What Drives Vanessa

Vanessa discovered her interest for massage in France in 1998 whilst studying for her degree in languages. A simple head/neck massage cleared her flu-like symptoms. After completing her degree in 1999, she began to explore the world of Complementary Medicine – trying out many therapies and adopting their chemical-free way of treating ailments.

Massage and the power of touch is seated in history and has been passed down through generations throughout the world. For many it is part of their culture to nurture the body using natural oils. The body has an amazing ability to “heal” itself when encouraged through massage, body awareness, a balanced healthy diet, correct breathing and a quiet mind.

Sport has also been crucial to understanding body mechanics and the role massage has to play. Having played tennis since the age of 7, Vanessa's posture was far from perfect in her late 20s with rounded shoulders, jutting out shoulder blades and an excessively lordotic (curved inwards) lower back.  Pilates and yoga have taught Vanessa the importance of posture, flexibility and core strength. Muscles work together as a team. The “stabilisers” or deep postural muscles fix the bones in the right place. These deep muscles (transversus abdominus - stomach, the pelvic floor muscles and multifidus – back) stabilise the lumbar spine by forming a “corset of strength” around your centre so that movement can take place fluidly and safely.