Since becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist in 2009, I have passionately pursued the study of Shiatsu, a sister modality to Thai Massage, which is based in Chinese Medicine. This system stands next to Ayurveda, the foundational philosophy of Thai Massage, as the oldest medical models in the world, providing a comprehensive lens through which to view the myriad goings-on of the physical body with the mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. This profound gift has brought so much clarity into my perspective on life, deepened my understandings as to the “why” of things, and allowed me to find more ease and grace in the natural ebbs and flows of life.
The practice of Qigong served as a foundation for my study of Shiatsu. I have had a lifelong fascination with energy, but coming from a secular, scientific upbringing, always remained a bit skeptical of people’s subjective stories about energy. The practice of Qigong (pronounced chee-gung) opened me to the palpable sensation of energy in the palms of my hands and eventually in my entire being. I’ve studied a handful of different lineages since my introduction to it, and has given me the gift of a deeper connection to the cosmos, a more profound sense of my place within it, finding greater ease and peace in my own heart. It has also given me the profoundly humbling capacity to move energy within my clients’ bodies, assisting them in finding balance between their bodies, minds, and spirits.
I am thrilled to add Thai Yoga Massage to my repertoire, to travel with you and learn alongside you about the deeply colorful culture of the Thai people. The happiness and ease with which they seem to flow through life, and the care they show for one another, even if strangers, is a cultural trait I would love to emulate and integrate into this American life.
Jessica currently runs a small private practice in Boulder, CO, integrating table massage, Shiatsu, Cranial Sacral, and other energy modalities. She serves on the faculty of Healing Spirits Massage Training Program as a Lead Instructor for Integrative Massage, Shiatsu, and Qigong. She also serves on the faculty of the HeartMind Shiatsu Professional Training, after having graduated as valedictorian of their Advanced Training in 2012. She is a teacher-in-training for Sheng Zhen Gong, the Qigong of Unconditional Love. And she serves on the Board of Directors of the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA) as the Secretary of the Board.
