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Willowdance Wellness Centre
Using Movement as a Pathway to Transformation

Thai massage and Trager® Bodywork are now available on Manitoulin Island; while in the area, you might want to book an appointment with Emily Weber. Call (705) 368-1057.

What are the benefits of receiving Thai Massage and Trager®?
  • Increased comfort, lightness, and relaxation.
  • Enhanced flexibility, mental clarity, and awareness of the body-mind connection.
  • Improved breathing and energy flow.
  • Recognition and release of physical, mental, and emotional tensions.
  • Increased support for the nervous system in communicating with the whole body.
  • Enhanced alignment and postural integrity.
  • Improved circulation, revitalized internal organs, and decreased tightness of muscles.
  • Enhanced range of motion and decreased levels of pain in many instances where a chronic condition exists.
  • Better sleep and higher energy levels.
  • Remember and re-experience your human being-ness rather than your human doing-ness.
  • Learn self-care stretches and movements that you can use after the session to open to continued fluidity and ease of movement.
  • Whether you are physically challenged, emotionally fatigued or just fine tuning your body for sports or recreational activities, Thai massage and Trager® will be of benefit to you.
What is Thai Massage Therapy ?

From Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massage
Massage is the practice of applying structured or unstructured pressure, tension, motion, or vibration - manually or with mechanical aids -to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, joints, lymphatic vessels, organs of the gastrointestinal system and reproductive system to achieve a beneficial response.
http://www.thaimassagetherapy.com/
Thai massage is an ancient ayurvedic healing art. Through application of pressure on energy lines and points, and a vast array of passive stretching movements performed with the hands, feet, knees and elbows, the body experiences profound relaxation, peripheral stimulation of internal organs, increased flexibility and increased flow of energy. It is performed on a futon on the floor with the client comfortably dressed.
http://www.thaiyoga.com/about/about.html
Thai Yoga Massage stimulates and balances the flow of healing energy within the body, opening the areas which are blocked bringing the person deeper into balance and harmony for health, happiness and wellness of being. This system creates a powerful release of stress and tension, an increase in vitality and well-being and it deepens the connection between mind, body and spirit in both the giver and receiver.
http://www.thai-institute.com/watsthaimassage.htm
Thai massage blends point pressure and stretching benefiting those who find themselves stiff, sore, and tired from over-exertion in work or sports, or from arthritis or other debilitating diseases. Thai massage enhances strength and flexibility, relaxes sore or tense muscles, and can help to recapture lost range of motion. By encouraging lymphatic function, this traditional massage can also detoxify the body, heighten the immune system, and prevent disease and/or injury by promoting flexibility.
http://www.thaimassagetoronto.ca/
A relaxing and rejuvenating form of shiatsu and yoga combined. Thai yoga massage takes the joints through a full range of motion resulting in a wonderful sense of well-being and stress relief, while stimulating the detoxification process by balancing meridians in the body. Highly recom0mended for anyone who is under stress, or just in need of jump-start.
http://www.nayadausa.com/nayada-what-is.cfm
Thai Massage employs the principles of Yoga and Acupressure and is meant to induce deep relaxation and increased energy flow through the body. Its origins go back to the days of the Buddha, when a doctor aquainted with the spiritual figure began treating his clients with a slow, stretching kind of massage. According to popular lore, instruction of the technique was then handed down orally from generation to generation until at last it was written on palm leaves and regarded as sacred text.
To learn more about Thai massage, visit: www.ThaiHealingAlliance.com.

Emily'sBackground

Emily has long had a passion for dance - as a form of communication, meditation, and self expression. For Emily, practising Thai massage and Trager® is like sharing a beautiful form of dance with another. Emily began learning yoga as a teenager; as an adult, she has studied oriental dance, contact dance, creative movement, and a variety of forms of meditation.
In 2001 over a six month period of time Emily travelled to Thailand for an in-depth study of Thai massage in the land where this art form originated. She continued taking courses in bodywork and movement upon her return to North America, completing her certification as a Trager® Practitioner in 2006.
Emily brings the following qualifications to her work:
  • Private practice in Thai massage since 2002.
  • Master of Social Work degree, Wilfrid Laurier University, (1993).
  • 15 years experience in the field of counselling.
  • Member of Trager® Canada, Thai Healing Alliance International, and the Association of Massage Therapists and Wholistic Practitioners.
Emily moved to Manitoulin Island, or as the locals like to call it - 'God's Country', in 2006 from Cambridge, Ontario.

