Deep Tissue Massage aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fibres of the muscles, tendons and fascia. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly.
After experiencing the many benefits of massage myself I eagerly completed my professional training at Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork (BCMB) and realised I had an aptitude and passion for this work.
From this strong base I have continued to develop my work through professional advanced courses and am now an Assistant Tutor at BCMB
Throughout my work I am continually looking to find the most effective and appropriate ways to use the techniques I have learnt. This helps me to give care and focus to my clients whether the work is soft and gentle or satisfyingly firm.
My aim is to make the process as soothing as the outcome.
Qualifications
MTI Diploma in Holistic Massage
Professional Bodies
Member of the Massage Training Institute (MTI)
Member of the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
Days at Neal’s Yard
Saturday 9.30am – 1.30pm
Website
Having previously been a farmer, natural builder, Japanese translator, a sergeant in the US Marine Corps & Army, a hippy… Ayres Gipson, CMT, EMBA, NCTMB (US) is nationally-certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork in the US. A native of Northern California, Ayres lived at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, working as a massage therapist and apprenticing as an Esalen® massage instructor. He has practiced various bodywork forms in spas, healing centres, clinical settings, and in private practice for over 18 years. Ayres has led and assisted professional certification courses and professional development courses for bodyworkers in the US and the UK. He now calls Pembrokeshire, West Wales his home, with practices in Narberth, Bristol & Bath, and St. Margaret’s, London.
Sessions Offered
Insight (about an hour of table time): includes a full-body check-in with time to focus on a specific area or structure of the body. I use insightful assessment and effective therapeutic techniques such as postural integration, sports massage, trigger point, craniosacral and myo-facial work, followed by skilled deep tissue and flowing Esalen massage for those troubled areas.
Integrative (about 1.5 hours): very popular and truly holistic, this session includes a full-body check-in and a multi-approach, full-body, flowing Esalen massage. Plenty of time to focus on specific areas and integrate all into a complete whole – a bespoke, spontaneous, multiple-modality, eclectic, and explorative, bodywork experience.
Deep Integration (2 hours): this session is for all lovers and connoisseurs of massage and bodywork. Plenty of time for including therapies such as deep lymphatic drainage, craniosacral work, energy balancing, and more. Lots of time to enter timelessness – therapeutic and deeply integrative.
Qualifications
Certified Massage Therapist & Craniosacral Therapist, assistant tutor & tutor for both Polarity Therapy and Professional Training Course ~ Monterey Institute of Touch, Carmel Valley, CA
Esalen massage Therapist ~ Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA
MTI ‘conversion’, assistant tutor for Professional Training Course ~ Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork, Bristol, UK
Professional Bodies
In the process of re-joining Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association.
Days at Neal’s Yard
Occasional weekends.
Website
Anna’s pasion for complementary therapies started when she received a short reflexology session, which helped to release pain that she had. She decided to study Reflexology to be in the position to support others. She qualified as a Reflexologist in 2008 and went on to gain her Diploma in Holistic Masage two years later.
She has been constantly upgrading her knowledge and skills by attending reflexology, massage and healing workshops.
She has been supporting different types of people, specializing in dealing with stress and stress related conditions and also supporting people that face emotional challenges. She tailors each session according to client’s needs, adjusting the pressure and using her nurturing touch to encourage the state of relaxation and supporting the release of blockages and tension.
Qualifications
IEB Diploma in Reflexology 2008
ITEC Diploma in Holistic Massage 2010
Reflexology in Preconception, Pregnancy and Post Natal Care 2009
Thai Herb Compress Massage 2012
Professional Bodies
Member of CThA
Days at Neal’s Yard
MASSAGE: Friday 9.30 – 6pm and Sunday 11 – 5pm
HEALING: Tuesday 2pm – 6pm
Website
I’m passionate about many forms of alternative health and complementary medicine, but holistic massage therapy is my chosen path of expertise. I started out on a completely different path in life, studying politics and economics up to Master’s level at the London School of Economics. After spending a few years working for some well-known international organisations, I took the decision to embark on a career change to pursue my passions of holistic healing and organic living.
After gaining some experience in these areas during my travels around the world, I returned home and studied to MTI level 4 (CertHE) in Holistic Massage Therapy under a master Osteopath and Massage Therapist. This course also included a solid grounding in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, so if you suffer from a chronic musculoskeletal or immune disorder, I’ll approach your needs as an individual. However, should you simply need a relaxing massage, you will be in good hands too!
Qualifications
MTI (level 4) in Holistic Massage with Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
(Holistic Massage with a grounding in Swedish, deep tissue and remedial techniques)
Professional Bodies
Member of the Massage Training Institute (MTI)
Days at Neal’s Yard
Friday 6.30 – 9.30pm and Sunday 10.30 – 5pm
I trained at The College of Classical Massage (based in Brighton) under college Principle Michael Gibbons. I regularly assist the Principal of CCM in teaching the new Holistic Massage Diploma students encompassing all areas of massage technique, good posture and general student support.
I have been hugely influenced by my Grandfather who initially trained in medicine, but embraced a new career in complementary medicine in his 50s. He had a successful Osteopathy, Acupuncture & Homoeopathy practice. He treated the whole family and encouraged me to pursue massage, regularly inviting me to observe him at work.
I massaged all my children when they were babies and now they are teenagers who enjoy a variety of sports including Kickboxing, Boxing, Rugby, Basketball and sedentary gaming, they continue to benefit from my skills!!
Meeting a new client, I observe closely individual posture and gait and after a full consultation to gain a medical history and knowledge on any repetitive physical actions they may be doing to adversely affect their body’s balance, I design a bespoke treatment to suit their needs.
I never tire of the joy I feel witnessing the “before & after” effect, the profound difference the power of touch can have!
My regular clients include Teachers, Nurses, Musicians, Artists, Chefs, Physiotherapists, Midwives, Hairdressers, Yoga teachers, Builders, Camera men, Prison Officers, Gardeners, Actors, children and other Therapists.
Qualifications
Diploma in Holistic Massage 2009
Diploma in Sports & Injury massage 2010
Further courses/qualifications;
Pregnancy massage
On-site massage
Myofascial Release
Reiki 1
Bach Flower Remedy courses 1 & 2.
…and I attend regular CPD courses.
Professional Bodies
Complementary Therapists Association (CThA)
Days at Neal’s Yard
Tuesday 2pm-6pm
Madeleine started working in London as a full time massage therapist in 2001. Her work has mainly been as a remedial massage therapist, with a fair amount of on -site chair work and some Thai massage. She has had a wide range of experience treating musicians, corporate workers, dancers, horse riders and anyone walking through the door. Since this time, she has continued to educate herself in different therapeutic modalities, in the quest to effectively treat a wide variety of injuries and physical issues.
In the last couple of years, her focus has changed to Structural Integration (alias Rolfing) and yoga therapy. The structural changes addressing old injuries and vocational postures brought about by the hands on fascial work in a structural integration treatment, followed by a personalised yoga practise bring about startling and completely satisfactory results. Many are unaware of the potential to bring the body back into a better alignment, with the freedom in movement and from aches and pain that accompanies this. Seeing one’s posture return to what it was brings a new lease of life.
Formerly a professional classical musician, her interest in body work and natural health began whilst writing her dissertation on Stress and Relaxation, for her BSc in Human Sciences, University College London. She is a keen traveller and has lived and worked in Europe, S-E Asia and Africa, and spent long periods in India.
Qualifications
Professional Bodies
Member of the International Association of Structural Integration
Days at Neal’s Yard
Thursday 2pm to 6pm