Connected Bodywork, LLP

Introducing our new interns! 👏👏👏 We are thrilled to welcome Tonica and Samantha to our space as they begin offering Barefoot Massage. They took their first class with Center for Barefoot Massage a few weeks ago and came back eager to get started. (Thanks Sharon, their CBM instructor located in Decatur, Alabama! They raved about you.) Over the next few months we will be providing them additional support through observed sessions and one-on-one instruction so they can hone in on this practice. As awareness of this modality grows in St. Louis, we love using our resources to support fellow massage therapists interested in using their feet.

So what does this mean for you, the receiver?! Well, you can also help these LMTs get more comfortable using their feet while taking care of yourself. Intern appointments are available at a lower rate than sessions with our more advanced Barefoot Therapists. Some sessions, with the permission of the client, will also be observed. These appointments might experience more interruption as the intern can ask questions/receive feedback from the observing therapist while working. It’s a unique experience to be a receiver in a classroom-like setting. We can almost guarantee you’ll learn something too.

Interested in booking with Tonica or Samantha? You can schedule online by using the link in our bio, options can be found under “Intern Barefoot Ashiatsu.” Or you can call/text us at 314-287-3031! They won’t be with us forever so snag a spot before they go out on their own!

The Connected Bodywork crew started the week with a private yoga class with our friends at Fly Yoga in Midtown. Ashley was such an amazing instructor, she even catered the class to us Barefoot Massage Therapists. We focused a lot on foot, ankle, and calf mobility and strength. We learned some new ways to tend to our mighty tools. Highly recommend checking out the classes at Fly! Beautiful space, beautiful people!

As you can tell, we take a lot of pride in how we have curated our space. We know that your experience begins as soon as you enter our front door, not just when you are receiving your massage. From calming sounds and smells to local art and books to browse, we have created a place that feels like arriving to the home within yourself.

Take time to connect to yourself by scheduling a massage with us! Link to book online is in our bio or text 314-287-3031

We are so excited that Amanda of will be blessing us with this new offering, beginning this Thursday!

Join Amanda for 45 minutes guided Chakra meditation followed by 15 minutes of journaling and sharing. This practice offers another tool for you to continue seeking the most important you’ll ever have, the one with Self.

Please pre register for this beautiful class by using the link in our bio. We hope to see you Thursday!

For only $10.77 you can look as happy as this person! Oooorrrr… you can see a professional 😊 cervical traction is often incorporated in our sessions. This can aid in alleviating neck pain, tension, and tightness. By lifting the head and gently pulling away from the shoulders, we create space between the vertebrae to relieve any compressing, allowing the muscles to relax. Our heads can be very heavy(literally and figuratively) so having someone hold that weight, even just for a moment, feels amazing!

Reach out, we will chat with you to make sure cervical traction is the right move.

Appointments available this week! Book online using the link in our bio or text 314-287-3031

As long as you are okay with it, we work on the glutes! From low back and hip pain to issues with range of motion, the glutes can carry a lot. By using different parts of our foot, we can apply broad to pinpointed pressure to help ease tension. And it feels less invasive than hands!

A few appointments remain for the month of June! Schedule yours today by texting 314-287-3031 or book online using the link in our bio!

Let’s talk scapula, aka the shoulder blade! The scapula provides a point of attachment for a number of muscles that make up the arm and shoulder. And with the clavicle and humerus(upper arm bone), it forms the shoulder joint. By not attaching directly to the spine, but rather being held in place by muscles, it is able to move freely with the arm, providing a wide range of movement and mobility.
As you can see in the second photo, there are a number of muscles that sit under the scapula. For some folks, especially those that sit at a computer for long hours, the scapula becomes almost “glued” to the back and they lack shoulder mobility. By using the outer edge of our foot, we can work to “unstick” the scapula, no pokey fingers under there!
This isn’t the case for everyone but we do see it quite often. Schedule a session with us and we would love to talk more about your scapula and it’s function!
Book online using the link in our bio or text 314-287-3031

A fun market happening Saturday and we were able to join the awesome line up! Sara will be there offering Thai Massage demos, $1 per minute. Stop by, get some bodywork, and shop these local vendors. And check out the full week of Pride events happening at Carondelet Yoga!

Upcoming soundbath on Sunday, 6/12 at 4 pm!
Join Alexandra from Hear me Roehr for a sound bath meditation that combines Angelic and Shamanic Energies!

During this event you will be guided into a deep meditation that will align you to receive the fullness of the sound bath...

Focus:
- balance chakras and energetic frequencies
- gain clarity and guidance
- peace, love, harmony, abundance, and health

Details:
- 1 hour guided meditation with Sound Bath
- Energetic clearing and Blessing
- Animal Oracle Card reading to personalize group intention

You might recall a few weeks ago we started talking about the history of Ashiatsu Massage in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We want to continue sharing this rich history with you. It’s a great reminder, for us as practitioners of this work, as well as being a teaching moment for you!