Where is Willowdance Wellness Centre?

Willowdance Wellness Centre overlooks beautiful Honora Bay on Manitoulin Island, 20 minutes west of Little Current just off of highway 540. Willowdance Wellness Centre is located at 32 Bay Street, along the Honora Bay sideroad.
To book an appointment, please call (705) 368-1057. For general inquiries you may phone or email: info@WillowdanceWellnessCentre.com
Accommodations
If you are travelling from a distance, a variety of rental accommodations are available at nearby locations - call for details.
Emily may be able to offer you a session in your home, place of work, or vacation lodging. Call to inquire.
Massage at the Market
Throughout the spring and summer Emily offers bodywork at several of the local area markets. On most Saturdays, from the Victoria Day week-end through to Thanksgiving, you can find Emily at the Mindemoya market, and on most Tuesdays throughout this same season, at the Little Current Market. Market times for both are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Mindemoya market is located at the arena in Mindemoya along Hwy. 542. The Little Current market is located at the recreation complex along Hwy. 6. During July and August, on most Wednesdays, you can also find Emily at the Kagawong Market. This market is located in Kagawong at the corner of Old Mill and Henry Rd., and runs from noon (sometimes it starts even earlier than that) until 4:00 p.m. Feel free to drop in, say hello and meet Emily. 15 minute sessions of Trager® Bodywork are offered for $15, and longer sessions may also be possible depending on how busy it is that day. If you wish to schedule an appointment with Emily at the market, you are also welcome to call ahead and book a time.

