AO Bodywork

Just a gentle reminder for all of us to always put our health first! We live hectic lives and we rely on having healthy bodies to thrive.

Resting, lowering stress levels and addressing pain are just some of the things that contribute to a balanced lifestyle and improve energy levels. If you are struggling to reach a state of wellness, consider introducing massage therapy into your routine and experience all its benefits.

Kua Body

🤝 Kua Body Connection 🤝

In 2016, I discovered Kua Body Studios, a unique massage business incubator and brainchild of Upuia Ahkiong. Thrilled by her concept of providing massage therapists a framework for building their own private practice, I started AO Bodywork out of KUA Body in 2016.

In 2019 I gave up working with the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) and have since been exclusively dedicating my attention to clients from Los Altos and the larger Bay Area, and remain a proud member of the KUA Body community of highly skilled and mutually supportive independent massage business owners.

Being an entrepreneur can sometimes feel lonely, but I always have my Kua Body team by my side!

While I found my calling in massage therapy, starting my own practice still felt intimidating. Teaming up with other bodywork entrepreneurs at Body as well as connecting with other women entrepreneurs in the Bay Area through WELA helped me greatly to jump that hurdle. Now, running my own show feels very gratifying as it offers me the best possible way to take care of my clients in an individually customized way.

🚵‍♀️ Sports massage holds a special place in my heart.

The most exciting period of my new career began in 2012: While living in China, I was offered a position as a core massage therapist for the 🎾 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), one of the world’s premier sports organizations for female athletes.

For six years I treated world class tennis players at tournaments around the globe as part of the WTA Sports Science and Medicine team and helped ensure the athletes maintained or regained top physical and mental health to pursue their goals on the courts.

Questions on wether sports massage is right for you? 📩 Email [email protected] or book your sports massage at www.aobodywork.com

🖥️ Is working on your computer or playing with your mobile device causing your neck to hurt? Aside from maintaining good posture whatever you do, regularly stretching your neck may help relieve stiffness and achiness.

Active Isolated Stretching is a quick and effective technique for that. Try these four stretches:

Neck Side Flexion
Neck Flexion with 45-Degree Rotation
Neck Anterior Oblique Flexion
Neck Rotation

Learn more on my AO Resources page: www.aobodywork.com/ao-resources/

I love to cook healthy meals. 🍲 Quick, nourishing vegetable soups are among my staples. One of my favorites is pea soup.
This recipe with herbed oil is a light, refreshing version. Depending on the time of year, it can be enjoyed hot or cold.
👩‍🍳

Find the pea soup recipe here: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/cold-pea-soup-with-herbed-oil-swirl-56389734

🌱 Spring is such a beautiful season. The delicate blossoming flowers 🌸 and warmer weather always put me in a good mood. I love the sense of promise for new beginnings that appears as the world awakens from the colder winter months.

What does Spring mean to you?

Do you need help with alleviating pain and restrictions?

💆 Deep work massage doesn't necessarily mean heavy pressure. Instead, it aims at systematically releasing tissues, going deeper layer by layer to improve function and movement options.

If you'd like to book a deep work massage, visit my website www.aobodywork.com

For WELA's (Women Entrepreneurs Launch) Wellness and Beauty month February 2021 I was asked to give a presentation on massage therapy. Since we were in the middle of a pandemic I decided to show participants through Zoom some how-tos and benefits of self-massage.

💆‍♀️ A few benefits of self-massage:
- Increases local circulation and reduces soreness
- Decreases muscle tightness and improves tissue mobility
- Soothes the nervous system and relaxes

See the full video on my website https://www.aobodywork.com/ao-resources/feel-good-with-self-massage

Enjoying the outdoors is my favorite way of practicing self care. I recently explored the Cross Town Trail in San Francisco. Discovering pockets of nature in the City was very exciting. Plus, it felt so refreshing and restorative!⛰️

What are some of your favorite hikes in the Bay Area?

I'm excited to announce to you my new AO Bodywork website www.aobodywork.com! 💻

The website provides a new, easy way to book massages with me directly and to share my contact information with others. You can also view my services + background, and learn some helpful self care tips in the Resources section!

Check it out! www.aobodywork.com

With this new year, I want to express my gratitude to my teachers of massage and bodywork who generously shared their knowledge and expertise, and helped me grow into the therapist I am today, my clients who entrust me with their bodies and allow me to pursue my calling, my teammates and colleagues at Kua Body, Los Altos, and my fellow women entrepreneurs whose support and camaraderie is invaluable.

For more details about me, my training and work, please visit my website www.aobodywork.com

I started my journey in bodywork close to 20 years ago and still love my profession. I am always excited to expand my knowledge and skills through continuing education. My training includes clinical deep tissue, Swedish/relaxation, sports massage, facilitated stretching, pregnancy massage (prenatal and postpartum), advanced myofascial techniques, and oncology massage. I am also a trained infant massage teacher.💆

If you're interested in booking a massage, please visit my website www.aobodywork.com