We’re going to start profiling health care professionals in Revelstoke on The Stoke to let you know how to keep playing hard (and working hard too, if that’s your thing). It’s important to take care of your body when you’re pushing it to its limits - on the slopes, out on the trails, or even by sitting in a chair at work all day.
Our first profile is Katherine Weed, an amazing body worker and an all-around beautiful person. Candid and smiley, Kat’s own deep breathing while massaging are a great cue to slow your own breathing and relax. A yoga guru as well, Kat’s own personal philosophies on staying healthy and happy really ground her and her practice.
I asked Kat a few questions about massage and her recent move to Revelstoke:
What sort of modalities do you use?
I use Deep Tissue, Swedish relaxation, joint release, Reiki (a form of energy healing), Zen Shiatsu (a form of Japanese acupressure), and deep flow (a form of massage emphasizing structural, emotional and spiritual alignment). I use all of these modalities individually, but my favourite thing is to blend them all together, because it creates a unique healing fusion which I can tailor to client’s specific needs. I think every modality has so much to offer, and integrating different types of bodywork is a deep and powerful way to give massage treatments.
Tell me a bit about what differentiates you from other therapists.
Every practitioner is special and unique in their practice….I think it all depends on the way the practitioner conceives of the human body. I believe the body, mind and spirit cannot be separated from one another; treating one aspect of a person has a profound impact on other aspects of the person. The body is much more than just a mechanical, physical machine and my healing treatments work on the person as a whole, energetic unit. I think my Shiatsu treatments are especially powerful, because their aim is to re-establish harmony within the body’s subtle energy system (called “Ki” by the Japanese) through the application of deep finger, elbow or knee pressure on acupuncture points throughout the body. Stimulation of these points can help relieve stress and anxiety, chronic pain, and can improve overall health in the body. Plus, it feels really amazing!
How do you keep your own body and mind healthy so that you can help others?
I think that self-care is one of the most important aspects of being a massage practitioner; it’s important that I take time and make space for myself, so that I can go into treatments and share that same time, energy and space with my clients. In order to give an effective treatment, I need to be present, mindful, and aware so that I can be truly open and listen to my clients. My daily yoga practice is probably the most important thing that I do in my day, because it grounds and strengthens my body, mind and spirit. I maintain a healthy, mostly vegetarian diet, I don’t drink coffee or alcohol, and I generally try to listen to my body and nourish myself with what I need for that specific moment or day. I try to practice mindful awareness in my daily life and stay tuned into the present moment. Most importantly, I smile and laugh a lot, and spend a lot of my time in very deep, fluffy powder snow.
What led you into massage?
I was actually in school for Traditional Chinese Medicine before I chose to go to massage school. I really loved the essence of the TCM theories, but as I got deeper into it, I began to realize that I connected much more with the art of touch and hands on healing than I did with administering needles and prescribing herbs. TCM definitely instilled in me a love for the healing arts though, and my TCM foundation prepared me for learning Shiatsu a year later, which is based on the TCM theory of the body. I absolutely love giving Shiatsu treatments!
What brought you to Revelstoke
The mountains, the snow and the incredible people. I first visited Revy 2 years ago, and I couldn’t believe how amazing the RMR terrain was. I remember experiencing the endless, steep trees for the first time, and feeling like I was the only one on the mountain. Having lived in Whistler for 4 years, I wasn’t initiated to the concept of an uncrowded mountain, nor the unhurried nature of the people in town, and I fell in love with the energy…..I knew that I would one day live here.
Are you planning to stay for good?
As for length of stay, there are still countless places on the planet and other massage modalities that I want to explore, but I have a feeling that Revelstoke will be a home base for a long time.
What are your hours this winter and how can people book an appointment with you?
This winter, I’m dividing my time between The Mindful Body in town and Eagle Pass Heliskiing at Griffin Lake (where I’m also doing massage), so my hours will vary from week to week, although I’m generally quite flexible. I run The Mindful Body out of Trans-Canada Fitness, which is located at 501 West 2nd St. You can book appointments by calling the front desk there at (250) 837-3440, or you can call my cell phone directly at (250) 814-3615.
