Barefoot myofascial massage therapy in London
In summary, this barefoot massage approach involves:
slow, myofascial strokes
with deep pressure
delivered by the practitioner’s feet (except for the face and scalp, which is massaged with the hands)
on bare skin with a massage cream made of organic coconut oil and Hawaiian beeswax (vegan option available)
on a heated massage table
About Sarga® barefoot myofascial massage
Developed in Hawaii by Jivatma Massaguer and Daniel Tsukayama, Sarga Bodywork® is a form of deep myofascial massage that the practitioner delivers using their bare feet. The aim is to provide a systematic and full-bodied ‘combing’ of the client’s connective tissue using a slow, sustained, oblique-angled approach facilitated by a small amount of high-tack massage cream that grips as well as glides.
Fascia is the semi-fluid matrix of thin, highly innervated connective tissue that is throughout the body. The slowness of Sarga® and specifically the sensitivity of ‘waiting for the melt’ of the tissues is what makes it a myofascial approach. Given the highly innervated nature of fascia, working with it in this way has a direct calming influence on the nervous system.
The client receives the treatment on a low-height massage table. The bodyworker stands on the table, supported by a long silken strap that is securely affixed to the sides of the table. This is for the practitioner’s stability, and to increase the strength of pressure that can be delivered.
Bolsters are used at the site of joints or other areas where compression needs to be supported by cushioning e.g. the ankles when face down, and under the knees when face up. The abdomen and above the chest can also be bolstered as required.
To note:
While the techniques are very slow, they are nonetheless strong, so Sarga® is best suited for people who enjoy moderate to strong pressure.
To enable long sweeps of the body, the client is fully undressed for the treatment. Body areas are draped when not being worked on, and the pelvis, abdomen and chest are kept covered at all times (please note: one buttock at a time is undraped during work on the posterior body (ie when face down)).
There are some contraindications for Sarga® - check before booking, in case any apply to you.
About Sarga® barefoot myofascial massage sessions with Max
With the subtlest scent of warm coconut from the all-natural Hawaiian massage cream, I use my feet to systematically apply deep and slow pressure, starting with the client’s feet and working towards the head. The slowness of the sequences enables the body to take deeper pressure without discomfort. The impact on the nervous system can feel profound - my own experiences of receiving Sarga® have felt like being under a weighted blanket.
Towards the end of the treatment, when the client is face up, I use the silken strap as a hammock to cradle the head for gentle rhythmic movements. This is followed by applying pressure to the trapezius muscle of the shoulders, combined with a simultaneous stretch to invite the body to let go of tightness in the neck and shoulders. The treatment is concluded with a slow and rhythmic massage of the face and scalp using my hands. The whole approach is to reduce chronic tension and calm the nervous system.
Receivers report feeling deep dream-like relaxation, alleviation of pain and tension, and greater range of movement.
My sessions are 90 minutes in length (£95) to allow enough time to sink deeply into the experience and draw the most benefit.
“The Sarga work felt as though my muscles were being coaxed back into communication with each other. It was a kind of reintegration that was unexpectedly impactful: my breath, alignment, and voice all fell into place and felt easier than they have in ages.”
“I loved being aware that great pressure was possible and I was being held in bounds that were perfectly judged. The Sarga treatment took me expertly to the delicious edge of tolerance with focused intensity, which then allowed me to fall into the deepest relaxation and the edge of sleep. This was a dance that continually evolved throughout the treatment, taking me further and further away from my default day and into a liminal space.”
“I felt a deep restedness after the Sarga treatment. I think I moved into a light hypnotic state. This is really great for me when I’ve gone through a nervous or anxious period of time in my life.”
“As a body worker myself, I’m very picky about the type of treatments I get. The quality of Max’s presence and technical understanding creates a level of deep tissue release and relaxation that lasts for days! I highly recommend a series of Sarga sessions to really allow the depth of Max’s unique combination of massage, embodiment practice and self-consent to integrate and create lasting shifts. A session with Max will also inspire an elevated awareness of how and where you hold tension - a truly empowering experience.”