — a tissue, a pause to breathe, or the option to change positions or simply be quiet. If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay. You’re in control of your experience.

You Are Welcome, However You Show Up

Emotional release is a natural expression of the body’s intelligence. It’s not a problem to fix — it’s a gift of the healing process. At Breathing Space Bodywork, you're invited to relax, breathe, and let go — in whatever way your body needs.

Whether you come for rest, relief, or renewal, you’ll be held with care. There’s room for your full self here.

Understanding Trauma-informed Care

At Breathing Space Bodywork, I aim to create an environment where every client feels safe, supported, and cared for. One of the ways I do this is by embracing a trauma-informed approach in my practice. You may have heard the term before, but what exactly does it mean, and how does it relate to bodywork?

What is Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands how it can affect a person’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It involves creating a space that prioritizes safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment while being sensitive to the unique needs of individuals who may have experienced trauma.

Trauma can result from a variety of life experiences, including abuse, accidents, illness, loss, or any event that overwhelms a person’s capacity to cope. Its effects often linger in the body, contributing to chronic tension, pain, or other physical issues. Trauma-informed care acknowledges this mind-body connection and approaches clients with a deep sense of respect and compassion.

How Trauma-Informed Care Relates to Bodywork

Bodywork, by its very nature, involves touch and physical connection. For some, this can be deeply healing; for others, it may bring up vulnerability or discomfort. A trauma-informed approach ensures that the experience is always supportive and never overwhelming. Here’s how this philosophy is integrated into sessions at Breathing Space Bodywork:

1. Creating a Safe Environment

Safety is foundational in trauma-informed care. I maintain a clean, inviting, and calm space where clients can relax and feel at ease. The studio is designed to be a sanctuary, free from distractions and stressors.

2. Empowering Clients

Each session begins with a conversation to understand your preferences, boundaries, and goals. You are always in control—whether it’s choosing the level of pressure during bodywork, deciding which areas to focus on, or even opting out of certain techniques or areas to be addressed. Your comfort is my priority.

3. Recognizing the Body-Mind Connection

Trauma can manifest in the body as muscle tension, restricted movement, or chronic pain. Through Integrative Bodywork, I help clients release these patterns in a way that feels safe and gradual. Modalities like Swedish massage, Deep Tissue, Reiki, and Joint Release are tailored to your unique needs, fostering both physical relief and emotional balance.

4. Sensitivity to Individual Needs

Every client’s experience is different. A trauma-informed approach avoids assumptions and instead meets each person where they are. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, pain relief, or emotional grounding, the session is adapted to your specific needs and comfort level.

5. Fostering Trust and Collaboration

Communication is key in trauma-informed care. I encourage clients to share feedback throughout their session, and I also check in to ensure they’re feeling comfortable. This collaborative approach builds trust and ensures the experience is positive and restorative.

Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters

For those who have experienced trauma, even everyday interactions can feel overwhelming. Trauma-informed care acknowledges this reality and works to create a space where clients feel truly seen and respected. In the context of bodywork, this approach allows for deeper healing by addressing both physical and emotional needs in an integrated way.

At Breathing Space Bodywork, I believe that everyone deserves a place where they can relax, breathe, and let go. By incorporating trauma-informed principles into every session, I strive to provide that refuge—a space where you can feel safe, supported, and empowered on your journey to well-being.

If you’re curious about how trauma-informed bodywork could support your health and healing, I’d love to connect. Schedule a session tailored to your needs.

Exploring the Healing Power of Sound: A Guide to Sound Healing at Breathing Space Bodywork

At Breathing Space Bodywork, our mission is to help you relax, breathe, and let go through transformative wellness practices. One such practice we love to share is sound healing, a profoundly soothing and therapeutic experience that promotes mental clarity, emotional balance, and deep relaxation. Using crystal bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, and tuning forks, our sound healing sessions invite you into a harmonious space where you can recalibrate and reconnect with yourself. But what exactly is sound healing, and how does it work?

What Is Sound Healing?

Sound healing is an ancient practice that uses sound frequencies to restore balance in the body, mind, and spirit. By creating vibrations that resonate with the energy fields in and around your body, sound healing helps to release tension, clear energetic blockages, and support the body’s natural healing processes.

At Breathing Space Bodywork, we use a combination of crystal bowls, Tibetan bowls, and tuning forks. Each of these tools produces specific frequencies designed to harmonize with your body’s energy centers or chakras. Together, they create a meditative soundscape that promotes deep relaxation and restoration.

How Does Sound Healing Work?

Sound healing operates on the principle that everything in the universe, including our bodies, is made up of vibrations. When the vibrations in our bodies fall out of harmony—whether due to stress, trauma, or illness—we may feel disoriented or unwell. Sound healing helps bring those vibrations back into alignment.

This process is closely tied to brainwave states:

• Beta (Active State): Your normal waking state, associated with active thinking and problem-solving.

• Alpha (Relaxed State): A calm and reflective state, often achieved through meditation.

• Theta (Deep Relaxation): A dreamy, introspective state linked to creativity and intuition.

• Delta (Sleep State): The deepest state of relaxation and restoration, associated with deep sleep.

