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Tag: narcissistic abuse

Part Two: Kintsugi & Life Beyond the Phoenix

August 22, 2024September 2, 2024 valentinavera

I was broken, and put myself back together, piece by piece…with golden intention and self-initiation, I forged myself back to life.

Tagged healing, healing journey, kintsugi, narcissism, narcissist relationships, narcissistic abuse, phoenix, repair, rising from the ashes, wild women1 Comment

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  • Part Two: Kintsugi & Life Beyond the Phoenix
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  • ⚡️ P l a s m A ⚡️

_journeytoharmony_

✨Keeper of Frequency✨
Intuitive Massage | Sound Balancing | Movement Medicine
Massothérapie Intuitive ~ Plateau, Montréal, QC

Céline nailed it. Her face says it all. That conv Céline nailed it. Her face says it all. That conviction to wear the shoe. Who can relate?🙋🏾‍♀️I love my feet AND I also love dancing!

Being stylish is just one reason why we might sacrifice our foot wellness. However, there are ways in which we can still care for our feet, even when we might have to wear tight shoes for dance, work, play. 

I invite you to take a couple hours to join me on this journey to connect deeper to your feet ~ these  precious vehicles for doing what we love! Walking, dancing! Moving! They carry us as we walk through the world…they hold our weight against gravity…they are with us since we were in our mothers’ wombs. 

Participants will learn:
🦶🏼basic foot and ankle anatomy (I promise it will be fun & exciting!)
🦶🏼Foot-awareness exercises 
🦶🏼What to do in an emergency (spasms, rolled ankle, swelling) & who to seek for help!
🦶🏼How to care for our feet daily and especially as dance students
🦶🏼Explore some different tools we can resource for better maintenance of foot health
🦶🏼Self-massage

❗️Please note: this workshop is not meant to be a diagnostic space. We will be exploring our own unique feet and creating a self-awareness of our feet. If you have any foot conditions, including past surgeries or injuries, please indicate in the form when you register. I can give guidance of what steps you can take, but with this being a group session, I will not be providing individual assessments. 

📋Registered participants will receive all tools and information.

Energy exchange (includes all materials/toe spacers will be an additional $4):
$40+HST: $45.99 (workshop)
$44+HST: $50.59 (workshop + toe spacers)

Limited to 15 participants

To register: please see link above

This workshop will be facilitated in English; Spanish and French will also be available. All document materials will be delivered in English.

Side note on Céline’s clip - the entire film was very powerful. This particular clip caught my attention and smile because she speaks truth haha! It’s nice to share the reality of such an iconic diva confirm with dry humour, that yes, sometimes we do put ourselves in uncomfortable situations to do what we love.
Chronic back pain? Chronic fatigue? Weak metabolis Chronic back pain? Chronic fatigue? Weak metabolism or digestive imbalances? Tight hips? Do you sit a lot (office work, driving, aesthetician)? 

Have you considered an abdominal massage? 

Many clients come with an intention to relieve back pain, especially lower back or hip pain but might be hesitant to receive touch or approaching their issues by treating the abdomen.

Why abdominal massage? There are numerous benefits.

From an Ayurvedic lens, of which I am most influenced, abdominal massage:

👐🏾 promotes overall well-being by balancing fire (Agni) and harmonizing the body systems
👐🏾 restores balance by relieving congestion in the abdominal-pelvic region
👐🏾 improves digestion by stimulating enzymatic functions and peristalsis 
👐🏾 eliminates toxins and promotes detoxification 
👐🏾 provides relief from constipation, decreases bloating
👐🏾 overall the gut can operate more efficiently, fulfilling its function
👐🏾 managing dysmenorrhea & regulating menstruation

Through mindful touch, and breathe awareness during an abdominal massage, a lot of chronic tension and long held trauma can find a way to be liberated.

Specific application of massage and fascial techniques can help to reduce the adhesions from poor posture and open up the space, inspiring greater mobility of the tissues and spaces between organs so they can function more optimally and encourage a better quality of breathing.

If you would like to explore this unique and effective approach to your wellness and addressing your chronic issues, I invite you to book an abdominal massage. I weave techniques and approaches from my various paths of study: Ayurveda, Swedish and Thai massage, myofascial release, reflexology & herbalism. 

You can book online through my bio where it is listed under Specialized Therapies. 

Thanks for your trust in my work.

Full details on my website under Abdominal Massage.

#abdominalmassage #massagetherapy #massagetherapymontreal #montréal
Time for a Spring Tune Up? How are you feeling com Time for a Spring Tune Up? How are you feeling coming out of winter hibernation? Or after the last five months of planetary retrogrades and the recent eclipse season?😮‍💨 There is a lot of ⚡️energetic⚡️noise around us. 

