Poulsbo Healing Oasis

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐢?⁣
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When I first began studying Lomilomi with Barbara Helynn Robles (formerly Barbara Helynn Heard), I wasn't encountering an entirely unfamiliar way of thinking about touch. So much of the philosophy behind the work immediately resonated with me.⁣
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By that point, I had already come to believe that I couldn't work only with the physical body. Every person who comes to the table brings a whole human being with them—body, mind, emotions, and spirit. I was learning to see the person as whole and well, regardless of the condition in which they arrived, rather than seeing only an injury, diagnosis, or problem that needed to be fixed.⁣
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When I began studying Lomilomi, I found that this way of seeing the person wasn't simply compatible with the work—it was integral to it. Seeing the person on the table as whole and well, and working with the whole person rather than focusing only on what may be hurting or not functioning well, is an important part of Lomilomi practice.⁣
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That resonated deeply with me. I wasn't being asked to set aside something I had already begun to understand about healing. I was entering a practice in which that understanding was fundamental.⁣
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There was the emphasis on presence and quality of touch, which connected deeply with what I had learned through years of caregiving. But there was also reverence, connection, and the importance of the practitioner tending to their own inner state before attempting to help another person. The work asked me not only, "What am I doing with my hands?" but "How am I showing up for this person?"⁣
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That last part has become particularly important to me. I don't want to bring the stress and distractions of my own day to the treatment table. Grounding myself, becoming present, and coming into the work from a centered place are part of preparing to work with another person.⁣
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My studies also gave me ways to integrate practices that were already becoming important in my own life—meditation, energy work, spiritual practice, and an understanding of healing that includes more than the physical body.⁣
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None of that means a client needs to share my spiritual beliefs. Choice and respect are important parts of my practice. Traditional elements such as an opening blessing are always optional and can be offered aloud, silently, or not at all.⁣
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Lomilomi didn't ask me to abandon the clinical side of massage therapy in order to make room for these things. It helped me understand how they could exist alongside one another.⁣
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𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞.⁣
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I feel deeply grateful for what Barbara Helynn Robles has shared with me over the years, and honored to now have her blessing to share this work with others.⁣

𝐀 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 . . .⁣
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My relationship with massage and quality of touch goes back much further than the opening of Poulsbo Healing Oasis.⁣
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My caregiving journey began in 1988, when I trained and began working as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). I first attended massage school in 1997, and after completing my training, I spent several years living outside the United States before returning home. Over the years, much of my caregiving work focused on end-of-life and dementia care, where gentle, compassionate touch was often an important part of the care I provided. Those experiences taught me a great deal about presence, sensitivity, and quality of touch—lessons that continue to influence my work today.⁣
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I returned to formal massage education in 2018, and that same year I began studying Lomilomi with Barbara Helynn Robles (formerly known as Barbara Helynn Heard). I later went on to study with Barbara Helynn’s primary teacher and mentor, Dr. Makaʻala Yates, as well as other Lomilomi practitioners. I also count myself fortunate to have been able to study on Hawaiʻi Island and plan to return soon for ongoing study.⁣
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I became a Washington licensed massage therapist in 2019, and my work has continued to evolve through ongoing education and clinical practice.⁣
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Looking back, I can see a progression from those early experiences with gentle, compassionate touch, through my study of Lomilomi, to the comprehensive assessment and treatment work that forms the foundation of my clinical practice today. Each stage has deepened my understanding of what touch can communicate and how much the quality of that touch matters.⁣
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𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.⁣

10:45 AM appointment available THIS SATURDAY, 8/8 (90 or 60 min). Book online at poulsbohealing.noterro.com

I have one appointment available tomorrow (Thursday, July 16) at 1:30 PM.

If you've been thinking about scheduling, this is a great opportunity to get in. I only have a few appointment openings remaining in July.

Sessions are tailored to your individual needs and may include:
• Pain relief
• Improved mobility
• Recovery from injury
• Nervous system regulation
• Therapeutic Lomilomi massage
• Fully clothed bodywork and stretch sessions

Call or text with any questions: 360-682-0035

Book online:
poulsbohealing.noterro.com

I’ve recently expanded my schedule and am now in the office Wednesday–Sunday.

