Seastone Studios - Amber Howard, LMT

Behind every small business is a real person.

Here’s a little about the human behind Maine Seastone Studios.

🎨 I’m a Mount Desert Island native, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Yoga Instructor, and artist, living and working in Bar Harbor, Maine just outside Acadia National Park.

🌱 This place has always shaped who I am, grounding me in community while encouraging curiosity, creativity, and care in everything I do.

🌎 Along the way, travel and continuing education abroad have also shaped my perspective, allowing me to learn from different cultures and approaches to healing that I bring into my work today.

☀️ When I’m not in the studio, you’ll find me exploring Acadia’s trails, painting the surprising and beautiful places I visit, or soaking up the sunshine with my family.

🧸 In 2023, I became a mother, which brought new meaning and perspective to both my life and my work. With a young son, my days are more rooted here on MDI, and I cherish our time exploring together. This season has deepened my commitment to caring for myself, my family, and the people who trust me with their care.

👋🏻 If you’re curious about how massage, movement, or mindful care could support your life, I’d love to connect and learn more about what you’re experiencing so we can find the right approach for you.

🖤 If we haven’t met yet, I’d love to get to know you too. Tell me something about yourself in the comments.

Public Statement Regarding Graham Platner and Jenny Racicot:

Since opening my business, I've had a firm policy: I keep politics off this page.

While I do discuss politics on my personal social media, I want everyone to feel welcome in my office regardless of their political views. If clients choose to bring politics up during an appointment, I'm happy to have those conversations, but this page has always remained focused on my work.

I'm making an exception today because, due to my friendship and professional relationship with Jenny, I've had people I do not know contact me through my business pages regarding the allegations she has made against Graham Platner. Rather than respond individually, I want to make one clear public statement.

First and foremost, my heart goes out to Jenny. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to carry this privately while listening to friends, colleagues, clients, and members of the community speak so highly of someone she says sexually assaulted her. Coming forward with allegations of sexual violence is never easy, particularly when the accused is a public figure with widespread support. It requires extraordinary courage, and I have tremendous respect for hers.

I also want to acknowledge something honestly. I supported Graham Platner. I met Graham at one of his first public town halls in Bar Harbor and came away impressed. He was articulate, passionate, and informed. Like many Mainers, I found his campaign exciting to watch. I knew people who knew him personally and spoke highly of his character. As someone who has long followed politics and holds a degree in International Affairs and Political Science, I appreciated that he seemed willing to challenge the status quo and speak directly to issues affecting working people. I believed in his campaign. That is precisely why this has been so difficult to process.

But I also know Jenny. I believe Jenny.

Sexual violence is tragically common, and it most often occurs between people who know one another, not strangers. According to the CDC, approximately one in three women experience sexual violence during their lifetime, and many assaults are committed by intimate partners or acquaintances rather than strangers. Those realities are part of why these conversations are so difficult and so important.

I've seen questions about why someone would wait to come forward. I don't pretend to know what the "right" time is to disclose something so deeply personal. I can't imagine carrying that decision, or weighing the personal, professional, and public consequences that come with speaking out against someone seeking public office. Every survivor's circumstances are different, and I don't believe there is a simple or universally correct answer. Some people may disagree with my conclusions, and I respect that others will make their own judgments. I'm not telling anyone else what to believe. I'm simply being honest about where I stand.

I can no longer support Graham Platner's candidacy.

This is disappointing on many levels. I grieve for what Jenny says she experienced. I grieve the loss of a campaign that I genuinely believed in. And I grieve for a race that, until recently, gave many Mainers hope.

Finally, to those who have contacted me through my business pages or business email with questions, opinions, or messages regarding Jenny, Graham, or this election: this statement will be the only public comment I make on the matter. I will not be answering additional questions, relaying messages, or speaking on Jenny's behalf. She deserves the space to decide for herself what she wishes to share publicly, and I intend to respect that.

After today, I'll be returning to my longstanding policy of keeping politics separate from my business. Thank you for respecting that boundary.

If you’ve ever climbed into bed exhausted, only to have your mind race while your body refuses to settle, you’re definitely not alone.

One thing I’ve learned as a massage therapist is that recovery doesn’t end when you walk out of the treatment room.

Massage helps create the conditions for your body to relax, but what happens that night matters just as much. Sleep is where much of your recovery continues… muscles repair, your nervous system resets, and your body integrates the work from your session.

In a recent blog post I’ve shared by guest blogger Tommie Lindahlany of , there are several natural sleep aid device recommendations that may help support deeper rest, better recovery, and a calmer nervous system after massage.

Because sometimes the best thing you can do for your body… is get a really good night’s sleep. 😴

Check out “How Natural Sleep Aid Device Options Can Enhance Recovery and Relaxation After Massage Therapy” at maineseastonestudios.com/blog/sleep-aid-devices to learn more and share your favorite ways to get a good night sleep in the comments!

Love this message! 💪

📆 Online Scheduling Is Finally Here!

💪 You can now view my availability and book your own appointments whenever it’s convenient for you... no waiting for me to return a text message or email between clients.

⏰ If you’re someone who loves handling things at 10:00 PM from the couch while wearing pajamas, this feature is for you! That said, if you’d rather schedule the old-fashioned way, nothing is changing. You’re always welcome to reach out by text, email, or through the contact form on my website. I’m happy to help however you prefer to book.

Father’s Day is almost here.

Whether you’re shopping for the father figure in your life… or investing in household harmony by treating yourself… 😏

…A massage is a gift everyone benefits from.

Much of my practice has grown through word of mouth and personal recommendations, and online reviews help extend that same trust to people searching for care.

If you’ve been a massage client of mine and have a few minutes to spare, I’d be incredibly grateful if you’d leave a Google review.

Reviews help people who are looking for support find my practice and learn about the experiences of real clients. For a small business, they truly make a big difference.

As I expand my availability this summer, I’m hoping to help more people in our community find relief from pain, move more comfortably, and feel better in their bodies.

✅ If you’d like to share your experience, you can leave a review here:

https://g.page/r/CSd6tEIT12mwEAI/review

(Or Google search Maine Seastone Studios or Amber Howard, LMT)

🙏🏻 Thank you for being a part of this practice and for all your support. It means more than you know.