Valerie Lafranchise, RMT, E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP
I appreciate the fact that balance is not always easy to achieve in our lives, and I am constantly having to remember to pause, reflect and re-orient when things get hectic and I find myself off the path. My goal is to help you find and maintain a healthy balance in your body, heart, and mind by giving you the space to pause and reconnect. Whether you find yourself on the table for a massage therapy treatment or on the mat as a yoga student, you will find my approach holistic; I am always looking at the ways in which posture, activities of daily living, and the breath factor into your overall health and wellbeing.
I am a graduate of The West Coast College of Massage Therapy, located in Victoria B.C. The school's 3000 hour program included training in advanced techniques such as: myofascial release, muscle energy, joint mobilization and manual lymph drainage. As part of my continuing education, I have also taken courses in neuromobilization, rhythmic techniques, soft tissue release, and advanced myofascial courses, all of which I incorporate into my treatments, utilizing the best techniques to achieve the desired results. My approach to treatment is very holistic; I am always looking at the ways in which posture, activities of daily living and stress factor into a patient's condition.
My treatments extend beyond massage to include patient education, such as postural awareness and stress reduction techniques. I have created individualized stretching and strengthening programs for patients and have participated in wellness workshops on subjects such as ergonomics and stretching in an office environment.
I am also a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher, having completed my 500hr teacher training under the mentorship of Marla Eriksen at Empower ME Yoga. Yoga and massage therapy are wonderfully complementary practices, and both are powerful tools to bring about and maintain good health. My yoga practice informs my massage therapy practice and of course my understanding of anatomy and physiology from my training as an RMT benefits my yoga practice. I have helped design and teach the asana lab for Empower ME Yoga's 200 hour yoga teacher training, and am continually exposing myself to new learning experiences through continued mentorships and continuing education.
My treatments extend beyond massage to include patient education, such as postural awareness and stress reduction techniques. I have created individualized stretching and strengthening programs for patients and have participated in wellness workshops on subjects such as ergonomics and stretching in an office environment.
I am also a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher, having completed my 500hr teacher training under the mentorship of Marla Eriksen at Empower ME Yoga. Yoga and massage therapy are wonderfully complementary practices, and both are powerful tools to bring about and maintain good health. My yoga practice informs my massage therapy practice and of course my understanding of anatomy and physiology from my training as an RMT benefits my yoga practice. I have helped design and teach the asana lab for Empower ME Yoga's 200 hour yoga teacher training, and am continually exposing myself to new learning experiences through continued mentorships and continuing education.
Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos — the trees, the clouds, everything.
— Thich Nhat Hanh, Touching Peace
