​Tension doesn’t occur in isolated muscles, it’s part of a whole system pattern of movement / muscle activation.

All remedial massage looks to neutralise areas of overactivation, returning these areas to a resting state. This allows deliberate activation and the opportunity to utilise full muscular potential when it engages; when places are tight those fibres are pre-occupied (already switched on maintaining tension) leaving less available to be recruited for action.

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​How I massage – influenced by Feldenkrais principles

When working with an area of restriction / resistance, instead of pushing / forcing I’m perceptive to what your system is ‘ready for’; I will try approaching this area from a different angle, release it from further afield (for example by moving your foot to reposition more space in your hip), letting it rest, before returning to it more directly so as not to provoke a protective reflex of you tightening up in response.
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Feldenkrais looks at how movement connects throughout your system and where it is getting blocked by tension. Often this tension is involved in holding you upright. Feldenkrais looks at establishing a supportive skeletal alignment so that your bones can keep you upright, leaving your muscles free for movement. The way I massage is about redistributing tension / fluid more evenly throughout, to create more internal space. 

Choosing Remedial Massage or Feldenkrais? ​I liken massage to a good vacuum / cleanse and Feldenkrais to rearranging your organisational layout - setting up effective systems long term.