Adrienne LaLanne
Bay Area - San Francisco Guide
Pronouns
she/her
Location
San Francisco (Pac Heights and Bernal neighborhoods)
Education/Certification
Massage Therapist Certification
BA, Dance and Holistic Health
Pre/ Post Natal Massage Certificate
The Arvigo Techniques for Mayan Abdominal Massage Professional Certification
Supporting Pregnancy through the Arvigo Institute Herbal Medicine Certificate
Pre/ Post Natal Massage, Arvigo and Chi Nei Tsang Abdominal Massage, Swedish, Deep tissue, Acupressure, Shiatsu
What are the words you live by?
“If you restore balance in your own self, you will be contributing immensely to the healing of the world.” - Deepak Chopra
What are your areas of expertise?
Pre/Post Natal and Abdominal Massage
Your education and experience have roots in both Arvigo Maya Abdominal Therapy and Chi Nei Tsang. Can you tell us more about these therapies and the benefits of each?
While these modalities have different techniques, what they share is that they both facilitate healing by opening up areas of restriction so that more blood, lymph, nerve and chi (energy) can flow. Healing happens when these channels are open. The Mayan Abdominal techniques for women focus on the uterus as center and Chi Nei Tsang the navel. I use different techniques from both based on the needs of the client.
Abdominal massage is often overlooked as a practice during pregnancy, despite its many benefits. Can you speak to these benefits and why you are so passionate about working with people during this phase?
Great question! I do want to start by clarifying that when one comes for an abdominal massage we do massage the back and hips as well, addressing issues of alignment and tension. Before 20 weeks of gestation we only massage above the navel. At this time massage helps improve digestion,opens the diaphragm, and increases blood flow to the mother organs. This can help with nausea and better assimilation of nutrients. After 20 weeks we begin working on the entire abdominal area to help relieve tension in the muscle that may be causing misalignment of the pelvis but also the uterus itself. This alignment is key to relieve some of the common pain and discomforts of pregnancy and also begin preparing for labor. It is at this time that I teach women how to massage their own pregnant bellies as well!
How can this work be helpful for those undergoing recent loss or abortion (particularly as it relates to the release of emotional trauma trapped in the body, old wounds etc)?
When we are provided a safe present space in which to feel our pain (physical and emotional) healing happens. The emotions and physical process moves through us rather than getting stuck.
What inspires your work?
At the core of my work is my love of helping people! My deepest passion is helping women cultivate more love and be more comfortable in and with their bodies.
What is your self care ritual?
Daily abdominal massage, mindfulness meditation, healthy diet and herbal medicine support, baths, dance, jog, yoga
What is something that others might not know about you but would be interested in knowing?
When I was 19 I traveled to Guatemala and on summer solstice I slept on a pyramid at an ancient Mayan site called Tikal.