We are living symphonies. What can do we do when we are “out of tune”?

“Through the introduction of the coherent sound input of the tuning fork, chaotic waveforms come to a more harmonious expression.” Electric Body, Electric Health. Eileen Day McKusick, pg. 20, 2020. 

If you’d like to explore this modality to bring more coherence and harmony to your body and boost life force, I offer complimentary tune-ups as part of a massage session.

🤗 book online through bio
Here for you during this seasonal transition!🌀 Here for you during this seasonal transition!🌀

🍂As the air and sunlight are changing, I hope you are doing well through this transition into Autumn.

𝐀 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟓. ✨and available again starting until January 19, 2025.✨Please look ahead to book. 

👐🏾I am in my office:
Sundays 10h00 - 17h00 
Tuesdays 09h00 - 21h00
Wednesdays 10h00 - 17h00

👐🏾Seasonal transitions and the end of year can bring different stressors and I would love to support you through these times. Also, if you need to use up your insurance amounts, please note my last date of work for this year. 

🙏🏾As always, I deeply appreciate all your referrals and support to my growing massage practice! If you haven’t come to visit me at the location in front of Parc LaFontaine, I hope I do see you before the end of the year!

If you’ve enjoyed your sessions with me and received some benefit, I’d appreciate if you can leave me a Google Review as it helps illuminate my work, 11 years of education & experience in this very big city. Post a review through Google: Audrey Barber, Massothérapeute agréé 

Book a massage appointment: journeytoharmony.ca

Wishing you warmth and wellness during the beginning of this cold season,
Audrey 👐🏾✨

📷 @michelle.doucette.photography
✨Prenatal Massage✨ One of my absolute favourit ✨Prenatal Massage✨ One of my absolute favourite offerings…massage for mothers! 

If you didn’t know, I specialize in pre and post-natal massage! So if you are pregnant or know a mama who is, please know I have a lot of experience working with mamas and it brings me a lot of J O Y!

Pregnancy is a deeply transformative journey for a woman emotionally, spiritually, mentally and of course, physically. 

Pre-natal massage is beneficial in all trimesters as the mama’s body shifts and transforms as she grows her baby. Each trimester has its unique beauty and challenges of which I consider deeply, and of course the unique experience of the mother’s health and needs at each stage. 

Post-partum care is extremely important for mamas. And post-partum isn’t just the days and months following a birth, it is every single moment after the birth! So yes, all the years after a baby is born. I’ll share more on this soon! 

Here I’ve mentioned the physical needs, but of course, there is the whole layer of emotional and psychological stressors that our mamas are *constantly* processing! Constantly! So, a massage is great and helpful at any stage of pregnancy or postpartum. 

✨We need to continue to prioritize our mamas’ care! When mamas are thriving, our children and our communities thrive!✨

👐🏾If you know a mama or mama-to-be and would like to support her, I also offer gift certificates and packages.

Also, if you’ve recently had a baby, you are always welcome to bring your baby to your appointments and I can adjust the positioning so you can still receive the care you need during that special time, without having to part from your baby and still honour the baby’s needs.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I’m located in the Montréal Plateau, around the corner from Sherbrooke Metro. 

Blessings during this fertile season…when we celebrate our mothers and our Earth Mother - Blessed Gaia. 

📷 @reyone.ina 🙏🏾
🌱Spring 2024 UPDATE: As the world is shifting r 🌱Spring 2024 UPDATE: As the world is shifting rapidly…so are the costs associated with running a small business (which I’m sure many of you already feel and understand). 

Given my distinct education and experience, compared to the minimal requirements to offer massage therapy in Quebec, I feel it’s necessary to raise my rates. My service fees reflect my 2200hrs education, 10+ years of experience & additional courses, operating costs & the rising costs of living.

As of May 1, 2024, these will be my rates:

45mins $88

60mins $111

90mins $155*

120mins $222

*I’ve needed to adjust my 90mins fee for some time now, so I understand it’s a jump, but feels more realistic. 

If you book future appointments before May 1, 2024, I will honour my current rates – however, if you cancel or reschedule your appointment, the new rates will apply. I’ve made my schedule for now until June and will remain similar hours over the summer. If I need to reschedule an appointment, then I will still honour the rate. 

However, to support your wellness journey, I’ve decided to offer packages! This way you can save a bit and gift yourself the consistency in wellness that is a necessary element for overall well-being.

To purchase a package, simply send an e-transfer with the amount. It will be documented. Your receipt of the package is your email from your bank of the “Sent E-transfer”

º An insurance receipt will be provided for each massage after you attend the session. 

