Work with Nicole
Structural Integration • Massage Therapy • Ayurveda
My work is about healing with touch, in the traditions of Structural Integration and Ayurvedic medicine. Bodywork and massage are multi-layered and multi-dimensional—it is not just about alleviating pain or recovering from injury or feeling better faster. Healing with touch is about invoking and awakening the inner physician, the self-healer, the self-corrector. It is a form of supporting the ongoing work of incarnating—becoming more responsible and capable of animating this bodily life.
Structural Integration addresses form, or the organization of the physical body in relation to gravity and Ayurveda addresses function—the balance of doshas, the nourishment of the tissues. Structural Integration and Ayurveda are complementary therapies. Structural Integration emphasizes alignment and change, Ayurveda nourishes with oil.
When someone comes to work with me, they enter a container in which both of these dimensions are dynamically available—not as a menu, but as a living process that responds to what the body is actually presenting.
Structural Integration
What is Structural Integration?
Structural Integration is a modern bodywork modality developed by Dr. Ida Rolf in the twentieth century. Ida Rolf was a gifted osteopath who observed the relationship between the fascial layer and the structural integrity of the body. As a manual therapy, Structural Integration systematically addresses the fascial layer of the body to produce optimal alignment to the vertical force of gravity. When the body is aligned to gravity, it has natural ease, flow, and economy of movement.
Ida Rolf said that “fascia is the organ of form”. As a connective web of electrical tissue in the body, fascia plays an important role in the structure and physiology. Structural Integration is a form of bodywork that has holistic effects on the mind and the spirit. Ida Rolf always conceived of Structural Integration as a work of human potential. Structural Integration unlocks the evolutionary gift of our uprightness, offering an embodied individuation.
Structural Integration work begins with an initial series of ten sessions, after which the process continues in advanced session work.
Lineage
I learned directly from two of Ida Rolf’s designated students: Emmett Hutchins and Jan Sultan. Emmett taught me the classical 10-series at the Guild for Structural Integration, and Jan taught me advanced work at the Rolf Institute.
Ayurvedic Massage / Panchakarma Therapies
What is Ayurvedic Massage?
Massage is one of the oldest therapies of humanity, as seen in the earliest medical texts and recorded practices of indigenous cultures. In Ayurvedic medicine, regular massage is recommended for the prevention and treatment of many health conditions. Ayurvedic massage is unique among massage therapies for its elegant application of herbalized oils, tailored to each patient’s unique constitution and needs.
Abhyanga - Whole Body Oil Massage
Abhyanga is an ancient Ayurvedic body massage tailored to your unique constitution. This deeply relaxing and nourishing treatment combines warm medicinal oils with a balance of calming and energizing massage techniques to gently rebalance the body, mind, and spirit—assisting the removal of toxins, reducing pain, and optimizing the circulation of life-energy throughout the whole body.
Shirodhara - Head Oiling Treatment
Shirodhara is one of Ayurveda’s most luxurious traditional therapies. Shiro means “head” and dhara means “to pour”. During a shirodhara treatment, a copper vessel filled with warm medicinal oil pours continuously upon the third eye and crown in a gentle steady stream. It is a very relaxing treatment that especially helps balance the mind and emotions, while cleansing the door of intuitions and higher connection. Shirodhara is nourishing for the hair and scalp, and is also beneficial in relieving stress, anxiety, nervousness, headaches, insomnia, and fatigue.
Ayurveda Bliss: Abhyanga and Shirodhara
A luxurious combination of Abhyanga massage and Shirodhara treatment.
Panchakarma Therapies
Panchakarma means “five actions” and refers to the Ayurvedic art of purification, rebalancing, and rejuvenation. While traditional panchakarma includes harsher therapies such as therapeutic vomiting and bloodletting, we practice a gentler form that is appropriate for the modern patient.
Oil therapies are nourishing, tonifying, and soothing—they are especially indicated for vata and pitta conditions. Oil therapies include abhyanga, shirodhara, nasya, dough basti, herbal compress, and hot stone compress. These therapies are applied as indicated in each session.
Svedana is the classical Ayurvedic practice of therapeutic sweating. Svedana opens the channels, releases toxins, and allows for medicated herbal oils to penetrate the deepest tissue layers. Svedana is especially indicated for conditions of excess kapha, characterized by dampness and stagnation. Svedana is typically employed before or after an oil therapy.
Session Inquiry
Admission to the clinic is limited and reserved for those interested in consistent, depth-oriented work. If you are interested in entering the practice, please fill out the form below and we will schedule an initial 15-minute consultation call regarding current availability and session frameworks.