Even with the added availability, sessions are continuing to book out further in advance, and I currently have 4 openings remaining in April.

If you’ve been thinking about coming in for pain relief, mobility, or ongoing care — whether you’re a current client or new — I recommend booking ahead to find a time that works best for you.

As always, you can book online or reach out if you need help finding a time. https://poulsbohealing.noterro.com/

Sunday opening 3/29 at 10:45 AM grab it now at poulsbohealing.noterro.com

One thing I talk about with clients often:⁣⁣
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𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝.⁣⁣
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Many pain patterns are influenced by things like⁣⁣
• muscle tone⁣⁣
• nervous system signaling⁣⁣
• movement patterns⁣⁣
• long-standing tension habits⁣⁣
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These don’t always show up on an X-ray or MRI.⁣⁣
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Another piece people don’t always realize is that the way we think and talk about pain matters.⁣⁣
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If someone is repeatedly told things like⁣⁣
“you’re the tightest person I’ve ever worked on”⁣⁣
or⁣⁣
“this is probably something you’ll always have,”⁣⁣
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the nervous system can start to treat that pattern as permanent.⁣⁣
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The brain is constantly interpreting signals from the body, and those interpretations can influence muscle tone, protective tension, and pain sensitivity.⁣⁣
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.⁣⁣
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With the right kind of input — thoughtful manual therapy, movement, and better awareness of how the body is functioning — many pain patterns can change significantly.⁣⁣
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞.⁣⁣
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Many people carry stories about their bodies that were told to them years ago.⁣⁣

It’s worth remembering that the body is adaptable, and these stories can be rewritten.

Both of my upcoming spring classes are now full.

Lomilomi Introduction — April 19, 2026
Reiki Master – Level 3 — May 4, 2026

Thank you to everyone who enrolled.

The next Lomilomi Introduction will be offered in September. Reiki Master is typically offered once per year.

I’m grateful for the interest and support.

If you’d like to receive announcements about future classes and continuing education offerings, you can join my mailing list here:

Classes & Continuing Education Updates Receive updates about upcoming classes, continuing education offerings, and educational events, including newly announced dates, registration availability, and related educational offerings.

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 — 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐋𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐢 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬

Emphasis is put on developing deep yet gentle touch, refining palpation, effective use of body weight, clinical application, and attuned practitioner–client connection. Cultural and spiritual context, including Hawaiian history, protocol, and oli (traditional chants), are woven into each learning experience.

Class sizes are small (4-8 students) to support individualized instruction, hands-on feedback, and a grounded learning environment.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐋𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐢 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞

Deposit secures your spot.
Enrollment opens 12 weeks before class date.

𝐋𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐢 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 — 𝟖 𝐂𝐄𝐬
$180 Investment / $ 75 deposit
9:00am–6:00pm (1-hr lunch)
• Sunday, April 19, 2026 - CLASS IS FULL - reach out to be added to the waitlist.
• Sunday, September 27, 2026 (location TBD, Kitsap County)

𝐋𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐢 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 / 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞— 𝟖 𝐂𝐄s
$190 investment / $90 deposit
Fully Clothed Chair and Floor Massage Techniques
𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘴. 𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘳 - 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.
9:00am–6:00pm (1-hour lunch)
• Sunday, May 24, 2026
• Sunday, October 4, 2026
Location TBD (Kitsap County)

𝐋𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐢 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 — 𝟏𝟔 𝐂𝐄𝐬 (2-day class)
$325 investment / $100 deposit
9:00am–6:00pm each day (1-hour lunch)
• November 7–8, 2026 (Saturday–Sunday)
Location TBD (Kitsap County)

𝘈𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵.

These teachings come through my study with Barbara Helynn Robles (formerly known as Barbara Helynn Heard), and are shared with her blessing.

You can see descriptions of each class by scrolling to the bottom of the page here: https://poulsbohealing.noterro.com/

If youʻd like to receive announcements and updates on classes and continuing education, you can join the mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/poulsbohealing/classes-continuing-education-updates

Practice aloha toward one another ❤️