º Packages can only be used for you. 

º Ideally used up by the end of this year.�

I look forward to connecting and being a part of your path to harmony and wellness. ✨
° S o u n d B a l a n c i n g ° We are living ° S o u n d  B a l a n c i n g °

We are living symphonies. What can we do when we feel “out of tune”? 

“Through the introduction of the coherent sound input of the tuning fork, chaotic waveforms come to a more harmonious expression.” Electric Body, Electric Health. Eileen Day McKusick, pg. 20, 2020. 

If you’d like to explore this modality to bring more coherence and harmony to your body and life force, I am currently offering mini tune-ups as part of a massage session.
🥰🙏🏾Love Note for Referrals & why business 🥰🙏🏾Love Note for Referrals & why business cards are still important

✨I gave my business cards a little upgrade with a QR code for more direct booking. Yes! I still use business cards even when many entrepreneurial sources say it’s outdated. I’m always amazed when I see the stack being reduced and I have to replenish. I’m still grateful that people take the cards and use them or pass them along… 

✨I’d say that almost my entire clientele is referral based, with only a handful of people who found me on their insurance website…but it’s still been word-of-mouth that’s helped me grow! I have never received a client from any paid promotion (when I did them) or any post…it’s been word-of-mouth. 

Yes, I get “engagement“ on my posts and shared posts have actually brought more engagement/awareness about my work than paid ads, but those never actually resulted in an appointment right away. And yes, I do track some stats - not religiously or excessively, but I am curious about these things because I believe it’s part of the responsibility of being a self employed and ultimately ✨knowing how to fine tune the use of our energy to best serve ourselves and our communities✨

🙏🏾I’m so grateful for my clients sharing their experiences. Thank you for trusting in me - to come to me for your wellness and care. Thanks for feeling safe enough to share your inner truths, your hard moments of grief, loss, or transition. Thanks for sharing my name amongst your circles and for coming back when you needed support.🥰

With love & gratitude,
Valentina (Audrey)
😌Feeling inspired and rejuvenated as a bodywork 😌Feeling inspired and rejuvenated as a bodyworker! ✨ It was a beautiful day learning aquatic bodywork in a saltwater pool and surrounded by my awesome colleagues from Community Healing Days! 

💧This experience was deeply enriching to my own relationship with water and how my body responds to water…that’s not in a tub or lake or ocean or float tank…or streaming down from the shower. 

💧To float in a safe container and surrender deeply and listen and allow the body to use its own wisdom to reveal and unwind the chronic patterns, the stuck energy…the stuff that we don’t see when we stand up or lie down for an assessment…

🌀It’s fun to play with the absence of gravity and see what is revealed. 

💧✨Water holds such deep, ancient wisdom. Codes of high frequency for healing! Stay tuned for more updates as I explore this new path of bodywork! I am ecstatic to offer sound healing as part of my massage practice, but to eventually incorporate water therapy in some form, is what I truly envision. 

✨Sound is light is frequency. 
💧Water is light is vibration. 
✨Same energy…different words based on which frequency is being expressed. 

When we work with the body, both it’s physical and non-physical elements, we are actually facilitating its own healing through the movement of energy…through cellular wisdom and fluid patterns/the body’s natural rhythms.
👐🏾Dedicated to YOU!👐🏾 It’s been an 👐🏾Dedicated to YOU!👐🏾

It’s been an honour to be of service to my Halifax, and now Montréal communities over these past ten years. I am so grateful for all of the people that have crossed my practice in these last 10 years. I feel deeply blessed to connect with clients of all streams of life and who are committed to their own journey of wellness and harmony. And I am thankful to my peers, colleagues and teachers who continue to nourish this path with inspiring me to grow and serve. 

I am grateful to be here and now, because many of my life’s greatest epiphanies and inspirations have come through during many of my treatments - either as divine messages or huge downloads showing me the potentials of my path. Aside from the joy of working with clients and witnessing your healing, these bursts of inspiration are what have kept my devotion to grow as a human and therapist. 

Thank you for trusting in me - to come to me for your wellness and care. Thanks for feeling safe enough to share your inner truths, your hard moments of grief, loss, or transition. Thanks for sharing my name amongst your circles and for coming back when you needed support. 

✨As this calling to serve continues, I am humbled to step further into the realm of vibrational medicine (sound healing, sound balancing) and energy…after all…we are pure light.✨

In deep gratitude and honour to continue to serve you,

Valentina (Audrey)
~ Keeper of Frequency ~

🙏🏾🤗In celebration of this anniversary and gratitude to you, I’d like to offer $10 off all massage sessions and gift certificates until August 31, 2023. 

