My name is Melissa, and I’m so excited to be part of the team at Watershed Wellness!
I’m originally from a small working-class community in farm country in Michigan. I spent time living in many places throughout the world before settling here on the North Coast. I have lived here for 8 years, recently taking a hiatus to go to massage school in Hawai’i at the Maui Academy of Healing Arts. I am grateful for the community, trees, and beauty of this place.
Prior to leaving for massage school, I was working here in Astoria at the Harbor as their Health and Care Partnership Coordinator. In the last 10 years, I’ve also taught yoga, mindfulness practices, and have done coaching to help people to come into a more connected, less shame-oriented resonance with their bodies.
At some point in 2021, I decided to seek training in massage therapy.
It is a modality I’ve benefitted from significantly. Regular massage therapy helped me maintain relaxation and connection to my body, even when close to burn-out with my work in public health. Massage therapy was invaluable in my healing process as I grieved the loss of a relationship, even though I didn’t discuss my life situation with my massage therapist.
I’ve also experienced great benefit in healing from injury with massage therapy.
I had a fall and was not able to walk without an immense amounts of pain. Unfortunately, imaging didn’t show anything obviously wrong and my primary care physician was unable to prescribe anything that provided relief. I went to a massage therapist who found dysfunction in my piriformis, and with a single session I was able to walk with more ease and less pain.
I’ve spent a good chunk of my life trying to learn ways to help lessen all kinds of suffering in myself and others.
I find myself in awe with the many ways that massage therapy can help – either on its own or in conjunction with other therapies. I sincerely hope I can share these wonderful benefits, and more, with my clients at Watershed Wellness!
The primary modalities I learned in my training are Swedish and Deep Tissue. However, I also have been exploring craniosacral therapy, Thai and Ashiastu massage, and Lomi-Lomi. Lomi-Lomi is a Hawaiian style of massage that I was taught by Maka’ala Yates, a healing elder passing down the lineage.
I treat the body as already whole. I enjoy problem solving with clients when it comes to alleviating pain and tension. And I find it important to provide a strong presence and deep care, in addition to proper techniques, in pursuing nourishment and relaxation for my clients.
Many blessings, and I look forward to working with you!