Native to Bellingham, WA I moved south in search of Vit D in 2005. I have been a licensed massage therapist in Oregon since 2011, and worked at Siskiyou Massage Clinic from 2015-2019. I am certified in medical massage and trained in orthopedic assessment and techniques. I am a passionate student of anatomy and physiology, which informs my touch. I recognize that while our intention may be focused on your soft tissues while I do my work, I’m not just touching and affecting the muscles of your body, I’m touching all that is contained within the confines of your skin and beyond. You, in your entirety, from muscle fibers, your nervous system, hormones, and your emotional reactions and thought processes, You are reacting to every stimulus I provide.
How I approach facilitating change:
I have a variety of ways in which I communicate with your body. I access your wiring and encourage communication between the brain and your muscles using neuromuscular techniques including Positional Release, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitaion Stretches (or PNF Stretching), and a lot of opportunity for propioceptive feedback through passive and active movement of your joints as well as the highly effective modality of myofascial release. On my table you may also experience a wonderful modality called active cupping, which serves as an incredibly effective tool for change and treatment for a large variety of conditions.
I like to explore how things move and notice where they don’t, to really feel the underlying structures beneath my hands and know that they are not just images in a textbook, but living tissues in a real living human. I can follow the line of tension contributing to the restriction of movement, and melt it so that there is freedom again.
I love when someone tells me they can feel how one area is connected to another region of the body. We all know that the knee bone connects to the hip bone, but that doesn’t always translate into the knee bone affects the hip bone, which in turn affects the pelvis and low back, which alters the curvature of the spine, and alters the transmission of force by millidegrees and all of a sudden that’s why you have a headache. We need to expand our concepts of separate parts working in isolation and integrate the reality that the whole unit works together.
I'm on fire for how much healing
can happen when we are given the proper
space to drop into our own healing vibration.
When we are held in the ways to facilitate safe self discovery and release for that which
no longer serves, we get the opportunity
to meet ourselves again and again.
It is so radical and beautiful.
It is a Revolution.
Following my curiosity for the body has led me through yoga training, sports, martial arts, Reiki, anatomy studies, and to Massage Therapy. My massage practice focuses on CranioSacral Therapy enhanced by Myofascial Release. I am deeply committed to creating a safe, nurturing space that allows you to connect with your own healing process. Together we work toward recovery from acute injuries, chronic pain, or the demands of everyday life.
In each session, I tune into the body's subtle CranioSacral (CS) rhythm, particularly focusing on the cerebrospinal flow along the spine, sacrum and skull. By tuning in to your CS system, I can identify energetic imbalances and areas of tension. Additionally, it can also serve as a tool for personal and spiritual growth, offering a meditative exploration of deeper self awareness. Incorporating the structural component of Myofascial Release facilitates connective tissue health, helping reduce pain and improve mobility. I also employ other structural techniques of:
Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy, Cupping, and Reiki.
Each session is tailored to your unique needs.
My training at the Ashland Institute of Massage, combined with continuous learning in anatomy and specialized courses in chronic pain, leg/ankle function, and nervous system/somatic support, provides me with a solid physiological foundation to support your healing journey.
As an avid adventurer and skier, I understand the restorative power of nature and the vital connection between physical movement and well-being. Spending time outdoors has taught me about resilience, balance, and the body's remarkable capacity for renewal. This connection to nature profoundly influences my approach to healing as I bring that same spirit of harmony, adaptability, and flow into my practice. I believe that just as nature nurtures and restores, so too can mindful bodywork help clients reconnect with their own inner strength, balance, and healing potential.
I am honored to support you, whether your path involves physical, emotional, or energetic healing.
Please wear comfortable clothing for CranioSacral sessions, as this is a clothed practice, and shorts if wishing to incorporate Myofascial Release or other structural work.
Dawn blends many different modalities in each personalized massage session. Myofascial release, cupping, shiatsu, and sports massage techniques are among the varied modalities that may be used in any given session to meet her client's goals. She specializes in deep tissue, results oriented techniques, but understands and has a great intuitive touch when it comes to knowing appropriate use of pressure. The most satisfying aspect of Dawn's work is the client who is relieved of their pain and on their way to better health. Working with a sports chiropractor for most of her career, this deep tissue Jedi has worked with pre-Olympians and professional athletes including the Anaheim Ducks, Dodgers, Angels, and football, tennis, surf, golf, and volleyball players to name a few. She understands sports injuries; works with pre and post op; and is knowledgeable in finding the source of pain.
Dawn Astrid graduated with honors from the National Holistic Institute (NHI) in Emeryville, CA in 2006. She has additional training in health education and was a teacher's assistant at NHI during her time as a student there.
Dawn received her yoga teacher certification in India in 2001. She loves travel and adventure. Surfing, snowboarding are a big part of her life along with dance, and nutrition.
I am passionate about supporting fellow humans on their journey to greater well-being, whether they're recovering from an injury, integrating plant medicine experience, or simply looking to relax and recharge. My approach is trauma informed and trauma responsive, and I'm committed to creating a sage and nurturing space for every client.
In addition to my work as a Licensed Massage Therapist, I teach ethics, boundaries, communication, and cultural competence to other LMT's. I recently completed the Transformational Energetic Healer's Training. This has deepened by ability to work with subtle energies and help clients access shifts in behavioral patterns that are ready to evolve. My touch is sensitive enough to detect nuance and firm enough to support myofascial release, informed by my understanding of the body's connective tissue tracts.
I bring lived experience to my work, including my own journey of healing after a motor vehicle accident and near death experience in 2002. This gives me a unique ability to offer compassionate presence and Depp empathy for those navigating their own challenges. My background includes working with chiropractic and physical therapy clinics, the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), and over 25 years of teaching yoga.