👐🏾In addition, for every massage appointment, I will donate a portion to When the Village Meditates, a Montréal-based community organization that supports marginalized peoples in their inner journey towards wellness and healing. @whenthevillagemeditates_ 

Book Online ~ Link in bio or check out my website for more information!
Coming Soon! Some massage therapists dream of an e Coming Soon! Some massage therapists dream of an electric table…(still also one of my dreams😅) but getting these bars installed has been one of my biggest dreams in the last few years and I’m thrilled to have them up! 

I did my Ashiatsu training when I was pregnant with my son, and the last few years I haven’t had the opportunity to practice my technique, so I’m taking the next month to review and refine my skills and then I’ll be ready for you Montréal!

Thanks @eric.santiago.massage at Centre Tranquillitas for being open to my proposal and having this incredible space that is the perfect home for the bars!

You can book a massage online - link in bio. 

We are located in The Village, Montréal 
824 rue Ontario est

Thanks for your support and patience! 
Love & Gratitude, 

Valentina🌺
✨Tis the season ✨ Give the gift of vitality, o ✨Tis the season ✨ Give the gift of vitality, of taking a pause, of gratitude and love.✨

A thoughtful gift for
• Mamas
• Caregivers
• Single parents
• Teachers 
• Baristas and all Your “Team”
• Students
• Grieving friend, family
• If you know someone doesn’t have health insurance 
• someone who has made an impact in your life
• someone who could use a massage that might not go themselves

Gift Certificates are digital but if you’d like a physical offering please let me know to arrange pick up.

Heartfull gratitude,
~ Valentina (Audrey)
~ It’s been a minute ~ New Blog ~ Link in Bio fo ~ It’s been a minute ~ New Blog ~ Link in Bio for full post.

I’ve never written a piece like this…some humour and some real-ness of what my flow is like while I work with you. When I sat down to write this, I couldn’t actually remember what I wanted to write because the inspiration came from a treatment I gave on Sunday and it’s early Wednesday morning…and I thought I wanted to write about breast massage, but as I started to write, I remembered the puffs…and then it allll flowed. So as I start this unravelling of thoughts at 02:22, remembering my angels are here with me…I hope you enjoy this piece. I will share a piece on breast massage soon! 

Thanks for reading!
~ Valentina ~

Original 📷 @michelle.doucette.photography with edits by me.
It feels like we are already in summer mode with a It feels like we are already in summer mode with a Solstice just around the corner.🌞

I invite you to schedule yourself some pauses as we enter an exciting and spontaneous part of the year. 

As fun as summertime adventures and events can be, our self-care and wellness can be easily overlooked as we are “in it” and living it up through the summer. 

If you’d like to book a massage, please see my profile for a direct link. I hope to support you on your journey of harmony and wellness. 

Blessings, 
Valentina
On this Mother’s Day, I thought I’d share with On this Mother’s Day, I thought I’d share with you all why I was called to massage therapy, and holistic healthcare. 

My mother is the reason I chose the path of massage, but more specifically, preventative, holistic care & living intentionally.

My mother was a nurse in Karachi, Pakistan, where I was born. When we immigrated to Canada, she was unable to work due to the entrance requirements for nursing, and the costs involved. As most moms did until more recently, she was a stay-at-home mom who raised three children. 

My mom was the one who inspired my interest in biology, helped me with my science project on the human heart and it’s pumping system, she was the one who encouraged me through my academic studies. She inspired me to be a volunteer, to become involved in my community, and to be of service to others. 

When I was about 10, she became very ill, with pulmonary hypertension and then her quality of life declined severely. I lost her when I was fifteen and yes, death really changes your perception of life. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself even more to serve others and promote self-care, holistic wellness, and most of all, preventative care. My experience with my Mom taught me to always ask questions, and plan ahead, and above all, to see the impact of my personal decisions, on my family, friends and community. I am ever grateful for the love, inspiration and lessons of my Mother. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers here and gone, biological and community mothers. You have provided us with all the nourishment of life to follow our paths and live our dreams - to see the vibrant colours of the world and to grow big hearts. 

Everyday is your day, because without you, we wouldn’t be here. 

In Kundalini Yoga, we end each practice with the Long Time Sun song: 

May the long time sun shine upon you, 
All love surround you,
And the pure light within you,
Guide you way on.

🤗
🌺

If you'd like to learn more of my journey of healing since my Mother's death, please see my blog. 

