‘Practicing ‘mindfulness,’ in as many moments as possible, is truly the secret to experiencing an ecstatic life,’ says Brooke Nachazel, a certified massage therapist and yoga teacher who grew up in Pacific Palisades. ‘Mindfulness means waking up and living in harmony with oneself and with the world. It enables us to appreciate fully each moment that we are alive. Both yoga and massage therapy encourage us to pay attention to the present moment, nonjudgmentally. It is a way to take charge of the direction and quality of our lives, including the relationship within our families, our work, our planet, and most fundamentally, the relationship with oneself ‘ Nachazel says. She is currently employed as a massage therapist at Jiva Yoga Studio on Sunset and teaches yoga at Yoga Desa in Topanga Canyon. Nachazel developed her passion for the healing arts while studying at UC Santa Cruz. After earning her bachelor’s degree in modern literature in 2003, she continued her studies at Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts in Santa Cruz, where she received her certification in massage therapy. She also pursued additional training in deep-tissue massage at the McKinnon Institute of Massage Therapy in Berkeley. Nachazel has practiced massage therapy for the last three years in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and Berkeley. She also has been a dedicated yoga practitioner for six years, and has studied with a variety of teachers. She currently studies and practices yoga with Hala Khouri in Venice. Trained in providing traditional Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, prenatal massage and Thai massage, Nachazel particularly enjoys working with women of all ages. She tailors her sessions to fit the individual needs of her clients. Below are her descriptions of the different types of massage she uses: ‘ Swedish massage is a nurturing and healthy modality. Among its many benefits, massage increases the supply of fresh nutrients to the tissues, aids in the elimination of toxins, improves muscle tone, increases range of motion, and calms nervous tension. Swedish massage offers a variety of fluid and sweeping motions on the surface of the skin. ‘ Deep-tissue massage can be very effective in altering structure and muscle restrictions in specific areas. A massage should never consist of entirely deep work. Deep-tissue techniques are intended to be used when the need arises, perhaps several times during a massage. It is as if you are driving on a country road and must slow down and downshift to a more powerful gear when encountering difficult hills or sharp curves. Once clients are accustomed to the benefits of deep-tissue work, many prefer it because of the increased degree of relaxation and the alleviation of pain. Deep-tissue massage also has the detoxifying and cleansing benefits that Swedish massage offers. ‘ Prenatal massage can help prepare for an easier delivery. Massage stimulates glandular secretions, thereby stabilizing hormone levels and making their side effects less severe. Massage to the legs can help control varicose veins, and the draining effect of massage facilitates reduction of edema to the extremities. An increase in general circulation offers a rise of blood to all areas of the body, including the placenta. This brings greater nutrition to the tissues of the body and enhances waste product removal. The lymphatic system circulates faster and more efficiently with prenatal massage. The result is more energy and less fatigue for the mother. Massage helps sedate the nervous system, facilitating much needed rest and relaxation. In utero, the baby also feels the benefits of the mother’s massage. Frazzled nerves are lovingly soothed, and insomnia can be relieved. Brooke has a special set of body support cushions specifically designed for pregnant women. She loves working with women during this transformational, exciting time. ‘ Traditional Thai massage is over 2,500 years old. It is often said that ‘If the mother is yoga, then the daughter is Thai massage,’ because many positions of Thai massage are related to specific yoga postures. Thai sessions are done on a shiatsu mat on the floor, with the client wearing loose clothing. Rocking and rhythm are key elements in Thai massage. The meditative flow is kept through breathing deeply, rocking rhythmically, repeating patterns, passive stretches and pressure points. Thai massage is also commonly referred to as a ‘dancing meditation’ for both the practitioner and the client. Nachazel’s love of dance, a variety of music, and the martial arts influence her teaching style, and her classes flow to music that ranges from soft and ambient sound, to upbeat tribal rhythms with flute and drums. She strives to make her students feel comfortable in her classes, regardless of age or experience. ‘Everyone needs to carve out a little time for themselves, where you can escape the challenges and stresses of a busy life,’ says Nachazel, who has studied Ashtanga, Anusara and Iyengar yoga. ‘Yoga and massage therapy provide opportunities for deep relaxation and mindful focus on the breath and the body, which enable students and clients to feel relaxed, refreshed, focused and energized. When we care enough about ourselves to commit to a practice of self-care, we create a beauty that surpasses the superficial kind. The beauty that we create in these modalities is about spirit, and everything else radiates from that center.’ Nachazel’s yoga classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Yoga Desa in Topanga (www.yogadesa.com). Massage-therapy appointments can be made with Jiva by calling 454-7000. She is also available for local house calls (women only), for private yoga lessons and/or massage therapy sessions; call 774-7469 or e-mail brooke@theory.org for appointments or questions. (Brooke Nachazel attended Corpus Christi School and graduated from Marymount High School.)
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