The tones from crystal and Tibetan bowls, as well as the vibrations of tuning forks, guide your brainwaves into alpha and theta states, promoting relaxation and enabling your mind and body to rest. This shift helps move you out of stress responses and into a place of restoration.

Tuning Forks in Sound Healing

Tuning forks are a powerful addition to our sound healing practice. These tools emit precise frequencies that target specific areas of the body or energy field. In bodywork sessions, tuning forks are often used directly on or near the body to:

• Stimulate Cellular Healing: The vibrations encourage tissue repair and circulation.

• Relieve Pain and Tension: Tuning forks work deeply to release knots and discomfort in muscles and joints.

• Balance Energy: By using specific frequencies, tuning forks can harmonize the flow of energy through the body’s meridians and chakras.

• Deepen Relaxation: Their focused vibrations help quiet the mind and bring a profound sense of calm.

When integrated into a bodywork session, tuning forks create a synergy between physical touch and vibrational healing, offering a unique and deeply restorative experience.

Benefits of Sound Healing

Regular sound healing sessions can offer a variety of benefits, including:

1. Stress Reduction: The soothing vibrations calm the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety.

2. Improved Sleep: By promoting relaxation and helping the brain shift into delta states, sound healing supports better, more restorative sleep.

3. Enhanced Focus and Clarity: The alignment of energy centers and the calming of the mind can boost mental clarity and concentration.

4. Emotional Release: Sound healing creates a safe space for releasing suppressed emotions and fostering emotional balance.

5. Physical Healing: Vibrations can support the body’s natural processes, improving circulation, reducing pain, and aiding recovery.

Experience Sound Healing at Breathing Space Bodywork

Whether you’re new to sound healing or seeking to deepen your practice, our sessions offer a nurturing space for relaxation and renewal. By combining the ethereal tones of crystal bowls, the grounding vibrations of Tibetan bowls, and the precise frequencies of tuning forks, we create a soundscape that supports your overall well-being.

Come experience the transformative power of sound healing at Breathing Space Bodywork. Allow the vibrations to guide you into a state of harmony and balance, where you can truly relax, breathe and let go.

What is Bodywork?: Discover the Benefits of Bodywork for Holistic Wellness

When most people think of relaxation and relief, a classic massage often comes to mind. While massages have undeniable benefits, bodywork takes a more integrative approach to wellness. At Breathing Space Bodywork, we’re passionate about guiding our clients toward the profound physical and emotional healing that bodywork offers—a process that goes beyond the soothing touch of a standard massage.

In this post, we’ll explore the differences between traditional massage and bodywork, revealing why bodywork might be the more enriching option for those seeking a truly transformative experience.

The Core Difference: Bodywork vs. Massage

Traditional massage often focuses on relieving muscle tension and promoting relaxation through structured techniques like Swedish, deep tissue, or sports massage. These methods, while effective, primarily address the body’s surface layers.

Bodywork, on the other hand, is a more holistic practice that considers the body, mind, and spirit. While it also incorporates soothing touch, bodywork emphasizes restoring the body’s natural flow of energy, releasing deeply held tensions, and fostering overall wellness. At Breathing Space Bodywork, we believe that bodywork is not just a treatment—it’s an experience that encourages self-awareness, helping clients connect more fully with their bodies.

Why Choose Bodywork Over a Traditional Massage?

1. Holistic Healing

Bodywork is a powerful tool for holistic wellness, aiming to balance the body’s energy and address underlying issues that may be contributing to physical discomfort or emotional stress. Where massage may work out the “knots,” bodywork seeks to release stored tension that has built up over time, potentially rooted in emotional or psychological experiences. This approach allows for a deeper, more comprehensive form of healing.

2. Mind-Body Connection

Unlike a typical massage session, bodywork often integrates mindfulness practices, encouraging clients to remain aware of sensations and emotions that arise throughout the session. This focus on the mind-body connection creates a space for personal insight and transformation, helping clients to access a state of deep relaxation and self-discovery.

3. Long-Lasting Benefits

While traditional massage can offer immediate relief, bodywork aims to create lasting changes. Many clients report feeling more balanced, grounded, and aware of their bodies long after a bodywork session. This enduring sense of wellness is one of the many reasons bodywork is increasingly recognized as a valuable therapeutic practice.

4. Emotional Release

Bodywork not only targets the physical body but also encourages the release of stored emotions. It’s common for clients to experience a profound emotional release during or after a session, leaving them feeling lighter and more at ease. This emotional dimension is often missing in traditional massage therapy, making bodywork a more complete approach to healing.

What to Expect During a Bodywork Session at Breathing Space Bodywork

Our skilled practitioners approach each bodywork session with care and intention, tailoring the experience to meet each client’s unique needs. Sessions may incorporate gentle touch, guided breathing, and energy-balancing techniques, all within a calm and supportive environment. Whether you are new to bodywork or have experienced it before, our goal is to help you connect more deeply with your body, releasing old patterns of tension and inviting in a sense of renewed vitality.

Experience the Healing Power of Bodywork Today

If you’re ready to experience a form of body-centered healing that goes beyond the traditional benefits of massage, we invite you to explore the deeply restorative practice of bodywork at Breathing Space Bodywork. Our compassionate practitioners are here to support you on your journey to greater physical and emotional balance.

Discover how bodywork can help you reconnect with yourself on a deeper level. See our services here.