Lee Ann Del Carpio’s Path to Finding Heavenly Energetic Balance

What do you get when you combine a deep-tissue massage with profoundly healing energy work? The incredible ancient practice of ashiatsu. In the Japanese language, “Ashi” means foot and “Atsu” means pressure – so Ashiatsu is a barefoot massage technique in which the therapist delivers deep, broad, consistent pressure while utilizing their feet and body weight as he/she holds on to specially-attached ceiling bars to maintain his/her balance. Unconventional to most Westerners, it dates back over 3,000 years in Asia and is honestly heavenly to receive.

Beyond the deep pressure and subsequent release on a muscular level, the practice improves blood circulation, activates your lymph nodes and follows the flow of the yin meridians coming up from the earth and the yang meridians coming down from the heavens to harmonize our energies into a greater sense of unity. The result? Total Zen.

The first time I received ashiatsu, I was wondering ”How does she do that? Is that a foot or an elbow?” Then I decided I didn’t care, because it was simply f*ing awesome!! At least once a month, I receive ashiatsu. You can find it at many elite spas throughout the country, such as the Canyon Ranch Spa in Tucson, as well as with individual practitioners.  Give it a try!