You can call or text Stefanie at 541-357-8227, follow Aponia & Ataraxia on Facebook or bookmark our page at https://www.massagebook.com/biz/AponiaAtaraxia.
Stefanie Brown (Chew), LMT #23791, Reiki III
Big Island Academy of Massage Hilo, Hawaii
Ki Mana Academy of Massage; Hilo, Hawaii,
Body of Light; Eugene, Oregon
Staszak Physical Therapy; Eugene, Oregon
I specialize in gentle manual massage therapy that is light to medium pressure and applied surface to gradual deep tissue, for clients who are injured or in acute pain. The method I use is also gentle enough for work on children, elderly or any other groups that are physically, mentally, or emotionally sensitive to touch and bodywork.
Other techniques I have studied are Hawaiian Temple Lomi Lomi, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Assisted Stretching, Fire Cupping, Acupressure, Swedish and Reiki. Many of these modalities can be adapted for use on clients who are conservative, prefer to be fully clothed, or who prefer bodywork to be applied over blankets. I will forever be a humble student of Anatomy, Kinesiology, Myoskeletal therapy, Neuromuscular therapy, Aromatherapy, Reiki, Qigong and Taichi. It is my goal to keep my schedule flexible and open to be available to help when needed. I do not overbook so I can focus on being present, and open- willing to work with and learn from my clients.
My practice philosophy is that Massage Therapy can be done in a way that is gentle, highly effective, with as little discomfort and pain possible. This promotes healing and balance in the body that can be built upon with each visit. The human body can heal itself as it also find ways to cope and survive with pain. Pain is not a bad thing and is a helpful warning to stop and change things while the body having a physical problem is not a fault. The best approach is not to suffer needlessly, and to get help at the onset of pain to see what can be relieved or physically restored.
My approach centers around the belief that everything is connected and affects the balance of the body. Some pain does not go away as our body is efficient at coping, so we get used to it or become stronger while out of alignment as our body compensates. My process works with the body as a whole and supports the idea that all muscles have their proper position just like the bones in our body. The body can usually heal itself when the major systems are properly supported, so getting care at the onset of pain is very important. My specialty massage incorporates teachings from everything I have learned in school, from work, and feedback from my clients who actively work with me so I can better help them. The most important thing is that my approach is not static. If one method does not work, I continuously change it up until the body responds. Everyone is different and no injury is the same.
My massage feels like I am molding the muscles back to your body like working with clay. Some spots that need help will feel tender, ticklish, or guarded. Some muscles will involuntarily tense defensively but usually back nice big breath in and exhale allows this reaction to end. The feeling of clicks and bumps being smoothed out is temporary and fleeting as the muscles quickly relax and soften.
1. Who are your ideal clients?
Anyone who is in search of physical pain relief whose priority is an active, engaging, manual, therapeutic experience. I tend to do my best work with people who are physically in pain, and who are actively willing to work with me to see if I can help them. It does not matter if they simply have neck pain, an athlete, an MVA client, or active people who want to improve their physical health, improve strength, become stronger or more resistant to injuries. The type of clients I see return to me are MVA clients, athletes, and active adults. Word of mouth recommendations usually come from the active adults who also set appointments for their children and other family members to come and see me. I have also seen a rise in appointments with me for people who fear massage, had a traumatic massage in the past and thinks it hurts, first-time-ever massages, and bodywork for children.
2. What sets your massage apart both through the labeling of the work itself and the energetic intention you bring to the experience?
My massage has been described as gentle manual therapy. I lean heavily on Swedish massage strokes towards the heart, circular effleurage strokes and petrissage. It has a flow of constant contact that stems from my Hawaiian Lomi Lomi training, and I use varying to static pressure on certain parts of the body even through a stroke. Depending on the client’s body and mind response, it determines how quickly my work starts off very light and gets firmer. I use low, medium and high pressure when needed and use deep massage therapy techniques as the body allows me in when I need to focus on different layers of tissue needing assistance. I have a strong interest in Neuromusular Therapy, Myoskeletal Therapy, as well as Sports Massage and rely heavily on anatomy and kinesiology.
The energetic intention I bring to my work is to do as little harm as possible while helping the body help heal itself. My hope at the start of each massage is to relieve pain and affect the nervous system positively. I respect the body and mind greatly, believe in its capability to heal and want the client to leave feeling connected, whole, aware of their body, aware of its power, believing in the body's willingness to heal, and feeling that it is a worthwhile lifestyle choice to listen to their body and care for it.
I am aware I am working with a human being who is in physical pain, possibly mental or emotional pain, and there are many layers to deal with at the same time while I try to do my massage work. I find often that there is physical resistance to touch, a mental resistance to touch and sometimes it is involuntary and coming from a specific muscle or muscle layer that is in a defense mode. My intention is to work through each layer, not cause more pain or resistance, and find a way for the body to allow me into all the layers so I can see what is going on and figure out how I can help.
3. Identify 3 words that illuminate your work:
Gentle
Relief
Restorative
About me:
I am a student at heart and never stop working to be better and do better in all things. I grew up in the diverse melting pot of Hawaii, practicing martial arts, music and enjoying being part of a big family. I have an extensive higher education background with years of study in science, business, accounting human resources and employment law. In my free time, I am an on-call certified pharmacy technician and immunization technician where I can serve my community.
When I experienced a debilitating injury, I was exposed to massage therapy which helped me heal. Ever since then, my passion resided in healthcare, and I have been so thankful to be able to study massage therapy with many great teachers since I was 15 years old. The training I sought kept growing to include techniques used in a spa or resort setting, sports massage, on-site work for offices or triathlons, being a part of athlete training regimens and for massage clinics who placed importance on Chinese and Japanese modalities.
One reason I particularly enjoy this work, and the challenges that go along with it, is the opportunity to help people. Seeing a client’s health, strength and quality of life improve brings me great joy and I know that the greatest thing I can offer is to help others with their wellness goals.
Favorite thing about my work:
My clients are happy people. I love seeing smiles, hearing the laughter, sharing the energy, seeing progress, while continuously learning from everyone.
What I enjoy doing when I’m not working:
I like to practice learning the Cello, doing exercise training with my husband, cooking, baking, gardening, dog training & grooming, traveling to new places, camping, and floating around on lakes using a SUP. I also enjoy just being in the company of my friends & family.