About Karool Massage - Philosophy

Karool Massage is based on the Brandon Raynor Method of Therapeutic Massage. The Raynor method incorporates the best of massage from many cultures around the world. Brandon himself traveled the globe, where he studied and lived amongst healers and experienced massage practitioners. The Raynor method is a fusion of massage styles into what I consider to be the best massage I’ve ever experienced. Since then it has become the cornerstone of my massage practice.

The Karool massage incorporates deep tissue work with elements of relaxation massage. It is my personal belief that the power of this massage is it’s inclusiveness of massage methods. The massage utilizes the long, firm strokes of the forearms that are typical of a Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi massage, this calms the body and allows you to experience a wave-like motion. The massage then moves from Hawaiian into Thai methods, with rhythmic rocking and pulsing. This requires active participation by the client and will eventually lull them into a very dreamy altered state. The entire massage works along the ancient system of meridian channels, a network of channels to release Chi and so rejuvenate you.

Having trained and worked as an Iyengar Yoga teacher, controlling breathing is a significant part of my body work. Ayurvedic (Indian) breathing is the progressive relaxation which results from concentrating on your breathing alone. Breathing strongly influences your body, mind and moods. By simply putting your attention on your breath, without doing anything else, you move towards relaxation. During a massage the mind wanders, and sometimes when the massage becomes intense in pressure, people begin to hold their breath. My own breathing is used as a guide for the the client to take a breath, and resume the breathing focus. So breathing exercises, such as in yoga, can become a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system.  

Clients who practice the breathing become more relaxed and reap the benefits.

A Karool massage is a holistic experience.  In order to gain the full-benefit of a Karool massage requires surrendering to the body work in order to enhance the massage experience.  Research shows that the state of the mind and nervous system are reflected in the state of the musculature, and that body work in turn is a route into the unconscious mind.

I view a Karool massage as a change-agent, in that it acts as a catalyst for the client and gets the body moving in a healthier direction. Since most of us can’t afford to have a massage everyday it’s important for people who come to me to see the role they play in their health.  If they don’t do the hard work, a massage is simply a luxury and a one-off experience.  My focus is to promote a philosophy of  prevention and a pro-active approach to wellness.  The clients that work for better health, whether that be on an emotional and/or physical level, are the clients that are true healers because they are healing themselves.   And that makes it all worthwhile to me.