Journey to Massage Therapy

When I was in my 20s, I had no idea what to do for my profession. As I helped care for my grandmother in the last months of her life, it became clear that I love caring for humans. My BA in communications and business was not a direct route to the type of work I was envisioning. So, I got certified as a nurse’s assistant, got a job in a memory care unit at a nursing home and started taking the preliminary classes to become a nurse. I worked at the nursing home for a year. In that time I realized I wanted to inspire people in their quest for high levels of health and self-care rituals.

So, long story short, in 2013 I went on a 2-month trip to Asia to study Thai massage. Little did I know the potential that was to be unleashed on that trip. My inspiration came from a desire to have my vocation be a source of inspiration for health. I had a lot of work to do as my health and lifestyle did not support my work as a therapist. Slowly I changed to embody the physical, emotional and mental health necessary to hold space in bodywork sessions. Now 8 years later, I live that vision and am passionately embracing self-care through the lifestyle of massage therapy. I love sharing the wisdom I learned in my own healing journey through my hands and heart as I massage.

Learning the language of touch has been the most rewarding journey of my life. Anne’s Hands Massage Therapy is the fruition of 8 years, 1500 hours of study and practice, 4 trips to Asia with the specific intent to study the healing arts, and a move from Minnesota to Arizona. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to share my passion for health and love for life and am honored to work as a therapist and build a life and business here in Sedona.

Philosophy of Health

1. When analyzing disease or discomfort, I take an Eastern therapeutic, full-body approach.

One great beauty of Eastern philosophy is that the approach is cyclical. It starts with acknowledging individual symptoms and looks to treat discomfort at its origin, alleviating symptoms and preventing return. I give attention to areas of concern calming over-active and stimulating under-active tissue and systems. I take the whole body into consideration and work to bring the systems into balance, allowing and expediting the healing process through focused attention, release of adhesions and increase in circulation. 

2. I look for the uniqueness in each body and address needs drawing from a variety of practiced techniques.

Looking at both the discomfort and the person experiencing the discomfort is an invaluable tool in the healing process. I practice with techniques from my training in Thai, chi nei tsang abdominal, neuromuscular, biodynamic cranial sacral, myofascial clearing, shiatsu and Swedish and look for what is most fitting on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. Characteristics like posture, breath and repetitive motions and thoughts are important considerations as each modality has its limitations as well as its potential. Each session I do is tailored to the person’s desire, need and situation. 

3.  I offer gratitude for your amazing health like you already have it.

I am passionate about using the tools of massage as a platform to work intentionally following the innate wisdom of the body. I observe from a place of unconditional love and follow your cues as we move through the body. Each session starts out asking what your intention is for the session or what are you looking to focus on.  I practice massage with the belief that the body is designed to heal itself. I invite you to pinpoint what you want your health to look like and use massage therapy as a tool to create a better life. If the body is designed to heal itself, the client is consciously choosing a higher level of health and the therapist is intending for relief and healing, we can have a powerful session!