Ashi means foot. Atsu means pressure. Therefore, this massage is accomplished through gravity assisted foot pressure. In this style of massage, Sarah uses gravitational force and distributes her body weight by holding onto bars in the ceiling and using the feet to deliver the strokes and apply painless pressure directly onto the client’s body. Ashiatsu is not just walking on the client’s back; the client will feel a deep, broad, flowing pressure that engages the fascia throughout the entire body, loosening attached tissue, and increase drainage. Additionally, careful compression of soft tissue is applied throughout the session, helping to release muscle spasm and tension, always working within the clients’ comfort zone.

My journey to becoming a Thai and Ashiatsu practitioner has been a process of learning and practicing many fields within the fitness realm.  I have been employed as a nurse, fitness trainer and yoga instructor. I met with my mentor one day, and she told me she no longer did Thai massage. She asked me if I would be interested in Ashiatsu massage instead.  I then began learning Ashiatsu while I was still in massage school in order to be able to practice both legally after graduation. In addition to massage school, I traveled to Thailand to learn Thai massage at the Old Medicine Hospital in Chaing Mai.  I have been doing Thai Massage since 2013. Once I was completely trained I started doing Ashiatsu in 2015.