Dear Community, this is an origin story.

The day before my first day of senior year of high school I was getting my hair cut and I asked the woman about her life story.

She had previously lived in the Caribbean Virgin Islands for several years, working as a bartender. She told me all about “island life” - having fun, meeting travelers, and enjoying a laidback lifestyle.

I walked into school the next day declaring “I’m moving to the Virgin Islands!”

I used it as an excuse to not apply to college. (SMART MOVE LITTLE COOKIE!) … All year, no one took me seriously.

AND SOOOOO….

September 2004, 18 years old, I hopped a plane to St. Thomas, never having been there, and not knowing anyone.

What proceeded was simultaneously incredibly empowering and also…the worst year of my life.

The Plus: I left that experience with a sense that “I can go anywhere”. Gifts of that chapter: Well-earned bravery, courage, resilience, grit that has helped me a ton through the years.

It was not an easy place to move to. I was so committed to making it work there. I had to rapidly grow my social skills + street smarts. (this was pre-smartphone era)

I got an apartment a mile up a dirt road, worked as a waitress in a fancy oceanfront restaurant, became the youngest member of my tight posse of coworkers….

…and I also made horrible choices with men which had lasting effects, drank a ton of alcohol and did a bunch of coke (which I haven’t touched since then), and looking back now…. had a LOT of fear and anxiety in my system.

SO. enter the most pivotal moment of my life to date.

I went back to Ithaca for the summer with full intentions to go back to the island after a couple months, and booked a session with a friend who had just gone to massage school.

My first massage ever, at age 19…

In a way, I don’t even want to put words to the experience, because they won’t do it justice, but…if I had to…I would say it was Profoundly Moving, Deep, Sacred, Melting, Opening, Softening, Comforting, Releasing, Angelic, Meaningful, Beautiful and more.

I LITERALLY rose from the table and declared verbatim “That’s a drug I’ve never been on before! I’m going to massage school.”.

…within days I was signed up for a 6 month full-time immersion.

The slogan of the school was A Journey Worth Taking. and man oh man do I agree. I wish *everyone* could go through such an experience. It was such a beautiful container, so well paced, so mindful of our inner process, so comprehensive and just so loving.

School was 5 days a week, 8-10 hours a day for 6 months - you better believe I emerged in a different state of being than when I went in.

(YOU BETTER BELIEVE!!!)

That massage and that school were my initiation into the healing arts, and set me on a path of conscious self discovery and expansion that continues to this day.

I have a lot more to say in coming emails about my approach to bodywork, and how I feel that bodywork deserves a “bigger seat at the table” of emotional healing work amidst this modern moment of talk therapy culture.

…but I wanted you to know my origin story. That first massage was one of the most important experiences of my life, and I carry that medicine with me forever, and in all of my offerings.

I hold every session as Sacred. As I place my hands on your feet I honor the depth of you, and all that you carry in your waters.

Thank you all for being a part of my journey, I look forward to welcoming you when you’re in need of some grounding, settling, relaxation and support.

love,

mari mu

recent testimonial:

“Mari has such a sincere and grounded presence, and with this presence and her generosity of spirit she creates such a safe container for what is being held in the body to unfold and appear. Her gentle touch is supported by her gentle manner of receiving all that may come up for you on the table.” -CH

♡