What to Expect at Your First Banyan Bodywork Session
posted Aug. 24, 2018 by Christina Aumann
When you arrive at the office, I’ll have a brief health history intake form for you to complete. We’ll talk about why you’re coming in and your goals for the session. Are you having pain? Stress? Anxiety?
I’ll show you the treatment room and walk you through the process. I’ll leave the room so you may change (see what to wear, below), get on the table (or floor mat), and get comfortable.
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What to Wear?
The bodywork techniques I use are done with the client clothed. For all clients, bring athletic shorts to wear during your session. This is to ensure your privacy during movement-oriented therapeutic stretches. For women, please wear a wireless bra. If you prefer to wear more clothing during the session, you are welcome to. Simply put: Wear what you are comfortable in, and can move in. For table sessions, you will also be covered with a sheet throughout the session. For Thai sessions on the floor, wear clothing you could practice yoga or go running in.
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During Your Session
Depending on the issues we’re planning to address, I may start the bodywork session on your face, neck and shoulders, or maybe on your back. Supported side-lying positions can work best for the areas of concern, especially for pregnant women.
For 99% of my sessions, I do not use oil or lotion on clients. Yes, that means no oil in your hair or on your clothes! The techniques I use are very slow and do not cause excessive friction to the skin. By special request, I can use a couple drops of light unscented jojoba oil to assist working on areas with very dry skin. While I have scented essential oils, I will never use them without your prior permission.
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It’s great if you can take some deep full breaths and let your body sink into the table. If I need to move your arms or legs, etc, I’ll do the work! This takes practice.
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It’s really important for you to tell me if any techniques I use cause pain. Pain is not okay. There may be a certain level of discomfort and ‘good ache’ if we’re working on a problem area. It’s important that you tell me about that, too, so we can tailor your session to be most effective without causing injury.
I’ll check in with you as we go, but please speak up if you become too warm or too cool, if you are not comfortable on the table, or need another pillow, or if you just hate the music!
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After Your Session
You should expect to feel mellow and relaxed after your session. If we addressed pain issues, you may immediately feel a reduction in pain, or it may take a day or two before you feel that relief. If you are ever very sore following a bodywork session, (it’s rare, but it can happen) please call me so we can discuss the best course of action, and so that I can make notes to adjust your next session.
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​Looking forward to supporting you on your healing journey.
Cancellation/Missed Appointment/Late Arrival Policies
posted Aug. 24, 2018 by Christina Aumann
One of the more challenging parts of running a service business is deciding how to handle last-minute cancellations, missed appointments and late arrivals. I aim for a thoughtful fairness. I do my best to be flexible about the policies when illness or emergencies strike. No doubt, if we’re working together, you will be someone who is respectful of my time, so this won’t be an issue.
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I understand that unanticipated events happen occasionally in everyone’s life. In my desire to be effective and fair to all clients, the following policy will be honored.
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Cancellation + Missed Appointment Policies
If you cancel or reschedule your appointment with less than 24 hours notice, you will be charged for 100% of the scheduled appointment price.
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Ideally, you’ll give me more notice when possible. I trust your judgement and consideration. Should I need to apply the cancellation policy, you will be invoiced via email and this amount must be paid prior to your next scheduled appointment.
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Substitutions:
You may send someone (friend/family/co-worker, etc.) in your place to avoid the cancellation fee. You are still responsible if your substitute misses the appointment. Please notify me as soon as possible if someone else is coming for your appointment, along with their name and contact number, so I can send them the client intake form and policies ahead of time.
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Late Arrivals
If you arrive late, your session may be shortened. You will be charged the full amount of the scheduled session.
Safety for Bodywork Clients and Practitioners
posted Aug. 31, 2018 by Christina Aumann
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May you be safe. May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease.
This is the mantra/blessing I learned from my first Thai Yoga Bodywork teacher in 2006. I continue to direct this positive intention towards my clients all these years later, regardless of the the modalities and techniques I am performing.
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It is my goal to provide a safe space for you to explore new ways to live a pain-free and full life. ​Your safety is critical to your healing.
It’s important to know that, no matter how much of an expert a person may be in bodywork, you are the expert of your body and experience. And I am not a mind-reader.
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If you experience any pain or discomfort during your session, let me know right away so that the pressure may be adjusted to your level of comfort. Bodywork should not be construed as a substitute for medical examination, diagnosis, or treatment and you should see a physician or other qualified medical specialist for any mental or physical ailment. Bodywork practitioners are not qualified to perform spinal or skeletal adjustments, diagnose, prescribe, or treat any physical or mental illness, and that nothing said in the course of the session given should be construed as such.
Bodywork should not be practiced on certain medical conditions. Be sure to communicate all known injuries, conditions, treatments, and medications honestly -- including pain relievers as well as cortisone and Botox injections.
