Massage
Massage involves the manipulation of soft tissue, ligaments, and joints for relaxation and relief from physical and mental stress or pain. As with other healing modalities, the range of styles and techniques of massage is wide-ranging, from gentle, energy-based bodywork to the more intense varieties of deep tissue and myofascial release. Some techniques involve the therapist placing hands directly on the client’s body; others are done through clothing, and some forms, like reiki and craniosacral, involve very little touching, or touching of only a few limited areas. See our list of offerings for a fuller sense of what each option entails.
Massage and other forms of bodywork are known for their relaxation properties, and for the relief they can provide from muscle strains, overuse, and joint problems. Equally powerful are the benefits bodywork can provide those struggling with mental and emotional health challenges: the experience of grounding in one’s body, of safe and healing touch, and of physical connection with a skilled therapist can be powerfully restorative to those experiencing grief, isolation, depression, and other forms of stress. And even in the absence of any of those health concerns, a good massage can be one of the very best kinds of self-care—which, of course, benefits everyone around you! Common Ground offers a variety of massage and body work modalities from different traditions and practitioners.
Zero Balancing (ZB) is a gentle but powerful touch therapy for the body and mind. ZB practitioners use gentle pressure and traction to release areas of tension in the bones, joints, soft tissues and energy fields of the body. Deeply relaxing and energizing, ZB helps relieve symptoms of physical and emotional stress, clears blocks in the body’s energy flow and amplifies vitality on all levels. During ZB clients stay fully clothed. As such, please wear comfortable clothes.
Gentle Trauma Resolution. All of us desire to feel safe and secure, to be valued and to live authentic lives that reflect our inherent goodness. Fear, shock, emotional distress at birth, accidents and illness can create ‘imprints’ or ‘impressions’ in body memory by way of the sympathetic nervous system. Ideally, the body will self-regulate, that is, come back into balance once the stressful situation has ended.
When trauma is not resolved, it continues to live in body memory. We may respond to life based on our past history, Fear, anxiety, fatigue and depression are symptoms that may be directly related to trauma. With compassion and patience, it is possible to re-pattern the nervous system, supporting the body in rediscovering its natural state of health. The compassionate nature of each session speaks to the heart of wholeness and is suitable for people of ages. Clients often experience a greater sense of self-connection, clarity, renewal and peace.
Cranio Sacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on practice that has its roots in osteopathy. Unresolved stress and trauma are held in body memory by way of the nervous system and affect the subtle healing rhythms of the body. We may respond to life based on our past history. Anxiety, fatigue, and depression are symptoms that may be directly related to trauma.
The gentle touch of CST can support the body in re-patterning the nervous system and re-discovering the body’s natural state of wellness. Clients receive sessions, fully clothed, on a massage table. The compassionate nature of each session speaks to the heart of wholeness and is suitable for people of all ages.
Clients often experience a greater sense of self-connection, clarity, renewal and peace.
Swedish Massage involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing, and may help after an injury
Deep Tissue Massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff areas in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin. Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage may be therapeutic — relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprain.
When you come in for a massage, the massage therapist will do a brief conversational consultation about why you are interested in having a massage. After the consultation, the massage therapist will leave the room and give you time to undress and get under the sheets and blankets. Most of our clients choose to be fully undressed under the sheets and blankets, but you are welcome to undress to your comfort level. The massage therapist will knock to make sure you have had time to get under the sheets.
If you prefer to stay fully clothed, Common Ground strongly recommends that you try Zero Balancing (ZB), Gentle Trauma Resolution or Cranio Sacral Therapy. Clients remain fully clothed during these sessions. As such, please wear loose, comfortable clothes.
Book a Massage, Gentle Trauma Resolution, Cranio Sacral Therapy, or Zero Balancing session today!
Our goal is to welcome everyone who comes to Common Ground regardless of their ability to pay. Pay-What-You-Can is only possible when we all help. It costs $100 an hour to keep the lights on and our door open.
The amount that sustains Common Ground for a 60-minute massage session is $100.
The amount that sustains Common Ground for a 90-minute massage session is $150.
