meet stephanie

Stephanie Needham is a registered massage therapist (Ontario), 350 hour certified Hatha yoga instructor and holds a specialized certification in Structural Integration (Anatomy Trains Structural Integration). Her passion is anything about the human architectural scaffolding known as fascia. She is curious, in awe and forever grateful to those who have mentored and nudged her into deep and personal study about this miraculous, life giving substance in health and movement.

 With a degree in adult education, Stephanie has a dynamic approach engaging with curious learners and providing a supportive open space for imagination and personal development. A published writer for the community of Structural Integrators and a poet at heart, Stephanie has a passion for soulful expressive living with a strong background in anatomy, movement and education. Stephanie is a passionate educator and facilitator in health care living and being.

Stephanie Needham is currently working as a Registered Massage Therapist weaving in Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy and forever with a hint of structural integration at the edges.

 

biodynamic craniosacral/massage therapy/structural integration
by appointment in Kimberley, Ontario

Rates: 
Massage Therapy

 $100/ 60 minute session

$115/75 minute session

$130 / 90 minute session

Kimberley, Ontario
telephone: 519-387-6204
email: sneedham7@gmail.com

So, what ABOUT THIS "YIN" YOGA?

Are you aware that almost half (47%) of your functional mobility is related to the health of your connective tissues? Did you know that connective tissue is pervasive throughout your physical body found in layer upon layer, superficial to deep and part of your cellular makeup? Connective tissue is everywhere: ligaments, tendons, fascia including bone and joints. What happens with many of us whether we just feel stiff or feel limited by the chronic pain of overuse and perhaps aging, is mostly the impact of dehydration. Water is the vital nutrient for connective tissue health and a yin practice through long held poses at your therapeutic edge, works on your behalf to rehydrate this essential tissue. The outcome, if you stick with the practice (no pun intended): greater resilience from the inside out, improved joint mobility and appropriate rehabilitation for non-inflammatory conditions. Yin yoga is steeped in mindfulness meditation, as we pause at our personal therapeutic edges of discomfort and experientially learn the transience of sensation and thoughts. We come out of a practice, calmer, lighter in spirit and able to be in states of equanimity for longer and longer periods of time. Not a bad remedy for anxious times in the world today. So consider and contribute, make the world a better place: come out, commit to a practice of yin yoga!

Stephanie Needham is a certified Hatha yoga instructor with additional training in Yin yoga. She is a registered massage therapist and Certified Structural integration practitioner with over 500 hours with teacher Tom Myers (Anatomy Trains). She is a connective tissue/fascial geek and has been studying, honouring in awe, and working with fascial tissue for over a decade of her 20 year healthcare professional life. Additionally, she has completed a Certificate in Applied Mindfulness Meditation with the University of Toronto, Continuing studies.

 

 Beaver River Valley (Kimberley, Ontario) Land Statement and Acknowledgement

Beaver River Valley is a part of the lands that have been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. I extend my gratitude for those generations of people who have taken care of this land for thousands of years. Beaver Valley is  also currently part of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere, The Bruce Trail Conservancy and Grey Bruce Highlands.

First Nations and Métis people in Ontario have a unique relationship with the land and its resources and this relationship continues to be of central importance to First Nations and Métis communities as well as other communities who are committed to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s recommendations. 

In particular, I acknowledge that this Biosphere is on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek, Petun, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples. I acknowledge that the Biosphere is within the territory of the Dish With One Spoon treaty among Indigenous peoples – the first agreement for the sharing of the land. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and Haldimand Treaty between Indigenous peoples and the Crown according to the Niagara Escarpment Commission.

I work, live and play in the Beaver Valley, recognizing my deep appreciation for  First Nations historic connections to this place and their committed stewardship of the land I call home. I strive to steward these lands myself and with my community in the pressing resistance of oppressive development threatening the land, water and species of this place.  I also recognize the contributions that Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular and our province and country as a whole. 

This recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to meet the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities. 

My knowledge of Indigenous territories and treaties and our recognition of the importance of the First Nations past, present and future grounds me in this ancient earth and land. I am deeply grateful for their teachings and wisdom and hope it will be a source of awareness to all peoples who are affiliated with the Beaver River Valley and its surrounding areas.