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Safety for Bodywork Practitioners
Bodyworkers have the right to refuse to provide any service they feel would be inappropriate, out of their scope of practice, uncomfortable, or unsafe.
Any illicit or sexually suggestive remarks or advances will result in immediate termination of the session, and you will be liable for payment of the scheduled appointment. Therapists have the right to report a client’s inappropriate behavior to law enforcement.
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We all have a right to feel safe.
​Looking forward to supporting you on your healing journey.
Should I Cancel My Appointment If I'm Sick?
posted Aug. 31, 2018 by Christina Aumann
Short Answer: Yes, Please.
Bodywork sessions are great. You know this. But it’s not always a great idea.
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As cold and flu season approaches again, it’s important that you know when it may be necessary to cancel your appointment.
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Why?
When you are sick, your body needs rest. It’s strange to think about it this way, but receiving bodywork is an active task, it is not entirely rest. Bodywork causes change in the body, and your body has to work to maintain stability. Having a session when you are sick takes attention away from infection-fighting. That’s no good.
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You’re not going to be comfortable on the table. Sure, it sounds like a warm squishy table would be great. But the moment you put your already-stuffy head into that face cradle, you’ll realize the error of your ways. Gravity and pressure are not your friend here. Even if I do some great work on your face to drain your sinuses, you’ll likely feel worse when you get off the table.
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You could get me sick. Since most of the common viruses are contagious even before symptoms show up, I could pass the cooties along to more clients before I even know it’s happening.
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Further, when I get sick, I have to cancel clients and take a few days off work. I work for myself, with no paid sick days to compensate for lost wages. Sure, as a responsible business owner I have a fund for these situations. But I would rather use that fund for a some new equipment. So I’m gonna try to stay germ-free this season.
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So it’s a deal. You’ll cancel so as not to infect me and my treatment room, and I’ll do the same for you. We’ll keep each other safe.
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When to Cancel
If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in the past 24 hours, or are still feeling punky from a recent bout of such things.
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If you’ve had a fever in the past 24 hours, or fever-related symptoms. This includes chills, aches, and fatigue. Even if you’re keeping the fever down with medicine, you’re still sick. The fever counts.
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If you are itchy, runny, and/or sneezy, and you’re not 100% certain it’s seasonal allergies. And even then, allergies may leave you so miserable that the hour on my table would be wasted time and money for you.
If you are coughing constantly, or just a lot.
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If someone in your household is ill and you are feeling at all funky, please cancel.
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There is often some gray area here, especially if you are in the recovery phase of a virus or bacterial infection. If you’re unsure about your situation, please call me before your appointment and we can make a decision together.
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Looking forward to supporting you on your healing journey.
Advantages to Thai-focused sessions on the floor
posted Sept. 7, 2018 by Christina Aumann
For some people, there is a degree of mystery, the unknown, or fear when it comes to Thai Yoga Bodywork sessions practiced on the floor. Too long, don't want to read: Thai floor sessions can be amazing!
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Advantages to floor sessions:
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You prefer medium to firm pressure. When you’re on the floor, I can slowly pour more of my weight into compressions and stretches.
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You want to wear full-length leggings and top. Floor Thai sessions are perfect for you! Everything is designed for full coverage clothing. I suggest wearing thinner materials you can easily move in, such as yoga clothing. (Jeans and formal clothing not recommended)
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You're tired, overworked, and/or stressed -- you just want to have a very relaxing passive session. Perfect, get on the floor! On the table, you have to do the work to move from one position to another (i.e. face up to face down). On the floor, I’ll move you.
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For runners and others who want to focus on hips, legs, & feet. So much more is possible on the floor.
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You want to try something a little different.
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Many other techniques can be integrated info floor sessions, such as: Myofascial Release (MFR) Therapy, Trigger Point, vibration and sound therapies, as well as active-resistance sports techniques.
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You will be supported on a clean comfy floor mat.
Q: But wait! I’ve heard Thai sessions are very aggressive!
A: Not how I practice. I go very slowly, very mindfully.
While we're on this subject, there are a couple good reasons to schedule table sessions with me:
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You prefer light to medium pressure.
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You want to focus most of your session on head, neck, shoulders, and/or spine, and prefer gentle attention in these areas.
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Whatever your preference, I'm able to do both. Just indicate if you want a floor or table session when booking your appointment.
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Looking forward to supporting you on your healing journey.
Monthly Group Classes
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Thai Yoga Massage Class
7:15 - 8:30pm
650 S. Avenue 21, Los Angeles, CA
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Next class: Friday February 24, 2023
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Thai yoga massage can be considered a fusion between yoga and massage. It is practiced on fully clothed people on padded mats. The class will include guided and demonstrated sequences, as well as safety, communication, and how to help your receiver feel at ease. All are welcome. No experience needed. Come by yourself or with a friend.
Free for Stronghold Climbing Gym members. $20 for non-members. Advance registration required.
https://www.strongholdclimb.com/yoga-fitness