Scheduling a Massage, Gentle Trauma Resolution, Cranio Sacral Therapy, or Zero Balancing session in advance is required.
Please book online or call us us at 434-218-7677.
Massage Therapists
Amina Stevens
Amina is certified in massage therapy, biodynamic cranio-sacral therapy, and gentle trauma resolution. She is naturally curious and has a broad background in holistic wellness. Since COVID, Amina has been teaching classes in Insight Meditation, The Roots and Nurturance of Trauma and Compassionate Communication based on the work of the late Marshal Rosenberg. She also offers private zoom sessions with Gentle Trauma Work drawn from the polyvagal theory of wellness.
Christianna Deichmann, RCST®, PPNE
Christianna Deichmann integrates the healing arts of massage therapy, craniosacral therapy, and prenatal and perinatal psychology to access the body’s wisdom and innate ability to heal on a holistic level. She has trained in multiple modalities in addition to massage therapy, including Ensofic Reiki, Functional Bowen Therapy, Infant and Prenatal Massage, Polyvagal-Informed dynamics, and Inner Child Journey. Her work embraces mindfulness-based somatic methodologies in service to humanity and to progress the paradigm-shift towards Consciousness on this planet. She also serves as the Director of Education for the Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health where she brings awareness to the world about the importance of compassionate birth practices for families. Her own experiences birthing her two children sparked her interest in supporting parents and professionals about birth psychology and how the earliest experiences in life are so foundational to defining human potential.
Cynthia Allred-Jackson
Cynthia Allred-Jackson’s interest in complementary health care began in my grandmother’s herb garden and continued with studies in yoga, Tibetan medicine, meditation and Zero Balancing©. This led Cynthia to become a certified massage therapist in 2015 at Crestone Healing Arts Center after becoming a certified Zero Balancer in 2008. Previously Cynthia had an eighteen year career as an educator in Charlottesville. Cynthia enjoys exploring new sites and experiences in her backyard and around the world.
David Brower
David Brower is a long time practitioner of the healing arts of meditation, yoga, Reiki and Qi Gong, and has found that working as a massage therapist is a perfect vehicle for helping others. David enjoys providing an environment where a client can let go, fully relax, and receive the many benefits that massage offers. He believes in tailoring each massage to a client’s individual needs. This may include various modalities, but especially deep therapeutic massage that addresses the body’s tissues at each of its layers. Specialties: Deep Tissue Massage Swedish Massage Sports Massage Reiki
Deepika Green, LMT and BCTMB
Deepika has more than 25 years of holistic experience including massage, integrative reflexology, craniosacral therapy, reiki, yoga, meditation, and stress management. Her massage modalities include deep tissue, Swedish, medical, and cupping. The human body's amazing ability to heal itself have always fascinated her, but sometimes it needs assistance because of energetic blockages, injuries, traumas, and imbalance on the emotional and physical level.
Melanie Ross-Fairchild
Melanie Ross-Fairchild brings her experience as a Thai Yoga massage practitioner to the art of table massage. As a Licensed Massage Therapist , Yoga Instructor and Thai massage bodyworker, she has trained with Michael Stizer, Acroyoga International and the Leesburg Institute. Her style of bodywork involves joint mobilization, compression, Swedish and Deep tissue techniques. When not doing bodywork , Melanie is often grounding in nature, gardening, learning and practicing yoga, and exploring body awareness through dance.
Tallulah Gabriel
Lula is the endeared foundation of my name Tallulah; which means "running water" and "abundance". It is also at the heart of my work to bring flowing energy and abundance to one's body and life. I feel a deep connecting meaning of the therapeutic bodywork I offer and my name. I carry into each session a strong desire and intention to help facilitate you on your wellness journey with kindness, compassion and presence. Born in Haiti (Ayiti) to a colorful family of artist. I naturally incorporate an artful spirit and wholistic approach to my work in the healing arts community as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), here in beautiful Charlottesville, VA. Three years living in Germany, serving in the U.S. Army, followed by a BA degree in Sociology left me yearning for more gratifying and purposeful experiences in life. Fast forward to today, I'm grateful and honored to offer individually tailored, therapeutic massages aka lulawork. I believe massage therapy should be accessible to all.