A few weeks ago, we were excited to announce the newest addition to our team, Erin Whitworth. With experience providing sports massage, deep tissue therapy, and prenatal massage, we knew she would bring some awesome knowledge and techniques to the table - literally. Since we’re still pretty excited about her joining Body of Work Wellness, I thought it would be great to interview her for our new blog series, “20 Questions with Lindsay”.
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What made you decide on a career in massage therapy?

I wanted to become a massage therapist because I wanted to be able to work for myself, and help others at the same time. I have always been fascinated with the human body and how our muscles hold us all together.

How long have you lived in Oregon? Have you lived in any other states?
I have lived in Oregon for 3 years. I grew up in Idaho, moved to Montana, and then Washington.

Tell me three of your favorite restaurants in the area, and your go-to menu item from each.
Gin Thai - Green curry
Pho Gabo - Chicken Pho with lots of spice
Any Indian buffet.

What music do you enjoy listening to when you’re not giving a massage?
Dance mixes - anything upbeat to help me stay motivated.

Aside from being a Massage Therapist Extraordinaire, do you have any other hobbies or talents?
I was once a dental assistant, a wild-land firefighter (college years), and I love to refurbish old furniture.

What was the last good book you read, and why did you enjoy it?
The last thing I read was an acupressure book. I enjoy educational science books.

How do you usually spend your days off from work?
My days off are spent being a mom and working out.

What is your spirit animal and why?
A horse. I love them!

What is your perfect way to spend a rainy day in Oregon?
Snugged on the couch watching a movie with a big cup of coffee.

What is your favorite quote?
“You are where you are supposed to be, just breathe.”

What is your go-to karaoke song?
“Zombie” by The Cranberries.

Describe the perfect pizza.
The perfect pizza is made with simple, great ingredients. Pesto, Mozzarella, basil, and in an outdoor pizza oven.

What is your favorite kind of tea?
I love black tea with a little sugar.

What was the last TV show that you binge-watched?
I’m currently binge-watching This Is Us.

Tell me the corniest joke you know.
How do you make a Kleenex dance? Put a little boogie in it! (I got that one from my son)

Before you started studying massage therapy, what was your favorite subject in school?
Science - A&P.

Do you have a favorite stand-up comedian?
Amy Shuman.

If you could pick any fashion fad to make a comeback, what would you choose?
MC Hammer pants!

What is your favorite vacation spot?
My dream vacation is in Olgiasca, Italy. This is where my family is from.

Finally, what is a weird/fun/little-known fact about you?
In high school, I was in FFA (Future Farmers of America).

​So there you have it! Be sure to book an appointment with Erin soon - she is available Monday 9-2, Tuesday 8:30-1:30, and Thursday 8:30-12.    And stay tuned for the next “20 Questions”!

I became interested in shamanism as I studied different massage and healing modalities. In general,massage and western medicine tend to compartmentalize. Meaning, this doctor will look at your bones but isn’t the person you need to talk to about your muscles and that person, by law, can’t have anything to do with your mental health. Everything is separate. Yet, as I worked on client after client who came in with physical pain that was clearly tied up in the mental/emotional stresses or traumas they were experiencing, the compartmentalized model made less and less sense to me. It was clear the human being is one organism made up of many parts whose parts interact on an intrinsic level. The cases I saw where patients had the best outcomes in their healing were always the ones where they were willing to address not just the physical but also the emotional and spiritual/energetic aspects as well. 
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he variety of shamanism I have learned is a conglomeration of many different cultures and traditions. My teachers looked to what practices were common cross culturally and what was at the core of those practices once local superstition was removed. Superstition has always been a way of connecting practices to the emotional/psychological core of what is really going on. It has been a way of explaining that which we don’t understand and often fear. But we have science to help us in these processes now so we can blend modern psychodynamic work with ancient healing practices.This makes the work much more potent for those of us who have grown up with the western mindset. 

So what does this all look like? I may have a client who comes in to me saying they feel stuck in life. That the feeling of being stuck and not being able to move forward is contributing to depression, anxiety, headaches etc… My job as a shaman is to help the client get to the core of what is going on “what kind of stuck?” I might ask “What does that feel like?” We will seek out the original wound that set the client on this path in the first place. Often modern psychology stops here (although more and more psychological modalities are moving beyond the talk therapy model) saying “There it is! That is the reason you are this way. Now stop it!” But if we could talk ourselves out of it we would have already done so long ago. These core issues are layers and layers of years and years of trying to find ways to dance around a wound that never had a chance to heal. Here is where shamanism excels. Through a variety of practices we search for the mind body connection to this ongoing issue and begin the repair work, the true healing. Sometimes it’s as simple as affirming something that the client needed to hear but was never told. This repair work may include, Soul Retrieval, Energy Extraction, Sacred Drama, Guided Meditation, Journeying, Illuminations, Energetic Resets or a variety of other practices. Each session is tailored to what the client needs. I don’t know what sort of healing is needed until we are in the session in that moment. Shamanism is above all a practice of mindful awareness of being present with what is true now and helping the client to do the same. 