Whether your goal is to relieve pain, improve circulation, or reconnect with your body, I'm here to meet you where you are and help you create more ease and flow in your tissues-and in your life. Together, we can support your body's natural resilience and regenerative ability, leaving your refreshed, inspired, and hopeful.
I am deeply passionate about helping others heal and find comfort through the power of bodywork. For me, this work is not just a career—it’s a gift I bring to support healing in the body, mind, and spirit. My journey has been one of continuous learning, combining a strong foundation in the sciences of anatomy, physiology, chronic pain, and injury recovery with a holistic understanding of self-awareness and the connection between emotional well-being and physical health.
With an educational background in orthopedic assessments and treatments, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of pain and the techniques that can foster meaningful change. This enables me to take an innovative, personalized approach to addressing a variety of chronic pain conditions.
Specializing in Pelvic Floor Care
My specialty is pelvic floor care. I view the pelvic region—spanning from the diaphragm to the knees—as the body's central hub for physical and emotional well-being. Issues such as low back pain, knee pain, sciatica, incontinence, and organ prolapse can often be addressed by focusing on this area. Beyond the physical, this region is deeply tied to emotional blockages related to feelings of inadequacy, scarcity, frustration, and fear. Surgeries, difficult births, and other traumas to the pelvis can leave lasting effects on both the body and spirit.
I approach this sensitive work with care, always respecting the client’s comfort level. My techniques range from gentle to deep and include external pelvic floor work to target muscles and their attachments at the pubic and sits bones. I incorporate breathing awareness, abdominal massage, and precise deep-pressure applications to address specific needs.
Whether I’m alleviating chronic shoulder pain or supporting someone in overcoming trauma-related discomfort, my goal is to create a safe environment for healing, self-awareness, and growth.
I am trained and certified in external pelvic floor techniques through Soma Vitality and the Reclaiming the Pelvic Floor course, ensuring that my clients receive informed and compassionate care.
I have been a licensed massage therapist for 11 years. I truly enjoy helping people feel better in their bodies. My own experience in a car accident nearly 20 years ago helped me realize the wonderful results that can be achieved through massage. It sparked my desire to look into being a massage therapist myself. Fast forward to 2013, and my dream was realized.
I have worked as a chiropractic assistant at Southern Oregon Sports and Spine, which led me further down the path to working in a more therapeutic environment.
I like to assist my clients by sharing my knowledge and experience, so we can come up with a positive solution together that is individualized for their healing journey.
I have lived in the greater northwest for the majority of my life, and have settled into Ashland 12 years ago. When I’m not massaging, I enjoy getting outside with my two young children and our Frenchie puppy. I also love to play music, dance, and scuba/travel whenever possible.
If you are seeking a therapeutic, yet relaxing massage, I’m here to help.
I have always been drawn to expressing love and care through my hands—whether as a craftsman, creating gifts, or cooking for loved ones. This passion, combined with a deep love for my community and a desire to help family members with disabilities find greater comfort in their bodies, led me to pursue massage therapy as a way to care for those around me.
The poet Kahlil Gibran wrote that one should work as if building a house for their beloved to dwell within. Through massage, I strive to bring ease and comfort to the home that is your body.
Much like the Tzʼutujil people, who weave intricate stories to create a beautiful nesting home of words, my approach to massage is rooted in creating a supportive and thoughtful environment for your body to heal. Guided by a thorough understanding of anatomy, an intuitive touch, and several years of experience, I provide therapeutic care tailored to a variety of conditions.
I specialize in myofascial release, seamlessly blending Swedish techniques with neuromuscular therapy, trigger point work, deep tissue massage, and cupping as needed. My work is further enriched by my curiosity and appreciation for modalities such as craniosacral and neurovascular release.
A graduate of the Ashland Institute of Massage in 2020, I am committed to helping my clients achieve greater ease, balance, and connection within their bodies.
I believe compassionate bodywork is essential to balanced health.
My journey of therapeutic massage was passed to me with my Slavic heritage. With my mother as my first teacher, I witnessed diligent touch transform the body from pain to ease. She had taught me like my grandmother taught her. Both learned from cultural values of responsibility for your own body, and one another’s.
My lineage of reverence for the body was the inspiration to complete formal training at the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy’s 700-hour program. There I expanded my skills to include Myofascial Release, Swedish, Thai, and Shiatsu techniques. Since then I have also added Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Dynamic Cupping to my repertoire.
While out of the office, I am in the classroom pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. My goal is to stoke the fire of communal health for many years to come.
A passion for holistic healing inspired me to pursue a deeply fulfilling career in massage therapy. In my practice I have developed a robust appreciation for the intricacies of body's mechanics as well as the profound emotional dimensions that bodywork can reach. By incorporating elements of traditional Eastern practices and the use of modern bodywork modalities such as neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, and active isolated stretching, I address the unique needs of your body. I specialize in chronic head & neck pain, including migraines, headaches, and TMJ. I am also well versed in working with clients with Fibromyalgia, those managing acute or chronic pain and injuries, as well as individuals in the pre- and post-operative phases.
Through the unique technique of Ashiatsu, a barefoot massage, I am able to provide a deeper pressure combined with mindful movements to release tension and promote overall health. Ashiatsu is a great modality for promoting muscle recovery from intense activity in addition to being incredibly relaxing to the nervous system.
I believe in the transformative power of touch and am dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where clients can unwind and rejuvenate. My intention is to provide potent, present care that will ease discomfort, increase mobility, and uplift the spirit.
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