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 From the Past into the Future
by: Michelle D. Mace-Lambert
Ashiatsu Bar/Floor Therapy is an ancient art of the past, present and future. The course itself is an experience that richly combines a dance form that brings about grace, strength and agility, while inspiring the mind with the unlimited possibilities of this ancient tradition that will allow the practioner to do what they love forever.
A descendant of Ayurveda, gave birth to a modality called Chavutti Thirummal, a Keralite foot massage that was associated with Kalaripayattu and form of martial arts, along with the traditional southern Indian dance of Kathakali and was and is still practiced in the Southern most part of Kerala, India. It has evolved into the western form of Ashiatsu , meaning foot pressure. Ashi means “foot” and atsu means “pressure”. It can be done with either an overhead bar system for balance or by using stools as a form of balance for the floor. Lotion is used to ready the body for these deep rhythmic flowing strokes of nirvana. Deep tissue massage never felt so good or was applied so beautifully.
The origins of barefoot massage are rather obscure and were traditionally handed down from generation to generation. Barefoot techniques have been practiced all over Asia, including the Pacific Islands using different techniques. Some utilized oils while other applied the strokes to a fully dressed participant. It seemed only natural to balance the practice of massage by using the feet and not just the hands. Self care for the practitioner while offering an experience for the client is the ultimate balancing act.
Having been a massage therapist for almost a decade, my vision for the future is a modality that embraces the love of our work while facilitating our bodies with the innate ability to heal, by using gravity assisted strokes to take the stress off our hands. My personal experience with barefoot techniques has led me on an exciting and unending journey. Teaching has become my passion, massage will always be my life and my work has never felt better.. There is no greater reward than to see the aha light go on in a students eyes when they first feel that smooth fluid and even pressured stroke hit the sweet spot.
I am proud to be part of a legacy that is a rewarding melting pots of eastern and western mind sets. The workshops are intensive but fun. Lots of laughter, while we explore the ancient traditions in these modern times that align the physical and emotional ties of the past, present and future.
Michelle D. Mace
Barefoot Masters, Inc.
www.my2feet.com
Michelle D. Mace-Lambert will be teaching a class on the Ashiatsu Bar/Floor Therapy at the FSMTA 2006 Convention
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