Shelli Lopes-Barnes

holistic Massage and lymphatic Therapist
CMT, LDT
 

Drawing on over 25 years of advanced training and experience, my intention is to provide support and therapeutic touch to help manage everyday stress, injuries and life’s physical, emotional and energetic challenges. My approach is to navigate the body with you, using modalities that work directly with the fluid systems and central nervous system. I will invite you to talk, share, and ask questions about what I do and how it relates to your body.

I trained in London at the Clare Maxwell Hudson School of Massage, graduating in 1994. As part of my training I chose to volunteer at the Royal Marsdon Cancer Hospital, working under Jeannie Dyer MSc. This experience helped me understand the value and meaning of compassionate touch.

15 years ago in Austin, Texas I started to pursue advanced training in craniosacral therapies (under Michael J. Shea, PhD) and lymphatics. In the US, I am certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (MLDT). I have years of study in the Chikly Method of Lymphatic Drainage Therapy which are techniques that add a level of precision, enabling me to detect and palpate the specific rhythm, direction, depth and quality of the lymph flow anywhere in the body. While pursuing these studies I worked alongside an acupuncturist in a family GP clinic, working together as a team on pain management, addiction, gut health and everything in between.

Using an integrative approach that recognizes that no system works alone, I work with all body types from elite athletes to everyday people wanting to live better and get to know their bodies in a different way. I use a gentle approach, listening and responding to whatever the body is communicating to me and the client.

Outside of work I spend a lot of time in nature; meditating, swimming, running, and hiking with my partner and blue healer cattle dog Shanti. I love to practice many forms of yoga to slow down and be in my body.