Choosing A Wholistic Health Care Professional

With the plethora of practitioners now available to provide a host of complementary health-care services, it can be perplexing to choose a health care provider. It is my hope that this article will stimulate your thinking about your particular health care needs and how to determine and locate who may be best able to help you with these.
When I am contacted to provide massage services, one of the first questions I ask potential clients is what prompted them to consider bodywork. There are a range of responses I often hear, from, 'my neighbour told me about how you helped her,' to 'I was in Thailand and had a Thai massage and decided I wanted to have another one just like that after I was home.' It's useful to think about what your priorities are with respect to your body and your overall health. At this time, are you seeking relaxation and/or transformation in some aspect of your physical, mental, emotional or spiritual life? If so, what modality (type) of service might best help you to achieve those goals?
It's important to have a good understanding of the service you are about to access before you arrive for your appointment. How can you do that? If in fact you have been fortunate enough to hear about a certain practitioner from someone you know, then you can ask them for some specifics about their experience. What happened when you were there? How did you feel in the days after your session? Did you feel comfortable communicating with this practitioner? Your friend's responses to these questions can give you some information, however just because this was the best bodywork for them, does not necessarily mean that it is the best for you.
Communication with your health care provider is key before, during, and following any appointments. When there is discussion before your appointment, you can speak with the potential provider of the service to inform him or her about your goals and hopes for what you will achieve or experience in accessing this service. In turn, the practitioner will also be able to give you information about how this service may or may not benefit you, so that you will have more specific-to-you information about how one form of bodywork or another may or may not be suited to what you are seeking.
You are already doing things that support your health. These may be regular practices for you, such as what you eat or how you exercise, or they may include visits to a health care provider or taking natural products or medications. It's important to let the practitioner know what your health habits and challenges are and to co-ordinate any new services with those that are already part of your regimen. If the proposed service would be of no clear benefit to you, or there are significant risks involved for you, (along with possible benefits) the practitioner needs to communicate this information to you. Sometimes a discussion with your primary health care provider can offer additional helpful information in determining the value of a proposed modality for you, and sometimes the wholistic practitioner may recommend that you access another type of health care provider who may better be able to meet your needs at that time.
Communication with the practitioner during your initial (and any subsequent) session(s) is of fundamental importance so that you can be as comfortable and relaxed as possible, thereby being able to access the maximum benefit from the bodywork. These are easy words to say; yet sometimes it's hard to put them in to practice. Allowing someone who is new to you to touch you is a big step for many people, especially those who have not had much massage before. Even for seasoned receivers of bodywork, expressing your own needs, preferences and questions as the session proceeds requires attention, awareness and courage. I know this from when I've been on the table or mat, and needed to say something to the practitioner, that was not an easy or comfortable matter for me to broach. Talking about our bodies and our body-feelings can be a new and sometimes unfamiliar experience.
It is essential that there be an atmosphere of safety, trust and clear communication when you are working with a health care provider. You may have new experiences or questions that arise for you following your session, so you want to be able to feel comfortable to contact the practitioner at any time after your scheduled appointment. Both you and your practitioner can learn from the feedback that you provide.
How can you become more informed about the different wholistic health care services that are available in your area? Many practioners choose to and/or are required to belong to one or more professional organizations that can be an additional source of information about the services offered. Such organizations normally have a code of ethics which outlines what you can and can not expect will occur in your interactions with that professional.
If it is not obvious through any written materials whether a practitioner belongs to any professional organizations, you can simply ask that person if he or she does. If the practitioner is not affiliated with any organizations, you could ask them to provide you with the name(s) of one or more clients who may be willing to speak with you directly about their experience with that provider. If such references are available, this is another source of information for you in determining if this is the person with whom you want to work.
Although doing this research ahead of time can be challenging, it can also be very rewarding to arrive for your first appointment knowing that you will be an informed recipient of whatever service you are about to receive. Of course whenever you are beginning something new, it is always an adventure that can not be fully known in advance. When you have determined the modality and the practitioner that are the ones for you, I encourage you to embrace this opportunity whole-heartedly!
Emily is a member of the following organizations and invites you to visit these web sites for further articles and information:
  • Trager Canada www.Trager.com
  • Thai Healing Alliance International www.ThaiHealingAlliance.com
  • The Association of Massage Therapists and Wholistic Practitioners www.amtwp.org
Emily Weber owns and operates Willowdance Wellness Centre, which is located in Honora Bay, 20 minutes west of Little Current on Manitoulin Island. Emily offers Thai massage, Mentastics® or Trager® Bodywork at this centre. If you would like to contact Emily, please call (705) 368-1057 or email info@willowdancewellnesscentre.com You may also visit her web site at www.WillowdanceWellnessCentre.com

by Emily Weber



Client Comments

"I was treated to a very thorough and professional Thai massage with Emily Weber in an atmosphere of light and joy. This was quite an energetic workout that left my tired and sore muscles relieved and my general health heartier. It was strenuous but the physical and spiritual renewal was well worth it."
Chuc Willson, Our Garden Products, (705) 282-0274, redhawk@ontera.net
"After a hard day's work, having a massage with Emily was great for releasing the tension that had built up in my tired muscles. I enjoyed the feeling of being stretched out in many different directions. I was able to sleep deeply and soundly following the massage."
Kyla Jansen, Honora Bay Riding Stable, (705) 368-6032, www.hbrstable.com
"Emily did Trager® Bodywork massage on me and since I suffer from a neurological illness, I was a bit worried how it would affect my symptoms. With the go ahead from my Doctor, that Emily asked me to get, I was very encouraged by the calming effects this massage had on my seized up muscles and especially a nagging migraine that was gone afterwards. I would highly recommend this form of massage for its gentle but deep and long lasting effects."
Linda Willson, Retired Teacher, (705) 282-0274, tgranny@onlink.net
"Having a massage with Emily gave me time to unwind and focus on myself. This was my first experience with this kind of massage; I felt very comfortable and safe with Emily as she guided me through a series of new movements while also working out the knots in my muscles. Emily has a good understanding of the body-mind connection."
Karen Heilborn, Green Bay Lodge, (705) 368-2848 www.greenbaylodge.com
"Thai massage with Emily was like having a complete yoga work-out without any effort on my part. The advantage of Thai massage over solo yoga practice is that Emily took me further - I could relax, expand and release into the stretches far more than would ever have been possible on my own. I loved it!"
A.G. Psychotherapist
"Emily's Trager® sessions are both gentle and dynamic. Intuitively she guides my body and my whole self into a place of deep relaxation."
J.K. Retired Farmer
"I thoroughly enjoyed receiving Emily's Thai massage. She is small but mighty. Yet Emily has a delicate touch where required. Emily traveled half way round the world to get her training. I thank her for her dedication to learn this art."
S. W. Retired Police Officer

Frequently Asked Questions
  • How is Thai massage or Trager® different from typical western massage?