In Japan, this work is known as Barefoot Shiatsu. In traditional Shiatsu, the practitioner uses their hands and fingers, but in Barefoot Shiatsu the feet are used to apply pressure to specific points. The goal here is to correct imbalances and open energy channels. Working with the client on the floor, the practitioner maintains balance by holding onto a bamboo stick for support. Working with the client clothed, practitioners will focus on pressure points relating to the balance and circulation of Chi (energy). Barefoot Shiatsu is a whole body approach, taking into consideration diet, breath, posture, and nutrition.

Throughout centuries, Barefoot Massage has evolved in a number of ways and spread across the globe. Each technique is uniquely beneficial and we can say, without hesitation, that it is an art form.

The mural is officially done! And we LOVE IT. In between clients, you will likely find us chilling on these steps just staring at it. Want to see it in person? Join us tomorrow evening for a Cacao Ceremony led by and We can almost guarantee that the combo of the ceremony and the mural will make you feel like you are floating… A few tickets remain! Purchase one using the link in our bio.

And a major, major shout out to , the artist behind the mural. Brother and friend, he brought our vague vision to life. Calming yet weird is what we told him and he certainly delivered. As a Chicago-based artist, this is his first wall in St. Louis(😮)! Show him some love 💛

The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. As practitioners of Barefoot Ashiatsu, we must recognize and respect the deep history of this modality. Throughout the month, we will share portions of its beautiful past with you and we hope you learn something along the way.
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It is believed that Barefoot Ashiatsu was first developed in Kerala, India 2000 years ago by practitioners of martial arts and used as part of their training to increase flexibility and recovery time from injuries. Barefoot Massage quickly spread to other parts of Asia.
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In China, instead of being seen as a relaxation method, Ashiatsu is considered to be an application of Chinese Traditional Clinical Medicine. It was developed to cure people’s pain at the Emperor’s Court and later was offered to ordinary people. In ancient Chinese medical books, such as “Huang Di Nei Jing” and “Jin Kui Yao Lue,” Ashiatsu was mentioned to have two main purposes; pain killing and global health care. Over time, Chinese medicine experts have devised a specific footwork program that is based on acupuncture, meridians, and trigger point therapy and is now widely used in China.
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In what ways are you honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month? Have you donated to an organization that we should be aware of? Or maybe you are supporting AAPI owned businesses, artists, musicians, restaurants, etc and if so, share them in the comments! We will continue talking about the history of Barefoot Ashiatsu next week!

In more exciting news, Steph Plant returns this month for a second performance of “The Cup.”

"THE CUP" is a mystical and medicinal musical performance that takes you on a healing journey of mind, body, and spirit. This song cycle is channeled by Steph Plant and arranged to harmonize with the transcendent frequencies of pure quartz crystal singing bowls. Part ritual, part concert, part sound bath. "THE CUP" is alive with sacred intention to awaken, activate, and alleviate as audience members allow themselves to be open to magical possibilities...

There is limited seating for this special event so grab a ticket before they’re gone! Link in bio to purchase.

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Why try feet?! Feet are very sensitive and provide a broader, more consistent pressure. They also contour to the body nicely, most clients mention that they can’t even tell we are using our feet.
Why do we use our feet?! Simple, it saves our bodies from the wear and tear that comes from doing hands-on massage. We can also pick up and move limbs around with our feet, which impresses a lot of clients. 😆
Give Barefoot Ashiatsu a try! Schedule now using the “Book Now” button in our bio! Or call/text 314-287-3031

Kicking off the month of May welcoming Alex ( ) and Jen ( ) to the Connected Bodywork Studio. If you are interested in an evening off relaxation mixed with intention setting, this just might be what you need. To purchase a spot, visit the link in our bio.

Spring is sprungin’(it’s a word, go with it) at the Connected Bodywork Studio, that is for sure! As the Earth continues to wake up from its winter slumber, we are soaking in the inspiration to collaborate and connect with so many beautiful souls that inhabit this wonderful planet. And because April showers bring May flowers, so too will you see our beloved studio bloom in different ways come May. Expect some exciting announcements in the coming days/weeks and remember that yes, our space is for bodywork, but it’s also a place for community. We look forward to sharing more of that with you. 💛

Read what clients are saying about the incredible therapists here at the Connected Bodywork Studio! Schedule your next massage with any of these therapists and we just know you won’t regret it.

Shout out to local, woman-owned biz for this AMAZING piece! How incredible is this?!?! The mossy greens against the rusty brown is just perfection. We can’t wait to show this piece off. Give Samantha a follow!

We’ve had a number of people mention lately how incredible the Massage Therapists here at the Connected Bodywork studio are and we always reply with “duhhhhh!” Kidding! We don’t say that but we do whole heartedly agree! The drive and dedication everyone here has is inspiring. Each therapist brings a different style to the table, making sure they are educated in their craft so that they can provide a knowledgeable and caring experience for everyone that comes in. Give each of them a follow, share our posts, tell a friend, and above all, book a massage 😊

Oh, and join us in wishing Zach all the best as he dives into his first Barefoot Ashiatsu training this weekend. We know first foot just how challenging this modality can be at the beginning so we applaud him and his desire to learn. We look forward to supporting him post class so that he can hone in on his skills!

Tap the BOOK NOW button in our profile to schedule an appointment with these amazing bodyworkers.

