Private Yoga Sessions

Private yoga is an investment for your personal growth and health.  Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you will enjoy an exclusive attention and personalized care that will help you to take your practice to the next level. 

•       Fluid Flow Yoga – a type of yoga suitable for intermediate and advanced practitioners.

Sessions vary in focus depending on practitioner’s needs, and include flow sequences of sun salutations, standing postures, balances, core strengthening, backbends, forward bends, hip- and shoulder-openers, twists, arm balances and inversions. Breath exercises (pranayama) are an integral part of the practice. The sessions conclude with a deep relaxation. 

•       Beginner Yoga – a fully customized practice for absolute or intermediate beginners. 

An introduction to the basics of yoga to create the foundation for a more developed practice. The goal is to gradually build strength, gain flexibility, while learning principles of a safe postural alignment. This is a pathway to a more confident and sustainable yoga practice. 

•       Restorative and Yin Yoga – a practice needed for everyone!

A gentle and meditative practice designed to alleviate the stress and pressures of modern everyday life. Passive long holds of poses bring relaxation to the muscles, joints and connective tissues, nourishing and restoring them. The release of tension in the physical body produces a profound calming effect on the mind. Various supportive props may be used to ease the body into the poses. 

Thai Massage Sessions

Thai massage, also called Thai Yoga massage, Thai Therapy, Nuad Phaen Boran, or Nuat Thai, is different from other forms of massage in that there is no oil used, the practitioner uses a comfortable floor mat (as opposed to a table), and the client remains clothed throughout the massage. The Thai massage therapist uses hands, knees, legs, and feet to move the partner into a series of yoga-like stretches. Muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure are among the techniques utilized during treatment. Thai massage enhances strength and flexibility, relaxes sore or tense muscles, and can help to recapture lost range of motion; it is both relaxing and energizing mind body practice.

Reiki Sessions

Reiki is a gentle, hands-on method of energy healing that promotes balance, activates healing capacities, and facilitates relaxation. Reiki is effective on many levels, including the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. This ancient technique encourages a stronger life force energy flow in the body and enhances its ability to heal, to release stress and to reduce tension.

For details, pricing, or to schedule a session, please

The ancient healing art of Thai massage originated not from Thailand, but from India. In fact, Thai massage, called nuad borarn in the Thai language, comes from the Sanskrit root word purana, which means ancient message. Credit for Thai massage is given to a famous Indian doctor named Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, or Shivago Komarpaj in Thai, who was a friend of the Buddha and personal physician to the Magadha King Bimbisara more than 2,500 years ago.

Yoga enthusiasts will readily identify Thai massage concepts as yogic in origin. Thai massage is based on the nadis, the channels through which life energy, or prana, flows. These nadis form the energy body, the pranamaya kosha. A disturbance in the flow of this energy results in an insufficient supply of prana which in turn leads to illness. By working on these energy lines, blockages are removed, stimulating the free flow of prana, and restoring health. The goal of Thai massage, therefore, is not to massage stiff muscles, but to nourish the organs, eliminate toxins from the tissues, and promote a harmonious state of being.

Although its roots lie in yoga, Thai massage was also influenced by Tibetan, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Originally, various states of disease and imbalances were recorded. Over time, creative and practical methods of influencing the course of these balances were devised. For someone suffering trauma or injury, massage was the primary method of rehabilitation. Massage could reduce swelling, diminish pain, help manage stress, increase range of motion, detoxify soft tissue as well as bring a feeling of nurturing and general health.

Not only the hands are used, but also elbows and feet to facilitate the opening of the nadis. Stretching and supported yoga poses are part of the process. While working on the client, the practitioner, too, receives benefit. The giving of massage was understood to be a physical application of metta, the Pali (and Thai) word used to denote loving kindness. Devoted masseurs still work in such spirit today.

Sharon Steffensen, yogachicago.com

practical things to know before your thai massage session

These simple suggestions are designed to bring you comfort and the most positive experience

Dress comfortably in clothing that allows the body to move with freedom. Light-weight cotton is an ideal fabric, but stretchy and comfortable clothes as for a yoga practice would be just fine. Thus before the session you may be asked to remove tight bras or tight elastics, socks, jewelry, belts. Make sure to wear a long sleeved shirt and pants, no shorts or skirt.

Avoid eating heavily for 2 hours prior to your massage as the work might include abdominal treatment. You can discuss this with your practitioner if you would like it to be optional.

Please refrain from wearing perfumes and using lotions, creams or skin oils that are either scented or make the skin slippery. Some positions or movements in Thai are difficult or impossible if one cannot hold an ankle or a wrist without slipping.

Your comfort through your treatment is crucial. Alert the practitioner if you are uncomfortable with room temperature, music volume or style or lighting. Advise your practitioner if pressure is too deep or too light and if stretches seem too intense. Thai is an interactive form of healing. You are encouraged to communicate any needs and give feedback during the work.

Your body during Thai massage remains passive. This means that you do not need to assist your practitioner. Resist the inclination to "help" and simply let go of your body. Breathe easy and focus on the healing and self-care you are receiving.

Allow yourself enough time. Try not to rush to the session and to arrive out of breath, but also try not to be late. A meditative state is readily achieved when we set out intention on calming our mind and open the senses to relaxation and balance.

How to prepare for your reiki session

Please use the suggestions below as a guidance how to enhance the healing power of Reiki

Stay open minded and receptive. The energetic healing process begins with your choice and commitment to experience Reiki.

Pay attention to dreams, synchronicities, insights, and energy shifts from now until your session. Ask for a healing dream the night before the session.

Drink a lot of water and eat more lightly than usual in the 24-48 hours leading up to your appointment. 

Spend as much time in nature as you can in this time.

If you feel like expressing yourself in inner-directed spontaneous writing, the day before or the day of the session, in a free form of journaling, thought capturing, memoir, poetry or whatever you feel the inspiration for, please do. This may sharpen your feelings and heighten the receptivity of Reiki.

Take a warm relaxing bath or shower or do some other type of renewing physical energy before the session. 

Wear loose, comfortable clothing the day of your appointment. 

Be present en-route to your healing session and approach the day as a sacred retreat.

After your session...

Spend a few moments in silence, meditate or just stay quietly with your eyes closed

Have water with lemon or a cup of refreshing tea

Keep your walk soft

Keep your eyes soft

Keep your heart soft