What to expect: The somatic mfr session
Before you arrive at my Nolensville home, I encourage you to ponder one question: “How am I doing spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically in this moment?” In this moment is where we will begin.
Your Arrival
You will enter through the front door, and we will walk together to the treatment room. As noted on the booking page, there are 28 stairs to get there. If stairs are a concern, I’m happy to refer you to a provider with a more accessible setup.
In the treatment room, you will be given space to use the restroom or change. When you’re ready, we begin by listening either on or off the table. You will share your present state and focus for the session. This is an intentional pause to take a breath before the session begins. It gives you a chance to adjust to the room, to the quiet, to my touch, and to the commitment of being present. It gives me a chance to hear anything you want to share while also listening to your body.
The Session
My hands will be placed over or under clothing, with your permission. The work is slow. Each hold lasts between two and thirty minutes.
The key is that I do not “drive” the session. We are both listening. Reclaiming your voice-to-body connection is the center of this work. From the moment we arrive on this Earth, we are asked to disconnect from our bodies in order to make others comfortable. Toddlers can sense emotion and attempt to “please” caregivers. By the time we’re seven, our core programming has solidified how to react to survive. Our school system then teaches us to sit for uncomfortably long periods of time without fidgeting, all while ignoring our own bladders in favor of someone else’s schedule. In short, we’re taught to prioritize our bodies last.
Somatic Myofascial Release puts your body back in the priority position. Together, we listen to what it has to say. The experience doesn’t always look like the theater you see on Instagram; we don’t need a production to be productive.
What Does Somatic Myofascial Release Feel Like?
Somatic Myofascial Release varies in sensation. Sometimes it feels gentle, like a whisper or energy work. Sometimes it feels deeper, creating therapeutic pain in the area being worked or in a connected area. Sometimes it feels like a slow stretch or the gentle pulling of taffy. We will listen to it all and I will listen to you. You are always in control of your session.
Common sensations during a session:
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Physical Release: Bubbles, popping, muscle twitches, therapeutic pain, or pulses.
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The “Voice”: Vocalizations like sighs, moans, or even spontaneous words.
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Movement: A desire to ‘unwind’ or move your body. Unlike in a classroom, there is no requirement to stay still here. If you want to move, move.
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The Drift: Feelings of sleepiness, yawning, or seeing colors and shapes.
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The Emotional Surge: Unexpected joy, laughter, or tears.
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Nothing: You may feel absolutely nothing. That is an acceptable and valuable experience.
We will also work with your fascial voice. This “voice” is often a quiet whisper that speaks away from where my hands are actually resting. For example, I may be holding a release over your bladder, but you feel the response in your shoulders. We listen to that whisper together using curiosity.
After the Session: Nurturing the Shift
After a session, give whatever you experienced some space and time. You don’t need to immediately make sense of it or decide what comes next. You may also continue to notice sensations, emotions, or new awareness after you leave the table.
The “Truth” Comparison: Somatic MFR vs. Massage
To help you decide if this session is right for you, it’s helpful to understand how Somatic Myofascial Release differs from traditional massage.
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Clothed and Collaborative: Unlike traditional massage, this is a clothed modality. This allows your body to move and process. We will agree on a clothing plan that ensures you feel secure, private, and in control.
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Stillness Over Sliding: Massage uses gliding and sliding strokes to manipulate muscle. MFR is “still” work. My hands stay in one place, applying slow, gentle pressure to wait for the fascia to respond.
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Dry Touch: I generally do not use oils or lotions. Lubrication makes the hands slide; we need a dry grip to connect with the fascial system. Please refrain from applying lotion before your session.
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Depth over Distance: A massage usually tries to cover your whole body in 60 minutes. In a somatic session, we are focused. We may spend the entire hour on a single hold. Because the fascia forms an interconnected web, a release in one area often reverberates throughout your entire system.
When Should I Book Again?
The most powerful work we can do is to break the pattern of believing we are “broken” and in need of constant fixing. We are whole exactly as we are, even as we move toward better versions of ourselves.
Together, we listen to whatever your body brings forward. Then, give yourself time to sit with what you learned. Your next step might bring you back here, but it might also lead you somewhere entirely different. Trust what you heard.