ASHIATSU MASSAGE WITH JANHAVI CLEVELAND

Ashland massage therapist Janhavi Cleveland, LMT, of Ashland Ashiatsu has been practicing her craft for 20 years, receiving initial training and licensing in her home state of Hawai’i. 

“I began my career as an LMT working first on a cruise ship for nine months, which was a fun but challenging experience, then continued at a few other land-based health spas in both Hawaii and Oregon,” she said. “After moving to the area in 2009, I received additional training and licensing in the state of Oregon. Up to 2012, I was only using manual techniques (with hands, elbows, forearms). In 2012, I received training in Ashiatsu, a modality utilizing feet, body weight, gravity and secure overhead bars, and fell in love with both giving and receiving this work. I’ve specialized in this technique since then, first working in a busy chiropractic office, then opening my private practice in 2016.” 

Janhavi completed advanced Ashiatsu training  including Ashi-Thai, which is an expression of Thai Massage using the overhead bar system, body weight and gravity. 

“I’ve always enjoyed helping people drop into their healing space and find a sense of freedom in their bodies,” she said. “I’ve found Ashiatsu to be the best way I can achieve this. I remember walking on my mom as a child at her request. Never did I suspect that one day I’d be doing something similar as a career. I’ve met people who have said, ‘Oh, you’re the one who walks on people!’ Not really. Most times I have one foot on the table while the other warms, glides and compresses. Two footed strokes using increased body weight and pressure are reserved for the biggest, densest body types and only if they are wanting more pressure. It’s rare. I am the ‘sole provider’ at Ashland Ashiatsu, working out of a convenient and cozy massage studio in south Ashland.”

After breaking her leg in 2018 and being out of work for five months, the weakness in her leg and hip began causing back issues and she had to learn about core and hip stability, mobility and strength. 

“I find that it has been a valuable, though difficult lesson that has increased my capacity to understand injuries, pain patterns and possible solutions for clients who come to me with chronic pain,” Janhavi said. “Ashiatsu DeepFeet Bar Therapy is a technique in which the therapist delivers deep, broad and consistent pressure using their feet and body weight. By working with gravity instead of against it, the therapist can provide an effective therapeutic massage that minimizes pain or discomfort. Parallel bars are utilized above the massage table to maintain balance, provide support and ensure client safety.”

Because the feet are broad and have a grippy quality, she is able to access deeper layers of fascia, supporting long lasting relief from fascial restrictions which are often main contributors  to chronic pain patterns. Is it for everyone?

“Absolutely not,” she said. “I exercise caution with clients with specific health concerns, injuries and body composition and have comprehensive training of all contraindications related to Ashiatsu. Some people can’t take a lot of pressure on their legs or arms while other times more detailed work is needed on smaller muscle groups such as the neck or forearms. In both cases I would be using my hands.”

Janhavi provided a little note to those who wouldn’t try Ashiatsu due to an aversion to feet: “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it,” she said. “You may have some bad memories or experiences with feet but rest assured that foot care has been included in our training. Our feet are not suffocating and sweating in shoes all day so there’s no foul smell or bacterial growth. Feet are scrubbed before each session and slippers sanitized.”

Janhavi also specializes in massage therapy, trigger point therapy, and Lomi Lomi.  Booking a session online is easy at ashlandashiatsu.com. The phone number is 808-205-1577. You can also see her on Facebook and Instagram.