Gratitude & Blessings
~ Valentina
✨Giving a gift of vitality, of taking a pause, o ✨Giving a gift of vitality, of taking a pause, of gratitude and love.✨

A thoughtful gift for
• Mamas
• Caregivers
• Single parents
• Teachers 
• Baristas and all Your "Team"
• Students
• Grieving friend, family
• If you know someone doesn’t have health insurance 
• someone who has made an impact in your life
• someone who could use a massage that might not go themselves

Gift Certificates are digital but if you'd like a physical offering please let me know to arrange pick up.

Heartfull gratitude,
~ Valentina
🌺With Mother's Day approaching, I am offering e 🌺With Mother's Day approaching, I am offering extended hours on Sunday May 8th. It's an honour to serve our mothers🌺

Available times: 
8:45am 60mins
12:45pm 60mins
4:00pm 60/90mins
5:30/6:00pm

🌺Please DM or email to book these ⬆️ appointments.

Also, I have Friday May 6 available to book online: 

5:00pm 60/90mins
6:15pm 60/90mins

🙏🏾🌺

📷@michelle.doucette.photography
Often we seek out a massage when it’s perhaps “too late” - we’re experiencing pain or discomfort or our stress has affected us in an unmanageable way... 

I like to suggest to my clients that if you know you have a big event coming up, whether it be a trip (car or plane), life event (a move, career shift), hosting visitors, a big project at work, an extra long day (servers, office, meetings), an athletic competition (marathon or trip), PLAN AHEAD and book a massage either before and/or after these events (change in relationship, death, loss, trauma). 

Pre-event massage can allow you to prepare your body and mind for what’s to come. Massage increases circulation, which brings fresh blood, oxygen and nutrients to our brain and body cells, and flushes out the stagnant old stuff, detoxifying the body - which is in this case, can allow us to “seize the day” and handle these situations with more clarity, presence and energy -and perhaps feeling less stressed out by these situations. This can also reduce the amount of energy your body needs to engage in the recovery after the event. 

Post-event massage can help with recovery and restore the body to a harmonious state. It can help flush out the toxins that have built up from imbalance during that stressful event by simply bringing new circulation to help release tension and reduce further build up of tension. With trauma, massage can soothe the nervous system and allow the body to engage in its healing process. 

Of course keeping hydrated and eating/sleeping well are extremely important when we are handling stressful or exciting events. Our brain needs water and energy to function otherwise we enter a stressed state.

My goal is to encourage you to have short-term and long-term intentions about your wellness and maintenance, just as you would about family, work, finances and other personal goals. 

When you have a clear vision, coupled with planning ahead, you will really feel the benefits of a proactive, intentional approach to living easefully. 

If you'd like to connect, book online in bio. 

Heartfull blessings 😌
~ Valentina ~

📷 @michelle.doucette.photography
Our bodies are extremely fascinating and can do a Our bodies are extremely fascinating and can do a lot for us when we maintain balance. I wish to be a part of your path to wellness, restoring your body to its most optimal state. 

I have been offering massage in Halifax, Nova Scotia since 2013. 

And if you're curious about sound and vibrational healing, I invite you to book a massage + Tune-Up.

The Tune-Up is complimentary and a great way to explore an introduction to sound balancing and sound medicine. It can bring more coherence and harmony to your body and life force.

I look forward to connecting and being a part of your path to harmony and wellness. 👐🏾

Book online in Bio.

~ Valentina
~ An Invitation ~ Be bathed in healing crystalline ~ An Invitation ~ Be bathed in healing crystalline frequency while we journey through the depths of our hearts. From this inner stillness, allow your nervous system to feel safe and restored.

In Numerology, 22 is a Master Number, and the most powerful Master Number. It holds so much power that it can turn big dreams into reality. 22 corresponds to the energy of the Master Architect, Master Builder. Let us use the potency of this portal day to build a new reality for our human collective. 
 
The intention of this ceremony is to build the frequency of Love within ourselves, becoming beacons of light. We will radiate and pour Love into the field of the human collective, encouraging greater compassion, inner peace & right relationship with Gaia and each other. 

This will be an interactive experience of sound and guided meditation to anchor in the vision we hold for ourselves and our collective future. 

Upon registration, co-creators (participants) will receive location and further instructions on how to prepare. 

My heart & soul look forward to journeying with you.

Tuesday, February 22, 2022
6:00 - 8:00pm
Bedford, NS $30

Space limited to 15 participants.

To register, please EMT to spiraldancer@protonmail.com
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Elle est vraiment à l’écoute des besoins et comprend bien notre corps

J.M

Incredibly knowledgeable and caters to your needs. One of the most diversely skilled therapists I’ve ever seen.

O.A

Knew what areas needed a bit more focus. The flow was natural, smooth and put me into a while body trance. Thank you!

M.M

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