If there is an issue in your life that other forms of medicine and healing don’t seem to help, regardless of whether it’s physical or emotional or life circumstances. Shamanic healing may be a new avenue for you to try to experience deep and true healing. I am excited to now be offering these services here at Body of Work Wellness.
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Shamanism is a general term for the indigenous healing practices of native peoples. Much of our western medicine started here with the plants and insects and tinctures of these native wise men/women. There is another aspect to the healing these medicine women/men do which is universal across cultures. They not only look after the physical health of their people but also their emotional and spiritual health. ​

In this 7 week CLASS we will be learning:
 
HEALING GONG 1 - GATHERING HEALING QI FROM THE UNIVERSE
This is a self-healing form that is easy to learn and practice. It is done seated on a chair. It can easily be implemented in daily life and the rewards will be obvious.
 
FREE INTRODUCTORY CLASS - Sept. 6th 11:30 - 1:00 pm
 

• 7 week series offered Wednesday 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
• Sept. 13th through Oct. 25th

 
Cost: $90 for the full series or $15 per class.
 
RSVP to Maria at 503-863-9173

SHENG ZHEN GONG consists of graceful moving and non-moving qigong forms. These forms strengthen and relax the body, dissolve negative emotions, clarify the mind, open the heart, and ultimately elevate the spirit. Sheng Zhen translates as "sacred truth" and also as "unconditional love". Sheng Zhen Gong is the qigong of unconditional love. 
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We've heard your cries! You need massage appointments after work and on the weekends and we're always striving give you exactly what you want. I've been looking for the right person for a few months now and finally found her. Kelly Smith, LMT will join the Body of Work Wellness Massage Therapy Team on January 4th, 2017. She is a graduate of East West College of the Healing Arts and has been honing her craft at an area foot spa and her small private practice. She combines her training in craniosacral, myofascial release, Swedish massage and deep tissue techniques in her unique signature style. You can read more about Kelly on our About Us page.

During the month of January, 60 minute massages with Kelly are just $55. Schedule yours today!
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Maria Solomon brought the practice of Qigong to Body of Work in the fall of 2016.
She is now offering an evening class! She will be introducing the series in a Free Introductory class on Wed., January 11th at 6:30 pm. Please rsvp.

 HEALING GONG 1 - GATHERING HEALING QI FROM THE UNIVERSE
 This is a self-healing form that is easy to learn and practice. It is done seated on a chair. It can easily be implemented in daily life and the rewards will be obvious.
 
- 6 week series offered Wednesday 6:30 – 8:00
- January 18th through February 22nd
 Cost: $80 for the full series or $15 per class.
 
RSVP to 503-863-9173
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In early January, there will be a little construction happening at Body of Work Wellness. If you've been in our classroom, you may have noticed the "windows to nowhere" that raise curiosity. Well, I'm happy to report they will be covered over and the wall repainted. We expect the project to last about 3 days and shouldn't interfere with any scheduled appointments. 

We're also adding a laundry room! No, we won't be doing your laundry while you have a massage. We will be using it to do our massage sheets and towels and save our LMTs from hauling it all home (can you hear them cheering???) It will be in a small adjacent space. There will be a bit of dust while they cut a new doorway for us, but should be completed mid-January. 
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Are you feeling cooped up with all this rainy weather?
Did you resolve to get more active in 2016?
Come walk with us!
Starting Sunday, January 24th, the team at Body of Work Wellness will host a walking group!
We'll meet at Body of Work Wellness and start with a light stretch, lead by our resident personal trainer, Amy Lucero. We'll head out from there for an easy pace walk around the Rock Creek area. There will be shorter options or longer options to suit your fitness and motivation level. We'll finish up with another stretch and send you off to the rest of your Sunday.
This is a no cost group. We just want to hang out with you and help you get moving!
This Sunday (Jan. 24th)  we'll meet at 9:00 am and plan for an hour and a half total (including stretch time). Watch our website and Facebook for future times. If there is interest, we'll do an afternoon time some weeks. Comment here to let us know you're coming or reply to the email that was just sent out!

See you Sunday!
​-Kristina