    • For a detailed description of each of the modalities, please see the Services Offered page of my web site. Clients frequently report that after a Thai massage, in addition to feeling relaxed, they often also feel very energized (as opposed to sleepy) following their session. The resulting increased energy levels can last for several days or longer.
    Clients who receive Trager®, notice that there is much less direct pressure and invasiveness into the muscle tissues during the bodywork; however, they feel that there is also a deep unwinding of these same muscular tissues that happens because of the gentle, rhythmic, rocking, which simultaneously engages the fascial system and calms the whole nervous system.
  • How long is a Thai massage or Trager® session?

    • The length of the session varies from individual to individual. In Thailand a usual Thai massage lasts for two or more hours. To experience the greatest benefit from a Thai massage, a longer session is recommended, usually an hour and a half to two hours. A Trager® session can range from an hour and a quarter up to two hours. Shorter sessions of each kind of bodywork are also available. In choosing the length of your session, you may want to consider the overall health and strength of your body, your prior experience with massage or bodywork, the time you have available, and the goals you have for the session. Please let Emily know what length of session you would like when you call to book your appointment.
  • What do I wear when I come for a massage?

    • When you receive a Trager® session, you will be between sheets on a massage table. You may choose to wear all of your clothes, or remove some or most of them, (underwear is the only clothing that is required), according to your own preferences and comfort levels. When you receive a Thai massage, you will be lying on a mat or futon on the floor. You are encouraged to wear a full set of comfortable, stretchable clothing (natural fibers such as cotton are preferable to slippery fabrics such as polyester) without any large hard objects such as belts or buckles. Typically clients will come wearing a t-shirt or long cotton shirt, with stretch pants or tights.
  • Do I need to do anything in particular before or after a session?

    • When you call to book your appointment, Emily will ask you a few questions concerning your health, and give you some instructions such as what to wear and how to find Willowdance Wellness Centre. When you are planning to receive bodywork, especially with Thai massage, it is recommended that you refrain from eating heavily in the few hours before you come. If you want to eat something just before your massage, you are encouraged to have only a light snack. You are asked to refrain from using any drugs, alcohol, prescription or other painkillers, analgesics or anti-inflammatories for at least four hours before coming for your massage; this is important so that you will be fully present and aware of your bodily sensations throughout your session. Also, you are asked to refrain from wearing strong scents, as some clients have allergies.
    Following your session it is recommended that you drink plenty of water so that the toxins that have been released from your muscles during the massage can easily flow out of your body. You may also wish to have a salt bath to help release these toxins. It is recommended that you plan some time for rest and relaxation in the time afterwards in order to receive the most benefit from your massage.
  • What if I'm not that flexible?

    • Flexibility varies greatly from individual to individual, and is influenced by factors such as age and genetics, as well as exercise and frequency of stretching. Whether you consider yourself to have a lot of flexibility or not, you can benefit from Trager® or Thai massage, because both forms of bodywork will improve your flexibility. Thai massage involves deeper stretching of all the limbs of the body, which are repeated and sometimes held for several seconds or longer. Trager® bodywork involves stretching which is often somewhat lighter; the stretches are also repeated, but not held as long. The most important factor of course, is your own comfort level. With either kind of bodywork, a lighter or deeper session can be provided, according to your preferences as well as the responses Emily is receiving directly from your body as the session progresses.
  • How frequently do I need to come for bodywork in order to receive benefit from it?

    • How often you decide to have bodywork depends on your schedule, your body's response to the work offered and your goals. You may wish to come weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or only occasionally. A slightly reduced fee is available when you choose to receive bodywork on a regular basis over time (every 3-4 weeks or more frequently). That being said, it is also possible to receive many benefits from a single session of Trager® or Thai massage. See Home page for Benefits of Thai massage and Trager®.