Only the Best is Good Enough for Our Guests
You can’t imagine how pleased we are to be welcoming back so many of our fantastic therapists. It’s good for us, knowing that we have the right people around us (and that I can book a couple of personal massage therapy sessions!). It’s also great for our guests, because we know that our talented team provide the best training, the best therapies and the best treatments.
For returning guests, we know how much you love your complimentary massage treatments from your favourites therapists. So this year we are extremely pleased – and very fortunate – to have a few familiar faces back here for the summer.
If you are still contemplating which one of our relaxing retreats to attend, then read on. Learn a little more about each of our therapists, where they trained, places they have visits, and why they do what they do. Find out everything you need to know about the impressive range of relaxing massage and rejuvenating treatments that they provide. Then, check your diary and book your retreat.
Alex Butcher – Massage Therapist
Hot Stone Massage & Cupping Therapy
Alex completed her training at the Toulouse Traditional Chinese Medicine Academy in 2018, where she learnt techniques of Tui Na (Chinese massage) and the art of cupping. She has continued her studies and now also offers hot stone therapy. As well as being on retreat with us in 2021 and 2022, Alex has worked at numerous holistic events to perfect her skills and therapies.
Anna Quist ~ Holistic Massage Therapist
Anna is another familiar face who will be joining us again throughout Spring and Summer in 2023. She has been a massage therapist for more than 15 years and has an in-depth understanding of and experience in a broad range of therapies. Following six years of studying, Anna worked in a holistic spa centre in her native Holland.
She is truly passionate about the treatments she provides, believing that the best and deepest relaxation comes from within. As such her approach is holistic, personal and respectful; she uses rhythmic touch to make you feel completely at ease and relaxed.
In her favourite Lomi Lomi Hawaiian massage, she uses her arms to relax you with long effleurages (a form of massage which involves a repeated circular stroking movements). Anna works with each guest individually and will work with pressure where you need it the most.
“With my massages I invite you to get more in touch with your body and more in touch with yourself!” ~ Anna Quist
Estelle Boissière ~ Energy Massage Therapy
We are extremely lucky to have Estelle joining us on retreat this summer and the treatments she will provide are :
Intuitive Energy Massage
Inspired by different massage techniques around the world, including Ayurvedic Abhyanga, this complete tailor-made treatment rebalances the body and its functions. More than a massage, it’s a reconnection to your deepest being.
Relaxation Massage
Estelle provides a relaxing body massage focusing on particular parts of the body. Alternatively, you can combine two or three for a longer, more relaxing experience.
- Back Massage : this treatment will quickly reduce tension and stress
- Cranial Massage : Provides immediate deep relaxation
- Foot & Hand Massage : This acts on the whole body by stimulating the areas reflexes and meridians, for rapid relaxation and better blood and lymphatic circulation.
Trained in Thailand and India
Estelle discovered massage when she spent several months in Thailand. Whilst there she witnessed and experienced massage as part of daily life and it wasn’t a luxury, but a lifestyle. She also realised that the women were taking care of themselves and each other through massage. And she saw first hand the positive impact this had on the body and mind.
Her first training took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand at the Sunshine School. Following this training she travelled in India, where she discovered ancient Ayurvedic cures. Estelle spent several months continuing her massage therapy training there with Indian Ayurvedic practitioners.
After Asia, she returned to France and continued to practice after her children were born, but focusing on family and friends.
“Bringing children into the world is the most beautiful and complex of jobs! My children are great teachers and they allowed me to find still undiscovered resources within myself. They taught me patience, letting go, and also to live in the present moment. To enjoy life, to laugh, to have fun, and to love unconditionally. It is thanks to them that I was able to understand what this means, and who still guide me today in my relationship with others. The welcome, unconditional love and values that I have as a mother accompany me during treatments”. Estelle Boissière
Gifts of Life
Because of a debilitating back problem Estelle was forced to stay in bed for two months. In her relentless search for healing, she began to experiment with different therapies. She met with Maï Vo Thi Phuong, an acting therapist and trainer at IFPRE. It was a meeting that was to change her perception of the human body – both physically and emotionally. When she was able to she went on to train for 3 years at the IFPRE (Resource Persons Training Institute) in Monpezat d’Agenais. The therapy is based on Carl Rogers’ Person-Centred Approach : The Unconditional Welcome of the person : welcome the other as (s)he is, no labels, no preconceived ideas. Estelle refers to this as much more than a training course, and more appropriately, it is a ‘gift of life’. She admits that the experience taught her how to approach and support people in difficult phases of life, whatever they may be.
Viridiana Compans ~ Shiatsu Therapist
We are delighted to have Viridiana join the Maison de Lunel team this season. And equally excited that guests will have the chance to discover Shiatsu and experience the healing benefits of this ancient practice.
Viridiana has a rich therapeutic background and is highly experienced in Shiatsu, a practice deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her journey from a stressful job – 12 years in medical repatriation and logistics – to discovering the benefits of Shiatsu has been a wonderfully transformative journey.
Becoming a mother was the catalyst for me to prioritize self-care and find ways to manage my work-life balance more effectively. I wanted to come home and enjoy a stress-free evening and quality time with my daughter. Something I feel many people can relate to.
Highly Experienced & Professional
Having practised in prestigious hospitals like Cochin, Necker, Pitié Salpétrière, and Sainte Anne, Viridiana is highly experienced and deeply professional. The fact that Shiatsu is gaining recognition as a treatment in Western medicine speaks volumes about its effectiveness in promoting overall well-being.
Her approach to Shiatsu, focusing on personalised treatments tailored to each individual’s needs, reflects the essence of the practice. By applying pressure on meridians and acupuncture points, Viridiana aims to rebalance energy and facilitate mind-body connection. Ultimately, this reduces pain and promotes relaxation.
Balance & Harmony
Indeed, the principle of neither too much nor too little, the middle way, is deeply rooted in Taoist philosophy and reflects the body’s need for balance and harmony. This principle, often referred to as the Golden Mean, underscores the importance of moderation and equilibrium in all aspects of life, including health and well-being.
The belief is that when the body’s energy, or Qi, is in balance, health and vitality are maintained. Excess or deficiency of Qi can lead to disharmony and illness. Therefore, treatments such as Shiatsu aim to restore balance by applying pressure to specific meridians and acupuncture points, helping to regulate the flow of Qi and promote overall wellness.
By embracing the middle way, Viridiana will guide guests towards optimal health, neither overstimulating nor neglecting the body’s natural rhythms. This approach aligns perfectly with the holistic philosophy of Chinese traditional medicine, emphasizing the interconnection of mind, body, and spirit. And the importance of finding harmony within oneself and the world.