About
“Massage is a powerful tool in reaching homeostasis, balance, and ease. It is also a powerful tool in countering dis-ease.”
—Amy Zukoff, LMT
About Amy
Amy Zukoff is a Licensed Massage Therapist in New York State. She earned her A.A.S. with high distinction from Trocaire College’s Medical Massage Program in 2009.
In addition she recently studied and became certified in Thai Yoga Massage and has expanded her practice to include this Eastern Modality.
Her path to massage began with a personal injury. She broke her back in the 7th grade, but she was lucky; she was young, pliable and her bones mended quickly. That was all there was to that, right? Not right. Muscles remember. For years she taught herself to work on the muscles she could reach or, even better, taught other people to work on the muscles she couldn’t reach. Makeshift massage helped her tolerate the effects of her spinal injury, but her experience with professional massage has been profound, and has all but eradicated her chronic back pain.
The approach to her massage practice has been shaped by this personal experience.
What to expect
An appointment at Connection Studio will be focused on you.
Amy greets each client in the warmth and relaxing atmosphere of the Studio’s artistically furnished rooms. Then you will have a consultation, reviewing your intake paper work, as well as your expectations and goals for your session. Amy will answer any questions or concerns you may have.
For Western Massage:
Once in the tranquility of the massage room, you will be left in private to disrobe and get comfortable on the table. You will feel the healing benefits of the cutting edge technology of the Biomat, our exclusive new healing device.
During the massage Amy will use a skin nourishing combination of beeswax and coconut oil. This is the time to absorb the soothing music and surrender to the relaxation of the treatment. Amy finds communication is important to the massage process- your muscles will speak to her but your feedback is key to insuring that you understand what is happening and that you are never uncomfortable or in pain. From your consultation, Amy will determine whether you are best served by a full body relaxation or a concentration on particular areas of stress or dis-ease.
At the end of your massage, you will have privacy to come back to earth and redress. Then you will have the opportunity to discuss your experience; and Amy will give feedback and recommendations based on what she has learned during your session. She will offer self-help tips to ease your discomforts between visits, and together you can set up a regular schedule of massage to maintain and extend the benefits of the therapy.
Be sure to ask any questions you may have…this is a time for you to feel nurtured and heard. Amy wants to make sure you look forward to your next appointment at Connection Studio.
For Eastern Massage:
Amy has recently added an eastern modality to her practice: Thai Yoga Massage. This technique is sometimes referred to as “yoga for lazy people.” It differs from traditional western massage in a number of ways.
The focus of Thai massage is on joint mobility and stretching. It is traditionally performed on a floor mat rather than on a massage table, and while fully clothed in yoga appropriate clothing.
During the massage Amy will move your body in a sequence of stretches that are designed to improve range of motion and joint flexibility. Like yoga, it is an introduction to stretching which can be challenging. Amy will work within your comfort level to further your progress in this endeavor. This ancient practice is based on the belief that there exists energy lines throughout the body through which the life force flows. So in addition to a good hamstring stretch you may find energy blocks freed and that you feel revitalized.