Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Fredrickson.
Hi Michelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I really dove into Holistic Health practices a few years ago, while tea-tending and teaching yoga at an Ayurvedic spa. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medical system, based on taking a natural approach to physical and mental health; seeing clients’ physical health, and along with it their mental well-being improve, really inspired me to start schooling for and learning everything I could about the mind/body tie and positive influence each can have on the other. While I was initially motivated by the visible mood improvement that tactile manipulation caused, I was equally intrigued by the anatomical aspects. After working for chiropractors and at spas, I came to find that my own style was influenced by both, and I wanted to integrate not only therapeutic and relaxation massage, but add styles of energy work into the treatments I provide. I started my own business, Hara Massage, in early 2022, where I blend Eastern and Western styles of bodywork, energy work and yoga instructing, in a way where I refer to myself as an “intuitive healer”.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There have been challenges, but I think when you know that you’re doing what you’re meant to, they can be exciting. While I love anatomy, I haven’t made it through a cadaver lab longer than a few minutes without becoming faint. While I don’t have much of a mind for business, it has been a great learning experience, motivated by the expansion of doing what I love. Finding one’s style is always a journey, but good things do take time!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love that I went to a school that taught me a variety of modalities. Healing Mountain not only taught me structural and integrative therapies, but also had a focus on things like Asian bodywork, hydrotherapy and energy work. There are so many different styles of therapy, and I like that I can take different things from each kind to help someone the best I can. In every session, I blend different styles. In some, I will take a client from a Thai Yoga session on a Shiatsu mat to a deep tissue massage with bamboo sticks on the table.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
The more you know and learn about your passion, the easier you will be able to act instinctively. For me, knowledge builds confidence, and being able to do what feels right is important. Self-care helps create the culture around you, which people that you interact with will pick up on.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/haramassage
- Facebook: facebook.com/haramassage