This Saturday we join at .Zack for a morning of self care and self love.

As part of your ticket you could receive anything from one or two types of massage, a HIIT workout, yoga session, skin wellness experience from St. Louis's best aestheticians, recipes, healthy eating tips, life coaching or mindfulness practice and more.

Grab your tickets today and let’s BREATHE.

After a great run sharing a booking software with FLOAT STL] the time has come for this growing business to move forward with a new system. Starting March 1 you can find all Connected Bodywork services listed on Vagaro.com! Not only will this new system have our services listed, but you’ll also be able to book with and !!

Change is inevitable when you are growing. It brings both challenges and rewards. We imagine the first month using will have some bumps but we look forward to the learning process.

Thanks again to the community of St. Louis and FLOAT STL]. Your support allows us to continue offering some of the best Barefoot Massage in this city.

To schedule for March, use the super easy “Book Now” button in our bio!

Just a few comments recently made by clients during sessions…

Client started giggling so checked to make sure they were okay. Client’s response, “it just feels so good I couldn’t help but giggle.” 😆

“Using the foot… it makes so much sense!” …we couldn’t agree more.

“Take this as the highest compliment, you are everything I wish my foam roller could be.” We don’t even think there is a comparison, no offense to all foam rollers out there.

See what all the fuss is about and book your next massage with us! Appointments available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this week! Call/text 314-287-3031 or hit the link in our bio.

Starting in March, Melissa will be offering 1:1 Yomassage sessions! 😮

Yomassage is a blend of touch(massage), gentle stretching, and mindfulness. Melissa guides the client through a series of supported postures while applying a relaxing and therapeutic touch. Different props are used in each position to offer to most comfortable experience.

These sessions are 60 minutes. Cost is on a sliding scale, which Melissa can discuss with each individual to meet their needs. To schedule a Yomassage session, contact Melissa at 314-287-3031 or email [email protected]. This service is not bookable online.

And stay tuned for group Yomassage classes in the future!

At Connected Bodywork, we want to wish you peace. We understand that while this time can be joyous for some it can bring heartache and grief for others. So our wish is that you find peace, no matter where you are. And a moment outside in nature.

We will be logging off social media for the coming days so that we may RESET, RESTORE, and RECONNECT. You can always contact us via text or call at 314-287-3031. Even if it’s not bodywork related, you can reach out for a friend.

We do have a few appointments available next week. You can book online using the link in our bio.

Happy Holidays from your local Barefoot Massage Therapists! We’ll see you in 2022 ✨✨

A lot of people are surprised by how detailed we can get with our feet. For certain areas of the body, including the neck, we use the ball of our foot or our toes to work on the smaller muscle groups. It may sound a little weird but trust us, it feels amaaazing.
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We have openings this week from Wednesday through Saturday. Schedule online using the link in our bio or call/text 314-287-3031!

It’s Friday and we’re in our feelings. Coming up on two years since Connected Bodywork was founded. When we first moved into the studio, originally Southtown Healing and Arts, our plan was to be here temporarily. But like every other small business, the pandemic put a wrench in that plan, causing us to shift. When we reopened there was still a lot of uncertainty and confusion, we just knew we wanted to get back to work. A few months later it became clear that we are right where we need and want to be. So with a lot of compassion and support from our landlords and friends at Float STL, we started enacting a plan, and at the end of last month it became official! 3027 Locust, blue door to the right of Float, will be Connected Bodywork Studio for the next 5 years! Time that we know will fly by. Like our bodies and minds, this space will be ever evolving and we can’t wait to watch it grow and change with you, our clients and friends.

Swipe to see our same smiling faces two years ago.

New photos by 💛

We are now offering 10% off to all Float STL MEMBERS!! Take your float experience to a whole new level by adding massage. A lot of folks ask which order they should go in and we say either way is amazing! We can recommend a specific order to sauna, float, and massage based on your individual needs though. This discount is temporary so take advantage of it while it lasts! Book online using the link in our bio or call/text 314-287-3031

Our first Google review! Ayyyyooooo!!! Reading this made us jump for joy. These not only help us understand what we are doing right and what we need to improve on, but they also help us grow. If you have received a massage from us, please consider writing us a review! Link in our bio to do so!

Appointments available later this week. Book online or text 314-287-3031

Massage should not be painful. Yes, there are moments when you might experience discomfort during a massage but you should never be in pain. A few ways you can spot the difference

🟠You are experiencing restrictive breathing. If you find yourself holding your breath, the pressure is too much.

🟠Your body is contracting or “fighting back.” If you are struggling to let go, the pressure is too much.

🟠Doesn’t feel productive. Yes, we are the experts in massage but you know your body. We cannot feel what you feel so if it seems like a therapist is just smashing the tissue or trying to force change, the pressure is too much.

So how does Barefoot (Ashiatsu) Massage create a less painful experience? The foot is a broader, more curved tool so you don’t feel the sharp, pokey ness like you would from an elbow or knuckle. But above all, the most important tool in massage is communication.

We have appointments available this weekend! Schedule today by using the link in our bio or text 314-287-3031