Maura Rassman’s Biography

With a background as a competitive athlete, Maura’s interest in fine-tuning the body sprouted at a very young age. This interest led to her pursuit of a Biology degree at U.C.S.D. so that she could further her understanding of the body and its inner workings. It was during this time that she discovered the ancient healing art of yoga, which led her on a journey, through the vehicle of the body, into a place where body, mind and spirit came together as one. Her dedication to her yoga practice guided her to India where she immersed herself into the yogic path and began her studies of Thai Massage. She went from there to Thailand to advance her studies and after arriving back in the U.S., she decided to officiate her studies abroad by attending the Body Mind College. While completing over 800 hours of study, she simultaneously studied as an apprentice to one of the original students of Ida Rolf, where she learned the Rolfing technique as well as gained a wealth of knowledge from her 85 year old teacher. Maura continues to teach and study yoga with an emphasis on therapeutics, helping her students recover from injuries and chronic pain and to find peace and harmony within their beings. Maura practices her bodywork from home overlooking the sacred grounds of swamis in Encinitas. Every few months she can be found leading workshops for AcroYoga and Thai Massage in the North County.

Maura is trained in the following massage modalities:

• Swedish - With this full body massage all areas of the body receive treatment according to your personal needs. This relaxing, flowing manipulation of soft tissue relieves stress and provides a period of pampering bliss. This light to medium pressure massage increases circulation, lymphatic flow and overall well being

• Rolfing - Rolfing, also called Rolf therapy or structural integration, is a holistic system of bodywork that uses deep manipulation of the body's soft tissue to realign and balance the body's myofascial structure. Rolfing improves posture, relieves chronic pain, and reduces stress.

• Trigger Point - Deep, hard pressure on a point in the muscle where metabolism has decreased.

• Sports - Massage, stretching and heat-therapy techniques designed to improve performance, relieve discomfort and promote healing of overused muscles. Specific muscles and tendon groups are targeted for treatment. Ideal for athletes, pre-and post event to optimize performance and speed recovery.

• Deep Tissue - This therapy focuses on the deeper layers of muscles with the therapist working on particular areas at a time. These techniques reduce chronic tension from the body muscles through use of slow strokes and deep finger pressure. The therapist so as to release the stress works either along or across the fibers of muscles, fascia or tendons.

• Cranial Sacral Therapy - Uses a very light touch, around 5 grams of pressure (the weight of a nickel) to assist the natural movement of the craniosacral system and free it of any restrictions. CranioSacral Therapy enhances the functioning of the central nervous system and helps dissipate the negative effects of stress.

• Prenatal Massage - A relaxing massage targeting the special needs during pregnancy, such as low back pain, sciatica, swelling of hands and feet and insomnia. Ideally suited to prepare mother-to-be and her baby for an easier birth process and transition by creating a truly relaxing, nurturing experience.

• Shiatsu - Use of fingers and palm of one's hand to apply pressure to particular sections on the surface of the body for the purpose of correcting the imbalances of the body, and for maintaining and promoting health

• Thai Massage - Uses compressions, pressure on specific points and stretches to release blockages, and results in a free flow of energy throughout the body.

• Integrative Massage - Different styles of bodywork are blended to achieve more complete results on different areas of the body or provide more benefit to a specific area. This massage is designed specifically for your needs.

• Yoga Therapy - Yoga therapy is instruction in Yogic practices and teachings to prevent, reduce or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional and spiritual pain, suffering or limitations. Usually this is taught one-on-one for the specific conditions and purpose of individuals by specially trained Yoga teachers or therapists.

• Mobilizations - Mobilizations are passive movements and stretches used to enhance range of motion and improve flexibility in the joints.